"Charge or Free Ethnic Oromo Terrorism Suspects" (HRW to TPLF-led regime of the empire)

Detainees Held Weeks Without Charge

November 27, 2008

Ethiopia has well-founded fears of terrorist attacks, but has often manipulated those fears to suppress dissent.

Georgette Gagnon, Africa director at Human Rights Watch

Related Materials:

Shell-Shocked

Ethiopia: Political Dissent Quashed

Ethiopia: Repression Sets Stage for Non-Competitive Elections

(New York, November 27, 2008) - The Ethiopian government should immediately free 53 ethnic Oromos arrested several weeks ago on allegations of support for terrorism if it cannot credibly charge them, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch said that a court should not grant further police requests to extend their detention without charge past a December 1, 2008, deadline, in part because of serious risks of torture.

Ethiopian authorities have arrested more than 100 ethnic Oromo Ethiopians since October 30 in Addis Ababa and across Ethiopia's Oromia region, and 53 remain in detention without charge in Addis Ababa. The government claims they were helping plot terrorist attacks on behalf of the outlawed Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), that they were funding the rebel group or committing other, as yet unspecified crimes linked to terrorism or rebel activity.

"Ethiopia has well-founded fears of terrorist attacks, but has often manipulated those fears to suppress dissent," said Georgette Gagnon, Africa director at Human Rights Watch. "These mass arrests bear all the hallmarks of the ‘imprison first, investigate later' tactics used to arbitrarily detain peaceful critics.''

While Ethiopia has valid security concerns related to bombings and other attacks, the government has routinely cited terrorism as a pretext for suppressing nonviolent opposition and arbitrarily detaining peaceful government critics. Over the years, Ethiopia's government has regularly used accusations of support for the Oromo rebels, who have been carrying out a low-level insurgency for a decade, as a pretext for cracking down on political dissent among the Oromo population.

Those arrested include Bekele Jirata, secretary general of the Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement, an opposition political party with seats in Parliament; three human rights activists working for the Ethiopian Human Rights Council in the town of Nekemte (since released); teachers and university lecturers; and several prominent businessmen and hotel owners. At their last court appearance, some of the detainees said that they had been taken from their cells at night and tortured. Torture has been a routine practice at Addis Ababa's Maikelawi, or Central Investigation Unit, where the detainees are being held.

The Ethiopian government blames the Oromo rebels for numerous grenade and bomb attacks in Addis Ababa and elsewhere in recent years. A public statement by police and intelligence officials on November 22 accused legal opposition parties of harboring terrorists bent on "dismantling the national constitution" within their ranks.

The recent arrests coincide with a massive security deployment in Addis Ababa that took place in response to bombings on October 29. The Ethiopian trade mission in Hargeisa, Somaliland was hit by a suicide bomb attack that claimed at least four Ethiopian civilian lives. It was one of several near-simultaneous attacks in Hargeisa and the semi-autonomous region of Puntland in Somalia that killed at least 25 people, mainly Somali civilians. The attacks may have been carried out, though, by insurgents from Somalia, where the Ethiopian military has been engaged in support of the transitional government since December 2006.

Past arrests of ethnic Oromos have targeted people from all walks of life, including political figures, teenage students, teachers, and civil society activists. In November, the government pardoned and released 44 people convicted of crimes linked to the rebels who had been in prison for long terms. Some had originally been sentenced to life in prison or death.

As Human Rights Watch has documented, governance in Oromia has long been marked by widespread acts of intimidation, arbitrary arrest, torture and other serious human rights abuses targeting people who criticize the government. Many of those targeted for abuses have done nothing more than to criticize local officials or participate in student protests.

Police investigators have not charged any of the recent detainees with a criminal offense. Courts have ordered some detainees released after police failed to provide any legal basis to justify their detention. Five detainees were released in Addis Ababa along with others who were detained in Nekemte, Dembi Dollo and other parts of Oromia. But 53 remain in custody in Addis Ababa after police officials obtained a court order to allow them to keep the detainees in custody for two weeks while they gathered evidence against them. When the two-week deadline expired on November 24, the police returned to court empty-handed but obtained a one-week extension, until December 1, to find evidence that might substantiate criminal charges.

This pattern of prolonged detention without charge is routine practice in cases of Oromo Ethiopians arrested on accusations of terrorism or of supporting the rebels. Ethiopian courts often eventually reject police requests for continued detention and order those held to be released - but only after they have spent weeks or months in detention while police claim to look for evidence that could justify their being charged.

"Ethiopian judges deserve praise when they stand up to order the release of people detained without legal basis," Gagnon said. "But often this only happens after detainees have already been held without charge for punitive lengths of time."

Oromia is Ethiopia's largest and most populous region. Its regional government is controlled by the Oromo People's Democratic Organization (OPDO), a member of the ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF).

The Oromo Liberation Front fought alongside the governing party in the struggle to overthrow the Derg dictatorship, but after the war the two organizations fell out with one another. The OLF was outlawed and its leadership driven from the country. It is now based in Asmara, Eritrea. Relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea have been poisonous since the two countries fought a bloody border war in 1998-1999 that claimed tens of thousands of lives. The border issue remains unresolved.

