HORN OF AFRICA: Humanitarian Situation Deteriorates as New Year comes and goes

December 28, 2013

HRLHA’s 2014 New Year Message

Dear friends,

Time does seem to pass ever more quickly. Has it really been a year since the HRLHA office last shared its thoughts on the occasion of the 2013 New Year? The fact is our attention is totally consumed by the job we are doing. For those who are languishing in prisons simply because they hold different political views from those of the ruling party of Ethiopia, for those Ethiopians and others who escaped from fear of persecution and are in refugee camps or live on the streets of the countries they took asylum in looking for their daily slice of bread, even a minute is too long. Soon we all will be joining together to welcome a new year with another new hope to do better. We must recognize the fact that doing better doesn’t happen simply because we wish it to be true. Rather, first we need to take our time and assess this year’s achievements or losses and compare them against the promises we made as this year began. In short, it is a time for “self-analysis”.

The Strange Twist in Amhara Politics: Rehabilitating Past Tyrants

December 19, 2013 | Gulele Post

The latest fanfare surrounding the celebration of Menelik’s centennial marks an interesting strategic shift in Amhara politics. This memorialization function which, both by design and default, turns every futile, petty, even downright brutal acts of ancient kings into a dazzling action, began a decade ago with a successful resurrection of Haile Selassie I. Now it’s Menelik’s turn.  With the publishing of his memoirs and multiple interviews, Mengistu is just around the corner.  I argue that the resurrection and rehabilitation of the memory of past rulers is not just an obsession of  the fringe in the right and some populist artists, but  a calculated and systematic undertaking by intellectuals supported by the broader political community suggestive of a deeper and seismic shift  in the Amhara politics.

Mourning the Departure of Freedom Icon and African Hero Nelson Mandela While Celebrating His Achievements

Press Release, December 9, 2013 

We, the Board of Directors and Staff members of the Human Rights League of Horn of Africa (HRLHA), would like to express that we are deeply saddened by the passing away of our African hero and freedom icon Mr. Nelson Mandela, also known as Madiba especially among his funs and lovers. It is everyone’s belief that this icon of freedom, although he is peacefully departing, has left behind an everlasting legacies of hope for the better future, perseverance in the struggle for equality, justice and dignity for all human beings as well as forgiveness. We could say that not only the South Africans but also the rest of African and other global communities are better off because of his priceless sacrifices, democratic achievements, spirits of hope, forgiveness, peace, harmony, and overall human dignity. HRLHA believes that those of us at all ages and generations who are staying behind are expected to take lessons from his legacies and carry on the torch of freedom that this freedom icon has ignited from where he has left it, and make Africa a much better place where political differences are settled through roundtable discussions, negotiations, and reconciliations, and policies are framed based on respect for human rights.

Simbirtu Radio: Oromo Journalist Usman Bayu Flees Oromia due to threats of persecution and imprisonment in Ethiopia

Muddee/December 03, 2013 | Ayyaantuu.com

Usman Bayu Tatago used to work for the Oromian Radio and TV organization (ORTVO) as a journalist. He worked as a producer and anchor of many entertainment programs. The government security personnel and ORTVO authorities were not happy with his programs, because of they focused on revitalization of the Oromo culture and history. Usman received a series of warnings, investigation, harassment and imprisonment by Ethiopian security men.

For more information click Simbirtuu.com