Under the shadow of emergency : examining the legality and implication of Ethiopia’s state of emergency laws on human rights

Abstract

This research examines Ethiopia’s state of emergency laws declared during recent armed conflicts, analyzing their legality, impact on human rights, and alignment with both the FDRE Constitution and international treaties. It focuses on the federal government's broad emergency powers, particularly during the Tigray conflict (2021) and Amhara conflict (2023). By exploring conditions for derogation under human rights instruments like the ICCPR and the ACHPR, the study assesses compliance with procedural and substantive safeguards designed to prevent abuses of emergency powers. The analysis highlights challenges in balancing national security and civil liberties during crises.