Ethiopia’s police officers watch over a foot bridge as they patrol the streets of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia February 21, 2018.© 2018 Reuters
Addis Abeba– The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has called for an immediate halt to the detention of individuals removed from the streets, stating that the practice continues despite its previous recommendations to end it. The commission described the act as an infringement on the right to freedom and movement.
In a statement released on 10 January 2025, the EHRC said, “Many people removed from streets are being held in a large warehouse in the Kaliti area near the drivers’ training center in Addis Abeba.” It added that detainees are “made to choose between staying at the center or working in agriculture,” with those opting for agricultural work sent to farming stations. The commission characterized these practices as violations of “freedom and other fundamental human rights.”
The EHRC referred to its April 2023 findings on the mass detention of street children and its September 2023 report on detainees in Sida Awash, Galan sub-city. It noted that these detentions often coincide with “public celebrations, international conferences, and other major events” in Addis Abeba.
In earlier statements, the EHRC recommended that authorities focus on rehabilitation and reintegration programs that “respect human rights” and address the issue through comprehensive policy measures.
Acting Chief Commissioner Rakeb Messele stated, “The practice of forcefully detaining people living on streets or moving them to other areas without their consent must stop immediately.” She emphasized that rehabilitation centers for voluntary entrants must be “adequately equipped, safe, and hygienic to avoid health and security risks.”
The commission said it is engaging with the Addis Abeba Peace and Security Bureau and the Addis Abeba Police Commission to discuss respect for detainees’ rights and to monitor conditions at detention centers. “We are working to ensure people’s lives and health are not endangered,” it said.
As upcoming public celebrations and international events approach, the EHRC urged authorities to adopt a “sustainable, human rights-centered solution” to prevent further violations.
The commission also recently reported cases of forced conscription and arbitrary detentions in Oromia Regional State, accusing regional authorities of engaging in unlawful practices, including extortion targeting civilians, with victims as young as 11. AS
