Reconciling Human Rights and Eviction for 'Public Purposes' in Ethiopia

The research has revealed that although FDRE Constitution and other legislations guaranteed the right not to be evicted, the laws and practice are inconsistent with the standards set forth by international human rights instruments. First, only the government authorities determine public purposes which lead to evictions using top-down approaches without any consultation with the victims. Against the eviction order and administrative tribunal decisions, victims have no right to recourse remedy from regular courts which is dare to fair trial right. Second, private tenants and informal settlers are subjected to arbitrary evictions and public tenants have been deprived alternative accommodations. Third, the laws and practice do not consider competing human rights while designing and enforcing evictions for public purposes. This leads the processes and outcomes of evictions unfriendly to human rights which in turn have placed the life of evictees’ to deplorable conditions. The rights to livelihood, food, life, adequate housing, freedom of choices of residence, right to privacy and security of person have been adversely affected.