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The right to freedom of association, whose full enjoyment is now gravely circumscribed by a primary legislation, is one of the fundamental rights and freedoms of persons recognized under the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopian (FDRE) Constitution and international human rights treaties to which the Ethiopian state is a party. The newly created legal and institutional environment, following the coming into force of the Charities and Societies Proclamation, put the voluntary sector, more specifically advocacy organizations in complete disarray; and thereby shattering their hopes and optimism for playing a constructive role in the democratization processes of the country. This book unveils the unconstitutionality of the Charities and Societies law that goes far beyond the limitations prescribed by the FDRE Constitution and major international and regional human rights instruments and the adverse effect it has brought about on the Ethiopian civil society landscape and its bearing on the promotion, protection and respect of human rights.

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Abera H. Woldyesus, BA in philosophy, LLB, and MA in Peace and Security Studies: Studied at Addis Ababa University. Director at Union of Ethiopian Resident Charities. Author of the book "Ethnic Identity and Ethnic Relations: A case Study on An Ethiopian Higher Learning Institution".

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