Human Rights Watch

Appeal of Oromo Parlamentarians Council to the International Community Concerning Gross Human Rights Violation in Oromia

Oromo Parliamentarians Council
Gumii Parlaamaa Oromoo

To: The International Community
Human right organizations
All Concerned bodies

It is the high time for all the concerned body to interfere in the gross human right violation of Oromo from all walks of life and secure their constitutional freedom. As of 30/10/2008 the TPLF led Ethiopian government has put under unlawful detention more than 100 Oromo’s of different background in different cities of Oromiya including in the capital city under the notorious pretext of supporting the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF). The list we have yet received includes:

1. Mr. Baqale Jirata, General Secretary of (OFDM) Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement, Registered legal political Organization.
2. Mr. Ishetu Kitili ,Owner of Hawwii Hotel
3. Mr. Asafa Dibaba ,Lecturer of Afan Oromo at Addis Ababa University
4. Mrs. Lelise Wodajo , Wife of journalist Dhabessa Waqjira
5. Mr. Kebede Borena ,Manager of Hilton Hotel , Addis Ababa
6. Mr. Dasta Kitili ,Brother of Mr.Ishetu Kitili
7. Mr. Worqina ,Teacher in Dambidollo school
8. Mr. Namoomsa Warqina ,Teacher in Bakejama school
9. Mr. Geetahun , From Wollega University
10. Mr. Belay Korme ,From Neqemte Hospital pharmacy
11. Mr. Kabade Bulti ,Trader
12. Mr. Niguse Dhaba
13. Mr. Fiqadu Jalqaba , College student
14. Mr. Baqale Negeri
15. Mr. Dejene Dhaba , Trader
From Manasibu and Qiltu karra district the following Oromo’s were imprisoned for the same allegation
16. Mr.Qajela Abdata from Mandi town ,member of OFDM imprisoned from 1997- 2003 and in 2005 and now for the third term.
17. Mr. Tokkon Mardasaa, Member of OFDM and imprisoned in 2005 , tortured to the level of disability and confiscated his property
18. Mr.Bulti Jalata , OFDM member imprisoned in 2005,tortured to the level of disability and confiscated his property.

Wallo Oromia Zon Sanbate district 13 peoples are killed by TPLF security forces.

1. Mr. Aadama Umer Kubi
2. Mr. Usee Ammadaa Usee
3. Mr. Rahammad Abdullaa
4. Mr. Saalih Buubaa
5. Mr. Umaruu Ahmed Ali
6. Mr. Mohammad Diinaa
7. Mr. Aliyi Muhe
8. Mr. Mussa Mohammad
9. Mr. Jaaraa Ammadee
10. Mr. Abba Aadam
11. Mr. Umer Buubaa Umaruu
12. Mr. Mohammad Usee Ali
13. Mr. Husuu Aliyi
This is only part of the list and the imprisonment is still going on in all Oromia Zones especially in Finfinne (Addis Ababa), Baddannoo, Burqaa, Kurfaa, Calle, Gurawwaan, Mettaa, Geedoo, Neqemte, Finca’a.
Accordingly we call up on International Community, European Parliament, European Commission, USA, AU, UK and the human right groups Amnesty International, Human Right Watch, International Red Cross, UNPO, UNHCR and all the concerned body to speak up on the injustice carried against the Oromo people for being Oromo alone by the Meles Zenawi government
Oromo Parliamentarians Council
Nov 16. / 2008

Gumii Paarlaamaa Oromoo (GPO), Oromo Parliamentarians Council (OPC)
sint-Jobstraat 43, 2060 Antwerpen, Belgium,
Tel 0032488 47 93 60, Email: GPO@Yahoo.com

Mass Arrest And Killings In Oromia (Statement of OMRHO)

Oromo Menschenrechts- und Hilfsorganisation (OMRHO e.V.)
Oromo Human Right and Relief Organisation
Ijaarsa Mirga Namoomaa fi Gargaarsa Oromoo

17/11/2008

The Oromo Human Right and Relief Organization (OMRHO) received yesterday alarming and shocking news that at least 13 Oromos have been killed in cold blood by the TPLF regime in Northern Oromia, Wallo, at a district known as Sambatee. The reason given for the killing was their political affiliation with the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF). The precise date and their circumstance of death remain yet unknown. What is certain is that they were killed by government security forces. List of the killed includes the following names:

1. Mr. Aadam Umer Kubii
2. Mr. Usee Ammadaa Usee
3. Mr. Rahammad Abdullaa
4. Mr. Saalih, Buubaa
5. Mr. Umaruu, Ahmed Alii
6. Mr. Mohammad Diinaa
7. Mr. Aliyyii Muhee
8. Mr. Hassan Mohammad
9. Mr. Jaarraa, Ammadee
10. Mr. Abbaa Aadam
11. Mr. Umer Buubaa Umaruu
12. Mr. Mohammad Usee Alii
13. Mr. Husuu Aliyyii.

According to the information we got, the mentioned were previously forcefully displaced from their village known as Jiillee, near to Laga Saagat in Sambatee district, and transferred to somewhere unspecified. Their murder by the regime took place after they were uprooted from their community with a sinister aim of avoiding public awareness and thereby communal unrest. Our source of information added that there were numerous other individuals who survived the death squad with serious injuries. In view of this fact therefore it is highly probable that the number of the killed may increase soon.

The TPLF/EPRDF regime is virtually in a state of war against the Oromo public at large. This is true particularly since the new wave of mass arrest in the last couple of weeks. Reports about mass arrest, kidnapping, displacement and torture are overwhelming OMRHO. According to our freshest information, Harargee region is this time the target of the regime’s all out action campaign. Accordingly, the following individuals were reported to have been kidnapped, on 11th November 2008, by the regime and where their about remain yet unknown:

1. Mr. Jaafarii and Mr. Abdusalaam from a locality known as Gooroo Guutuu, Baroodaa town in Harargee region.
2. Mr. Mohammad Aamma from a locality Cinaaqsan, Ordee village.
3. Mr. Joohar from Baabbilee area, Feerroo village.
4. Mr. Abdul Aziiz from Qilee village

While the above mentioned are those who were kidnapped and no one can tell where their about, the following are those who were arrested by official federal police and security forces of the regime on the same date, 11/11/ 2008.

