Submission from the HRLHA 26th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council (10 – 27 June 2014)

May 27, 2014

Submission from the HRLHA 26th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council (10 – 27 June 2014)

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Item 3:Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development

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(Country- Ethiopia)

HRLHA is a non-political organization which attempts to challenge human rights abuses suffered by 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 focuses on the observances as well as the due processes of law. It promotes the growth and development of free and vigorous civil societies.

Executive Summary

This report covers mainly the gross human right violations in Ethiopia that have happened in the past twenty- three years in general, and the current human rights crisis in the Regional State of Oromia in Ethiopia in particular.

The EPRDF/TPLF Government has committed gross human rights violations against the people of Ethiopia since it came to power in 1991 after toppling the dictatorial Dergue regime,   contrary to the constitution of Ethiopia (1995) and international human rights treaties it has signed and rectified. It has continued to suppress the freedom expression, political and civil rights and, as a result, has sent dozen of journalists, bloggers, and hundreds of leaders and members of opposition political parties to jail. In violations of the right to protest and demonstrations, peaceful demonstrators have been shot at and killed, kidnapped and disappeared; hundreds have been arrested in mass and detained. A good case in point is the most recent very violent attack against unarmed and peaceful protestors of Oromo students of universities, colleges, and high schools in the regional state of Oromia.

Methodology

The information in this report is mainly based on HRLHA’s reports on human rights violations in Ethiopia as well as reports from other sources such as various international human rights organizations and civil society groups, and the US State Department annual country report of 2013.

Violations of Fundamental Rights

The current EPRDF government claims that the basic and fundamental rights of the citizens are respected in Ethiopia, and that the country is heading towards democracy. However, on the contrary, the basic  and fundamental rights  of citizens   enshrined in  the Ethiopian Constitution of 1995, under Chapter three  (fundamental rights and freedoms,  articles 13-28 and democratic rights ,articles 29-44)^[1]  which  guarantees civil liberty  and  life in peace and harmony has been extremely violated.  In the above articles are included individuals and common rights, such as equality before the law, freedom of speech and expression, freedom of association and peaceful assembly, freedom to practice religion. All are highlighted on paper only for the political consumption. In other words they are used as a cover-up for the gross violations of human rights..

Democratic Rights

After the first global expression of rights, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to which all human beings are inherently entitled, has been adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. The international, regional  and national  documents were created to enforce  the promotion of the rights enshrined in the declaration.  Peaceful assembly (Article 20(1)) in the UDHR, while often characterized by marches, rallies and mass demonstration, which obviously involves the presence of a number of individuals in the public places, has been echoed in international law, regional standards, and national constitutions throughout the world.

It becomes customary that in different parts of the world people are expressing their grievances/ dissatisfactions and complaints against their governments by peaceful demonstrations and assemblies.  When such nonviolent and peaceful civil rallies are taking, place it should always be the state’s responsibility to respect and guard their citizens’ freedom of peaceful assembly and demonstration. These responsibilities also should apply even during times of political protest, when a state’s power is questioned, challenged, or perhaps undermined by assemblies of citizens practicing in nonviolent resistance.

The 1995 Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, articles 29 and 30 also grant these democratic rights to the Ethiopian citizens without distinction[2].  The Right of Thought, Opinion and Expression, The Right of Assembly, Demonstration and Petition are the rights of Ethiopian citizens through which they can express their opinions and dissatisfactions with the performances and activities of their government

However, in the past two decades the current Ethiopian government proved that peaceful assemblies and demonstrations, expression of thoughts are not tolerated. Since the current government came to power in 1991, thousands of citizens who held political agenda different from the ruling party’s were systematically jailed, abducted or killed. Those who criticized the government of Ethiopia including journalists, bloggers, universities and high school students and teachers who took to streets to demand their rights peacefully were beaten, arrested and detained or killed. The Human Rights League of the Horn of Africa has been reporting in different ways on the systematic human rights violations by the Ethiopian government and its security agents against peaceful demonstrators. These include the recent case of Oromo students from different universities and colleges. The Oromo students were discriminately targeted particularly in the past six years[3].  The current political crises in Oromia regional state of Ethiopia is the continuation of the above facts.  Peaceful protests against the so called the Master plan of  Addis Ababa, which is likely to cause the estimated eviction of around 6 million Oromo  peasants around the area and planed to be sold to the wealthy non-Oromos, should not be considered as  a criminal activity. Instead it should be tolerated and be considered as one of the ways that the citizens can express their thoughts and concerns on the development plan of the government in which they were not consulted and did not give their consent.

The Addis Ababa Expansion-related protests quickly spread around universities, colleges and high schools all over Oromia. And in response, contrary to the provisions in the constitution of the land and international basic and fundamental rights of the citizens, the Ethiopian government launched a brutal crackdown against peacefully demonstrating Oromo students in order to freeze the peaceful demand of the protestors. As a result of this brutal crackdown by special squads, more than 36 students were killed, hundreds wounded and thousands of others arrested and thrown into detentions. The protest against the expansion of Addis Ababa was not limited to students only, but also involved city dwellers, farmers and workers in Oromia. The most affected area was the Ambo Town and its surroundings where 16 University and high school students were killed, including the eight (8) year old boy.

