Human Rights and Freedom in Ethiopia

https://www.humantruth.info/ethiopia_human_rights_and_freedom.html

By Vexen Crabtree 2018

#ethiopia #ethiopia_women #gender_equality #prejudice #women

Ethiopia Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia [Country Profile Page]
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	177th best
Location	Africa
Population	109.2m₁
Life Expectancy	64.97yrs (2017)₂

Ethiopia is amongst the worst places in the world at ensuring human rights and freedom, and it has severe cultural issues when it comes to tolerance and equality. Ethiopia does worse than average in combatting modern slavery₃, commentary in Human Rights Watch reports₄, freethought₅, opposing gender inequality₆ (still good for Africa), its nominal commitment to Human Rights₇, supporting press freedom₈, its average Freedom in the World rating and in LGBT equality in the 2020s₉. And finally, it falls into the worst 20 when it comes to the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators)₁₀. There are severe restrictions on independent media, political life and civil society, with "arbitrary detention of those who do not actively support the government"₁₁. In 2017, security forces killed over 1000 protesters and detailed "tens of thousands more"₁₁.

1. Ethiopia's Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#equality #ethiopia #freedom #gender_equality #human_rights #morals #politics #prejudice #tolerance

Compared to Africa (2025)₁₂
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₁₂
1	Cape Verde	65.1
2	S. Africa	70.5
3	Mauritius	76.4
	...
43	Malawi	132.6
44	Libya	135.0
45	Guinea	135.1
46=	Ethiopia	136.1
47	Cameroon	139.8
48	Congo, DR	140.6
49	Angola	142.8
50	Mauritania	144.3
51	Equatorial Guinea	147.3
	Africa Avg	116.60
q=54.

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)₁₂
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₁₂
1	Sweden	7.5
2	Netherlands	8.6
3	Denmark	9.0
	...
176	Libya	135.0
177	Guinea	135.1
178=	Yemen	136.1
178=	Ethiopia	136.1
180	Qatar	137.2
181	Iraq	138.4
182	Myanmar	138.8
183	Turkmenistan	139.3
	World Avg	90.04
q=198.

The best countries in the world at ensuring human rights, fostering equality and promoting tolerance, are Sweden, The Netherlands and Denmark₁₃. These countries are displaying the best traits that humanity has to offer. The worst countries are Somalia, Eritrea and Saudi Arabia₁₃.

30 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on supporting press freedom, combatting modern slavery, its average Freedom in the World rating, commentary in Human Rights Watch reports, its nominal commitment to Human Rights, speed of uptake of HR treaties, opposing gender inequality, the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators), the year from which women could participate in democracy, its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice, LGBT equality and freethought. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe₁₃, whereas the worst are The Middle East, Africa and Asia₁₃.

For more, see:

" Which are the Best Countries for Human Rights, Equality and Tolerance?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Amnesty International's 2023-23 summary on human rights in Ethiopia stated:

“The federal government continued to impose restrictions on humanitarian aid to Tigray and halted all deliveries in August until November. Thousands of Tigrayan detainees were held arbitrarily in dire conditions, often in unofficial places of detention without access to lawyers. Opposition leaders were held in violation of court orders for their release. Government security forces and armed groups were responsible for the unlawful killings of civilians, which in some cases may have amounted to war crimes. Promises to investigate these crimes remained unfulfilled. Multiple incidents of conflict related rape and other sexual violence were committed by Tigrayan forces in the Afar region. The right to freedom of expression was significantly eroded.”
"The State of the World's Human Rights 2022/23" by Amnesty International (2023)₁₄

Ethiopia has a "closed political space", with just one ruling coalition.

“[There exists] broad restrictions on civil society and independent media, decimation of independent political parties, harassment and arbitrary detention of those who do not actively support the government, severely limited space for dissenting voices. Despite repeated promises to investigate abuses, the government has not credibly done so, underscoring the need for international investigations.”
"World Report 2018" by Human Rights Watch (2018)₁₁

2. Human Rights & Tolerance Datasets

2.1. Press Freedom

#democracy #freedom #Freedom_of_Speech #Good_Governance #mass_media #politics #UK

Press Freedom Higher is better₈
Pos.		2025₈
1	Norway	92.31
2	Estonia	89.46
3	Netherlands	88.64
	...
141	Honduras	38.51
142	Uganda	37.61
143	Kyrgyzstan	37.46
144	Ethiopia	36.92
145	Rwanda	35.84
146	Jordan	35.25
147	Uzbekistan	35.24
148	Bangladesh	33.71
	Africa Avg	52.30
	World Avg	54.65
q=179. Also scored for 2000s-2010s.

