The Impact of the Ethiopian Anti-terrorism Law on Fundamental Rights

This study identifies and assesses the impact of the ATP on the promotion and protection of fundamental rights and freedoms. It tries to answer the question whether or how the ATP put challenges to human rights. The analysis shows that the ATP impairs the enjoyment of fundamental rights and freedoms. The ATP's overly broad and vague provisions criminalize acts of totally peaceful exercise of fundamental rights and freedoms. The ATP's provisions which give police and security services over expanded powers and relax evidentiary and procedural rules have significantly impaired due process and fair trial rights. The study finally affirmed that the fear of misuse of the ATP for political ends has, of course, materialized. The Ethiopian government uses the broad and vague ATP to stifle political opposition, the media, journalists, the civil society and human rights and political activists critical of the government. Thus the findings suggest that there is an imminent need for the revision of the content and application of the ATP in line with the human rights standards set in the constitution and international human rights conventions.