Oromo teachers, students and farmers imprisoned without any legal warrant

 

‪#‎OromoProtests‬– (29.01.2016, Imprisonment, Oromia) The following are Oromo teachers, students and farmers who are imprisoned by TPLF forces without any legal warrant. They have been arrested and jailed in Abuna, Gindebert, West Showa in December 2015 and the beginning of January 2016. They are not represented by any legal experts.

Freedom House Report 2016: Freedom in Ethiopia declined in 2015

17 Children Killed by Authorities in Ethiopia Land Protests

Burial of Nasrudin Mohammed, a protester killed in December 2015. Photograph by Gadaa.com.

(Global Voices) — Ethiopian authorities have killed at least 17 children and injured many more involved in peaceful land rights protests since December 2015.

AU Ministerial Meeting in Mekele instead of its Headquarter in Finfinne

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Oromo TV: Waraana Bilisummaa Oromoo (WBO)

Ethiopia Boundary Dispute Puts Human Rights Violations in Spotlight

By Salem Solomon

(VOA News) After almost two months of clashes between Oromo protesters and security forces in Ethiopia, authorities have scrapped a “master plan” that would have expanded the boundaries of Addis Ababa and, according to protesters, would have displaced Oromo farmers.

However, observers are divided on the significance of the move by Ethiopia and whether it truly represents a change of policy or just a reaction to negative publicity.

Ethiopia Drought Crisis: Pastoralists Threatened By El Niño, Land Grabbing, Population Growth Adopt Nontraditional Methods To Survive

BY MORGAN WINSOR

Ethiopian pastoralist Hasen Hamed is seen with his herd in the northeast Afar region in January 2016. For generations, pastoral nomads like Hamed have used traditional methods to find good pasture and water sources. But this centuries-old practice is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain amid prolonged drought, population growth and land battles in Ethiopia.PHOTO: PROJECT CONCERN INTERNATIONAL

(IBTimes) — Born and raised in one of the earth’s hottest and driest spots, Ethiopian herdsman Hasen Hamed perpetually moves his cattle across the northeast Afar region using traditional methods to locate green grass and drinking water, just as his father did before him. In recent years, Hamed has walked for days, only to find parched grass in customary rangelands that his ancestors had relied on to keep their herds alive. Now Hamed, 31, has just nine animals, after six died from famine this past year.

On Oromo Protests, US Power Concerned, ICP Asked UN, Canned Statements

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS (Inner City Press) — January 18  Despite the UN having offices in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, it had nothing to say about the crackdown that has led to the killing, reportedly, of over 140 Oromo people, when Inner City Press on January 11 asked UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’ spokesman Stephane Dujarric. Video here.

On January 15, there was a large Oromo demonstration across First Avenue from the UN. Inner City Press broadcast it live on Periscope, with interviews, putting it on YouTube, here and below.

On January 23, the US Mission to the UN issued this read-out from Addis:

The Current Oromo Protest Movement: The Beacon of Freedom and Egalitarian Democracy for All Tigrayan Colonial Subjects

By Asafa Jalata (Prof.)*

Rising instability in Ethiopia could impact markets

Ethiopia is experiencing increased levels of instability, calling into question the notion that Ethiopia is ‘rising’, but such issues are unlikely to have an adverse impact on the economy in the long-term.

European Parliament: MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Ethiopia (2016/2520(RSP))

Source: European Parliament

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION
with request for inclusion in the agenda for a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of lawpursuant to Rule 135 of the Rules of Procedure on Ethiopia  (2016/2520(RSP))

Bekele Gerba: “I have a dream that one day Oromo shall be free from the outrageous of current dictatorial regime of Ethiopia”

Facebook – Ijoollee Booranaa

 Free Bekele Gabra Oromo political hero who wrote history novel Martin luther king jr from English to afaan oromo.

Marchers, politicians urge community to continue fighting injustice on MLK Day

The governor and members of Congress spoke at the Ordway.

Marchers braved the frigid cold in St. Paul on Monday to celebrate King’s message and life’s work.

St. Paul, MN (Star Tribune) — Hundreds of people, bundled in layers and faces wrapped in scarves, marched through downtown St. Paul on Monday morning to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday and speak out against injustice.

In Ethiopia, anger over corruption and farmland development runs deep

Protesters block the road in Wolenkomi, in the Oromia region of Ethiopia. All photographs by William Davison

Despite the government ending plans to build on Oromo land around the capital, clashes continue, as lack of transparency and maladministration fuel dissent.

In Ethiopia’s pursuit of expansion, locals prove to be new roadblock

The Ethiopian government was forced to abandon a development plan for the capital after two months of protests by the Oromo people who have complained about the handling of the expansion into their land.

By William Davison, Correspondent

Ethiopian migrants, all members of the Oromo community of Ethiopia living in Malta, protest against the Ethiopian regime in Valletta, Malta, December 21, 2015. Protesters are calling on Malta and the European Union to stop support for the Ethiopian regime, and protested against the regime’s plan to evict Oromo farmers to expand Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa, according to the protest organisers./REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi

SULULTA, ETHIOPIA (Christian Science Monitor) — Walk past the China-Africa Overseas Leather Factory in the highland plains just north of Addis Ababa, and it’s clear that it has had better days: Its gold plaque nameplate is dented, its windows smashed, and dozing soldiers from an elite military unit dot the compound.

