Reports indicate that leaders from four civil society organizations have left the country in response to threats and harassment from government security forces.

In a statement issued by the Ethiopian Human Rights Defenders Center (EHRDC), civil society organization leaders have been subjected to “repeated threats and harassment” by the security forces. As a result, there are indications that civil society in the country may be in danger.

The center indicated in a statement that four civil society organization leaders fled the country due to threats and harassment allegedly received both in person and over the phone. The Ethiopian Human Rights Defenders Center has released a list of the leaders who are said to have fled based on the petitions and suggestions they received.

Among those who fled are the founder and program director of the Center for Advancement of Rights and Democracy (CARD), Atnafu Birhane, the General Director of Association for Human Rights in Ethiopia (AHRE), Eden Fisha, and his successor, Meseret Ali. Additionally, the director of the Ethiopian Human Rights Council (EHRCO), Dan Yirga, who has been active for more than 30 years, stated that they were forced to flee due to “extreme pressure, harassment, and intimidation”.

The center, established six years ago, pointed out that the same threats and intimidation faced by Ethiopia Human Rights council (EHRCO) workers have made it difficult for them to work calmly and stated that workers are being forced to leave their jobs. In past statements, EHRCO announced that pressure, beatings, robbery, and harassment were hindering their work.

The Center for Advancement of Rights and Democracy (CARD), the Association for Human Rights in Ethiopia (AHRE), and Lawyers for Human Rights were banned by the regulatory Authority for civil society organizations (ACSO) last week for not being politically neutral. The organizations received a letter of suspension stating that their activities were outside their goals and harmed the interests of the country.

The Ethiopian Human Right Defenders center (EHRDC) condemned the pressure and restrictions on civil society organizations and leaders, stating that it was eroding the environment, creating fear, and hindering participation. The ban was also criticized for violating the rights of association, assembly, and freedom of expression as stipulated in the constitution.

The banned organizations, in statements, declared that they were not aware of any investigation being conducted and argued that the ban was unlawful and lacked transparency. The center urged the government to immediately resolve the pressure on civil society organizations and called on responsible bodies to protect members of civil society and contribute to creating a suitable environment.