Human Rights First Ethiopia is preparing to take the federal government to court over its failure to facilitate the return of millions of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their homes. According to Tesfalem Berhe, director of the organization, years of government inaction have led to an escalating humanitarian crisis across regions such as Amhara, Oromia, and particularly Tigray. This legal action, reported periodically by The Reporter media outlet, is being positioned as a necessary step to enforce both domestic constitutional rights and international legal obligations.
Berhe detailed that while a number of IDPs have managed to return to their homes—more than 3.3 million between January 2022 and June 2024—millions remain stranded in camps under deteriorating conditions. He noted that severe challenges including aid cutbacks, funding shortages, and persistent conflict have compounded the suffering of IDP communities. The federal government’s inability to execute a coordinated, rapid response is seen as a direct violation of Ethiopia’s constitutional guarantee of the right to free movement and residence, as well as its commitments under the African Union’s Kampala Convention, which mandates safe and dignified returns.
The gravity of the situation is further highlighted by international figures. UN-OCHA estimates suggest that around 4.5 million people are still displaced, with major concentrations in regions like Tigray, Somali, Oromia, and Amhara. Complementary reports from organizations such as the UNFPA and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission reveal that many IDP households have endured prolonged displacement—over half for more than a year and a significant percentage for up to five years or longer. According to Berhe, this legal assault is not merely a symbolic gesture; it is an essential effort to compel the government to meet its obligations and reverse a pattern of neglect that jeopardizes the rights and lives of vulnerable populations.
Human Rights First Ethiopia is now finalizing preparations to file a lawsuit that challenges the government’s handling of this dire situation. The legal strategy will seek a judicial ruling to enforce the return of IDPs, emphasizing that this is not a discretionary matter but a binding governmental duty under both national law and the international legal framework. As The Reporter continues to intermittently cover these developments, the lawsuit could mark a significant turning point in Ethiopia’s approach to internal displacement and state accountability.
This unfolding legal challenge invites further examination of the broader systemic issues, including the role of political will and the capacity of legal frameworks to protect human rights in times of crisis. Exploring additional regional responses, historical precedents, and international support mechanisms could provide more context and insight into the potential impact of this litigation on the future of humanitarian law in Ethiopia.