1. Mr. Haarun Kabir Ibroo and his wife Mrs. Fatiyaa Ahimed, arrested and their property confisicated by the regime.
2. Mr. Abdii Amadee.
3. Mr. Toofiq imprisoned
4. Mrs. Caaltuu
5. Mr.Mohammad Sheekaa,
6. Mr. Abdii Muummadee,
7. Mr. Mohammad Alii,
8. Mr. Mohammad Abdallaa Ahmad,
9. Mr. Mohammad Haajii,
10. Mr. Geetaachoow,
11. Mr. Abdii Walloo,
12. Mr. Birraatuu Kabbadaa,
13. Mr. Mohammad Hawaash,
14. Mr. Aliyyii Faxiiraa,
15. Mr. Najjaash Awwadaay,
16. Mr. Abdurahamaan Mohammad
17. Mr. Saabit Abdurahmaa Aammee

All these mentioned individuals are from Diree Dhawaa city in Harargee region. The reason for their imprisonment was said to be, by the regime, their political opinion or organizational affiliation.

In view such an all out gross human right violation, it is obvious that the Ethiopian state is getting in a very turbulent and dangerous situation. Its danger lies precisely in the dissemination and naturalization of violence into the civil society, which could lead in the final analysis to a common ruin. OMRHO recommends all peace, justice and democracy loving nations of the world to act before it would be too late to act as it often happened else where in Africa. OMRHO strongly believes that humanity would ultimately prevail.

Oromo Menschenrechts- und Hilfsorganisation (OMRHO e.V.)
Postfach 690320 / 30612 Hannover / Germany

Telefax & Telefon: 49-(0) 511-5389697 Email: oromohro @ yahoo.com
Bank: Postbank Hamburg, Konto 998827206 (BLZ 200 100 20)

Amnesty International: UA 315/08 Arbitrary detention/torture or other ill-treatment of Oromos

PUBLIC AI Index: AFR 25/012/2008

14 November 2008

UA 315/08 Arbitrary detention/torture or other ill-treatment

ETHIOPIA Bekele Jirata (m), General Secretary of the Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement (OFDM) party

Asefa Tefera Dibaba (m), university lecturer at Addis Ababa University

Bekele Negeri (m), a businessman

Dejene Borena (m),

Fiqadu Jalqaba (m), college student

Eshetu Kitil (m), owner of the Hawi Hotel

Desta Kitili (m), his brother

Kebede Borena (m), assistant manager of the Hilton Hotel in Addis Ababa

Leslie Wodajo (f), a journalist

An unknown number of other members of the Oromo ethnic group

At least 15 members of the Oromo ethnic group, including those named above have been arrested in the capital Addis Ababa and also reportedly in eastern and western parts of the Oromia region of Ethiopia, since around 30 October 2008. Most are reportedly held incommunicado in detention facilities in Addis Ababa, including Maikelawi, where torture and ill-treatment of political prisoners has been reported in the past.

Some of those detained were reportedly briefly brought before a primary court, accused of financially supporting the OLF. Some were also paraded on state television on 5 November. Amnesty International believes that those detained are at risk of torture and other ill-treatment.

The Government of Ethiopia, including the National Anti-Terrorism Taskforce, has reportedly claimed that those detained had links to the armed opposition group, the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), and a previously unknown armed group, Kawerj.

Bekele Jirata is General Secretary of the Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement (OFDM) party, a small registered political party in Ethiopia that holds seats in parliament. Others arrested include Asefa Tefera, a lecturer at Addis Ababa University, and a number of students. Leslie Wodajo is a journalist who worked for the Oromo television programme on Ethiopian state television. On 12 September, the airtime of this programme was cut, a move the OFDM and another opposition party, the Oromo National Congress, claimed was politically motivated. Sixty staff members of the Oromo television programme were also removed from their jobs, many of them placed under security surveillance while their movements in Addis Ababa were restricted.

The OFDM has strongly denied that Bekele Jirata, or the party, has had any links to the OLF. In April, the party accused the Ethiopian authorities of intimidation during local elections, the first held since the post-election violence of 2005 which killed some 187 civilians.

This wave of arrests follows on a series of suicide bombings in Hargeisa, Somaliland, one of which targeted the Ethiopian consulate, killing several Ethiopian officials and a number of Somalilanders queuing for visas.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Thousands of members of the Oromo ethnic group have been detained, and many of them tortured, in recent years on suspicion of links with the OLF. The OLF has been fighting the Ethiopian government in the eastern and western parts of the Oromia Region and other areas since 1992. Among detainees held on these grounds have been people who Amnesty International considered to be prisoners of conscience who had not used or advocated violence.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in English or your own language:

- calling for formal charges to be brought against Bekele Jirata and other Oromo citizens, including those named above, who were recently arrested, or their immediate and unconditional release;

- expressing concern that those detained are being held incommunicado and are at risk of torture or ill-treatment;

- urging the authorities to bring all those detained before a court with a guarantee of fair trial, and allow them access to their families, legal counsel and medical treatment;

- expressing concern that those detained may be prisoners of conscience who have not used or advocated violence.