The Ethiopian Government’s atrocities that targeted  the Oromo nation during the nationwide protest from April 24 to May 24, 2014 have been condemned by worldwide human rights organizations, public media, and other civic organizations..

The Human Rights Watch[4], Amnesty International[5], Oromia Suport Group[6], Human Rights League of the Horn of Africa[7], The guardian[8], BBC[9] , CNN[10] and  The Create Trust[11]   are among the organizations which  condemn and reported  the crime against humanity taken against the Oromo nation by Ethiopian armed force.

The Ethiopian Government has repeatedly implemented various excessive forces to dissolve peaceful protests in violations of international treaties it has signed and ratified. The responses to legal, constitutional and peaceful protests should not include actions that violate human rights, such as arbitrary arrests and detentions, even guns or other violence.  HRLH believes many atrocities, that were not reported on due to the tight controls, restrictions, and censorships on all local and international media, are taking place. The Ethiopian Government does not have any justification for the illegality of the protests for taking such brutal action against peaceful and unarmed students and other protestors.   An illegal protest may happen if the protest becomes violent or is in violation of the state’s laws of public order and civility.

Even if some peaceful protests include deliberate acts of civil disobedience, in which case it is permissible for states to make individual arrests of law offenders. However, as recognized by an HRC panel discussion on the matter (A/HRC 19/40)[12], the increasing use of criminal law against protest participants may ultimately contradict the states’ responsibility to uphold the right to peaceful assembly.  In this situation the Ethiopian Government clearly violated the right to legal peaceful protest.

Recommendation:

1. The Ethiopian Government first of all must respect and implement the rights of citizens enshrined in the constitution of the country (1995) and enforce the Ethiopian penal code of 2004
2. Ethiopia must avoid an excessive force in response to Oromo protests
3. The Ethiopian Government must abide by all international human rights instruments to which the country is a signatory
4. The Ethiopian Government must allow a fully independent, civilian-led investigation into the death of Oromo students and civilians including gross human rights violation in Oromia.

HRLHA

•  Address:-  994 Pharmacy Avenue,   M1R 2G7  Scarborough  Ontario, Canada
• Tel:-  (416) 492 2506 or (647) 280 7062,  E-Mail:-  hrldirector@mail.org
• Web site;-  www.humanrightsleague.com

^[1] Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia 1995,http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text.jsp?file_id=193667
[2]  Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia 1995,http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text.jsp?file_id=193667
[3] http://humanrightsleague.com/2014/03/14033/,  http://humanrightsleague.com/2013/03/ethiopia-academic-institutions-are-meant-to-teach-not-to-serve-as-political-tools/,   http://humanrightsleague.com/2013/01/ethiopia-beatings-arrests-and-detentions-at-addis-ababa-university/

http://humanrightsleague.com/2012/02/widespread-violence-against-students-in-ethiopia/,http://humanrightsleague.com/2012/01/continued-violence-in-academic-institutions/

http://humanrightsleague.com/2011/08/kidnappings-and-disappearances-of-university-students/

http://humanrightsleague.com/2011/05/ethiopia-a-generation-targeted-the-futures-of-a-nation-at-risk/#respond

http://humanrightsleague.com/2011/04/ethiopia-human-rights-league-of-the-horn-of-africahrlha-urgent-action-and-appeal-2/

[4] Ethiopia: Brutal Crackdown on Protests, http://www.hrw.org/news/2014/05/05/ethiopia-brutal-crackdown-protests

[5] ETHIOPIA: AUTHORITIES MUST PROVIDE JUSTICE FOR SCORES OF PROTESTERS KILLED, INJURED AND ARRESTED IN OROMIA, http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/AFR25/002/2014/en

[6] Press Release from the Oromia Support Group (OSG) on the Oromo demonstrators arrested, beaten and shot dead by the Ethiopian Agazi Security Forces, 7 May 2014,http://ayyaantuu.com/human-rights/press-release-from-the-oromia-support-group-osg-on-the-oromo-demonstrators-arrested-beaten-and-shot-dead-by-the-ethiopian-agazi-security-forces/

[7] Ethiopia: Ambo under Siege, Daily Activities Paralyzed HRLHA Urgent Action, 13 May, 2014
http://humanrightsleague.com/2014/05/ethiopia-ambo-under-siege-daily-activities-paralyzed-hrlha-urgent-action/
-ETHIOPIA: Region-Wide, Heavy-Handed Crackdown on Peaceful Protesters HRLHA Urgent Action, May 01, 2014
http://humanrightsleague.com/2014/05/ethiopia-region-wide-heavy-handed-crackdown-on-peaceful-protesters-hrlha-urgent-action/
-Ethiopia: Worrisome Situations in Detention Centres HRLHA – Urgent Action, May 24, 2014
http://humanrightsleague.com/2014/05/ethiopia-worrisome-situations-in-detention-centres-hrlha-urgent-action/
[8] Ethiopia crackdown on student protests taints higher education success,http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/poverty-matters/2014/may/22/ethiopia-crackdown-student-protest-education
[9]Ethiopia protest: Ambo students killed in Oromia state, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-27251331
[10] Ethiopian Security Forces Open Fire on Students, http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1125264
[11] When Enough is Enough: Rise up People of Ethiopia, May 23, 2014
http://thecreatetrust.org/