HRLHA: Open Letter to the Presidents of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)

The Human Rights League of the Horn of Africa (HRLHA)
Open Letter to the Presidents of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)

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Oromo Demonstration in Brussels Demands European Union to take a Firm Stand against Ethiopian Government

(UNPO) — On 14 January 2016, Oromo communities based in Belgium, Netherlands and Germany staged a demonstration in front of the European Parliament to protest against the brutal crackdown on dissent in Oromia. In light of the harshest repression waged by the Ethiopian regime in the region since 2005, protestors urged the European Union to withhold financial aid to Addis Ababa until the Ethiopian government complies with its human rights obligations.  

Al Jazeera covers the arrest of opposition leader Bekele Gerba in Ethiopia

Du’a Dargaggo Abdataa Ol’aansaa Irrattii hoospitaalli Ibsa Kenne. Barataan Awwaalcha Abdataa Irraa Deeb’ia Turees Ni Ajjeefame

Jaallannee Gammadaa

Dispatches: Government Backs Down, But Will Protests End in Ethiopia?

Felix Horne
Researcher, Horn of Africa

(Human Rights Watch) — Nine weeks after bloody protests broke out in Ethiopia’s Oromia region, the government has made a major concession to the protestors – halting a plan to expand the municipal boundary of Addis Ababa, the issue that sparked the crisis.

Protesters in Oromia region, Ethiopia, December 2015.

The announcement January 12 by the Oromo Peoples’ Democratic Organization (OPDO), the ruling party’s local affiliate in Oromia region, is a rare concession from the government and a hard fought victory for protesters. But it may be too late to calm Oromia.

Ethiopia likely to see further riots and deaths without genuine reform

Adidis Ababa. Image credit: Laika ac

(Insight on Conflict) —Ethiopia has seen impressive economic development in recent years, however important questions need to be asked about freedom, democracy and human rights. Martin Home discusses how the situation has led to outbreaks of violence recently.

Ethiopia rights groups urge international community to address protester deaths

(JURIST) — Several human rights and civil society groups called on the international community[press release] Thursday to address the killing 140 protesters [JURIST report] in Ethiopia’s Oromia region.Amnesty International (AI) [advocacy website] said that the protests over government plans to expand the capital of Addis Ababa into the region began peacefully, but, as they increased, military forces began to use excessive force against the protesters, labeling them “terrorists.” This has led several organizations such as CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, and the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project to rally together to attract the attention of the international community. In addition to the violent reaction to the protesters in the region, AI noted that many who were arrested were being held “solely for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and assembly,” demanding that they be released immediately.

IOLA Press Release on the Oromo Protest and the ongoing brutal crackdown in Oromia, Ethiopia

January 11, 2016
The International Oromo Lawyers Association, a non-profit Organization registered in the State of Minnesota with the objective of promoting the prevalence of the rule of law in Ethiopia, is saddened and shocked by the ongoing wanton mass killings and arrests of thousands of Oromo students, supporting parents and teachers in the State of Oromia, Ethiopia.  According to information available to us from different sources including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and reputable media networks such as the BBC, CNN and Al Jazeera, the Ethiopian government has deployed a special armed unit (known as the death squad – Agazi)  to forcefully suppress the ongoing peaceful demonstration of Oromo students who are simply exercising their fundamental and constitutionally guaranteed freedom of expression to oppose the so called Addis Ababa Master Plan. The Plan which is alleged to have been secretly designed by the order of few key Federal government officials is in fragrant violation of the Constitution which stipulates that any change in the affairs of the Regional States should be discussed at the parliament, the government and by the people of the respective Regional States.

Dhaamsa Galataa Jaarmaa Qeerroo Bilisummaa Oromiyaa Irraa – Waldaa Dubartoota Oromoo UK tiif

Amajjii 11, 2016
Haa ga’u dhaamsi keenya, jaallan qabsoo bilisummaa, miseensota waldaa dubartoota Oromoo biyya UK fi ilmaan Oromoo biyya keessan keessa bilisummaadhaan jiraachuu dadhabdanii biyya ormaa jiraattan hunda. Oduu hiriira nagaa gaafa Amajji 5, 2016 biyya UK-tti geggeessitanii fi Amajji 5 hanga Amajjii 7, 2016tti qorra gannaa (winter) nama goggogsu keessa buluudhaan nu ilmaan keessan rasaasa mootummaa fashistii Wayyaanee dura dhaabannee mirga Oromummaa fi Oromiyaaf jecha falmaa hadhaawaa geggeessaa jirru faana dhaabbachuu keessan yammuu dhageenyu gammachuun nutti dhagamee fi haamlee fi jajjabinni qabsaawota Oromoo Oromiyaa keessaatti dhagahame tilmaamamee hin dhufumu.

