Ethiopia embarks on the process for a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights!

On May 16, FES Ethiopia had the honor to participate in a high-level consultative workshop in cooperation with FDRE Ministry of Justice (MoJ), at the occasion of officially launching the process towards a National Action Plan (NAP) on Business and Human Rights (B&HR) in Ethiopia.

The initiative towards increasing Human Rights commitments in business operations came from EHRC together with international and national partners like CEHRO, FES, UNDP, DIHR etc. which managed to convince MoJ to take action.

Already successfully finalized in several other African countries, National Action Plans are based on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and aim to ensure the respect of Human Rights in business operations. With a draft roadmap for the process, the Ministry of Justice seems highly committed to advancing dialogue on this critical topic.

In an effort to familiarize ministers and esteemed officials with the subject matter and garner their support, several presentations brought enlightenment on the UN Guiding Principles, global trends and Ethiopia’s current situation regarding B&HR, as well as on the role of NHRI, CSOs, and the state in the process. The inputs were highly appreciated, provided by the speakers Mr. Ononuju Okwaraogoma, Business and Human Rights Expert from UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa, Dr. Brightman G/Michael, Director of the Socio-Economic Rights Department of the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, and Mr. Awel Sultan, Director of the National Human Rights Department of the Ministry of Justice. The subsequent panel discussion encompassed questions and remarks, for instance on the involvement of trade unions and civil society.