[12] Summary of the Human Rights Council panel discussion on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context  of peaceful protests prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/HRBodies/HRCouncil/RegularSession/Session19/A-HRC-19-40_en.pdf

#OromoProtests: "Bilisummaa! Walabummaa! Birmadumaa!" @ Medrek Rally in Finfinne, Oromia (May 24'14)

Ambo Protests: A Personal Account (The Advocates Post)

By Jennifer Prestholdt, Human rights lawyer, Wife and Mother of three.

May 26, 2014 | The Advocates Post

Jennifer Prestholdt.

Please read and share this eyewitness account! The government has control over media and telecommunications in Ethiopia and has been largely successful so far in keeping the story of the student protests quiet. Two brave Peace Corps volunteers who were stationed for 1 1/2 years in Ambo but left this week because of the violence have asked for our help in spreading the truth about what is happening.

This account of events in the Oromia town of Ambo–events which began exactly one month ago, on April 25–was originally posted on the blog Jen & Josh in Ethiopia: A Chronicle of Our Peace Corps Experience.

Disclaimer:  We are no longer Peace Corps Volunteers, and the following is a personal story, not a news report, and does not reflect the views of the U.S. Government, the Peace Corps, the Ethiopian Government, or the people of Ambo.

Large truck overturned during the protests

Friday, April 25th, the protests began in Ambo. We heard the sounds of a big crowd gathering at the university, walking east, yelling and chanting. The single paved road in town was barricaded, and traffic was diverted around the outskirts of town.

“What is going on?” we asked a group of high school boys.

“Oh, the students are angry. They have some problem,” they responded.

We called some friends at the university, who were able to explain further. Apparently, there are expansion plans for Addis Ababa, which would displace poor Oromo farmers and considerably shrink the size of the Oromia region. Justifiably, many Oromo people were upset. The Ethiopian Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of speech, press, and assembly, so demonstrations started across Oromia, mainly in towns with universities. Some of the protests turned violent.

Barricade on main road in Ambo

Saturday, Sunday, and Monday were quiet, somewhat normal days in the town of Ambo. However, in other parts of Ethiopia, journalists and bloggers were arrested and thrown in jail.

Tuesday morning, the protests resumed. Friends in town called us to warn us not to go into work and not to leave our compound. Apparently there were protests at the preparatory school and the federal police were in town. We stayed home all day, listening to the sounds of the protests, denying to ourselves that the ‘pop, pop, pop’ we heard in the afternoon was gunfire. That night, the government-run news station reported that there was a misunderstanding between Oromo university students and the government. Other online reports said that the protestors were defending the Oromo’s right to their land.

Wednesday morning, the protests resumed, and our friends emphasized NOT to leave the house and NOT to answer our front gate. This time, we heard sirens. Ambo only has one ambulance – no police cars or fire trucks – and it wasn’t the normal noise. Again, we heard the ‘pop, pop, pop,’ every few minutes. We poked our heads out of the compound gate and talked to our neighbor, who confirmed that they were, in fact, gun shots. Neighbors said the federal police had already shot and killed demonstrators who were participating in the protest. As we were finishing our conversation, a group of at least 30 adults ran past, glancing nervously behind themselves as they ran.

Main road in Ambo, cars & buildings being burned

“Maalif fiigtu? (Why are you running?)” I shouted.

“Poliisii as dhufu! (The police are coming here!)” a man responded, ducking behind a corner.

An hour later, we headed to the nearest store to stock up on phone cards so we could put minutes on our cell phones and data on our internet device. The storekeeper is a tough older lady who doesn’t tolerate any nonsense.

“Maal taate? (What happened?)” we asked.

She paused, looking down at her hands, her eyes welling with tears.

“Hara’aa….sirrii miti, (Today…..is not right)” she said, fighting back tears.

Ironically, as we sat at home, listening to gunshots all day long, John Kerry was visiting Ethiopia, a mere 2 hours away in Addis Ababa, to encourage democratic development.

Around 3pm, while the sounds of the protests were far on the east side of town, we heard gunshots so close to our house that we both ducked reflexively. An hour later, we talked to a young man who said, numbly, “I carried their bodies from their compound to the clinic.” Our two young neighbors – university students – had been hunted down by the federal police and killed in their home while the protest was on the opposite side of town.

One of several vehicles burned during the protests

Other friends told us other violent stories of what was going on in town, including an incident at a bank. Apparently, students attempted to enter the bank, and one was shot by the police. Not being armed with weapons, protesters retaliated against the shooter by hanging him.