APPEALS TO:

Prime Minister

Meles Zenawi

Office of the Prime Minister

PO Box 1031

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Fax: +251 11 1552020

Salutation: Your Excellency

Minister of Justice

Berhan Hailu

Ministry of Justice

PO Box 1370

Addis Ababa

Ethiopia

Fax: +251 11 5517775/ +251 11 5520874

E-mail: justice@telecom.net.et

ministry-justice@telecom.net.et

Salutation: Dear Minister

COPIES TO:

Governor of Region of Oromia

Mr. Abadula Gemeda,

P.O. Box 10176

Addis Ababa

Ethiopia

and to diplomatic representatives of Ethiopia accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 26 December 2008

OSG Press Release November 2008: Crackdown on Oromo politicians and members of civil society

Oromia Support Group

60 Westminster Rd

Malvern, Worcs

WR14 4ES UK

Tel: 01684 573722

Email:Oromiasg@waitrose.com

November 2008

Crackdown on Oromo politicians and members of civil society

Once again, prominent members of Oromo civil society – politicians, university lecturers, businessmen, lawyers and other professional people – have been arrested under the pretext of supporting the Oromo Liberation Front.

As in similar waves of detention of Oromo civilians in 1997/8, 2002 and 2004, their only crime has been to be critical of government policies against Oromo people and to refuse to join the government Oromo party, the OPDO. As in previous large scale arrests of prominent members of Oromo civil society, Ethiopian Television has reported that weapons were found during forced searches of the homes of the accused.

Most of those who were detained and tortured during the previous large scale detentions were released after up to three years imprisonment, without ever being presented with any evidence to support allegations of ‘terrorism’ and involvement with the OLF.

Arrests and house searches in Addis Ababa and across Oromia Region began on 29 October and have continued at least until 10 November. Detainees have been taken to Maikelawi Central Investigation Department, notorious for the torture and detention without trial of political opponents to the regime.

At least 100 have been arrested, including:

Mrs Aberash Yadeta

Mrs Asada Imana

Asafa Tefera Dibaba, lecturer in Oromo language, Addis Ababa University.

Banti Bula

Bayisa Hinsene, High School student, Ambo.

Bayisa Lata, 28, Addis Ababa University student.

Bekele Jirata, 66, General Secretary of the Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement (OFDM) party, an employee of Oromia Water Resources. Chairman of the OFDM, Bulcha Demeksa, told Sudan Tribune on 5 November that Bekele had been held for six days without charge and without being allowed to see his family or a lawyer. He said at least 15 OFDM supporters were detained.

Bekele Negeri*

Belay Korme*, pharmacist, Nekemte Hospital, Wallega.

Bulti Jalata*, OFDM member, Mana Sibu/Qiltu Kara, Wallega, also detained and tortured in 2005, disabled from torture, property confiscated.

Chalsissa Abdissa

Mrs Chaltu Takala

Desta Kitil*, businessman, brother of Eshetu Kitil, see below.

Dejene Dhaba*, trader.

Dereje Borena, brother of Kebede Borena, below.

Mrs Diribe (Bontu) Ittana

Diribsa Legesse

Eshetu Kitil, 54, businessman and owner of the Hawi Hotel, Addis Ababa.

Fikadu Jalqaba*, university/college student.

Getahun*, University student (a professor, according to www.afro-o.org), Wallega.

Gudata Dabale, 48, High School Teacher and Director of Finance of the Macha-Tulama Association (Oromo welfare and self-help organisation whose members have been persecuted since its inception in the 1960s – including during the 1997/8 arrests).

Imiru Gurmessa, 70, businessman.

Jara Ebissa, High School student, Ambo.

Kebebew Feyee

Kebede Borena, a Senior Manager of Hilton Hotel, Addis Ababa.

Kebede Bulti*, businessman.

Ms Lalisee Dhiphisaa, 33, a staff member for the recently closed Oromo program on Ethiopian Television.

Mrs Lelise Wodajo, journalist and wife of exiled television journalist Dhabasa Wakjira, himself a former detainee. There are concerns about the care of their three young children.

Namomsa Warqina*, school teacher, Bakejama, Wallega.

Nigusie Dhaba*

Qajela Abdata*, OFDM member, Mendi, Wallega, imprisoned 1997-2003 and in 2005.

Roba Gadafa, 27, employee of Hibret Insurance Company.

Shumi Dandana, High School student, Ambo.

Tokkon Mardasaa*, OFDM member, Mana Sibu/Qiltu Kara, Wallega, also detained and tortured in 2005, disabled from torture, property confiscated.

Mrs Urge Ababa, her husband Girma, their three year old child and her brother, Dargu.

Wabe Haji, lawyer with Commercial Bank of Ethiopia.

Worqina*, school teacher, Dembi Dollo, Wallega.

Zerihun Wadajo, famous Oromo singer..

* information from Oromo Parliamentarians Council. Other reports are from Oromo Menschenrechts und Hilfsorganisation and Human Rights League in Horn of Africa.

Source: Oromia Support Group

Once Again, A Political Stunt: Tigre Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) Style

Once Again, A Political Stunt:

Tigre Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) Style

The (TPLF) clique has been brutalizing the non-Tigre peoples of Ethiopia since seizing power with the help of the Senior Bush administration in 1991 and has continued its rein of terror against innocent people with impunity. This murderous group has been able to hoodwink three US administrations: the Senior Bush, Clinton, and the present Bush administration in the name of “war on terror”. In December 2006, the present Bush administration financed and equipped this brutal regime to invade Somalia. This invasion has produced nothing for the US and the Ethiopian people, except death and destruction to a neighborly people whose country was already reeling from 16 years of civil war following the downfall of dictator Said Barre.

