II. Findings of the CRM 172. Promotion and protection of human rights enshrined in various international instruments constitute a major component of good democratic governance. The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) recognises this concept both in law and in practice. 173. The CRM notes that the Constitution of the FDRE - the supreme law of the land - sets out, in Chapter 3, Fundamental Rights and Freedoms that are generally in conformity with the international and regional Human Rights instruments to which Ethiopia is party, notably, the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights. Indeed, those instruments, and others, are incorporated into Ethiopian law by virtue of Article 9(4) of the Constitution, which provides that, “All international agreements ratified by Ethiopia are an integral part of the law of the land”. Secondly, the Constitution stipulates in Article 13(2) that, “The Fundamental rights and freedoms specified in this Chapter shall be interpreted in a manner conforming to the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenants on Human Rights and International Instruments adopted by Ethiopia.” 174. Further to specifying the said rights and freedoms, the Constitution expressly prohibits their violation and, in Article 13(1), it imposes on all Federal and State legislative, executive and judicial organs, the responsibility and duty “to respect and enforce” them. 175. In this regard, in addition to Courts of law at both federal and state levels, which have the competence to enforce human rights, Government established two bodies: the Ombudsman, and the Human Rights Commission, mandated to promote the observance and enforcement of the rights and freedoms. During interactive sessions with some of the stakeholders, the CRM was informed that the Human Rights Commission discharges its mandate through receiving complaints, monitoring prisons, interacting with law enforcement agencies, and conducting training courses. These training activities are aimed to promote the observance of human rights by all organs, especially the police and other security agencies, and to raise awareness of these rights in institutions such as schools, and amongst the general public. 176. However, it was acknowledged that while those activities still continue, and more are planned, including outreach programmes in the states, the Commission continues to face considerable challenges since it is relatively new and capacity is still limited. The overall message to the CRM from most stakeholders who - 92 -