With regard to supporting press freedom, Ethiopia comes 144th in the world.

The freedom to investigate, publish information, and have access to others' opinion is a fundamental part of today's information-driven world, and is linked with Freedom of Speech and Good Governance. Scores on the Press Freedom Index are calculated according to indicators including pluralism - the degree to which opinions are represented in the media, media independence of authorities, self-censorship, legislation, transparency and the infrastructure that supports news and information, and, the level of violence against journalists which includes lengths of imprisonments. The index "does not take direct account of the kind of political system but it is clear that democracies provide better protection for the freedom to produce and circulate accurate news and information than countries where human rights are flouted". The rankings are used as one of the datasets of the Social and Moral Development Index₁₅

It must be noted that press freedom is not an indicator of press quality and the press itself can be abusive; the UK suffers in particular from a popular brand of nasty reporting that infuses several of its newspapers who are particularly prone to running destructive and often untrue campaigns against victims. The Press Freedom Index notes that "the index should in no way be taken as an indicator of the quality of the media in the countries concerned".

For more, see:

"Human Rights" by Vexen Crabtree (2026).

“The state tightly controls the media landscape [...] making it challenging for Ethiopians to access information that is independent of government perspectives. Many journalists are forced to choose between self-censorship, harassment and arrest, or exile. [...] Scores of journalists, including Eskinder Nega and Woubshet Taye, remain jailed under Ethiopia´s anti- terrorism law. In addition to threats against journalists, tactics used to restrict independent media include harassing advertisers, printing presses, and distributors.”
"World Report 2018" by Human Rights Watch (2018)₁₁

Averages by decade for Ethiopia (for the ranks, lower is better):

Press Freedom	2000s Average	2010s Average
Ethiopia:	48.59	56.75
World Rank:	146th	⇡ 141st
World Avg:	27.44	65.91

2.2. Slavery in the 2020s

#burundi #eritrea #human_rights #indonesia #slavery

Slavery in the 2020s Lower is better₃
Pos.		Slavery in the 2020s Per 1000₃
1=	Switzerland	0.50
1=	Norway	0.50
3=	Germany	0.60
	...
87=	Lithuania	6.10
88	Somalia	6.20
89=	Malaysia	6.30
89=	Ethiopia	6.30
91=	Greece	6.40
91=	Paraguay	6.40
93=	Sri Lanka	6.50
93=	Gambia	6.50
	Africa Avg	6.90
	World Avg	7.15
q=160. Also scored for 2010s-2020s.

Ethiopia ranks 89th in the world with regard to combatting modern slavery.

Modern slavery includes forced labour (often of the under-age), debt bondage (especially generational), sexual slavery, chattel slavery and other forms of abuse, some of which can be surprisingly difficult to detect, but often target those fleeing from warzones, and the poverty-stricken vulnerable.₁₆. Some industries (diamond, clothing, coal) from some countries (Burundi₁₇, Eritrea₁₇, Indonesia₁₈) are a particular concern. The Walk Free Foundation, say in their 2023 report, that 50 million people are living in modern slavery₁₇, and, nearly two-thirds of those in forced labour are employed at the end of supply chains working for large multinationals that creating products consumed by rich countries₁₉.

For more, see:

"The Historical Slave Trade and Modern Slavery" by Vexen Crabtree (2018).

Averages by decade for Ethiopia (for the ranks, lower is better):

Slavery	2010s Average	2020s Average
Ethiopia:	6.10	6.30
World Rank:	115th	⇡ 89th
World Avg:	6.54	7.15

2.3. Freedom in the World

#freedom #human_rights #hungary #politics #USA

Freedom in the World Lower is better
Pos.		2024 Score
1=	Norway	1.0
1=	Canada	1.0
1=	Cape Verde	1.0
	...
162=	Kazakhstan	6.0
162=	Niger	6.0
162=	Kyrgyzstan	6.0
162=	Ethiopia	6.0
162=	Gabon	6.0
162=	Egypt	6.0
162=	Cambodia	6.0
162=	Rwanda	6.0
	Africa Avg	4.8
	World Avg	3.7
q=205. Also scored for 1970s-2010s.

Ethiopia ranks 162nd in the world with regard to its average Freedom in the World rating.

