Day: June 26, 2024

Posted on

Gov’t of Ethiopia Committed to Halt Irregular Migration


Addis Ababa: Ministry of Justice reiterated government’s commitment for better migration management, implementation of international agreements and laws to halt irregular migration.

The Second Annual National Conference on Migration Research opened today in Addis Ababa.

The two-day conference is organized by the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Justice in cooperation with GIZ and Save the Children.

Opening the conference, Justice State Minister Belayhun Yirga underscored the significance of research to feed accurate decision making on migration management and response to crimes in the field.

The state minister reiterated government’s commitment for better migration management and implementation of international agreements and domestic laws to halt irregular migration and respond to illegal acts.

He pointed out that the government has also been encouraging legal migration to different countries as part of the efforts to a better management and response to irregular migration.

Ministry of Labor and S
kills has facilitated employment opportunities abroad for more than 300,000 citizens this fiscal year, it was pointed out.

The government in collaboration with partners and stakeholders have been working in the repatriation of Ethiopian migrants and reintegration activities at home. In the past five years, at least 500,000 Ethiopian migrants were repatriated, it was indicated.

The state minister also stated that government has been taking strong measures in establishing executive bodies, coordinating stakeholders, approving international laws and enacting domestic laws, taking law enforcement measures against criminals.

At least, a dozen of law frameworks, including the constitution are in effect to govern and respond to migration and the crimes related to the field in Ethiopia, it was learned.

Ministry of Education Research and Extension Desk Head, Serawit Handiso emphasized the importance of ensuring research findings, not just in migration but across all fields, are directly applicable to real-world de
cision-making.

To solve this challenge the desk at the ministry is coordinating the compilation of research findings for decision makers.

To address the challenge of impracticality, the Ministry’s research unit is actively synthesizing research findings from various sources to equip decision-makers with the necessary information.

According to him, most of the researches especially conducted in migration in Ethiopia lack institutional support, and are impractical to incorporate in decision making.

The First National Conference on Migration Research was held in Wachamo University in the Central Ethiopia region last year.

Ethiopia is a complex migration hub, serving as a country of origin, transit, and destination for refugees with a vast network for migration management, including 29 migration zones, 14 border exit gates, and 135 transit points, and irregular migration is prevalent in several regions, including Oromia, Amhara, Tigray, Central Ethiopia, and Sidama, it was indicated.

Source: Ethiopian News
Agency

Posted on

Over 3 Million Preventable Deaths Per Year Due to Alcohol, Drug Use: WHO


Addis Ababa: Over 3 million deaths per year were attributable to alcohol consumption and drug use, a new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) found.

Of these deaths, 2.6 million were attributable to alcohol consumption, accounting for nearly 5 per cent of all deaths, with the highest numbers in the WHO European Region and African Region.

Notably, the vast majority of these deaths were among men, with the highest prevalence in the 20-39 age groups, WHO indicated.

The death rates were also highest in low-income countries and lowest in high-income countries.

“Substance use severely harms individual health, increasing the risk of chronic diseases, mental health conditions, and tragically resulting in millions of preventable deaths every year,’ said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

‘It places a heavy burden on families and communities, increasing exposure to accidents, injuries, and violence,” he added.

The report found an estimated 400 million people lived with alcohol and drug us
e disorders globally. More than half of these individuals lived with alcohol dependence.

Given the immense health concerns, the report urged accelerated global action towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 3.5 by 2030 by reducing alcohol and drug consumption and improving access to quality treatment for substance use disorders.

Around the world, the highest levels of per capita alcohol consumption were found in the WHO European Region and the Region of the Americas.

WHO called on governments and partners to intensify actions in various strategic areas in order to accelerate progress towards achievement of SDG target 3.5, which aims to strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse.

“To build a healthier, more equitable society, we must urgently commit to bold actions that reduce the negative health and social consequences of alcohol consumption and make treatment for substance use disorders accessible and affordable,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom, said.

Strategic a
reas include increased awareness through a global advocacy campaign, scaling up the capacity of health care systems and the training of health professionals, and accelerating resource mobilization.

WHO is also urging a re-commitment to the implementation of the Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-2030, a comprehensive strategy to effectively reduce the harmful use of alcohol worldwide.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Posted on

House Approves Land Release, Compensation, and Resettlement Proclamation


Addis Ababa: The House of Peoples Representatives approved a proclamation to establish a system for releasing land, providing compensation, and resettling displaced individuals.

