Ethiopian parliament forms board to assess implementation of martial law

ADDIS ABABA, March 2 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopian parliament on Friday formed a special board designated to assess the proper implementation of the six-month state of emergency period.

The board, which was formed shortly after the approval of the state of emergency period by the Ethiopian parliament on Friday, is mainly mandated to evaluate the proper implementation of the martial law in its six months of stay.

According to the document presented to the parliament concerning the board's establishment, the board among other things is expected to assess and evaluate conducts of the state of emergency rule in accordance with basic human rights.

The special entity, which has 7 individual members, is also authorized to announce the name and identity of individuals arrested in connection with the state of emergency rule within one month period together with reason for their arrest.

The board, when finding actions and measures being taken during the state of emergency rule in contradiction with basic human right principles, will report to the country's Prime Minister, Council of Ministers and the Command Post for correction.

It is also expected to bring parties to justice if found guilty committing inhuman acts in connection with the implementation of the emergency rule. The board is also expected to present its suggestions when the state of emergency period is proposed for an extension.

Members of the Ethiopian parliament have been expressing their concern regarding the accountability of parties involved under the implementation of the emergency rule.

Parliamentarians argued that the emergency rule has weak check and balance mechanism since the Command Post can arrest individuals without court warrant for an alleged misconduct.

The Ethiopian parliament, which is exclusively dominated by the ruling coalition the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front, approved the martial law on Friday.

The emergency rule, which came shortly after Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn's resignation from the country's premiership and chairmanship of the ruling party, prohibits possession of armaments at public areas or transferring firearms to third party as well as providing support to activities which affect the peace and well-being of citizens. Enditem