Another friend told us about 2 students who were shot and killed by the federal police in front of a primary school…again, far away from the protest.

Our favorite restaurant/gym, damaged

Wednesday night, we slept fitfully, listening to the sounds of the federal police coming around our neighborhood. They were yelling over a bullhorn in Amharic, which we didn’t understand, but was later translated for us: “Stay inside your compound tonight and tomorrow.”

Thursday, the bus station was closed and there weren’t any cars on the roads. That morning, a Peace Corps driver finally came to get us, looking terrified as he pulled up quickly to our house. We had to stop at the police station to get permission to leave town. While waiting at the station, we saw at least 50 people brought into the station at gunpoint, some from the backs of military trucks and many from a bus. Inside the police compound, there were hundreds of demonstrators overflowing the capacity of the prison, many of them visibly beaten and injured. After the U.S. Embassy requested our release, we headed out of town. The entire east side of town, starting from the bus station, was damaged. A bank, hotel, café, and many cars were damaged or burned. Our driver swerved to avoid the charred remains of vehicles sitting in the middle of the street.

We couldn’t help but shed tears at the sight of our beloved, damaged town.

To read more from the authors, visit their blog, Jen & Josh in Ethiopia: A Chronicle of Our Peace Corps Experience.

More posts about the crisis in Ethiopia:

Oromo Diaspora Mobilizes to Shine Spotlight on Student Protests in Ethiopia

Ethiopian Government Faces Grilling at UN

“Little Oromia” Unites to Advocate for Justice and Human Rights in Ethiopia

Diaspora Speaks for Deliberately Silenced Oromos; Ethiopian Government Responds to UN Review

Source: The Advocates Post

Ethiopia: Worrisome Situations in Detention Centres ( HUMAN RIGHTS LEAGUE)

HRLHA – Urgent Action

May 24, 2014

For Immediate Release

While kidnappings and/or extra-judicial arrests and detentions have continued particularly around academic institutions in different parts of the regional state of Oromia in Ethiopia, disturbing and worrisome reports are coming out of detention centres where the Oromo students arrested in the past two weeks are being held.

According to HRLHA correspondents in Nakamte, Wollega Province in western Oromia, there have been cases of tortures of varying levels as well as detainees being taken away in the middle of the night to unknown destinations for unknown reasons. Fifty (50) detainees, including thirteen females, were taken away at one time alone; and their whereabouts were not known. In relation to tortures, the reports indicate that some of the detainees are isolated from others and held in separate rooms handcuffed and legs tied together with their hands on the their backs. There were ten students subjected to this particular situation, among whom were Std. Tesfaye Tuffa (male) and Std. Bontu Hailu (female). Although not confirmed at this point, there were also eight students who were screened out in order to be transferred to a detention or investigation office at the federal level; and these include:

1. Chalaa Fekaduu Gashe (high school student),
2. Chalaa Fekaduu Raajoo (high school student),
3. Nimoonaa Kebede (Wollega University 5th year law student),
4. Moi Bon Misganuu (Wollega University, student),
5. Abdii Gaddisaa (high school student),
6. Abel Dagim (high school student),
7. Qalbessa Getachew (high school student),
8. Mulgeta Gemechu (high school student),
9. Edosa Namara Dheressa, Civil Engineering, Wallaga University

In the meantime, reports indicate that kidnappings and/or extra-judicial arrests and detentions have continued in different parts of the regional state of Oromia, particularly in Hararge/Haromaya, West Showa, and West Wollega, all in relation to the protests that have been going on in the Regional State of Oromia in opposition to the newly introduced master plan to expand the Capital City of Addis Ababa/Finfinne in all directions by displacing the local Oromo residents. The following are among the hundreds of the most recent cases of kidnappings, arrests and detentions:

1) Edosa Namara Deressa – Wollega University (Civil Engineering)
2) Walabuma Dabale -Adama University, West Showa,
3) Ebisa Dale -Adama University
4) Ganamo Kurke -Adama University
5) Liban Taressa – Adama University
6) Adam Godana -Adama University
7) Bodana (last name not obtained) – Adama University

