Controversial Intel law implemented

ESAT News

Sources have told ESAT that the Ministry of the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS), which was re-established last year under a new structure, has started implementing the new proclamation enacted last year and forces citizens to give information.

First established as the Security, Immigration, and Refugees Affairs Authority in 1995, the Authority has been reorganised with a new draft law that was submitted to the parliament last year aiming to ‘enable it to duly execute its missions’.

The redraft was reportedly implemented in accordance with the changing regional, environmental, continental and international circumstances, which have an impact on Ethiopia’s security.

 Under the new proclamation, the Organization is also entitled to refuse to disclose its financial and other reports from the Federal Auditor and other bodies. However, its reports could be evaluated by an Internal Auditor and the Prime Minister.

 The new proclamation will also allow the entry and sending of intelligence materials and instruments to overseas without being checked or inspected by the Customs and Revenue Authority. It also enacts that the wealth, assets and identity of the staff of the Ministry could be kept secret and their wealth could only be registered by the Ministry rather than the Federal Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission.

 The Ministry is also given the powers of issuing national identity cards, leading the Aviation Security, issuing of qualification certificates to private security organizations. The proclamation states that the officers of the Ministry will not be impeached both by the criminal and civil laws for any of the actions they take during operations. They are also required to keep all the secrets they knew while they worked for the Ministry at all times and anybody interrogated or interviewed by the Ministry is also expected to keep the interview secret or risk criminal charges.

The Ministry is vying to now fully implement the proclamation across the board. Especially as next year’s general parliamentary election is fast approaching, many fear that citizens could be forced to provide information in the name of law enforcement or face harassment and detention.