In its 34th regular meeting the House approved the amended proclamation by a majority vote with 4 objections and 6 abstentions after extensively discussion.

Chairperson of the Urban, Infrastructure and Transport Affairs Standing Committee, Shewit Shenka, presented a report on the proposed proclamation. She noted that the revised proclamation clearly defines the authorities and responsibilities for resettling and rehabilitating displaced people.

The chairperson also explained that the proclamation includes provisions to ensure development projects are carried out efficiently and without delay. The new system is intended to reduce delays caused by court disputes and inappropriate compensation claims.

The chairperson of the Law and Justice Affairs Standing Committee, Etsegenet Mengestu, stated that the previous compensation system wa
s vulnerable to corruption, and the displaced do not receive adequate compensation.

However, the amended proclamation will ensure proper use of government and public resources, the Chairperson stated.

As the highest courts will hear appeals from people who feel they have not been fairly compensated, the new proclamation will not create issues in the justice system, she added.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Posted on

Eastern Africa Standby Force Lauds Ethiopia’s Role in Ensuring Regional Security


Addis Ababa: The Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) has commended Ethiopia for its significant role in ensuring regional security.

Eastern Africa Standby Force Director Brigadier General Paul Kahuria Njema told ENA that Ethiopia is one of the leading members of the Eastern African Standby Force.

The EASF draws its membership from 10 active member states, including Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan, and Uganda.

The director explained that cross-border crimes extend beyond national borders, encompassing transnational challenges that affect not only the Eastern African region but also the entire continent and the world.

The region is not also exempt from challenges, as certain parts of our region are affected by cross-border and transnational crimes, he noted.

According to him, “Ethiopia is a crucial member of the Eastern Africa Standby Force and collaborates closely with other nations to continue the fight against terrorism.”

Ethiopia has the longest history
of combating terrorism in the region, Brigadier General Njema stated, adding that he is looking forward to having Ethiopia involve itself in all the operations that the standby force is going to undertake.

“I know they are going to do that because it (Ethiopia) is a very critical member of this organization. So, it is a very committed member of my organization.”

The director further elaborated that the region is now confronted with the resurgence of piracy.

“We realize that the maritime sphere is an area that needs to be addressed; and we are looking for having a command post exercise so that we can bring our forces together to address that very important sphere of operation.”

In this regard, the standby force is looking forward to receiving support from member states to enhance patrol capabilities and ensure the security of vital sea lanes of communication.

These lanes are crucial for regional trade, providing a safe environment for all businesses to operate, the director pointed out.

Ethiopia hosts th
e critical infrastructure of the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF), with its headquarters and logistical base situated in the country, it was learned.

EASF is a regional organization whose mandate is to enhance peace and security in the eastern Africa region.

It was established as a regional mechanism to provide capability for rapid deployment of forces to carry out preventive deployment, rapid intervention, peace support/stability operations and peace enforcement.

The standby force has been fully operational since 2014 and stands ready to undertake any deployment as needed.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Posted on

New Asset Recovery Draft Bill Aims to End Economic Crimes in Ethiopia


Addis Ababa: Minister of Justice Gedion Timotiwos revealed that the newly drafted Asset Recovery Bill aims to end crimes and establish a healthy economic system in Ethiopia.

The minister briefed journalists today on the purpose of the bill and its consequential impact on stabilizing the country’s political-economic landscape.

Gedion said economic crimes have resulted in a serious damage to the country. In this regard, the draft bill is indispensable as it attempts to overcome such economic challenges, he added.

The minister believes that the new bill will discourage individuals, who have been persistently engaged in economic crimes through human trafficking, money laundry and illicit financial activities.

He said that ‘unverified wealth’ is also directly impacting the financial system of the country, its tax system, foreign currency earnings, and circulation of money among others.

The crimes have become obstacles to attract foreign investment in the financial sector and other areas, he added.

‘They (cri
mes) need to be stopped somewhere. We need to stop people from accumulating wealth through illicit means,’ Gedion underscored.

Thus, he stated that the Asset Recovery draft bill is a key legal tool to stop the aforementioned crimes which have cost the country dearly.

Gedion added that Ministry of Justice has taken the experiences of various countries and considered international conventions in the course of preparing the draft bill.

The bill has been referred to the House of People’s Representatives (HPR) for approval.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Proudly powered by WordPress