Name of other detainees arrested May 15-17, 2014,

	Partial Detainees in Wallagga, May 16, 2014
No		Name	Gender		Occupation/Grade		Place /Town
1		Robel Qanno		M	Worker	Mandii
2		Gammachis Hambisaa		M	Employee	Mandii,
3		Bokaa Hundeessaa		M		Mandii
4		Bacaa Kebede		M		Mandi
5		Fiqiru Wadajo		M	Businessman	Mandi
6		Eyob Kumara		M	Businessman	Mandi
7		Raji Abbaya		M	10	Mandi
8		Dabaloo Tolosaa		M	10	Mandi
9		Surra Chali		M	12	Mandi
10		Ebisaa Saqqata			12	Mandi
Haromaya University
1		Nimona Chali		M	Oromo language	Haromaya
2		Magarsaa Baqqalaa		M	Oromo language	Haromaya
3		Firayad		M	Teacher	Haromaya
4		Girmaa		M		Haromaya
West Shawa, Ambo
1		Getachew Qajela		M		Ambo Town
2		Alemu Megerssa		M	8	Ambo Town
3		Debisa Birru		M	-	Ambo
4		Getacho Birruu		M	Previous  Kaliti detainee	Ambo
5		Tamire Chala		M	office worker	Ambo
Arrested on May 16, 2014					Wallagga University
1		Abbabu Tafa		M	student	Nekemt
2		Galata Kumerra		M	student	Nekemt
3		Gammachuu Butuna		M	student	Nekemt
4		Gammachuu Fikadu		M	student	Nekemt
5		Getachew Fikadu		M	student	Nekemt
6		Gutaaa Galana		M	student	Nekemt
7		Lammessa Balay		M	student	Nekemt
8		Mokonoon Abarra		M	student	Nekemt
9		Mokonon Asaffaa		M	student	Nekemt
10		Mul’isaa Tafarra		M	student	Nekemt
11		Nazib Jibril		M	student	Nekemt
12		Shimalis Chaffe		M	student	Nekemt
13		Sofia Kadir		M	student	Nekemt
Arrested on May 16, 2014, West Wallaga Gulisso District
1		Abdii Mokonon		M	10th grade	Gullisoo
2		Chalaa Raggasa		M	Bussinessman	Ayiraa
3		Damee Daddafa		M	Bussinessman	Ayiraa
4		Daawit Tola		M	Bussinessman	Gullisoo
5		Dirriba Gaja’a		M	student	Ayiraa
6		Dirriba Tasfa		M	7th grade	Gullisoo
7		Ebba Kaniiba		M	8th grade	Gullisoo
8		Efirem Qana’a		M	student	Ayiraa
9		Fikadu Gari		M	Farmer	Gullisoo
10		Gammachu Tasisa		M	Businessman	Gullisoo
11		Gammaachuu Wakjira		M	Government employee	Gullisoo
12		Getane Adaba		M	Farmer	Ayiraa
13		Getacho Oljira		M	Farmer	Ayiraa
14		Girma Mulatu		M	10th grade	Gullisoo
13		Hunduma Awetu		M	Teacher	Ayiraa
16		Jifara Busuna		M	student	Gullisoo
17		Lalisa Indale		M	9th grade	Gullisoo
18		Lijalem Immana		M	Adminstrator	Gullisoo
19		Malaku Aaga		M	Teacher	Ayiraa
20		Milkessa Samu’el		M	student	Ayiraa
21		Mulatu Cawaqa		M	Farmer	Gullisoo
22		Obsa Getane		M	10th grade	Gullisoo
23		Obsa Raggasa		M	9th grade	Gullisoo
24		Qabana Hika		M	Teacher	Ayiraa
25		Qanani Daniel		M	7th grade	Gullisoo
26		Toleraa Wakuma		M	student	Ayiraa
27		Wande Nagasa		M	Businessman	Gullisoo
28		Yaaed Dheressa		M	Teacher	Ayiraa

The Human Rights League of the Horn of Africa (HRLHA) is highly concerned about the life-threatening situations in the detention centres where those young Oromos were held, and the safety and wellbeing of those who were taken to unknown destinations. Therefore, HRLHA calls upon the Ethiopian Government to abide by all international human rights instruments that it has signed, and refrain from subjecting the young detainees to such harsh situations. It also calls upon all local, regional, and international human rights organizations including UN Human Rights Council, humanitarian, and diplomatic agencies to put pressure on the Ethiopian Government so that it

1. Unconditionally releases the Oromo students who were detained in the past two and three weeks simply because the attempted to exercise some of their fundamental rights in a peaceful and absolutely non-violent manner.
2. Stop killing,  arresting and abducting Oromo nationals
3. To form an independent committee from civilians for investigation and Prosecution of the killing and torturing crimes. 

go to link http://ayyaantuu.com/human-rights/ethiopia-worrisome-situations-in-detention-centres/

Ethiopia crackdown on student protests taints higher education success

Western backers of the Ethiopian education system should not ignore reports of violent clashes on university campuses

By Paul O’Keeffe

Oromia, Ethiopia, where at least three dozen people were reportedly shot dead by security forces during student protests

May 22, 2014 (The Guardian) — Over the past 15 years, Ethiopia has become home to one of the world’s fastest-growing higher education systems. Increasing the number of graduates in the country is a key component of the government’s industrialisation strategy and part of its ambitious plan to become a middle-income country by 2025. Since the 1990s, when there were just two public universities, almost 30 new institutions have sprung up.

On the face of it, this is good news for ordinary Ethiopians. But dig a little deeper and tales abound of students required to join one of the three government parties, with reports of restricted curricula, classroom spies and crackdowns on student protests commonplace at universities.

Nowhere has this been more evident than in Ambo in Oromia state. On 25 April, protests against government plans to bring parts the town under the administrative jurisdiction of the capital, Addis Ababa, began at Ambo University. By the following Tuesday, as protests spread to the town and other areas of Oromia, dozens of demonstrators had been killed in clashes with government forces, according to witnesses.

