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People mourn the death of Dinka Chala who was shot dead by Ethiopian forces in Yubdo Village, about 100km from Addis AbabaZACHARIAS ABUBEKER/AFP/Getty Images)
At least 27 protesters from the Oromo community, Ethiopia’s largest ethnic group, have been allegedly killed since the government announced it would scrap a plan to expand the boundaries of the capital Addis Ababa, which triggered mass demonstrations. Protesters in Oromia, one of the nine ethnically-based states of Ethiopia, have continued to demonstrate, arguing they did not trust the statement from the Oromo Peoples’ Democratic Organisation (OPDO) released earlier in January.
A demonstrator told IBTimes UK on conditions of anonymity: “21 peaceful demonstrators were killed yesterday [18 January] and six people are said to have been killed today. It’s really so tragic.”
The number adds to the already more than 140 people allegedly killed by security forces since protests started in November 2015 after the government announced the so-called “Addis Ababa master plan.”
The source alleged that the government deployed special forces, known as Liyu Police, into Oromia towns such as Bedeno and Dire Dawa. Liyu police – formed of Somalian soldiers – was created by the Ethiopian government in 2007 to halt the rise of Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) separatist group. The special forces have been accused of committing crimes including extra-judicial executions.
“They [Liyu Police] have killed about 27 peaceful protesters even after the master plan was said to have been halted,” the source continued.
Ethiopian government’s position
Demonstrators argued that the master plan will lead to forced evictions of Oromo farmers who will lose their lands and become impoverished as a result. They also claimed that forced evictions as well as a perceived marginalisation by the government are already occurring and they threaten the survival of the Oromo’s culture and language.
The Ethiopian government, which has been accused of trying to censor information on the protests, has always denied Oromo people are marginalised and claimed the protests are being orchestrated by some dissidents who aim to destabilise the country. Officials have also refuted the number of deaths given by the activists and opened an investigation to assess the death toll as well as the circumstances of the deaths.
IBTimes UK has contacted the Ethiopian embassy for a comment on the recent death allegations, but has not received a response at the time of publishing.
In a previous interview, Abiy Berhane, minister counsellor at the embassy, told IBTimes UK regarding allegations of violence: “These are just one of the many fabrications that are being circulated by certain opposition groups as part of their propaganda campaign. The unrest cannot be described as a national crisis.
“The disturbances orchestrated by opposition groups have now subsided as the general public understood that the integrated master plan is still at a draft stage and will only be implemented after extensive public consultation in the matter takes place and gains the support of the people.”
European Union condemns “excessive force”
Meanwhile, the European Union has issued a resolution on the ongoing unrest, condemning the “excessive forces by security forces” in Oromia and other Ethiopian regions.
The document reads: “[The EU] calls on the government to carry out a credible, transparent and impartial investigation into the killings of protesters and other alleged human rights violations in connection with the protest movement, and to fairly prosecute those responsible, regardless of rank or position.
“Welcomes the government’s decision to completely halt the Addis Ababa and Oromia special zone master plan, that plans to expand the municipal boundary of Addis Ababa.”
The EU also urged the Ethiopian government to invite a UN rapporteur and human rights experts to investigate and to stop impeding the free flow of information.
HUMAN RIGHT RALLY IN NÜRNBERG – THE OROMO-ETHIOPIA CASE BY MR. DEMEKE BORU
12thAugust2015
Peaceful protest held in Brussels, Belgium opposing TPLF/ Ethiopia’s land grabs and genocide going on against Oromo people. (Picture above are from Oromo social net works, 11 August 2015).
Oromians in USA held peaceful demonstrations in front of the White House and States Department in protest of mass arrests and genocidal killings going on in Oromia/ Ethiopia by fascist TPLF Ethiopia. 19 June 2015. Lammiiwwan Oromoo biyya Ameerikaa jiraatan Waxabbajjii 19 bara 2015 Waashingteenitti wal gahuun gidira fi ajjeechaa Wayyaaneen saba Oromo irraan gahaa jirtu balaaleffachuun mootummaan Ameerikaa akka dhiibbaa godhu gaafatan.
A Call to Demonstrate Against the TPLF Tyrannical Regime in Ethiopia!
Wednesday, 27 May 2015
Dear All Oromos and friends of the Oromo in the Washington DC Metropolitan Area and living in other states of USAThe Oromo Community Organization (OCO) of the Washington Metropolitan Area, the Oromo Youth Self-help Association (OYSA), the International Oromo Women’s Organization (IOWO) and the Coordinating Committee formed to establish the Oromo Community Association in North America (OCO_NA) have jointly planned to hold a protest rally in front of the White House and US State Department on June 19, 2015 starting 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM against the Oromo massacre by the TPLF led minority regime in Ethiopia.The purpose of this protest rally is to strongly protest against the ongoing widespread human rights violations and extrajudicial killings of Oromos in general and Oromo students in universities in particular by the TPLF minority regime in Ethiopia. In May 2014 the government security forces killed 70 students demonstrating against the TPLF led minority regime in Ethiopia land grab policy, thousands wounded and arrested. Oromo youth are targeted in general. There are about 45,000 political prisoners as reported by different ex-political prisoners.
