Description

The law is enacted to give full effect to the freedom of association enshrined in the Constitution as well as International Human Rights Instruments ratified by Ethiopia. The Refugees Proclamation, under article 27, states that refugees have the right to association, as regards non-political and non-profit making associations and trade unions in the same circumstances as the most favorable treatment accorded to foreign nationals. According to the Organizations of Civil Societies Proclamation, freedom of association can be exercised not only by citizens but also non-citizens. Hence, it does not put restrictions on refugees forming or joining associations with no political objectives.