Oromia Center For Human Rights: Exposing the Massive Human Rights Violation in Oromia

PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Oromo call for Justice in Ethiopia and the Bringing To Account of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi

Brussels, 27 April 2009 – Democracy, justice and pluralism remained illusory in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Government, led by the Tigrayan People's Liberation Front (TPLF) continues to intimidate opposition parties and civil society whilst muzzling a mass media that as a result is neither free nor fair. Heavy-handed state responses to legitimate protests have left scores dead and many more injured – and their families have no recourse to adequate justice.

To bring these abuses to the attention of the European public and decision makers, the Oromos residing in Europe will hold a demonstration on Friday 22 May 2009 beginning at the Schuman station from 10.00am moving to the European Commission (Berlaymont Building), European Parliament (Place Jean Rey), UK Embassy and final stop will be at USA Embassy where activists will stay until 13:00pm.

The demonstration will urge the European Union and advocates of justice around the world to take note of, and act against, the atrocities being committed against the Oromo people and other nationalities of Ethiopia.

Activists will also call on all nations and nationalities in Ethiopia to stand in unity on behalf of the country’s innocent and voiceless peoples whose lives and livelihoods are being constrained by an unrepresentative and minority government.

Note: There will be media opportunities during the demonstration and activists with first-hand experience of the situation in Ethiopia will be available for comment.

EVENT SUMMARY 22 MAY 2009

10:00am - 10:30am

European Commission

(Berlaymont Building)

Brussels

10:30am - 13:00pm

European Parliament (Place Jean Rey), UK

Embassy (Rue d’Arlon 85), USA Embassy

(Regentlaan 27)

Brussels

For media enquiries, contact

Andrew Swan (UNPO Project Coordinator)