The Federal High Court has postponed, for the fifth time, a hearing on a lawsuit filed by Human Rights First Ethiopia concerning the prolonged displacement of internally displaced persons (IDPs) after court administrators informed lawyers representing the plaintiffs that the case could not proceed due to a shortage of judges.
This week saw Parliament appoint 34 new federal judges, who have formally entered service but require time before being assigned to hear cases, according to court administrators.
Attorneys involved in the case say they have been informed that proceedings would resume before a three-judge panel within a 15-day period, marking the fifth time the hearing has been postponed since the case was brought before the court.
The case was filed by Human Rights First Ethiopia, a local civil society organization, before the Federal High Court’s Fundamental Human Rights Protection Bench. The lawsuit is lodged against the Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Peace, the Tigray Interim Administration, and the Amhara and Oromia regional governments.
From The Reporter Magazine
The organization is seeking court orders compelling the defendants to ensure the safe return, security, and sustainable reintegration of internally displaced persons.
In its petition to the Federal High Court, Human Rights First Ethiopia argues that millions of Ethiopians remain internally displaced due to the failure of federal and regional authorities to fulfill constitutional and international obligations.
According to the case file, displacement began following the outbreak of war in the Tigray region on December 3, 2020. Citizens of Tigrayan origin were displaced from the Western Tigray Zone and Shehet Woreda of the Afar Region.
From The Reporter Magazine
The petition states that more than one million displaced persons remain unable to return to their homes and are currently living in temporary shelters and host communities across various parts of the Tigray region, including Shiraro, Shire, Axum, Adwa, Tembien, Adigrat, Mekelle, and other areas.
The lawsuit also details displacement affecting residents of Oromia and Amhara regions.
According to the plaintiff, nearly 520,000 internally displaced persons from Oromia are currently sheltering in Debre Birhan city and the North Wollo Zone of the Amhara region.
In addition, the petition states that more than 84,000 IDPs within Oromia remain displaced in temporary shelters or host communities within the region itself.
Human Rights First Ethiopia argues that these displaced populations continue to live under difficult conditions due to the lack of durable solutions and coordinated government action. The lawsuit argues that the prolonged displacement and living conditions amount to rights violations resulting from the defendants’ failure to meet their obligations.