Tigray People’s Liberation Front Enacts Security Proclamation

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has strongly condemned a new "security and mobilization proclamation" introduced by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) in Ethiopia's Tigray region. The legislation, enacted after the TPLF reasserted control in May 2026, mandates compulsory military service for civilians, including children, and imposes severe penalties for evasion, criticism, or dissent, including lengthy prison sentences and the death penalty for vaguely defined offenses. HRW describes the law as a "blueprint for authoritarianism" that bears troubling similarities to Eritrea's repressive national service system. This development raises significant concerns regarding human rights, constitutional legality within Ethiopia's federal structure, and the fragile peace established by the 2022 Pretoria Agreement, as the TPLF reportedly fears a return to conflict and seeks to rebuild its military forces.

The legal landscape in Ethiopia's Tigray region has been significantly altered by the recent introduction of a sweeping "security and mobilization proclamation" by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). This legislative act, which emerged following the TPLF's reassertion of regional authority in May 2026, has drawn immediate and sharp criticism from international human rights organizations, most notably Human Rights Watch (HRW). The watchdog has called for the immediate withdrawal of the proclamation, characterizing it as a dangerous blueprint for authoritarian rule that threatens fundamental human rights and due process.

The proclamation's contentious provisions include mandatory military conscription for civilians, severe penalties for those who evade service, and the criminalization of any criticism directed at the mobilization efforts. Alarmingly, it also introduces the death penalty for a range of broadly defined offenses, raising profound concerns about arbitrary application and the suppression of dissent. This article will examine the key aspects of the Tigray proclamation, analyze its potential conflicts with both the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia's (FDRE) Constitution and international human rights instruments, and discuss the broader implications for legal practitioners and the stability of the post-conflict region.

The context for this controversial legislation is rooted in the aftermath of the devastating 2020-2022 armed conflict in northern Ethiopia, which saw Tigrayan forces engage with Ethiopian federal forces and their allies. The conflict formally concluded with the signing of the Agreement for a Permanent Cessation of Hostilities (the Pretoria Agreement) in November 2022. Despite the truce, tensions have persisted between the TPLF and the federal government, particularly concerning regional funding and the implementation of the peace deal.

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia operates under a federal constitutional order, with the FDRE Constitution (1995) serving as the supreme law of the land. Article 9(4) of the Constitution stipulates that all international agreements ratified by Ethiopia are an integral part of the country's law. Furthermore, Article 13(2) mandates that the interpretation of human rights provisions within the Constitution must align with the principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), both of which Ethiopia has ratified. This constitutional framework delineates the powers of regional states, raising questions about the extent of Tigray's authority to enact such a far-reaching criminal-security code, particularly one that touches upon matters typically reserved for national sovereignty, such as treason, national defense, and capital punishment.

International human rights law provides a clear stance on forced labor and conscription. Article 8 of the ICCPR prohibits forced or compulsory labor, with limited exceptions for military service in countries where conscientious objection is recognized, or in cases of genuine emergency. Similarly, the International Labour Organization's Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29), to which Ethiopia is a party, defines and prohibits work or service exacted under menace of penalty and without voluntary consent. These international instruments form a critical benchmark against which the Tigray proclamation must be assessed.

The Tigray security and mobilization proclamation, reportedly designated as Proclamation No. 366/2018, is a comprehensive 44-page, 81-article instrument that establishes a framework for compulsory military mobilization for individuals whose "health and age permit." Reports indicate that this includes compelling former combatants and civilians, even children, into service, with authorities conducting door-to-door roundups. The law prescribes significant financial penalties, ranging from 10,000 to 50,000 birr, and detention for non-payment, in addition to compulsory service, for those who evade their duties.

Beyond forced conscription, the proclamation severely curtails fundamental freedoms. It criminalizes any obstruction of recruitment, criticism of military mobilization, or the use of media to prevent public or army participation in resistance, with penalties extending to 25 years imprisonment. This directly contravenes Article 29 of the FDRE Constitution, which guarantees the right to hold opinions and freedom of expression, and Article 19 of the ICCPR. Furthermore, the decree introduces the death penalty for vaguely worded offenses such as "threatening the peace," "collaborating with the enemy," or "undermining or dissolving the unity and territory of Tigray." Such broad and undefined capital offenses are inconsistent with international standards on the right to life and due process, as outlined in ICCPR Articles 6, 9, and 14, and Articles 14-18 of the FDRE Constitution.

Adding to its repressive nature, the proclamation is reportedly retroactive to November 1, 2020, the date the conflict erupted. It also grants extensive powers to security forces, including warrantless arrest and search, restricts bail, permits trials in absentia, and allows for anonymous witnesses and closed hearings. These provisions undermine fundamental principles of due process and fair trial. Human Rights Watch has also highlighted reports of collective punishment, where parents and children of individuals who evade conscription are penalized, leading residents to flee the region. The expansive scope of this regional legislation, encompassing matters of national defense, treason, and capital punishment, appears to exceed the legislative authority typically granted to a regional state within Ethiopia's federal system, potentially creating a constitutional conflict. The similarities drawn by HRW to Eritrea's highly criticized national service system underscore the severity of the human rights concerns.

The Tigray security and mobilization proclamation represents a significant regression in human rights protections and the rule of law within the region. Its provisions for forced conscription, severe penalties for dissent, and the reintroduction of the death penalty for ambiguous offenses stand in stark contrast to Ethiopia's constitutional commitments and its obligations under international human rights law, particularly the ICCPR and ILO conventions. For legal practitioners in Ethiopia, this legislation creates an exceptionally challenging environment, potentially exposing individuals to arbitrary detention, unfair trials, and disproportionate punishments for exercising basic freedoms.

The international community, including the African Union and the United States, has been urged to exert pressure on the TPLF to withdraw this abusive law. The federal government's response to this regional legislation, particularly regarding its constitutional validity and adherence to the Pretoria Agreement, will be critical. The proclamation not only risks exacerbating human rights abuses but also threatens to destabilize the fragile peace in Tigray, potentially reigniting conflict and undermining efforts towards lasting reconciliation and reconstruction. All stakeholders must closely monitor the implementation of this law and advocate for its immediate repeal to safeguard human rights and uphold the principles of justice and accountability.