Sensing that it would be held responsible for committing War Crimes in Somalia and Ethiopia itself, the TPLF gang now wants to hoodwink the new US administration into believing that it has to continue to be financed and equipped since it alone is democratic government that is a trusted partner to fight terrorism. To get the attention of the new US administration, the clique has already started to “cry wolf”. A case in point: all of a sudden, out of the blue, the regime first announced that there would be “an imminent terrorist attack and then, before too long, concocted that it “lured an OLF commander and killed him and captured his accomplices”. In addition, in the past two weeks, the TPLF regime of Meles Zenawi has been rounding up innocent and peace loving Oromo people. These include members of its own so called parliament, business people, teachers, students, journalists, farmers. Among them, we have learned the detention of

Mr. Bekele Jirata, secretary of the Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement (OFDM), a registered legal political party,

Mr. Eshetu Kitil, owner of the famous Hawi Hotel in Addis Ababa (known to Oromos as Finfine),

Mrs. Lalise Wadajo , a well known journalist,

Mr Asefa Dibaba, Professor at Addis Ababa Univercity,

Mr. Kebede Borana, Manager (Hilton Hotel),

Mr. Desta Kitil, businessman ,

Mr. Warqineh,

Mr. Namoomsa Warqineh (teacher),

Mr. Getahun (Professor ),

Mr. Balay Korme (pharmacist),

Mr. Kabada Bulti (businessman),

Mr Negusie Dhaba,

Mr. Fiqadu Jalqaba ( university student),

Mr. Baqala Nagari,

Mr. Dejene Dhaba (businessman),

Mr. Qajela Abdata (OFDM party member),

Mr. Tokkon Mardasa(OFDM member),

Mr. Bulti Jalata (OFDM member).

This list is just the tip of the iceberg, as this mass imprisonment is widespread and on going. We urge the international community to demand the release of the above victims, including 80-90 year old men, already imprisoned for many years without charge.

We strongly believe that all these new mass arrests that are directed against all these innocent Oromo individuals is part of a planned TPLF’s political stunt to mislead and deceive the international community in general and the new American administration in particular. It is unfortunate that the out going US administration has supported this brutal regime in Ethiopia in the name of “war on terror”. We strongly believe that the regime is responsible for radicalizing otherwise peace loving segment of Ethiopian population. This is why we opposed the invasion of the nation of Somalia in the first place. We are afraid that this trend will eventually spill over to Ethiopia itself, whose Muslim population is considered to be about 50%.

We urge the international community at large and the President-Elect Obama administration to advance the cause of Human Rights in the Horn of Africa rather than appeasing the brutal regime in Ethiopia. It is the best way to safeguard democracy and its principles of human rights, peace, equality, and justice. In addition, we appeal to all peace loving people and organizations to support the just struggles for democracy of the Oromo people and all other Ethiopians and demand the unconditional release of hundreds and thousands of all political prisoners languishing in TPLF torture chambers.

Advocacy for the Fundamental Rights of

Oromos & Others (AFRO-O)

P. O. Box 422

Burtonsville, Maryland 20866

Website: www.afro-o.org

Martyrdom of Oromo Liberation Fighter is Honorable and Propels the Struggle (Statement of OLF)

Martyrdom of Oromo Liberation Fighter is Honorable and Propels the Struggle

Statement of the Oromo Liberation Front

On November 5, 2008, Comrade Laggasaa Wagii, Member of the OLF Central Committee and Commander of the Oromo Liberation Army Western Command, lost his precious life in the liberation war. He participated in and/or led the Oromo liberation struggle in Western Oromia for the last seventeen years. During those years, Laggasaa registered proud heritage of shining victories in the battles against the TPLF occupation army. He is a hero, whose sacrifice inspires us to double and triple the sacred struggle for liberation of Oromia.

The Oromo Liberation Front is waging a sacred struggle for the realization of the fundamental rights of the Oromo people- the right to self-determination, human dignity and the right to determine their destiny. The OLF is struggling to enable the Oromo people to live in democracy, under the rule of law, in peace and prosperity in their country-Oromia.

Successive Ethiopian tyrannical regimes, including the incumbent regime led by Tigrai Liberation Front (TPLF), showed no political will and capacity to peacefully and democratically resolve the just question of the Oromo people. Hence, the OLF had no other option but to wage an armed struggle. It is the nature of all armed struggles that it involves an ultimate sacrifice one has to make for a just cause- a loss of life of a liberation fighter. In the hitherto Oromo liberation struggle, Oromo heroes and heroines have paid the ultimate sacrifice for the Oromo liberation struggle to get here. The sacrifices the Oromo heroes and heroines is a seed of the liberation of the Oromo people.

The sacrifice of Laggasaa’s life is a great loss for the liberation struggle of the Oromo people. However, contrary to the TPLF regime’s desire, celebration and psychological and propaganda war, the sacrifice of Laggasaa is not an end of the Oromo Liberation struggle. Thousands of Oromo youth, who stood for the dignity and natural rights of their people, shall uphold high the banner of national liberation that Laggasaa died for and carry through the liberation struggle to the final victory. Laggasaa died an honorable death. His sacrifice shall propel forward the Oromo liberation struggle.

Victory to the Oromo People!

Oromo Liberation Front

November 9, 2008

http://www.oromoliberationfront.org

Mass Arrest and Imprisonment of Oromos in the Ethiopian Capital, Addis Ababa

HRLHA URGENT ACTION No. 6

November 2008

Mass Arrest and Imprisonment of Oromos in the Ethiopian Capital, Addis Ababa

According to documents obtained by the HRLHA from its informants in Addis Ababa, a wave of mass arrest and imprisonment that has targeted prominent Oromo intellectuals and businessmen is going on in different parts of the regional state of Oromia, including the Capital Addis Ababa. The arbitrary arrest and detention, which is being carried out by an armed force brought together from regional and federal police that is particularly set up and deployed for this purpose, started following the usual allegation that the local residents harbour and/or support the opposition armed group – Oromo Liberation Front.