Freedom House's long-standing annual report has been running since the 1970s, collecting data on political rights (PR) and civil liberties (CL). Their reports rate countries as "Free", "Partially Free" or "Not Free", however the results here are based on their numerical values. Many countries score the best combination of scores (1 and 1), which is why the table of results show many places equally placed in 1st place. In the past two decades, some well-established democracies like the USA and Hungary have been falling. Whilst most of the world in general is improving rights and freedoms over time, the 2020s has seen some regression.

For more, see:

" Which are the Best Countries for Human Rights, Equality and Tolerance?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Averages by decade for Ethiopia (for the ranks, lower is better):

Freedom in the World	1970s Average	1980s Average	1990s Average	2000s Average	2010s Average
Ethiopia:	6.3	6.9	5.1	5.0	6.2
World Rank:	135th	⇣ 158th	⇡ 139th	⇣ 148th	⇣ 180th
World Avg:	4.3	4.2	3.6	3.4	3.4

2.4. Human Rights Watch Comments

#human_rights

Human Rights Watch Comments Higher is better₄
Pos.		2017 Score₄
1=	UK	9
1=	France	9
1=	Germany	9
	...
102=	Equatorial Guinea	-7
102=	Swaziland	-7
102=	Indonesia	-7
102=	Ethiopia	-7
106=	Russia	-8
106=	Turkmenistan	-8
106=	Algeria	-8
106=	Central African Rep.	-8
	Africa Avg	-5.6
	World Avg	-1.9
q=123.

Regarding commentary in Human Rights Watch reports, Ethiopia ranks 15th-worst in the world.

Human Rights Watch comments concentrate mostly on negative issues, however, they also make positive comments for those countries that engage in human rights defence around the world, or who make improvements at home. By adding up positive and negative comments (including double-points for negatives that involve large scales and crimes against humanity), the Social and Moral Index turns HRW commentary into quantified values. Some countries may be unfairly penalized because HRW have not examined them, and, some countries "get away" with abuses if they manage to hide it, or if it goes unnoticed - a negative point has been given for those countries in which HRW specifically state that access to investigators has been barred. The points were limited to a minimum of -10 because there are some points at which things are so bad, with abuses affecting so many, it is difficult to be more specific about the depths of the issues.

For more, see:

"Human Rights" by Vexen Crabtree (2026).

2.5. Nominal Commitment to HR

#ethiopia #human_rights

Nominal Commitment to HR Higher is better₇
Pos.		2009 Treaties₇
1	Argentina	24
2=	Chile	23
2=	Costa Rica	23
	...
134=	Antigua & Barbuda	13
134=	Nepal	13
134=	Djibouti	13
137=	Ethiopia	12
137=	Haiti	12
137=	Dominica	12
137=	Central African Rep.	12
137=	Bahrain	12
	Africa Avg	14.8
	World Avg	15.1
q=194.

Ethiopia comes 137th in the world regarding its nominal commitment to Human Rights.

There are many international agreements on Human Rights, and, many mechanisms by which countries can be brought to account for their actions. Together, these have been the biggest historical movement in the fight against oppression and inhumanity. Or, putting it another way: these are rejected mostly by those who wish to oppress inhumanely. None of them are perfect and many people object to various components and wordings, but, no-one has come up with, and enforced, better methods of controlling the occasional desires that states and peoples have of causing angst for other states and peoples in a violent, unjust or inhumane way. Points are awarded for the number of Human Rights agreements ratified by the country, plus the acceptance of the petition mechanisms for disputes. The maximum possible score in 2009 was 24.

For more, see:

"Human Rights" by Vexen Crabtree (2026).

The first round of international treaties on human rights began in the 1940s after the founding of the United Nations. For the following few decades, Ethiopia regularly signed and ratified almost all such treaties, except a few. However, since 1989, it has signed only two, and, ratified only one.

2.6. HR Treaties Lag

#human_rights #international_law #micronesia #politics #small_islands

HR Treaties Lag Lower is better₂₀
Pos.		2019 Avg Yrs/Treaty₂₀
1	Ecuador	2.15
2	Uruguay	2.25
3	Tunisia	3.65
	...
109	Lithuania	11.03
110	Mozambique	11.04
111	Tajikistan	11.08
112	Ethiopia	11.13
113	Slovenia	11.13
114	Dominica	11.14
115	Benin	11.15
116	Chad	11.23
	Africa Avg	9.88
	World Avg	10.02
q=195.

Regarding speed of uptake of HR treaties, Ethiopia ranks 112th in the world.

