Gabaasa Qeerroo aanaa Giddaa,Fulbaana 25,2011

Fulbaana 24,2011, Godina Wallaggaa, aanaa Giddaa Ayyaanaa keessatti barruun ejjennoo Qeerroo fi yaamichi Fincila diddaa gabrummaa  ibsu qabxii 16 kan of keessaa qabu waajjira Poolisaa fi mooraa humna dafee qaqabaa keessatti faca’uu irraan kan rifate mootummaan Wayyaanee ummata nagaa goolaa jiraachuu odeessi Qeerroo aanaa Giddaa Ayyaanaa addeessa.

Dhimma kanaan wal qabsiisuun humni poolisaa fi bulchitooti Wayyaanee aanaa san keessa sosso’aa jiran dargaggoota nagaa qabanii hidhaatti geessuu beekamee jira. Akka kanaan dargaggoo

1. Alamuu Gammachuu
2. Asmaraa Oljirraa

Kanneen jedhaman badiin tokko malee qabanii mana hidhaa hin beekamne geessanii jiru.

Haala kanaan kan jeeqamte Wayyaaneen akkuma aadeffatte ummata jeequu fi sakatta’uu eegaltee jirti.

Qabsoon itti fufa! Gabroomsaan ni kufa!

HRLHA – Urgent Action and Appeal

September 2011

The Human Rights League of the Horn of Africa (HRLHA) would like to express its deep concern regarding the safety and well-being of the victims of the most recent crackdowns against the independent media and political organizations.

The TPLF/EPRDF-led Ethiopian Government has arrested and imprisoned Journalist Eskinder Nega and four Unity for Democracy and Justice (UDJ) political party leaders alleging that they were preparing for committing “terrorist acts” through their links with the Ginbot 7 opposition political party, which the government labels as a terrorist.

It is also remembered that similar arrests have been made based on similar allegations during the whole month of August and the beginning of September. Victims of these earlier extra-judicial actions by the Ethiopian Government include Mr. Bekele Gerba, of the Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement, a political opposition party in Ethiopia, and Olbana Lelisa of the political opposition Oromo People’s Congress party. The government has announced that both men were arrested on suspicion of belonging to the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), a charge the government often uses to silence members of the Oromo political oppositions.

Whatever allegations the Ethiopian Government is making, the obvious thing as to why these most recent arrests and imprisonments are taking is that most of these targeted individuals have communicated with and spoken to representatives of human rights agencies such as Amnesty International; and to everyone’s understanding, this is one of the fundamental rights guaranteed in the country’s constitution. But, given its eighteen years history in power especially in terms of freedom of expression, the TPLF/EPRDF Government never tolerates any attempt by individuals, the media, or political organizations to bring its political and economic wrong-doings to the attentions of the outside world.

It has been reported through various media that these suspects, who were instead known to the public for their strong criticism against political and economic maladministration of the ruling TPLF/EPRDF party, are being held at the infamous Ma’ikelawi Central Prison, where torture is at the top in the list of the means of coercions, harassment and intimidation. Ma’ikelawi is also where know political figures and activists are systematically eliminated through those torturous means.

By inappropriately exploiting the global agenda of “war on terror”, and by using the extremely biased, abusive, and repressive “anti-terrorist law” it enacted in 2009, the Ethiopian Government has been severely threatening the already staggering democratization process in the country. The international communities and the Western allies of the TPLF/EPRDF Government are undoubtedly very well aware of the fact that victimization of innocent citizens simply because they attempted to exercise their basic democratic rights, incarcerations, denials of justice, destruction of families and condemnations to destitution, etc. have been the fate of the majority of Ethiopians in the past eighteen years. On the other side of these politically motivated discriminatory experiences, we have witnessed the reigning of a one party dictatorial rule driven by individual and group interests. And these all kinds of harassment and intimidation against groups and individuals who have been critical of the TPLF/EPRDF Government are aimed at ensuring a tight and lifetime grip on power.

HRLHA believes that Ethiopians have already got more than enough of these ill-treatments, gross punishments, and sufferings. It also believes that it is time to say “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH” for the international communities in general, and particularly for TPLF/EPRDF’s Western allies who provided PM Meles Zenawi with the global licence of “war on terror”, from which he inappropriately derived his “anti-terrorist law” that he is abusing to punish and silence all political opponents, human rights activists, and free press journalists.

The HRLHA calls upon local, Western Governments, regional, and international human rights and diplomatic agencies to join hands and send a clear message to the Ethiopian Government to, first of all, unconditionally release all political prisoners; and, secondly, honour all the constitutional and other fundamental human rights so that the democratization process would take the right track. Those who do not tolerate the exercising of the freedom of expression, which is the foundation stone of democracy, should not be tolerated.

The Human Rights League of the Horn of Africa/HRLHA is a non-political and non-partisan organization which attempts to challenge abuses of human rights of the peoples of various nations and nationalities in the Horn of Africa. HRLHA is aimed at defending fundamental human rights including freedoms of thought, expression, movement and organization. It is also aimed at raising the awareness of individuals about their own basic human rights and that of others. It has intended to work on the observances as well as due processes of law. It promotes the growth and development of free and vigorous civil societies.

