Since late 2015, security forces have killed over 1000 people and detained tens of thousands during widespread protests against government policies. A state of emergency began in February 2018, the second in two years, and permits draconian restrictions on rights to freedom of expression, association, and assembly.

Authorities regularly use arbitrary arrests and politically motivated prosecutions to silence journalists, activists, and perceived opposition party members. Torture remains a serious problem in detention. The Ethiopian government has not conducted meaningful investigations into any of these abuses. Repressive laws restrict the activities of nongovernmental organizations. The ruling coalition won all 547 parliamentary seats in the 2015 election.