National Dialogue Struggled With Inclusion, Security and Transparency, EHRC Finds

November 12, 2026 | By Semahegn Nigatu

Ethiopia’s national dialogue process faced shortcomings in inclusion, security and transparency, with some communities unable to participate fully and women and people with disabilities remaining underrepresented, according to a report by the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

Women accounted for 32.1 percent of general participants, while people with disabilities represented just 3.8 percent. Only two of the 50 technical experts involved in the process were women, the commission found in its October 2026 report.

The assessment covered agenda-gathering consultations held between May 2024 and April 2026 and the National Dialogue Conference, which took place from July 15 to August 22, 2026.

The commission said volatile security conditions in some regions and consultation sites restricted equitable participation. It also identified concerns over the impartiality of explanations delivered by some experts, gaps in interpretation services and inconsistent communication of changes to consultation schedules.

The report found that the number of available interpreters did not always meet demand, while weaknesses in interpretation affected participants’ access to information and ability to participate equally. Although 70 interpreters were deployed across seven languages, the commission identified shortcomings in recruitment and language proficiency testing.

It also found that the process lacked a formal quality-assurance framework to assess expert materials and briefings against standards of impartiality, fairness and non-discrimination.

The handling of complaints was another concern. While grievance mechanisms were established during both the agenda-gathering phase and the conference, the commission said some complaints were resolved promptly while others remained unaddressed.

The report further documented instances in which photographs and videos of participants were taken without authorisation and circulated on social media without their consent. The commission said such incidents raised concerns about personal security and affected participants’ willingness to express their views.

Accessibility also remained uneven. Some consultation venues had deficiencies in access to halls, meal areas and restrooms, while Braille documents were not available for visually impaired participants. Medical and psychosocial support services at the conference were also affected by medicine shortages, inadequate privacy safeguards and delays in responding to requests for assistance.

Despite these shortcomings, the EHRC recorded improvements during the conference. It said the National Dialogue Commission extended the conference to more than a month, deployed additional interpreters, improved working-group support and moved the conference to the Addis Convention Center, which addressed overcrowding and accessibility problems.

The commission also noted the introduction of childcare facilities and subsidies for delegates’ accommodation, meals and travel, measures intended to reduce barriers to participation.

The process engaged representatives from different regions and social groups, including young people, older people, internally displaced persons, minorities, religious institutions and political parties. However, the commission said further measures were needed to ensure more equitable representation.

Its recommendations include improving security arrangements for future consultations, establishing quality controls for expert briefings and interpretation, strengthening grievance-resolution mechanisms and ensuring that procedural changes are communicated consistently to all participants.

The EHRC also called for measures to improve the representation of women and people with disabilities, provide accessible facilities and Braille materials, protect participants’ privacy and strengthen medical and psychosocial support.

The commission said its monitoring involved 21 experts during the agenda-gathering phase and 17 during the National Dialogue Conference. Its findings were based on field observations, interviews, focus-group discussions, document reviews and complaints submitted by participants.

Source: FSX Business News