Title: Human right repercussion of large-scale land acquisition in Ethiopia: evidence from Gumaro Tea Plantation and Limmu Coffee Farm

Authors: Abiyot M. Dabela

Addresses: School of Law, Salale University, Fitche, Ethiopia

Abstract: Ethiopia is a signatory to series of human rights instruments and assumed duty to respect, protect and promote human rights. Nonetheless, the rush for large land acquisition for investment 'dubbed grabbing' reportedly undermined the rights of local community in the country. The objective of this study is to assess the human rights implication of large-scale land investment in Ethiopia based on a case study from situations of Gumaro Tea Plantation and Limmu Coffee Farm. More specially, the study investigates: 1) the negative impact of large-scale land investment on rights of the local community; 2) appraise the extent to which human right issues are integrated into the practice and regulation of large-scale land investment; 3) explore possible ways of ensuring the investment work for development without affecting the human rights of the local community in Ethiopia. To this end, it employed a socio-legal research methodology that involved document review and in-depth interviews with 44 purposively selected informants. The findings from both large-scale farms revealed that both Gumaro Tea Plantation and Limmu Coffee Farm were established, expanded, and are operating at expense of the rights local community. Hence, it urges concerned government organs and investors to integrate the rights of local people in course of these investments.

Keywords: land grabbing; human rights; Gumaro Tea Plantation; Limmu Coffee Farm; Ethiopia.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPLAP.2023.131995

International Journal of Public Law and Policy, 2023 Vol.9 No.3, pp.251 - 267

Received: 19 Sep 2021
Accepted: 10 May 2022
Published online: 06 Jul 2023 *

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