The ratification of the Asset Recovery Proclamation has ignited intense debate, with opposition MPs vehemently opposing the bill over concerns about its implications for political and economic freedoms.
The bill, first introduced in late June 2024, was under discussion for nearly six months before being passed with a majority vote on January 9, 2025.
The new law allows authorities to seize any asset with a value exceeding ten million birr that lacks proper documentation, including movable and immovable property, money, legal instruments, securities, shares, and virtual assets, among others.
The law retroactively applies to assets acquired up to ten years before its enactment. While the government argues that the bill is crucial for combating corruption and recovering illicit wealth, opposition MPs have raised the alarm about its potential for misuse.
Since it first appeared, critics have pointed to the bill’s broad scope and retroactive application, warning that these features could facilitate politically motivated attacks on dissenters and critics of the government.
– Advertisement –
Under the law, unexplained assets are subject to criminal and anti-corruption investigations. However, dozens of MPs invoked Article 40 of the Ethiopian Constitution, which guarantees the right to private property, as well as international treaties that protect property ownership.
The Prosperity Party, which holds a parliamentary majority, passed the bill despite these objections.
According to Article 40, every Ethiopian citizen has the right to the ownership of private property. Unless prescribed otherwise by law on account of public interest, this right shall include the right to acquire, to use and, in a manner compatible with the rights of other citizens, to dispose of such property by sale or bequest or to transfer it otherwise.
Abebaw Desalegn (PhD), an MP representing the National Amhara Movement (NAMA) party, criticized the law for breaching the principle of non-retroactivity as a serious legal and ethical concern.
Abebaw questioned the independence and neutrality of the Ethiopian institutions to be tasked with enforcing the law, citing executive interference in the judiciary and judges being removed from courtrooms for doing their jobs.
He fears the law will likely become a tool to silence opponents of the government.
Mebiratu Alemu (PhD), an economist and MP from the Boro Democratic Party, shared similar concerns.
He argued that the law comes at a time when Ethiopia’s anti-corruption efforts and judicial system are deteriorating. He further indicated the law will likely be used as a political weapon to stifle dissent and attack those who succeed without aligning with the ruling party.
Muluken Tesfaw, another MP representing NAMA, went further, stating that the law’s primary objective is to target individuals and groups critical of the government. He sees the proclamation as a tool that will be applied to attack political and religious leaders and businesspeople who are not aligned with the ruling party.
Although several parliamentarians called on their fellow lawmakers to reject the bill, it was ultimately approved with three opposition votes, four abstentions, and a majority in favor.
Awoke Amzaye (PhD), an MP representing Ethiopian Citizens for Social Justice (Ezema), also expressed concerns, warning that the law could financially cripple individuals and organizations critical of the government, adding the proclamation allows officials to take action against individuals without substantial evidence of wrongdoing.
Etsgenet Mengistu, chair of the parliamentary Legal and Justice Standing Committee, defended the bill, arguing that it addresses a legal gap hindering the executive branch’s ability to tackle corruption. Responding to criticisms, she insisted that the law does not violate constitutional property rights.
Etsgenet said that investigating unexplained assets exceeding 10 million birr for up to ten years does not infringe on the right to own private property. She emphasized Parliament’s responsibility to monitor the implementation of the law and ensure fairness.
.
.
.
#Asset #Recovery #Bill #Ratified #Fierce #Opposition #Opposition #MPs
Source link
