From 16 to 18 March 2026, UNESCO and the Ethiopian Police University jointly organized a three-day training for security forces in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to strengthen knowledge and capacities on freedom of expression, access to information and safety of journalists. The training brought together twenty-six law enforcement agents  – including police academy trainers, crowd control officers, and high-ranking officers. Eleven journalists from several Ethiopian media outlets joined the final two days to foster dialogue, build trust and develop practical collaboration frameworks ahead of the June 2026 general elections.
Law enforcement’s essential role in protecting freedom of expression and the safety of journalists
Freedom of expression, enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) – ratified by Ethiopia in 1993 – and in article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights  is a cornerstone of democracy and an enabler of all other rights. A free and independent press, operating in safe conditions, is essential to good governance, rule of law, and the public’s right to information.
During elections, tensions may arise and the safety of journalists is put at risk, limiting the public’s right to access information, and ultimately undermining freedom of expression, democratic processes and the rule of law. Between 2019 and 2022, UNESCO documented 759 individual attacks against journalists in the context of 89 elections across 70 countries – 42% of which were committed by law enforcement agents. Security forces are often ill-equipped to prevent politically motivated attacks against journalists and lack tools for effective communication with the media, hindering the construction of sustainable professional relationships between the two groups.
 As the country prepares for the 2026 general elections, security forces will play a crucial role in maintaining public order while upholding freedom of expression,  making mutual understanding, trust and cooperation with media professionals, and adherence to international human rights standards all the more critical.
Three-day training from theory to practice
Building on a first training held in Addis Ababa in 2022, UNESCO’s and the Ethiopian Police University’s engagement sought to deepen the capacities of federal and regional police officials to uphold freedom of expression and ensure the safety of journalists, while maintaining public order.
The training provided security forces with theoretical and practical tools to carry out their mission while respecting international human rights standards, in line with the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity (2012). Through interactive discussions and practical exercises, sessions covered the international and national legal framework on freedom of expression, strategies to enhance professional relations between law enforcement and media, awareness-raising on attacks against journalists and gendered online violence, and the specific challenges of elections, including social media and information integrity.
The joint sessions with journalists on the final two days focused on practical exercises -a mock press conference, a simulated crime scene media briefing, and a public demonstration scenario – designed to develop concrete take-away solutions for police-media collaboration.
Participants were also equipped to replicate the training across the country and to develop a module on freedom of expression and safety of journalists to integrate into the curriculum of national police academies.
During the training, the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) provided an overview of the context of the upcoming elections, outlining the expected roles and responsibilities of security forces during both the pre-election, election and post-election periods. This included highlighting the importance of ensuring the protection of journalists.
The training was opened with welcoming remarks from Dr. Rita Bissoonauth, Director of the UNESCO Office in Ethiopia and the President of the Ethiopian Police University H.E Dr. Deputy Commissioner General, Dr. Tamirat Mulugeta, and with keynote addresses of the Deputy Board Chairperson of NEBE, H.E. Tesfaye Niway, Â H.E. Amb. Churchill Ewumbue-Monono, Ambassador of Cameroon to Ethiopia & Djibouti and permanent Representative to the AU and UNECA, and Hon. Commissioner Topsy-Sonoo, Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa.Â
READ MORE: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/unesco-and-ethiopian-police-university-foster-cooperation-between-security-forces-and-media-ahead?hub=701