Human Rights (HR) Treaties Lag is a count of how long it took each country to sign each of 11 key HR treaties. From the date of the first signatory of each treaty, all other countries have one point added to their score for each day they delayed in signing. Results are presented as average time in years to sign each one. The lower a country's score, the more enthusiastically it has taken on international Human Rights Treaties - which are, of course, minimal standards of good governance. The slowest are the countries of Micronesia, Melanesia, Australasia and Polynesia all lagged by over 12 years per treaty. The best regions are The Americas, Scandinavia and the Mediterranean.

For more, see:

" Which are the Best Countries for Human Rights, Equality and Tolerance?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

3. Gender Equality Datasets

The 1950s saw a late rush of 43 countries, including Ethiopia and many developing nations, move to cease preventing women from voting. Ethiopia is an unequal country, with male rights dominating those of women.

See:

3.1. Gender Inequality

#gender #gender_equality #human_rights #misogyny #women

Gender Inequality Lower is better₆
Pos.		2022₆
1	Denmark	0.01
2	Norway	0.01
3	Switzerland	0.02
	...
120	Iran	0.49
121	Cambodia	0.49
122	Syria	0.49
123=	Ethiopia	0.50
123=	Nepal	0.50
125	Swaziland	0.50
126	Bangladesh	0.50
127	Burundi	0.50
	Africa Avg	0.53
	World Avg	0.34
q=166. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Ethiopia is positioned 123rd in the world when it comes to opposing gender inequality (still low for Africa).

The UN Human Development Reports include statistics on gender equality which take into account things like maternal mortality, access to political power (seats in parliament) and differences between male and female education rates. Gender inequality is not a necessary part of early human development. Although a separation of roles is almost universal due to different strengths between the genders, this does not have to mean that women are subdued, and, such patriarchalism is not universal in ancient history. Those cultures and peoples who shed, or never developed, the idea that mankind ought to dominate womankind, are better cultures and peoples than those who, even today, cling violently to those mores.

For more, see:

"Gender Equality" by Vexen Crabtree (2023).

Averages by decade for Ethiopia (for the ranks, lower is better):

Gender Inequality	2000s Average	2010s Average
Ethiopia:	0.66	0.55
World Rank:	137th	⇡ 135th
World Avg:	0.41	0.37

3.2. Gender Biases

#gender #gender_equality #prejudice #women

Gender Biases Lower is better₁₀
Pos.		2022 %₁₀
1	Sweden	31.8₂₁
2	New Zealand	34.4₂₂
3	Australia	37.0₂₂
	...
68	Zimbabwe	98.7₂₂
69	Yemen	98.7₂₁
70	Azerbaijan	98.7₂₁
71	Ethiopia	98.9₂₂
72	Iraq	98.9₂₂
73	Haiti	98.9₂₁
74	Ghana	99.0₂₁
75	India	99.1₂₁
	Africa Avg	98.10
	World Avg	83.93
q=88.

With regard to the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators), Ethiopia ranks 18th-worst in the world.

The Gender Social Norms Index (GSNI) looks at gender biases across seven criteria; the % given here is for the total people who are biased across any of those criteria. By subtracting the value from 100%, you can see that those who do well on this index, you are seeing a count of those who do not appear to be biased against women in any of the criteria, and so, doing well on this index is a very positive sign for any country.

The data was included in UN (2022) with full results in Annex table AS6.7.1; their data stems for ranges between 2005 and 2022, depending on the country in question.

3.3. Year Women Can Vote

#christianity #gender_equality #human_rights #politics #women

Year Women Can Vote Lower is better
Pos.		Year Women Can Vote Year
1	New Zealand	1893
2	Australia	1902
3	Finland	1906
	...
100=	Belize	1954
100=	Ghana	1954
102=	Nicaragua	1955
102=	Ethiopia	1955
102=	Peru	1955
102=	Eritrea	1955
102=	Honduras	1955
102=	Cambodia	1955
	Africa Avg	1961
	World Avg	1930
q=189.

Ethiopia is 102nd in the world in terms of the year from which women could participate in democracy.

Women now have equal rights in the vast majority of countries across the world. Although academic literature oftens talks of when a country "grants women the right to vote", this enforces a backwards way of thinking. Women always had the right to vote, however, they were frequently denied that right. The opposition to women's ability to vote in equality with man was most consistently and powerfully opposed by the Catholic Church, other Christian organisations, Islamic authorities and some other religious and secular traditionalists.

For more, see:

"Gender Equality" by Vexen Crabtree (2023).

