Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ADDISABABA31
2009-01-06 13:49:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Addis Ababa
Cable title:
ETHIOPIA PASSES RESTRICTIVE CSO LAW
how-toVZCZCXRO0503 RR RUEHROV DE RUEHDS #0031 0061349 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 061349Z JAN 09 FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3307 INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE RHEFHLC/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC RUEPADJ/CJTF HOA RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC RUEWMFD/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS ADDIS ABABA 000031
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KDEM PGOV PHUM EAID ET
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA PASSES RESTRICTIVE CSO LAW
REF: A. ADDIS 3381 B. ADDIS 3100 C. ADDIS 2482 D.
ADDIS 3159
UNCLAS ADDIS ABABA 000031
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KDEM PGOV PHUM EAID ET
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA PASSES RESTRICTIVE CSO LAW
REF: A. ADDIS 3381 B. ADDIS 3100 C. ADDIS 2482 D.
ADDIS 3159
1. (SBU) On January 6, the Ethiopian Parliament passed a new
Charities and Societies Proclamation (CSO law)(Refs A-C) to
regulate the conduct of civil society organizations. As
expected, the law prohibits civil society organizations that
receive more than ten percent of their funding from foreign
sources from engaging in activities that promote human rights
and democracy, the rights of children and the disabled,
equality among nations, nationalities, people, gender and
religion, and conflict resolution or reconciliation. The CSO
law provides an ill-defined carve-out for activities funded
pursuant to a bilateral agreement with the Ethiopian
government. As a result, it is difficult to determine at
this time the extent to which the law will impact USAID
grantees or other implementing partners, particularly in such
restricted areas as democracy and governance. The CSO law
also delineates stiff penalties for violations of its
provisions, including potential criminal liability and fines
of up to USD 5000 for organizations and USD 2000 for
individuals. Note: The Embassy will not see the final
English version of the law for some weeks, until it is
published officially. End Note.
2. (SBU) The Embassy has repeatedly and privately raised
concerns about the CSO law with the Ethiopian government.
The passage of the CSO law, combined with the recent passage
of a restrictive media law (Septel) and a wave of arrests of
opposition party members/officials (Ref D),provides the
Ethiopian government express legal grounds to tighten control
of civil society. While many US-funded programs will likely
be permitted to continue due to the strength of our bilateral
relationship, many Ethiopian CSOs that receive significant
foreign funding will likely be unable to continue their
activities in a number of critical areas.
YAMAMOTO
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KDEM PGOV PHUM EAID ET
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA PASSES RESTRICTIVE CSO LAW
REF: A. ADDIS 3381 B. ADDIS 3100 C. ADDIS 2482 D.
ADDIS 3159
1. (SBU) On January 6, the Ethiopian Parliament passed a new
Charities and Societies Proclamation (CSO law)(Refs A-C) to
regulate the conduct of civil society organizations. As
expected, the law prohibits civil society organizations that
receive more than ten percent of their funding from foreign
sources from engaging in activities that promote human rights
and democracy, the rights of children and the disabled,
equality among nations, nationalities, people, gender and
religion, and conflict resolution or reconciliation. The CSO
law provides an ill-defined carve-out for activities funded
pursuant to a bilateral agreement with the Ethiopian
government. As a result, it is difficult to determine at
this time the extent to which the law will impact USAID
grantees or other implementing partners, particularly in such
restricted areas as democracy and governance. The CSO law
also delineates stiff penalties for violations of its
provisions, including potential criminal liability and fines
of up to USD 5000 for organizations and USD 2000 for
individuals. Note: The Embassy will not see the final
English version of the law for some weeks, until it is
published officially. End Note.
2. (SBU) The Embassy has repeatedly and privately raised
concerns about the CSO law with the Ethiopian government.
The passage of the CSO law, combined with the recent passage
of a restrictive media law (Septel) and a wave of arrests of
opposition party members/officials (Ref D),provides the
Ethiopian government express legal grounds to tighten control
of civil society. While many US-funded programs will likely
be permitted to continue due to the strength of our bilateral
relationship, many Ethiopian CSOs that receive significant
foreign funding will likely be unable to continue their
activities in a number of critical areas.
YAMAMOTO