Refugee groups urge review of decision to deport non-Jewish Ethiopians to war-torn country

The Hotline for Refugees and Migrants and the HIAS refugee resettlement agency call on the interior and foreign ministers along with the attorney general to re-examine a decision by the Population and Immigration Authority to rescind temporary protection for non-Jewish Ethiopians who came to Israel because of a two-year war in their country.

Deportations are to begin from February 10.

The two organizations cite opinions from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, a committee of experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council, the US government, international human rights organizations, and experts on the situation in Ethiopia, saying that the situation in Ethiopia is still unstable and dangerous and that repatriating those seeking shelter in Israel could put them in mortal danger.

They add that the reasons for the decision have not been made public.

A March 2022 position paper on the UNHCR website, which has not been updated, stands against the forcible return of Ethiopians to their country, saying, “The bar on forcible return serves as a minimum standard and needs to remain in place, until such time, as the security, rule of law, and human rights situation has significantly improved to permit the safe and dignified return of those determined not to be in need of international protection.”