From: Berhane Habtemariam (Berhane.Habtemariam@gmx.de)
Date: Thu Sep 03 2009 - 17:23:22 EDT
Ethiopia: Human rights violations and conflicts continue to cause
displacement
Date: 03 Sep 2009
For decades, Ethiopia has been affected by famine and conflict. In 2009,
there have been various reports of internal displacement resulting from
conflicts and human rights violations perpetrated by the army and groups
opposed to the government. It is difficult to establish the number of
internally displaced people (IDPs) as neither the government nor any
international organisation has undertaken a profiling exercise. The access
of humanitarian and human rights organisations and the media to some areas
of the country has been restricted.
The ongoing conflicts in Somali Region between the army and the Ogaden
National Liberation Front, and in the south and south-west of the country
with the Oromo Liberation Front, both pose serious security, humanitarian
and protection challenges. The impact on civilians of the conflict in Somali
Region has been likened to that of Darfur. Meanwhile, there are also
conflicts in at least five of the country's nine regions with causes ranging
from competition over scarce water and pasture resources to disputes over
administrative boundaries. In February 2009 alone, some 160,000 people were
driven from their homes by conflict between the Garre of the Somali region
and the Boran of the Oromiya region over a contested piece of land.
Displacement in Ethiopia is well documented but there is no evidence of
durable solutions for IDPs. There is no agency or ministry mandated to
respond to issues of forced internal displacement. Even though Ethiopia is
actively involved in the drafting of the African Union convention on
internally displaced people, there is growing evidence to suggest that
conflicts in the country have far-reaching implications for protection and
humanitarian assistance for internally displaced people. In a context of
widespread impunity, no-one sanctioning violence that leads to displacement
has been prosecuted.
The absence of political efforts to resolve internal conflicts and the
continuing border dispute with Eritrea presents an ongoing serious risk of
renewed conflict and displacement in the Horn of Africa. If the government
does not improve humanitarian access, affected IDPs and other vulnerable
people will continue to face a protection and humanitarian
crisis............
trea's highland plateau. Asmara enjoys a great climate, clean and
picturesque streets, attractive palm trees, and a reputation as one of the
safest, calm and alluring capital cities in Africa. Eritrea one of world's
top tourist destinations: Lonely Planet Institution.
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