This most recent mass arrest and imprisonment includes Mrs. Lelise Wodajo, a mother and guardian of three dependant children and wife of former ETV journalist Dhabasa Waqjira, who fled the country to escape further persecutions after three years in prison without trial. The fate of the three children of Mrs Wodajo and Mr. Waqjira, who are said to be very young, is not known. HRLHA is highly concerned about their current situation as well as their future.

Among the many Oromos who have been taken into custody from the Capital, Addis Ababa, HRLHA has managed to obtain the names of the following:
1. Mr Bekele Jirata age 66, employee of Oromia Water Resourc and member of Oromo Federalist movement Organization.
2. Lalisee Dhiphisaa, age 33, employee of Ethiopian Television, Oromo program.
3. Immiruu Gurmeessaa, a 70-year old businessman.
4. Baayyisaa Lataa, age 28, Addis Ababa University student.
5. Guddataa Dabalee, age 48, a high school teacher and finance head of Mecha and Tulama organization.
6. Eshetu Kitil, age 54, businessman and owner of Hawi Hotel.
7. Roobaa Gaddafaa, age 27, Hibret Insurance Company employee.

All of these and other unidentified Oromos, who were arrested on October 29,2008 and days that followed, are said to have been taken to the Maekelawi central investigation office.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
In the past fifteen or so years, thousands of Oromos have been abducted, disappeared, detained, and many of them were tortured, in recent years on suspicion of having links with the OLF. The OLF has been fighting the Ethiopian government in eastern, Southern and western Oromia Region and other areas since 1973. HRLHA believes that all the detainees held on these grounds have been innocent people minding their own daily lives; and who have not been involved in or advocated violence.

HRLHA is highly concerned about the safety of the local residents in general and of those who have already been taken into custody. It believes that this government action of the Ethiopian Government is in violation of fundamental political and cultural rights which are enshrined in the Ethiopian constitution. It also believes that such extrajudicial harassments and intimidations would worsen the humanitarian crisis that has continued to hit the country.
HRLHA calls upon governments of the West, all local, regional and international human rights agencies to join hands and demand the immediate halt of this mass arrest and imprisonment of innocent Oromo civilians by the Ethiopian government.

Simone Joseph - Foreign Affairs Officer
U.S. Department of State
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights & Labor
Washington, D.C. 20037
Tel: +1-202-261-8009
Fax: +1-202-261-8197
Joseph, Simone O (DRL) [mailto: JosephSO@state.gov ]
European Commission Delegation to Ethiopia
Paola Cerea – Human Rights Project officer
Paola.cerea@ec.europa.eu

• Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
United Nations Office at Geneva
1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Fax: + 41 22 917 9022
(particularly for urgent matters)
E-mail: tb-petitions@ohchr.org

• African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR)
48 Kairaba Avenue, P.O.Box 673, Banjul,
The Gambia.
Tel: (220) 4392 962, 4372070, 4377721 – 23
Fax: (220) 4390 764
E-mail: achpr@achpr.org

• Amnesty International – London Telephone: +44-20-74135500
Fax number: +44-20-79561157
• Human Rights Watch – New York, Tel: +1-212-290-4700
Fax: +1-212-736-1300
Email: hrwnyc@hrw.org

The New Wave of Mass Arrest Continues On

The New Wave of Mass Arrest Continues On

Oromo Human Right and Relief Organization remind its readers of its last press release on the new wave of arrest of prominent Oromos just few days a go, on 3rd of November 2008. As of our freshest information the wave continues with no boundary and discrimination. The following are some among those who were abducted from their homes and work places in Addis Ababa on November 4 and 5, 2008 by the Ethiopian government security forces:

1. Mrs. Asaadaa Imaanaa
2. Mrs. Caaltuu Taakkalaa
3. Mrs. Urgee Abbabaa
4. Mrs. Dirribee (Boontuu) Ittaanaa.

These are wives and mothers whose family responsibility would jeopardize many lives in their absence. Particularly, Mrs Urgee Abbabaa is reported to have been arrested with all her family: her brother Darguu, her husband Girmaa and more shockingly, with her three year old child. It is clear that the above named women and many others would certainly be tortured and brutalized by the inhuman TPLF forces as this is the norm in Ethiopian detention centers.

We also received a report that Mr. Wabe Hajji, a lawyer at commercial bank and a father of three children, has been taken from his work place to one of the brutal detention center of the regime. The report added that his home was extensively searched and his properties confiscated by the security forces with no judicial order.

The arrest is indiscriminate. It even included high school students. Accordingly, the following high school students in the western Shewa, Ambo town, have been abducted by the regime’s security forces:

1. Shuumii Daandanaa
2. Baayisaa Hinseenee
3. Jaarraa Eebbisaa and many others whose name are not yet disclosed.

According to the report we are receiving, the arrest is an all out action of the Ethiopian regime against what it calls OLF supporters. Therefore, the numbers of arrests are very much higher than the enumerated one in our press releases.

OMRHO express its deepest worry about the fate of the arrested. It pleads that all international human right organization and all committed democratic governments to use all their capacities in curbing the desperate inhuman actions of the Ethiopian regime.

Save the Oromo people (Appeal of Oromo Parlamentarians concerning the new wave of mass arrest of Oromos in Ethiopian empire)

Save the Oromo people
Appeal of Oromo Parlamentarians
concerning the new wave of mass arrest of Oromos in Ethiopian empire

To The International Community

Human right organizations

All Concerned bodies

It is the high time for all the concerned body to interfere in the gross human right violation of Oromo from all walks of life and secure their constitutional freedom. As of 30/10/2008 the TPLF led Ethiopian government has put under unlawful detention more than 100 Oromo’s of different background in different cities of Oromiya including in the capital city under the notorious pretext of supporting the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF). The list we have yet received includes

1. Mr. Baqale Jirata ,General Secretary of (OFDM)Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement, Registered legal political Organization.

