Assessing the compatibility of Ethiopia’s reservations and ‘interpretative declarations’ with the Maputo protocol’s object and purpose

Abstract

Ethiopia signed and ratified the Maputo Protocol on 1 June 2004 and 18 July 2018, respectively. The instrument of ratification was deposited with the Chairperson of the Commission of the AU on 17 September 2019 as required by article 28 of the Maputo Protocol. Besides, Ethiopia has incorporated the Maputo Protocol into its national law through the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa Ratification Proclamation No.1082/2018 (Maputo Protocol Ratification Proclamation). According to the Maputo Protocol Ratification Proclamation, Ethiopia made seven reservations and six ‘interpretative declarations’ to the Maputo Protocol. Considering that the reservations and interpretative declarations pertain to the most relevant aspects of Ethiopian women's lives, the paper addresses whether the reservations and interpretations are compatible with the Maputo Protocol's object and purpose.