Identity and the Right to Self-Administration Debate

Medrek believes in respecting the people's right to self-determination. If a group meets the criteria and the people demand it, they should be allowed to form their own region without interference from higher authorities.

• Respects the people's right to decide and will allow groups to form regions if they meet the criteria and the people demand it.

  [13:47] [14:21]

• Granting regional status to those who ask does not create problems, as the constitution allows regions to form the federal government.

  [14:42]

• Local people should resolve their own issues locally rather than having decisions imposed from above.

  [15:06]

The party emphasizes respecting the constitution and addressing the people's fundamental demands through dialogue. They plan to ensure political representation and self-administration for kebeles that have decided to be included in their self-administration structure.

• The constitution must be respected and the people's true demands should be answered through dialogue.

  [15:42]

• Kebeles that have decided through their councils to be part of the self-administration structure will be included and given political representation.

  [16:06]

Medrek advocates for a democratic system based on majority rule and minority rights. The administration will be determined by the people's vote, and minority groups will have their rights respected, including the right to be judged in their own language.

• Administration will be based on majority rule while respecting minority rights, determined by the people's vote.

  [16:58]

• Minority groups will not be oppressed; their rights will be respected without confusing group and individual rights.

  [17:47]

• In regions like Oromia, minorities are part of the region's people and participate in electing the government together.

  [18:27]

• Minorities will have the right to be judged in a language they understand.

  [18:51]

• The party does not grant power; the people choose their representatives, and the local people will resolve their own issues.

  [19:03]

Once the Qimant people's right to self-administration is secured, other ethnic groups living within the administration will be judged according to the law and given political and economic representation based on their needs.

• After securing Qimant self-administration, other ethnic groups will be judged according to the law and given representation.

  [19:53]

• Minorities will have political representation in councils and benefit economically and socially.

  [20:22]

• Any demands from other groups, including individual identity recognition, will be respected and addressed according to the constitution.

  [20:46]

• The goal is to build the country through agreement, not fragmentation, and demands will be addressed based on research.

  [21:22]

The regional parliament, elected by the people, will decide the working language. However, individuals have the right to be served via translators in courts to ensure their rights are protected, though the region won't change its official language for an individual.

• The regional parliament, formed by the people, will decide the official working language.

  [22:49]

• Individuals have the right to use translators in courts to follow proceedings and protect their rights.

  [23:17]

• The people will be the electors and controllers of the administration, with the power to evaluate and remove officials to prevent corruption.

  [24:06]

The administration will use the Qimant language, but other ethnic groups will be respected and allowed to use their own languages. The party will encourage minorities to learn the local language voluntarily while respecting their right to use their own.

• The administration will use the Qimant language, but will respect and allow other ethnic groups to use their own languages.

  [25:12]

• Despite administrative costs, prioritizing the people's fundamental needs and language rights is mandatory.

  [25:38]

• Dispersed minorities will be encouraged, not forced, to use the dominant language, but their requests to use their own language will be respected and implemented based on research.

  [26:10]

Medrek views mixed identity as an opportunity, allowing individuals to choose their identity. The constitution states the country belongs to nations, nationalities, and peoples, and the human rights of all groups, including women, youth, and the elderly, will be respected.

• Mixed identity is an opportunity that allows individuals to choose which identity they want to adopt.

  [28:13]

• The human rights and benefits of all groups, including women, youth, the elderly, and the weak, will be respected.

  [28:49]

Identity is both personal and social. Personal identity and self-recognition must be respected, but social (group) identities based on language, culture, and shared values also carry a mandatory obligation to be respected. Both are addressed together.

• Personal identity and an individual's right to self-recognition must be respected.

  [30:23]

• There is a mandatory obligation to respect social (group) identities based on shared language, culture, and values.

  [30:35]

• Personal identity rights are addressed alongside and within the context of social identity rights.

  [30:53]

Medrek states that individuals are not forced to choose an ethnic group. It is an individual's right to identify solely as Ethiopian, and the party will not force anyone to adopt an ethnic identity.

• Individuals have the right to identify solely as Ethiopian without choosing a specific ethnic group.

  [32:04]

• The party will not force anyone to adopt an ethnic identity if they do not want to.

  [32:15]

According to the constitution, any Ethiopian has the right to move and live anywhere. They will receive all services without discrimination, have the right to own property, and if displaced by force, they will receive humanitarian assistance.

• Any Ethiopian has the constitutional right to move and live anywhere in the country.

  [34:42]

• Relocated individuals will receive all services without discrimination and have the right to acquire property.

  [34:58]

• Individuals displaced by force will receive special care and humanitarian assistance.

  [33:42] [35:15]

Because the Qimant people suffered greatly when their own demands were ignored, the party understands the pain of such groups and will strongly push for constitutional and appropriate answers to be given to other ethnic groups raising similar questions.

• The party understands the suffering caused by ignored demands, as the Qimant people experienced it.

  [35:43]

• Will strongly push for constitutional and appropriate answers to be given to other ethnic groups raising self-administration questions.

  [36:01]