– Read the Full Statement (HRLHA)

Oromia-Ethiopia: OSGA Appeal for Urgent Action

September 22nd 2011

To: Gianni Magazzeni,

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Geneva, Switzerland

The Oromia Support Group Australia (OSGA) expresses its serious concern regarding those illegally kidnapped and detained at the ‘Mikelawi’ Central Investigation Centre, of guiltless Oromo civilians:

1. Zemachu Makonen (student – Adama University), kidnapped from ‘Dambi Dollo’ West Oromia, on 2nd of August 2011, taken to ‘Mikelawi’ – Central Investigation Centre, and he was brutally tortured.

2. Garbaba Gaddisa – Kidnapped on 10th of June 2011 from his work place, and taken to ‘Mikelawi’ – Central Invetigation Centre. Families and relatives are denied access to visit.

3. Gammachis Yoseef (student – Adama University), kidnapped in the same month from Nadjoo town, West Oromia, and his whereabouts remain a mystery to his families.

4. Mr Laggasa Detti (former Secretary General of Mecha-Tulama Self-help Association) kidnapped on 23rd of August while on his way to home in Ginci, place close to the capital city.

5. Mr Mulugeta Riqitu (school teacher) kidnapped and detained

6. Sisay Sarbessa (Student –Finfinne- Addis Ababa University) kidnapped and detained.

The following individuals were also kidnapped and detained in the first week of September 2011 at the same centre – ‘Mikelawi’ Investigation centre:

7. Mr. Baqqala Garba
8. Mr. Olbana Lellisa
9. Mr. Gachana Ararsa
10. Mr. Habtamu, from Ginci area
11. Mr. Abdisa Sori (from Ada’a Bargga district)
12. Mr. Sirnessa Abarra (from Ada’a Bargga district)
13. Mr. Masay Girma (student)
14. Mr. Sonbee (student)
15. Mr. Dadhi Galan (Artist)
16. Mr. Cala Hayilu (Lecturer – Adama University)
17. Mr. Abarraa Dame
18. Mr. Gaachana Ararsaa
19. Mr. Jiraa Ajjamaa
20. Mr. Darajjee Amanaa
21. Mr. Motummaa Fayyeraa
22. Mr. Baqqalaa Uurgeessa
23. Mr. Kabbadaa Daadhii
24. Mr. Habtauu (Surname not identified)
25. Mr. Abdii Soorii
26. Mr. Sonsa Abarraa
27. Mr. Alamaayyoo Tolaasaa
28. Mr. Abarraa Tasfaayee
29. Mr. Haptamu Kabbada
30. Mr. Buruk Shifara (from Elfata district)
31. Mr. Biraanuu (student – from Ginda barat district)
32. Mr. Asmaraa Tolasaa (Student )
33. Mr. Amanu Fufaa (from Gindabarat district)
34. Mr. Alamaayyo Tolasa (Student)
35. Mr. Buruk Shifarra
36. Mr. Abarra Tasfayye
37. Mr. Habtamu Kabbada
38. Mr. Biranu (from Dandi district)
39. Mr. Biqila Namomsa
40. Mr. Indaalo Babu
41. Mr. Tolasa Ayyale
42. Mr. Taddasa Gudata (from Horro Guduru – Jaardagaa Jaartee district)
43. Mr. Lammi Nagash
44. Mr. Gammada Yaadata (from Naqamte town)
45. Mr. Alamuu Gammachuu,
46. Mr. Wande Bayyana and
47. Mr. Abdi Yadata (No. 45-47 are High School teachers – from Gidda Ayana town of West Oromia)

Since the security forces kidnapped and detained them the victims’ families are denied access, and the victims were not allowed to seek any legal counsel according to the information Oromia Support Group Australia (OSGA) have received from reliable sources. In this case the government action appears arbitrary and highly questionable, and so far the situation of these innocent victims deeply concerns the OSGA. OSGA believes that the abduction of Oromo civilians from their peaceful life is beyond doubt politically motivated, therefore, would like to bring to your notice and urge for your immediate intervention, to stop the Ethiopian government from its continuation of brutal action on Oromo civilians. This action is against their constitutional rights, the right to peacefully live in their country, and totally unacceptable.

Despite ongoing appeals from human rights organisations and humanitarian societies the Ethiopian government has taken no action to stop human right abuses in the country. Instead, the regime continuously ignores all calls to adhere to international humanitarian law and human rights law. The ongoing human rights violations in Ethiopia and the government authorities’ continued disregard of obligations under international law demonstrates the dire need for action to be taken in support of the Oromo and other similar peoples in the country. This is a crucial and opportune time for your department to show sensitivity to this appeal and more importantly your commitment to democracy, human rights, and justice in the country.

Oromia Support Group Australia earnestly requests your support in ensuring an end to the crimes against humanity in Ethiopia by the government authorities on the citizens, particularly, on Oromo people. Therefore, Oromia Support Group Australia once again appeals to your office to pressure the Ethiopian government to immediately release the detainees and immediately discontinue perpetrating gross human rights violations on Oromo civilians.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

Oromia Support Group in Australia

CC:
Amnesty International,
Human Right Watch,
Foreign Embassies in Ethiopia

Clear here for Full Appeal document