2. Mr. Ishetu Kitil, Owner of Hawwii Hotel

3. Mr. Asafa Dibaba, Lecturer of Afan Oromo at Addis Ababa University

4. Mrs.Lelise Wodajo, Wife of journalist Dhabessa Waqjira

5. Mr. Kebede Borena, Manager of Hilton Hotel , Addis Ababa

6. Mr. Dasta Kitili, Brother of Mr.Ishetu Kitili

7. Mr. Worqina, Teacher in Dambidollo school

8. Mr. Namoomsa Warqina, Teacher in Bakejama school

9. Mr. Geetahun, From Wollega University

10. Mr. Belay Korme, From Neqemte Hospital pharmacy

11. Mr. Kabade Bulti, Trader

12. Mr. Niguse Dhaba

13. Mr. Fiqadu Jalqaba, College student

14. Mr. Baqale Negeri

15. Mr. Dejene Dhaba, Trader

From Manasibu and Qiltu karra district the following Oromo’s were imprisoned for the same allegation

16. Mr. Qajela Abdata from Mandi town, member of OFDM imprisoned from 1997- 2003 and in 2005 and now for the third term.

17. Mr. Tokkon Mardasaa, Member of OFDM and imprisoned in 2005 , tortured to the level of disability and confiscated his property

18. Mr. Bulti Jalata, OFDM member imprisoned in 2005,tortured to the level of disability and confiscated his property.

This is only part of the list and the imprisonment is still going on in all Oromia Zones especially in Finfinne ( Addis Ababa ),Baddannoo, Burqaa, Kurfaa, Calle, Gurawwaan,Mettaa, Geedoo, Neqemte, Finca’a.

Accordingly we call up on International Community, European Parliament, European Commission, USA, AU, UK and the human right groups Amnesty International, Human Right Watch, International Red Cross, UNPO, UNHCR and all the concerned body to speak up on the injustice carried against the Oromo people for being Oromo alone by the Meles Zenawi government

Oomo Parliamentarians Council

Nov 8. / 2008

Widespread Detention of Prominent Oromos Resumed Again: At least 12 more Oromos Detained

(OLF News, Nov. 6, 2008) The TPLF/Wayyaanee government continued massive arrest of prominent Oromos in an attempt to kill the Oromo nationalist spirit. In addition to the renowned Oromos the government security forces have arrested in the last couple of days, OLF News has confirmed that, the following prominent Oromos have been taken from their homes and sent to detention centers.

Those Arrested From Finfinnee (Addis Ababa)

1. Mr, Asafa Dibaba a teacher of the Afan Oromo language from Finfinnee (Addis Ababa) university,

2. Mr, Kabbada Borana, the manager of Hilton Hotel,

3. Mr, Nugusee Dibaba, a known college student,

4. Mr, Fiqadu Jalqaba, a known college student,

5.Mr, Bakala Nagari, a business man,

6. Mr, Dajana Dhaba, a business man.

Those Arrested From Nekemte, Western Oromia

The following Oromos have been arrested from Western Oromia , Eastern Wollegga Zone, Nekemte town on 11/04/2008.

1. Mr Dastaa Kitiil , brother of Isheetuu Kitil, owner of Hawi Hotel
2. Mr Warqinaa, a teacher at Dallo school
3. Mr Namoomsaa Warqinaa, a teacher at Bakkee Jamaa school
4. Mr Geetahuun an employee of Wallagga University
5. Mr Balayii Kormee a worker of Nekemte Hospital Pharmacy.
6. Mr Kabbada Bultii, a business man.

Meanwhile the Wayyanee forces are repoted to have arrested several Oromo nationalists in Eastern Oromia, Eastern Harargee zone, Baddannoo, Burqaa, Kurfaa Callee, Gurawwa and Meettaa districts for allegedly supporting and giving food and information to the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA). Further more, in the eastern Wollegga zone of Fincaa district, at least two Oromos have been arrested.

OLFNews

HRLHA Urgent Action No. 5 (October 2008)

HRLHA URGENT ACTION

No 5 October 2008

Appeal to regional and international human rights agencies and organizations

Arrest, Torture and Deportation of Refugees



Human Rights League of the Horn of Africa (HRLHA) has learnt through its informants that the government of Somaliland, in violation of international treaties, arbitrarily apprehended twelve Ethiopian Oromo refugees on October 15, 2008 and deported them to Ethiopia. All twelve refugees were picked up from different places and taken to the military camp in Hargessa by the security forces of the Somaliland Government on the same day. Particularly, it was very saddening to hear that those refugees were tortured while they were in the detention centre. Finally, they were handed over to Ethiopian security forces 0n October 17, 2008. It has been difficult to obtain the names of all of the victims of these joint actions of the Somaliland and the Ethiopian governments. Two of the refugees who have been identified by their names were:

1. Mr. Mohamed Ahmed Mohamud - UNHCR attestation papers number 03/RF/SOMH/036

2. Mr. Mohamed Sheika.



Mohamed Ahmed Mohamud

Mr. Mohamed Ahmed Mohamud, a father of nineteen (19) children, fled Ethiopia in 2002 to escape political harassments which included extra-judicial killings, kidnappings and imprisonments without charges and trials. He obtained a refugee status in Somaliland in 2003. Mr. Mohamed Ahmed Mohamud has been living in Somaliland as a refugee with ten of his children. The fate and whereabouts of his children are not known since he has been arrested and deported to Ethiopia.

