Joint ISS and Ethiopian Federal Police Seminar, Addis Ababa BY INVITATION ONLY: Nature and Extent of Environmental Crimes in Ethiopia

Date: 2010-09-29

Venue: Sheraton Hotel, Addis Ababa

RSVP: Dr. Rose Mwebaza
Senior Legal Advisor
Environmental Security Programme
Institute for Security Studies
Email: [email protected]
Tel; +254 728 733 134

Ethiopia occupies a vast mass of land in the horn of Africa. It is largely an agrarian country with more than 90% of the population living in the rural areas. Agriculture contributes to more than 53% of the country’s economy while providing the lion’s share of its exportable items.

It is often said that Ethiopia is a biodiversity hotspot. This is mainly due to the unique topography and diverse climatic conditions of the country. Ethiopia is endowed with exceptionally rich fauna and flora. It also enjoys a high rate of endemic species. The number of plant species is within the range of 6,500-7,000, out of which around 12 percent are endemic to Ethiopia. The country is also a centre of diversity (often referred to as “one of the 12 Vavilov centres of crop genetic diversity”) to a number of crops including Coffea arabica, teff, nough or niger seed (Guizota abyssinica), enset (Ensete venticosum), sorghum, barley, wheat, horse beans, field peas, lentils and linseed.

Ethiopia is also known for the diversity in its animal species constituting of 277 terrestrial mammals some 861 bird species, 201 species of reptiles, 63 species of amphibians, 150 species of fish and 324 butterfly species. Out of this wealth of species 31 mammals, 28 birds, 24 amphibians, 4 fish, 9 reptiles, 7 butterflies are endemic to Ethiopia. The country is also a centre of origin and diversity for some domestic animals and cattle.

This wealth of biodiversity has long been exploited by numerous rural communities who have succeeded in creating considerable agro-biodiversity through careful selection of the world’s unique vegetal and animal species. In fact, most rural communities depend on these resources for various medicinal uses as well as for food, fodder, and household fuel.

However, over the years, the various flora and fauna in the country has been exploited by various criminal elements from within and from without the country. A study conducted by the Institute for security studies in 2009 indicated that there has been a growing response by the police, the Environmental Protection agency and other environmental enforcement agencies in Ethiopia in combating environmental crime in its various manifestations.

In light of the ongoing efforts by the government of Ethiopia to combat environmental crimes in the country, the Institute for Security Studies under the Environment Crime Project and the Ethiopian Federal Police are jointly hosting a national seminar on the Nature and Extent of environmental crimes in Ethiopia. The purpose of the national seminar on environmental crimes in Ethiopia is to:

1. Increase awareness of the environmental crime negative impacts in Ethiopia.
2. Provide an opportunity for experience sharing on combating environmental crime related issues among law enforcement officers.
3. Enhance the capacity of the Police Officers to identify, investigate and prosecute environmental crimes;
4. Address environmental crime concerns in Ethiopia through enhanced collaboration between police institutions and other stakeholders.

The seminar will bring together police officers from various departments including criminal investigation, environmental crime unit, training and forensics.

The seminar will also include representatives from other government agencies responsible for environmental protection such as the Environment Protection Agency, the Environment council in the prime ministers office, the Ethiopia Wild life Conservation Authority (EWCA), the Environmental inspectorate and state prosecutors from the directorate of prosecutions.

The civil society play an important role in environmental protection, accordingly, the seminar will include some civil society organizations such as the Ethiopian Wetlands and Natural Resources Association (EWNRA) and Action for Professionals Association for the people.