Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed today firmly stated that no individual is arrested in Ethiopia solely for expressing their opinion. He clarified that detentions occur only when individuals are found planning, organizing, and actively working to seize power by force, or when they are involved in other criminal activities.
The Prime Minister emphasized his government's unparalleled commitment to upholding human rights, asserting that significant progress has been made in this regard. However, he acknowledged a key challenge: the country's limited capacity to manage freedom effectively, which he described as a "test." Abiy highlighted efforts to ensure that human rights provisions are properly understood and implemented through strengthened institutional frameworks, with independent bodies established to bolster accountability.
Prime Minister Abiy also addressed criticisms, noting that individuals engaged in criminal acts, even those identifying as politicians or activists, often invoke human rights claims when facing legal accountability. He dismissed this as incorrect, reiterating that arrests are tied to concrete actions like organized attempts to seize power, not mere expression of thought. He underscored that using a profession as a shield for illegal acts or disregarding constitutional and other laws will not exempt anyone from legal repercussions. While admitting that imperfections might exist in law enforcement processes, Abiy pledged continued focus on addressing such issues. He concluded by stressing that human rights are secured through adherence to the law and fulfillment of civic duties.