As Ethiopia experiences rapid economic expansion, its government plans to grow the capital out rather than up, and this involves annexing parts of the surrounding Oromia state. An official communique from the government absolved it of all responsibility for the clashes, claiming that just eight people had been killed and alleging that the violence had been coordinated by a few rogue anti-peace forces. The government maintains that it is attempting to extend Addis Ababa’s services to Oromia through its expansion of the city limits.

However, Oromia opposition figures tell a different story. On 2 May, the nationalist organisation the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) issued a press release that condemned the “barbaric and egregious killing of innocent Oromo university students who have peacefully demanded the regime to halt the displacement of Oromo farmers from their ancestral land, and the inclusion of Oromo cities and surrounding localities under Finfinnee [Addis Ababa] administration under the pretext of development”. The Addis Ababa regime dismisses the OLA as a terrorist organisation.

While news of the killing of unarmed protesters has caused great concern among many Ethiopians, there has been little coverage overseas. The government maintains strict control over the domestic media; indeed, it frequently ranks as one of the world’s chief jailers of journalists, and it is not easy to come by independent reporting of events in the country.

Nevertheless, the government’s communique does run contrary to reports by the few international media that did cover the attacks in Ambo, which placed the blame firmly on government forces.

The BBC reported that a witness in Ambo saw more than 20 bodies on the street, while Voice of America (VOA) reported that at least 17 protesters were killed by “elite security forces” on three campuses in Oromia. Local residents maintain that the figure [of those killed] was much higher.

These reports, while difficult to corroborate, have been backed up by Human Rights Watch, which issued a statement saying that “security forces have responded [to the protests] by shooting at and beating peaceful protesters in Ambo, Nekemte, Jimma, and other towns with unconfirmed reports from witnesses of dozens of casualties”. One university lecturer said he had been “rescued from the live ammunition”, and that it was the “vampires – the so-called federal police” who fired on the crowds.

The Ethiopian government likes to trumpet its higher education system to its western aid backers as a crowning success of its development policy. As billions in foreign aid are spent annually on Ethiopia, the west must be more cognisant of the fact that this money helps reinforce a government which cuts down those who dare to speak out against it.

Inevitably, continued support for such an oppressive regime justifies its brutal silencing of dissent. Yes, the higher education system has grown exponentially over the past 15 years but the oppression and killing of innocent students cannot be considered an achievement. Any system which crushes its brightest should not be considered a success.

Paul O’Keeffe is a doctoral fellow at La Sapienza University of Rome, where he focuses on the higher education system in Ethiopia 

go to link http://ayyaantuu.com/horn-of-africa-news/ethiopia-crackdown-on-student-protests-taints-higher-education-success/

MUST WATCH - ‪#‎OromoProtests‬ FDG - From Archives: Speech of Ob. Bekele Gerba on TPLF's Land-Grabbing (2010) - This is what Oromo political prisoner Ob. Bekele Gerba said in 2010. He knew what TPLF was up to in Oromiyaa. Today, TPLF is taking land from Oromo farmers in broad daylight, and giving it to TPLF "investors" (Neo-Neftegna's)

Ethiopia: Ambo under Siege, Daily Activities Paralyzed ( HRLHA Urgent Action)

HRLHA Urgent Action

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

13 May, 2014.

The brutal attempts of crackdown against Oromo protesters by the Agazi Special Squad continuing unabated in different parts of the regional state of Oromia, reports coming from Ambo in central Oromia indicate that the town and its surrounding has come under virtual seizure by the Agazi Federal Armed Force, daily movements and activities becoming almost impossible.

According to information obtained by HRLHA (this morning) form its correspondents, the Agazi Special Squad has been deployed in Ambo Town and its surrounding in much larger number than before and engaged in indiscriminately kidnapping the local people from along the streets and throwing them into detention centres in the area. There are also reports of widespread rapes being committed against female detainees.

Although the protests against the plan to annex some central small towns of Oromia into the Capital Addis Ababa/Finfinne have been involving Oromos from all walks of life, age and gender, the prime targets have been the youth, university, college, and high school students in particular. Since the protest started in different parts of the regional state of Oromia two weeks ago, more than 50,000 (fifty thousand) Oromos have been arrested and detained from Ambo, Gudar, Tikur Inchini, Ginda-Barat, Gedo, and Bakko-Tibe towns in West Showa Zone of Central Oromia alone, Apart from along the streets in cities and towns, especially students are being picked up even from dormitories and classrooms on universities and college campuses. Reports add that there have been around twenty(40) extra-judicial killings so far that have resulted from brutal actions against unarmed and peaceful protesters by armed forces.