Ethiopia ranks 173rd out of 186 countries in the latest UNDP Human Development Report

(UNDP Human Development Reports) — Over the 15 years since the country’s last National Human Development Report (NHDR) was published Ethiopia has undergone significant economic and social changes and has recorded some of the highest growth rates in the world-over 10 per cent in some years. However, Ethiopia’s Human Development Index (HDI) and its relative ranking have not moved appreciably during the past decade. Even though Ethiopia is one of the 10 countries globally that has attained the largest absolute gains in its HDI over the last several years, it still ranks 173rd out of 186 countries in the latest UNDP Human Development Report.

Decades Worth Of Fear Has Turned Into Anger In Ethiopia

By Mike A.

Oromia is Ethiopia’s largest region and the anti-government protests began in November 2015 (AFP Photo/William Davison)

Urgent Call for a Protest Rally Against the TPLF /EPRDF Tyrannical Regime in Ethiopia at the United Nations Headquarters in New York

January 11, 2016 North America

Call to All Oromo Communities, Oromos and Friends living in North America:
As different mass media outlets are streaming, the Oromo People in general, and students at different levels (Elementary, High School, University) in particular, are currently protesting against the implementation of the plan to expand the city of Addis Ababa into the neighboring Oromo farmers’ land, which not only displaces millions of farmers from their ancestral land but also causes loss of Oromo Culture, History and Identity. The response by the dictatorial minority government of the TPLF is shooting to kill, beating, imprisoning and torturing of the peaceful protestors. In 2014; More than 70 students were gunned down for peacefully demanding to stop the implementation of the land grab expansion plan. Despite the firm opposition to this plan from all Oromos, internal and external, and many losses of life and causalities, the government moves ahead with its proposed plan.

#OromoProtests: What You Need to Know About Ethiopia’s Crisis That No One Is Talking About

by David Love

Ethiopian migrants, all members of the Oromo community of Ethiopia living in Malta, protest in Valletta against the Ethiopian regime’s plan to evict Oromo farmers to expand Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, Dec. 21, 2015. Reuters

Mapping the Deaths of Oromo Protesters in Ethiopia

Oromo protesters gather in Addis Ababa. Flickr image uploaded by user Gadaa.com.

Warning: Interactive map contains graphic and disturbing images.
(Global Voices) — Since the beginning of November 2015, at least 140 peaceful protesters have been killed in Ethiopia according to Human Rights Watch. Photo and video evidence suggests that most of the people were killed by bullets fired at close range.
There are also reports by Oromo rights activists indicating that at least 10 individuals died from torture inflicted while they were in prisons.

Soldiers attacked Adama University students, protests underway in Oromia, Jan 4, 2016

Soldiers attacked Adama University students today. One studnet is reportedly dead and another is in critical condition in hospital. Jan 4, 2016
Ergaa Barattoota Oromoo Yuunivarsiitii Saayinsii fi Teeknoloojii Adaamaa irraa amma nu dhaqqabe.(Waliif Dabarsaa)
Amma ganama barii irraa eegallee diddaa keenya itti fufnee jirra.sababni keenya inni guddaan barattonni oromoo sadi Yuunivarsiitii Diillaatti boonbiin deengadda ajjeefamanii turan isaan keessaa tokko dhalataa magaalaa Adaamaati.manni warra gurbaa kanaa Yuunivarsiitii keenya waliin walitti dhiyeenya qaba.reenfi isaa gara maatii isaa waan dhufeef boohicha gahuuf ganamaan kaane.garuu akka boohicha hin geenye humni waraanaa Yuunivarsiiticha keessa qubate nu dhorkee duubatti nu dhowweera.”nuyis jiraa du’aa keenya akka wal hin qunnamne maalif nu dhorkitu” jennee diddaa keenya eegalle.
Amma walitti bu’insi barattootaa fi humna waraanaa akkuma itti fufetti jira,namoonni miidhamanis heddudha.qaamni ilmaan oromoo ajjeesuun galata argachaa jiru kunoo ammas hidhannoo guutuun ol nutti duudee nu shororkeessaa jira.namuu nuuf birmachuu akka qabu dhaammanna.
Diddaan Didduma Jabaadhu Oromoo koo!

MUST READ: Statement of Qeerroo Bilisummaa and Union of Oromo Students on the Ongoing ‘Revolution to Culminate Slavery’ (RCS)

December 31, 2015, Finfinne Oromia.

We the new Oromo generation living close to the civilized world are not willing to live in slavery in the 21^st century. As we are the most conscious of our society, we cannot watch idly as our people are evicted from their ancestral land; we cannot accept the fact that our country is a place where human liberty, dignity, and democratic and human rights are violated.  The minority TPLF-led Ethiopian government’s so-called ‘Integrated Master Plan’ is a genocidal plan concocted to eradicate the Oromo race from the face of the earth and incorporate our forefather’s land, Oromia, into their own property. We are presenting our legitimate questions using our democratic rights in a peaceful manner and will not stop our non-violent struggle until all of our questions have been answered. Instead of answering our legitimate questions the government has dispatched the so called Agazi, Federal Police, and the regular army and committing a genocidal crime on Oromo students and the Oromo people in general. Over the past five or so weeks, the answer of the TPLF/EPRDF regime to our legitimate questions has been the following.