The Return Of IDPs In Ethiopia: Appraising The Principle Of Non-Refolement

Chane, Mekashaw

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dc.contributor.author	Chane, Mekashaw
dc.date.accessioned	2025-07-29T09:11:23Z
dc.date.available	2025-07-29T09:11:23Z
dc.date.issued	2025-06
dc.identifier.uri	http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/16813
dc.description.abstract	Internal displacement remains a pressing humanitarian and human rights issue in Ethiopia, particularly given ongoing conflicts that force many to flee their homes. Ensuring the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) requires strong legal protections, including adherence to the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits forced or premature return to unsafe conditions. This research investigates the legal frameworks governing the return of IDPs in Ethiopia and examines the applicability of the non-refoulement principle in this context. The study addresses key questions regarding the extent to which Ethiopian return practices comply with international standards, the challenges and gaps in implementing non-refoulement, and lessons Ethiopia can draw from other countries with experience in managing conflict-induced displacement. The primary objectives are to analyze existing laws and policies, assess their practical application, and propose recommendations for strengthening the protection of IDPs during return processes. Employing a qualitative research design, this study undertakes a comprehensive legal review of relevant instruments such as the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, the Kampala Convention, and Ethiopia‟s draft IDP Proclamation. It also incorporates interviews with stakeholders, to evaluate on-the-ground realities and challenges faced by IDPs during returns. Findings reveal that while international and regional frameworks provide clear protections, Ethiopia‟s national legal framework lacks binding provisions specifically addressing non-refoulement for IDPs. Return practices often fall short of international standards, with documented cases of forced and premature returns to areas still affected by conflict, leading to secondary displacement. Key challenges include weak institutional coordination, absence of peace building measures in return areas, political interference, and limited accountability mechanisms. Comparative analysis with Uganda‟s National Policy on IDPs and Colombia‟s Victims and Land Restitution Law highlights the importance of comprehensive legal frameworks, institutional coordination, land restitution, and peace building to facilitate durable and rights-based returns. The study recommends that the Ethiopian government finalizes and enacts a binding IDP law incorporating enforceable rights and remedies, domesticate regional conventions like the Kampala Convention, and prioritize peace-building efforts before return operations.	en_US
dc.language.iso	en	en_US
dc.subject	Law	en_US
dc.title	The Return Of IDPs In Ethiopia: Appraising The Principle Of Non-Refolement	en_US
dc.type	Thesis	en_US