Ever since the violence against Oromo protesters started two weeks ago, and following the release of its first urgent action over the incidents, the Human Rights League of the Horn of Africa (HRLHA) has been monitoring the situation through its correspondents in the region; and has been able to obtain some of the names of the Oromos (students and others) who have so far been killed, kidnapped or arrested, and detained or disappeared. There are also cases of beatings and wounds or injuries inflicted on some of the protesters by the heavy-handed federal armed force. The names are listed below:

Partial List of arrested Students from Addis Ababa University May 11, 2014

1	Abebe gadafa	12	Lataa Olani
2	Alamayo Taye	13	Melaku Girma
3	Gaddisaa dabalee	14	Mulata Eliyas
4	Gamada Dhidhita	15	Nigusie Gammada
5	Gudata Wakne	16	Nigusie Yoosef
6	Guddina	17	Sisay Safara
7	Indalu Yigezu	18	Taye Teshome
8	Jabessa ekele	19	Teshome Ararsa
9	Jamal Usman	20	Waqo Roba
10	Jilo Kamew	21	Yaatanii Utukan
11	Kebede Guddata

May 11, 2014 Arrestees from different universities in Oromia
No	Name		Department	Institute Name
1	Abebe Taddese		Political Science	Addis Ababa University
2	Chala Dirriba			Dirre Dawa University
3	Lencho		Electrical & Computer Engineering	Adama University
4	Fawaz Ahmed Usman		Mechanical Engneering	Adama University
5	Obsa Jawar		Management	Adama University

Partial list of Oromos  killed by Agazi Armed Force of the Federal Government

	NAME	SEX	Birth Place	Occupation	Academic institution	Place of execution
1	Ababa Kumsa	M		student	Wallaga
2	Abdii Kamaal	M		student and Krate Trainer	Gudar	Gudar
3	Abdiisaa Guutuu	M		9 years old teenager	-	Gudar
4	Abdiisaa Fiixee			Bussinessman		Gudar
5	Abdisa Nagasa	M		student	Wallaga
6	Alamnee Bayisa Tashoomee	M		9th grade	Ambo	Ambo
7	Alamayyoo Hirphasaa	M		9th grade	Ambo	Ambo
8	Alemaayyoo Urgeessaa	M		Farmer	Gudar	Gudar
9	Baayisaa Soorii	M
10	Biikkolee Dinqaa	M
11	Biqilaa  Belay	M		Merchant	-	Ambo
12	Bultii Yaadasaa	M	Jibaat	Techinical student		Shanaan
13	Darejjee	M		Kebele Milisha	-	Ijaajjii
14	Falmata Bayecha	M		Medicine 5th year	Jimma	Jimma
15	Galana Adaba	M		Governance 3rdyear	Jimma	Jimma
16	Getachew Darajie	M		Governence 3rdyear	Jimmaa	Jimma
17	Geetahuun Jiraataa	M		Junior Secondary school	Gudar	Gudar
18	Geetuu Urgeessaa	M		student		Ambo
19	Gexe Tafari	F		student	Wollega
20	Gurmuu Damxoo	M		Junior Secondary school	Gudar	Gudar
21	Gosomsaa  Baayisaa	M		Farmer	-	Ambo
22	Haacaaluu Jaagamaa	M	Jibaat			Shanaan
23	Husen Umar	M		Uni student	Jimmaa	Jimma
24	Indaalee Dessaalenyi	M	Ambo	Diplom holder, Bajaji driver	Ambo	Ambo, 01 Kebele
25	Indaalee Lammeessaa	M		9th grade student	Ambo	Ambo
26	Isra’el Habtamu	M		Uni student	Jimma	Jimma
27	Kebbedee Boranaa	M				Ambo
28	Kumalaa Guddisa	M	Tikur Incini	10th grade	Gudar	Gudar
29	Maammush Gaaddiisaa	M		Busssinessman	-	Gudar
30	Mammush Guutuu	M		11 years old teenager	-	Gudar
31	Naasir Tamaam	M		Driver		Gudar
32	Nagaasaa Lameessaa	M		Farmer oromo elder of 80 years old		Ambo
33	Olmaan Biinagdee	M	Ganjii Gooree	Farmer, 75 years  Oromo elder	-	Ambo
34	Taddasee Gashuu	M	Waddeessaa, Ambo	Liibaan Machaa J.S.School	Ambo	Ambo
35	Tashome Dawit	M		Uni student	Wallaga
36	Zabana Barasa	M		Governance 3rdyear	Jimma	Jimma

Partial list of injured or wounded protestors

	NAME	sex	Occupation	Academic institution	Region	Date
1	Abrhaam Suufaa	M	12th grade student	Ambo	Ambo
2	Balaayi Kuusaa	M		Midaa Qanyii	Ambo	01.05.2014
3	Baayisaa Obsaa	M		Midaa Qanyii	Ambo	01.05.2014
4	Baqalee Itichaa	M
5	Bitamaa Baayisaa	M	7th grade	Ambo	Ambo
6	Darrasaa Ayyaanaa	M		Midaa Qanyii	Ambo	01.05.2014
7	Geetuu warquu				Ambo
8	Gonfaa Mul’isaa	M	Bajajii driver		Ambo
9	Kasaahun Aseffaa	M			Ambo
10	Miidhaksaa ijiguu	M	Bussinesman		Ambo
11	Misgaanaa Mammuyyee				Ambo
12	Roobee  Beenyaa	M			Ambo
13	Shallamaa Caalasaaa	M	High School student	Midaa Qanyii	Ambo
14	Shantamaa Qanaa’aa	M			Ambo
15	Sintaayoo Mirreessaa	F	5th grade student		Addis ketema, Ambo
16	Taaddalaa Tsagaayee	M	9th grade student	Ambo High School	Ambo
17	Warquu ijjiguu	M	Bussinesman	-	Ambo
18	Zarihuun Urgeessaa	M			Ambo

