Regional Human Rights Bodies Decry Mandate Misconceptions As Threat To Peace And Democracy

In a meeting held this week on the role of democratic institutions in fostering resilience, stability, and sustainable peace across the member states of the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD), regional human rights bodies criticized governments for misinterpreting their mandate and perceiving oversight as opposition or an attempt to delegitimize political leadership.

The third IGAD Governance Forum, which concluded on Friday in Addis Ababa, brought together key actors from across the Horn of Africa in a resounding call for stronger, more inclusive, and accountable institutions to sustain peace and democracy in the region.

Over the two-day gathering, representatives from parliaments, judiciaries, media, youth groups, and oversight bodies shared experiences and challenges in advancing good governance and democratic resilience within their countries.

Organized under the theme ‘Democratic Institutions as Instruments for Peace and Resilience in the IGAD Region,’ the forum explored the vital roles of national human rights institutions, anti-corruption bodies, and independent media in sustaining democracy and social trust.

Abdi Jibril (PhD), commissioner for Civil, Political, and Socio-Economic Rights at the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC), highlighted the difficulties of maintaining independence in the current political climate.

“Despite being impartial institutions established to promote and protect human rights, national commissions face criticism from both government supporters and opposition groups,” he said.

According to Abdi, a lack of awareness among executive and judicial branches about the nature and role of national human rights commissions remains a major challenge.

He emphasized that investigating and reporting on violations is not about criticizing specific actors but fulfilling a core mandate. Remaining silent would undermine public trust and institutional independence, according to the commissioner.

“It is not in our nature to align with either government or opposition. We are attacked from both sides, but impartiality is our value,” said Abdi.

He stressed compliance with the Paris Principles, which require independence and impartiality for national human rights institutions, and noted that seeking approval or praise from political actors would compromise their credibility.

Eden Taye Tefera, representing the UN Human Rights Office for Eastern Africa, reinforced these concerns.

She told the gathering that governments repeatedly fail to recognize human rights violations as risk factors for conflict, instead viewing them as attempts to delegitimize authority.

“Serious violations, if not addressed, can lead to violence and instability,” Eden said.

She emphasized the need to acknowledge the specific dynamics of conflicts including causes, impacts, and vulnerabilities of affected communities to avoid overgeneralization and ensure recommendations are relevant and actionable.

“We must foster constructive dialogue and reconciliation rather than inflame emotions or polarize stakeholders.”

A representative from Somalia’s anti-corruption agency also urged the use of factual, neutral language to promote understanding and safeguard institutional independence.

“We all need to exercise good governance principles and overcome challenges of human right violation through exercise of care and precautionary measures for public safety and security,” he said.

Abebe Muluneh, director of IGAD’s Peace and Security division, underscored the broader significance: “Strengthening democratic institutions is essential for ensuring peace and security. They promote good governance, accountability, and the rule of law key pillars that prevent conflict and build resilient societies.”

He stated that building resilient democratic institutions is not merely a political exercise but a peacebuilding strategy anchoring stability across the region.

The forum comes as international observers and watchdogs warn that Ethiopia’s civic space is growing increasingly narrow.

Lensa Biyane, a lawyer and human rights advocate, observes that repression today is no longer limited to openly changing laws or arresting activists and rights groups, but is carried out through digital surveillance and new government tactics.

These include selectively amending specific repressive laws instead of reforming the entire legal framework, thereby coercing civil society organizations.

She notes that many activists are forced into exile due to their bold public stance. Lensa recommends that civil society organizations also adopt tactical approaches, as governments continuously shift their methods of engagement.

She further pushed for CSOs and rights groups to develop challenging mechanisms to resist these pressures.

“We are sitting and talking here while many more journalists and civil society organizations are being exiled or arrested,” said Lensa.