About Us

Overview

The Irob Advocacy Association (IAA) advances the rights and wellbeing of the Irob people through advocacy, research, and community-led action. We mobilize partners, share reliable information, and build resilience with those most affected.

Read the full Mission & Values

Mission & Values

We act with integrity, transparency, and equity to advance human rights and dignity for Irob people.

• Human rights protection and documentation
• Cultural heritage preservation
• Community development and resilience
• Humanitarian assistance and advocacy

Establishment

Irob Advocacy Association (IAA) is established on July 23, 2019, with Registry Number 4304, Proclamation No. 1113/2019 of the Civic Society Organizations Agency, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Also referred to as "The Charity Organization" in its Articles of Incorporation/Bylaws, IAA is a board-led organization. "The Board" constitutes the highest body of the organization.

IAA's Vision

The vision of Irob Advocacy Association is to realize a socio-economically empowered, vibrant Irob where all democratic rights are fully observed. An Irob society aware of its rights, history, culture, and social values that strives to preserve these assets and its unique identity.

Mission

At IAA, we unite and empower the Irob community while fostering partnerships with allies dedicated to democracy and minority rights. Through research and advocacy, we proactively address threats, ensuring safety and prosperity for all. Our tools include organizing, lobbying, education, and litigation when needed. Our vision is a future where Irob rights and well-being thrive.

Purpose

1. Monitoring, evaluation, and analysis of democratic, human rights, social, and economic conditions of the Irob people; sharing research findings and recommendations with the people, government, and stakeholders.
2. Supporting and advocating for better governance and social rights, and the right to development.
3. Ensuring fair and equitable benefits; when breached, engaging regional, national, and international bodies and litigating when necessary.
4. Supporting identity, language, tradition, culture, history, and values preservation and development.
5. Engaging in restoration and sustainable enhancement of social and economic conditions-especially for underprivileged and youth-through analysis, awareness, and prioritizing solutions.

Values of IAA

1. People First: Community needs take precedence in all circumstances.
2. Transparency: Integrity, accountability, and adherence to bylaws and ethics guide us.
3. Equity / Non-discrimination: Services without discrimination by location, age, religion, gender, clan, or affiliation.
4. Embrace Differences / Diversity: We resolve disagreements respectfully, upholding majority decisions.
5. Cooperation / Collaboration: We partner regionally, nationally, and internationally to amplify impact.

Immediate Cause for Advocacy

• 1998 Eritrean invasion and two-year occupation followed by the 2000 war causing social, economic, and psychological turmoil.
• Algiers Agreement and EEBC decision dividing the Irob minority despite no historic Eritrean rule.
• Abduction of 93 Irob civilians by Eritrean forces; whereabouts unknown.
• Mass migration of Irob youth, often exploited by traffickers.
• Need to retrieve historical and evidentiary records from archives for truth and justice.
• Widespread poverty and inadequate infrastructure/governance.
• Declining education quality; assimilation and identity crises driven by globalization.
• Internal discord and hesitancy among Irob elites to address crises.
• Compounded by the war in Tigray starting November 2020.