Ethiopia secures important advances for human rights, including women’s rights

H.E. Mr Yibza Aynekullu Tesfaye is Minister-Counsellor in the Permanent Mission of Ethiopia

There is a growing public sense, promoted by the Western press and NGOs, that human rights are in retreat around the world. It is true that in some countries, including established democracies, there are signs of retrenchment, with leaders pushing the idea that human rights must be suppressed or side-lined in the name of national security, or economic development. However, this gloomy picture ignores States in many parts of the world, especially in the developing world, that have made remarkable progress over recent years. Ethiopia is, I believe, one such country.

Human rights change and reform in Ethiopia has happened so quickly it seems to have caught many people by surprise. While those changes hold out the promise of improvements in the enjoyment of all human rights, and for all parts of the population, women’s rights in particular have received a significant boost. What is more, Ethiopia’s reform agenda is built upon a firm belief that human rights progress will not come at the expense of peace and security, or of sustainable development – rather, it will complement both.

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FUTURE EVENTS

February 6-8 / 2019
Fiji
Ratification and implementation of the UN Convention against Torture in the Pacific: Supporting Pacific States with processes of legislative review and drafting anti-torture laws or amendments.
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PAST EVENTS

January 31st / 2019
Geneva
Lifting religion-based reservations as a means of strengthening women’s rights: The key role of women’s rights movements in the MENA region
(Public event)
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January 22nd / 2019
Geneva
Launch of yourHRC.org report
(By invitation)
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January 15th / 2019
Geneva
Reception on the occasion of the first intersessional meeting on human rights and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
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January 9-10th / 2019
Tunisia
Regional workshop on ‘Lifting religion-based reservations as a means of strengthening women’s rights’
(By invitation)
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Ethiopia secures important advances for human rights, including women’s rights

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yourHRc.org report: The Human Rights Council in 2018 By the Universal Rights Group

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yourHRc.org report: The Human Rights Council in 2018

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