Partial list of indiscriminately arrested or kidnapped and detained protestors

Below is the list of some of the estimated 50,000 Oromos picked up and detained from different towns in West Showa Z0ne:

	Name	Sex	Occupation	Place arrested
1	Ababaa Moosisaa	M		Tikur Incini
2	Alamayyoo Irreessoo	M	Was ONC Elected member of Oromia regional in 2005	Ambo
3	Ashannaafii Buusaa	M	12th grade student	Ambo
4	Agidoo Waqjiraa	M	Midaa Qanyii high school	Ambo
5	Ayyaantuu Dagaagaa	F	Merchant of cultural dresses	Ambo
6	Baqqaluu Gidaada	F		Ambo
7	Baayiluu Mallasaa	M	Gudar School	Gudar
8	Bilisee Indaaluu	F	High school student	Midaa Qanyii
9	Biraanuu Addunyaa	M	High school student	Tikur Incini
10	Burgudee Araarsaa	F	Highschool student	Ambo
11	Caalchisaa Aanaa	M	Preacher	Midaa Qanyii
12	Caalaa Baayisaa	M	With his 5-family member	Ambo
13	Camadaa Jaalataa	M	Farmer	Midaa Qanyii
14	Dagguu Takkaa	M	Elementary J.S. School, 8th grade	Addis Ketama-Ambo
15	Dammee Taddasaa	F		Ambo
16	Dararaa Galataa	M	High school Student	Midaa Qanyii
17	Darrasaa Guutataa	M	Farmer	Midaa Qanyii
18	Dawuti Raggaasaa	M	9th grade student	Liiban Maccaa Ambo
19	Dheeressaa Tarfaa	M	Bussinessman	Gudar
20	Dhibbaa Tutishaa	M	Assistant driver	Ambo
21	Gadaa	M	Ambo uni student	Ambo
22	Gechoo Dandanaa	M	High school student	Midaa Qanyii
23	Getaachoo dandanaa	M	Businessman	Gudar
24	Goobanaa Abarraa	M	High school student	Midaa Qanyii
25	Goobanaa Tolasaa	M		Tikur Incinni
26	Gonfaa Dhaabaa	M	Bussinessman	Ambo
27	Gudinaa Abarraa	M	High school student	Midaa Qanyii
28	Iddeessaa Magarsaa	M	Chairperson for Waqqeffata for Ambo area	Amboo
29	Lachiisaa Fufaa	M		Tikur Incinni
30	Lateeraa shallamoo	M		Tikur Incinni
31	Mallasaa Kabbadaa	M	Bussinessman	Ambo
32	Mootummaa Tasfaayee	M		Tikur Incinni
33	Nagarii Dhaabaa	M		Ambo
34	Qanaa’aa Chuuchee	M	Employee of KFO	Ambo
35	Salamoon Dhaabaa	M	11th grade student	Ambo
36	Shallamaa caalaa	M		Gudar
37	Shallamaa Caalasaaa	M	High School Student	Midaa Qanyii
38	Shallamaa Diroo		High School Student	Midaa Qanyii
39	Taaddasaa Misgaanaa	M		Tikur Incinni
40	Taamiruu Caalsisaa	M		Tikur Incinni
41	Tammiree Caalaa		Employee of youth and Sport commission	Caliyaa Geedoo
42	Tamasgeen Abarraa	M	Bussinessman	Ambo
43	Tasfayee Daksiisaa	M	High School Student	Midaa Qanyii
44	Tolaa Geeddafaa	M	High School Student	Midaa qanyii
45	Wabii Xilaahuun	M	Ambo university 3rd year	Ambo

HRLHA calls up on the Ethiopian Government to:

1. Immediately stop the racial and discriminatory violence against Oromos, and bring the culprits  toJustice
2.  Unconditionally release the detained Oromo students and facilitate the resumption of normal classes;
3. Reverse the decision of the plan and present it for discussion and consultations to the concerned Oromo People, and obtain their consents;
4. Compensate all loses and damages that resulted from the brutal actions of its armed forces.

HRLHA also calls up on regional and international diplomatic, democratic, and human rights agencies to challenge the Ethiopian TPLF/EPRDF government on its persistent brutal, dictatorial, and suppressive actions against innocent and unarmed civilians who are attempting to exercise some of their “said-to-have-been-granted” democratic rights.