Federal Supreme Court Cassation Decisions

Freedom of expression is one of the founding principles of international human rights law. Its significance in ensuring the vitality of democratic self-government is unparalleled. Freedom of expression provides the most important means by which individuals can fully participate in the political life of a community. In fledgling democracies like Ethiopia, ensuring free expression is ever more important as it pacifies tension in society and reduces risks of violence. Freedom of expression is also a powerful means of addressing deep rooted structural problems in society like corruption and embezzlement. Nevertheless, in recent times, rights groups have accused Ethiopia of engaging in continuing repressive measures against the press and the media that undermine the continued vitality of the democratic process. In particular, since the contested national election in 2005, the state has continued to take measures which drastically affect political speech and harshly narrow the political space. These include the adoption of the 2009 Anti- Terrorism Proclamation, the 2009 Charities and Societies Proclamation, and the 2008 Mass Media and Access to Information Proclamation. The purpose of this article is to analyze the current state of press and media freedom in Ethiopia, in particular the normative problems related with the regulation of freedom of expression and the media in light of both the general theory of freedom of expression and international human rights law.

Qaama aangoo ummataa qabuun dambii bahe ykn ajaja kenname fudhachuu ykn kabajuu diduu; Kabaja qaama kanaa tuquu ykn sirna adeemsa hojii isaa gufachiisuu ykn addaan akka citu gochuu dha. Kunis haala adda addaatiin kan raawwatamuu dha. Xiyyeeffannoon keenya Mana Murtii irratti ta‟us yaadrimeen kun qaamolee aangoo ummataa qaban kan biroos fkn seera baaftuu fi seera raawwachistuu ni dabalata.

The 2015 Ethiopia National Child Labour Survey (NCLS) is the most recent survey on child labour in Ethiopia providing detailed information on the extent and characteristics of child labour. However, due to its focus on children living in households—with adults who are legally responsible for them—NCLS omits vulnerable hard-to-reach children not living in traditional households.

The aim of this report is threefold. First, we use data from the 2015 NCLS and the 2013 Labour Force Survey (LFS) to deepen knowledge about the causes and consequences of child labour as well as the labour market for youth. Second, through qualitative interviews and analysis, we seek to enhance knowledge about hard-to-reach children working in urban areas. We want to know why they work, what risks and hazards they face, what makes them vulnerable, what their coping strategies are and what the possible solutions are according to stakeholders. Lastly, the report provides a mapping of national policies and programmes related to child abour and youth employment.