4. Prejudice Datasets

4.1. LGBT Equality in the 2020s

#2020s #equality #homosexuality #human_rights #ICCPR #intolerance #sexuality #tolerance

LGBT Equality in the 2020s Higher is better₉
Pos.		LGBT Equality in the 2020s Score₉
1=	Germany	4.88
1=	Spain	4.88
3	Portugal	4.81
	...
175=	Tanzania	-5.00
175=	Tunisia	-5.00
177	Morocco	-5.02
178	Ethiopia	-5.04
179=	Malaysia	-5.07
179=	Libya	-5.07
181	Syria	-5.08
182=	Togo	-5.10
	Africa Avg	-3.78
	World Avg	-1.21
q=215. Also scored for 1970s-2020s.

Ethiopia is positioned 178th in the world regarding LGBT equality in the 2020s.

Discrimination against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) folk is rife across the world. Legal restrictions co-exist alongside social stigmatisation and physical violence₂₃. LGBT tolerance and equal rights have been fought for country-by-country against tightly entrenched cultural and religious opposition. Adult consensual sexual activity is a Human Right and protected by privacy laws₂₄. Despite this, it is illegal to be homosexual in over 60 countries (as of 2025)₂₅. The Vexen LGBT Equality Index as part of the Social and Moral Development Index grants points to each country depending on its LGBT stance since the 1970s₂₆_,₂₇. Europe is by far the least prejudiced region, but in the Middle East and Africa cultural prejudice goes hand-in-hand with state intolerance, all too often including physical violence.

For more, see:

" LGBT Rights Across the World: Which are the Best and Worst Countries?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Penal Code criminalizes same-sex acts; imprisonment terms

ILGA researchers in 2017 found that Ethiopia had no legal protections against anti-LGBT discrimination.

Actions taken at the United Nations:

⇣ Opposed the 2008 Declaration at the UN General Assemly affirming LGBTQ rights tabled by Argentina.
⇣ Voted against the 2014 Resolution 27/32 at the UN Human Rights Council against discrimiantion based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
⇣ Voted against the 2016 UN Human Rights Council Resolution 32/2 to create the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Averages by decade for Ethiopia (for the ranks, lower is better):

LGBT Equality	1970s Average	1980s Average	1990s Average	2000s Average	2010s Average	2020s Average
Ethiopia:	-5.00	-5.00	-5.00	-6.00	-7.00	-5.04
World Rank:	136th	⇣ 138th	⇣ 148th	⇣ 163rd	⇣ 192nd	⇡ 178th
World Avg:	-2.98	-2.87	-2.60	-2.15	-1.10	-1.21

4.2. Freedom of Thought

#europe #freedom_of_belief #freethought #human_rights #netherlands #religion #religious_tolerance #secularism #the_enlightenment

Freedom of Thought Lower is better₅
Pos.		2021₅
1=	Belgium	1.0
1=	Taiwan	1.0
1=	Netherlands	1.0
	...
121=	Cameroon	3.3
121=	Croatia	3.3
121=	Djibouti	3.3
121=	Ethiopia	3.3
121=	Germany	3.3
121=	Ghana	3.3
121=	Italy	3.3
121=	Macedonia	3.3
	Africa Avg	3.1
	World Avg	3.0
q=196.

Ethiopia comes 109th in the world with regard to freethought.

Freedom of Religion and Freedom of Belief are upheld in Article 18 the United Nation's Universal Declaration of Human Rights₂₈. It affirms that it is a basic human right that all people are free to change their beliefs and religion as they wish₂₉. No countries voted against this (although eight abstained). This right was first recognized clearly in the policies of religious toleration of the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe in the post-enlightenment era₃₀ of the 19th century. In democratic countries, freedom of belief and religion is now taken for granted₃₁. In 2016 a study found that over 180 countries in the world had come to guarantee freedom of religion and belief₃₂. The best countries at doing so are Belgium, The Netherlands and Taiwan₅_,₃₃ and the worst: Afghanistan, N. Korea, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia₅_,₃₄.

Long-term studies have shown that religious violence and persecution both decrease in cultures where religious freedom is guaranteed₃₅. Despite this, there still are many who are strongly against freedom of belief₂₉, including entire cultures and many individual communities of religious believers. Their alternative is that you are not free to believe what you want and they often state that you cannot change religion without being punished (often including the death penalty): this is bemoaned as one of the most dangerous elements of religion₃₆ and "the denial of religious freedoms is inevitably intertwined with the denial of other freedoms"₃₇ and the solution is, everywhere, to allow religious freedom and the freedom of belief.

For more, see:

"Freethought - Freedom of Belief and Freedom of Religion" by Vexen Crabtree (2022).