Oromo: Uprising Nearing Three Months
The Oromo people have continued the popular uprising that started
on Nov. 9, 2005 in protest to the Ethiopian regime’s gross violation of
fundamental human rights. To date we have issued four reports detailing the
atrocities perpetuated against peaceful demonstrators by the government. This
fifth one is an update on the continued suppression of human rights, the basic
freedom of the Oromo and other peoples of Ethiopia, and the ruthless measures
Meles’ government is taking to stifle the popular uprising.
The underlying popular demands of the people remain the same: respect for human
dignity and basic freedom, equality in the court of law, rights to self determination,
release of all Oromo political prisoners, reinstatement of the Mecha Tullama
self help Association, legalization of Oromo Relief Association, and etc. The
people have acknowledged the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) as the sole representative
of the Oromo people. They have demonstrated their support for the OLF in many
parts of the country by replacing government banners by that of the OLF. Typical
slogans read “OLF means Oromo and Oromo means OLF”. Such wide spread
support for the OLF has invoked even more brutal reaction from the government.
Summary and indiscriminate executions, torture, abductions, and unlawful imprisonment
of peaceful people have become all too common. According to the Human Right
Watch (HRW) report of January 13, 2006, intimidation and arbitrary detention
of the Oromo people have intensified in rural areas.
High school and college students continue to join the popular uprising in increasing
numbers. They have drawn attention to their demands by distributing pamphlets,
staging hunger strike, and shaving their hair as a sign of mourning for peers
killed by government agents. In areas where such protests have intensified,
the government has closed schools in fear of further demonstrations. Daily demonstrations
and strikes are going on all over Oromia including in Ambo, Xiqur-Incinni, Dambi
Dollo, Gimbii, Qoree, Biyyoo-Karaabaa, Asasaa, Kofale, Qoree, Geedoo, Baakkoo,
Sarboo, Shashamannee, Kofalee, Adama, Asaasa, Shaambuu, Naqamte, Laaloo Asabii,
Jimma, Machaaraa, Finci’a, Kombolcha, Xuullo, Dhangaggoo, Ciro, East Showa,
Oliqaa Dingiluu, Qeellam, Haro Maaya, Dobba, Ginir, Habroo, Mattuufi Daarimu,
Dirree Dawa, Geedoo, Galamsoo, Baddeessaa, Asaboot, Baddannoo, Mi’esso,
Bordodde, Mandii, Daaroo Labuu, Gaadullo, Gololchaa, Calanqoo, Awwadaay, Baatee,
Kaarra-Mille, haramaaya, Harar, Qobboo, Laangeey, Masala, Awash, Dhedheessaa,
Guttiin, Haro Sabbuu and Gibee.
Student demonstrations and strikes have spread to other parts of Ethiopia including
the Amhara regions of Gondar and Gojam. The government has arrested thousands
of students and several teachers in many of the educational establishments.
Some are killed during indiscriminate shootings.
Large contingents of the Ethiopian Special Forces have been stationed in Oromia
since the beginning of the ongoing popular uprising. Reports that reached us
since our last update indicate that the Ethiopian government has increased the
presence of these Special Forces including the police, particularly in areas
where demonstrations continue as a daily phenomenon. The forces have been ordered
to control the uprising at all cost. These forces are indeed responsible for
the abduction, torture, and killing of several innocent individuals. In addition
to those killed during the preceding months and reported in our previous communiqué,
14 Oromos have been killed during the last one-month by TPLF agents in different
parts of Oromia. We have also documented the abduction of 51 civilians and the
torture of 109 students from Finci’a, Galamsoo, Mandii, Aradda Biliqa,
Ciro, and Asaasa. Many have sustained major bodily injuries. The HRW in its
press release of Jan 13, 2006 has reported about the torture of several Oromos,
allegedly for supporting or sympathizing with the OLF.
The Ethiopian government has also detained thousands of elementary school children,
and elders, – in many instances for the mere reason of wearing traditional
Oromo clothes. Most of the people detained are in rural areas, far from the
eyes of the international community and journalists. The rural population of
Oromia is truly under a collective punishment. The HRW (see press release of
January 13, 2006) has stated that Oromos are randomly picked at a bus checkpoint
and detained. It is difficult to obtain accurate information on the number of
detainees. Some reports reaching us from Oromia have suggested it could be in
the tens of thousands.
Over the years, the OLF has registered and alerted the international community
about the seriousness of this growing tension between the peoples of Ethiopia
and the dictatorial government of Meles Zenawi, the Tigrean minority ruling
class in particular. We have observed the rising brutality of the government
and the alarming deterioration of the rule of law, which could rapidly culminate
into a serious political chaos enticing anarchy and mass massacre. Once again,
we call upon all concerned governments, the United States of America, the European
Union, the UN, and other government and non-government agencies to stop supporting
the Meles regime and take a swift action to thwart this looming tragedy.
Source: Sudan Tribune