Under Article 33 (1) of the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (189 U.N.T.S. 150), "[n]o contracting state shall expel or forcibly return a refugee in any manner whatsoever to the frontiers of territories where his life or freedom would be threatened on account of his . . . political opinion."

The Ethiopian government has a well-documented record of gross and flagrant violations of human rights, including the torturing of its own citizens who were involuntarily returned to the country. The government of Ethiopia routinely imprisons such persons. There have been credible reports of physical and psychological abuses committed against individuals in Ethiopian prisons and other secret places of detention. This obligation, which is also a principle of customary international law, applies to both asylum seekers and refugees, as affirmed by UNHCR's Executive Committee and the United Nations General Assembly.

By handing over the Oromo refugees and others, the Somaliland Government is breaching its obligations under international treaties as well as customary laws.

Under the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (1465 U.N.T.S. 185) Somaliland has the obligation not to return a person to a place where they face torture or ill-treatment. Article 3 of the Convention against Torture provides:

1. No state party shall expel, return ("refouler") or extradite a person to another state where there are substantial grounds to believe that they would be in danger of being subjected to torture.

2. For the purpose of determining whether there are such grounds, the competent authorities shall take into account all relevant considerations including, where applicable, the existence in the state concerned of a consistent pattern of gross, flagrant or mass violations of human rights.

HRLHA has previously expressed its concerns in Urgent Action N0. 3, September 2008 over the decision of the Somaliland Government to expel all Oromo refugees and other Oromo nationals currently living in Somaliland.

The Human Rights League of the Horn of Africa (HRLHA) is highly concerned about the safety and security of the refugees handed over to the Ethiopian Government and those who are still living in Somaliland. It urges the Government of Somaliland to respect the international treaties and obligations. It also urges all human rights agencies (local, regional and international) to join hands with it and condemn these illegal and inhuman acts of both the Ethiopian and the Somaliland governments against defenseless refugees. It requests governments of the West and other international organizations to interfere so that the safety and security of the deported refugees to Ethiopia and of those refugees currently living in Somaliland would be secured.

The HRLHA is a non-political and non-profit organization that attempts to challenge abuses of human rights of the people of various nations and nationalities in the Horn of Africa. It works on defending fundamental human rights including freedoms of thought, expression, movement and association. It also works on raising the awareness of individuals about their own fundamental human rights and that of others. It encourages the observances as well as due processes of law. It promotes the growth and development of free and vigorous civil societies.

To;-

· US Department of State

Simone Joseph - Foreign Affairs Officer
U.S. Department of State
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights & Labor
Washington, D.C. 20037

Tel: +1-202-261-8009
Fax: +1-202-261-8197
Joseph, Simone O (DRL) [mailto:JosephSO@state.gov]

European Commission Delegation to Ethiopia
Paola Cerea – Human Rights Project officer
Paola.cerea@ec.europa.eu


Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
United Nations Office at Geneva
1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Fax: + 41 22 917 9022
(particularly for urgent matters)
E-mail: tb-petitions@ohchr.org


African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR)
48 Kairaba Avenue, P.O.Box 673, Banjul,
The Gambia.
Tel: (220) 4392 962, 4372070, 4377721 – 23
Fax: (220) 4390 764

E-mail: achpr@achpr.org


Amnesty International – London Telephone: +44-20-74135500
Fax number: +44-20-79561157


Human Rights Watch – New York, Tel: +1-212-290-4700
Fax: +1-212-736-1300
Email: hrwnyc@hrw.org

The EPRDF/TPLF Security Agents continued their Arrest and Intimidation of Innocent Oromos!

(OLF News, October 31, 2008)

A report we received from Finfinnee ( Addis Ababa ) confirmed that the Ethiopian Woyane/TPLF government has arrested the Afan Oromo TV program of ETV, secretariat typist Lelise Wodajo.

According to our sources, the TPLF security force has arrested Mrs, Lalise Wadajo Fida (Mr, Dhabasas Wajiras wife) from Ethiopian Television center the place where she works, and they took her to TPLF Maikelawi Investigation Center, on October 30,2008 at about mid day (yesterday) in capital, Addis Ababa.

According to our informants, after they arrest Mrs Wadajo from her work place, they took her to her home and after that her house is confiscated by Wayane TPLF security force. At the moment her children Jitu, Bonsen Dhabasa and Bethelim Dawit are suffering without guardian.

Mrs Lalise Wodajo is among the 60 Afan Oromo TV journalists, who were recently expelled from job as the consequence of the shut down of Afan Oromo program from ETV transmission since September 12, 2008. At this time, 60 Oromo journalists are denied entrance to the office of the Ethiopian Television Station.

It is to be recalled that OLF News has reported that as a consequence of the shut-down of the ETV Afan Oromo program the Oromo people are now denied access to information and international news and are forced to listen and watch only the propaganda of the OPDO, which is a puppet Oromo organization completely controlled by Meles Zenawi and the TPLF. The decision to shut down the Afan Oromo TV program from the federal level ETV programs is made to limit the growth and radius of influence of Afan Oromo making it inaccessible to non-Oromos and Oromos living outside of Oromia, once again an attempt to reduce or eliminate the Oromo people and their language Afan Oromo from the empire and the face of the earth.

The relatives of Mrs Lelise Wodajo appealed that all Oromos leaving at home and abroad, all governmental, non-governmental, and humanitarian organizations put pressure on the Ethiopian authorities for the injustice arrest, confiscation of property and for the life of their children who are left without parent, food and shelter.

Source: www.oromoliberationfront.org