In this communication the Respondents claimed that IHRDA is not eligible to file a communication on behalf of Ethiopians because, IHRDA is not based in Ethiopia. The African Commission held that citizenship is not a requirement once the alledged violations are based on rights enshrined in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights found that the Ethiopian government had violated a number of provisions of the African Charter particularly,Articles 1, 2 and 7. It accordingly recommended that compensation be provided to the victims for violation of their rights under Art 7(1) (b) and (d) of the African Commission. This is decision is a victory to these victims, who were not accorded fair trial rights regardless of whether they committed the alleged crimes or not.The Ethiopian Government will have to report to the African Commission (within three months) on measures it has taken to give effect to its recommendation.