The current Ethiopia Government is the regime that dehumanizes the Oromo public; violates the basic human rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly. The Regime is holding thousands of Oromo political prisoners in its notorious Maikelawi and many other Government detention centers without due legal process and displaces millions of Oromo farmers from their land in the name of master plan development to grab land. The arrests and tortures of Oromos have continued. Many of those who survived the torture have remained incarcerated. For example, at the end of 2014 two Oromo farmers in Salale Zone, North Shoa were brutally murdered and their bodies dragged and put on public display for resisting oppression against /TPLF regime. Very recently, in 2014, Mr. Abbay Tsehaye, one of the top officials of TPLF, adviser of Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and head of the Addis Ababa Master plan designers declared war of terror and genocide against the Oromo people for resisting the expansion of Addis Ababa Administration into Oromia State and the ongoing Oromo land grab by the TPLF led minority regime. Oromo citizens couldn’t live peacefully to work, to learn and determine their destinies. Ethiopia is an open prison for the Oromo nationals. Thousands are fleeing their country due to lack of security, peace, freedom and guarantee for life. Young Oromos who fled their country due to Ethiopian government brutality have fallen victims to the beheadings by ISIS in Libya. Many others have perished in the Mediterranean Sea when smugglers’ boats capsized. Oromos are also victims of recent xenophobic killings in South Africa and displacement of refugees by civil war in Yemen. We are protesting to expose this wanton state aggression against the citizens. We make the protest rally to request the U.S administration and the democratic loving Americans to exert utmost pressure on the Ethiopian dictatorial regime so that it stop the arbitrary arrests, kidnappings, tortures and killings of innocent Oromos and university students for simply exercising their God-given basic human rights; freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of peaceful demonstration. We request because the regime is the ally of the United States. In particular, the rally will demand a halt to the killing of Oromo students who are peacefully protesting against the so-called Integrated Development Master Plan whose sole purpose is to illegally expand the capital city, Addis Ababa/Finfinnee towards Oromia State, thereby systematically evicting Oromo farmers from their ancestral lands as well as dispossessing them of their properties, identity, culture, language, freedom, way of life…etc. We also oppose and denounce the false & predetermined election and its shameful results which was orchestrated to legitimize and elongate the authoritarian tenure of TPLF at the expense of the voices of millions of Oromo and other peoples in Ethiopia. The irresponsible TPLF minority gangs once again proved their dictatorial grip to power by declaring EPRDF’s sweeping the election. All Oromos, democratic nations and friends of Oromo should stand against the heinous acts being perpetrated towards Oromo students by the minority led Ethiopian government as well as against the so-called Addis Ababa-Oromia state integrated master plan and also condemns in the strongest terms, the killings and violent atrocities committed against Ethiopian immigrants in Libya, South Africa and Yemen. We also demand that the authorities ordering and executing this massacre against Oromos and other peoples be held accountable for their crimes at an international court.
OCO, OYSA, IOWO and OCA-NA Coordinating Committee are calling upon all Oromos and friends of Oromo in USA and diaspora to demonstrate against this killer and cunning minority led regime in Ethiopia on the same day June 19, 2015. CO, OYSA, IOWO and OCA-NA Coordinating Committee a Joint Board of Directors Sorce: Ayyaantuu News
OROMO in Melbourne Say No to killings in Oromia, Ethiopia, South Africa, Libya, Yemen, Saudi Arabia and other part of the world
May 1, 2015
HIRIIRA HAWAASA OROMOO VICTORIA MAGAALAA MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA (CAAMSA 1, 2015)
Report by Kiyyaa Gonfaa On Saturday, February 14, 2015, members of the Oromo Community in Norway protested in front of Trondheim Torg against the repressive and dictatorial Ethiopian regime. The demonstration was organized by the Oromo youth in Trondheim. The aim of the protest was to condemn the human rights violations against the Oromo people – as a result of which, many Oromos have been arrested, tortured and killed, and thousands have disappeared. The trend of repression is increasing alarmingly and a huge number of Oromos have been jailed, tortured and exposed to inhuman conditions under fabricated charges. The TPLF/EPRDF leadership has a standing policy of protracted attacks against the Oromo people – irrespective of age, sex, profession and occupation. To criminalize Oromo, being only Oromo is enough in Ethiopia. The recent Amnesty International report says, at least 5,000 ethnic Oromos have been arrested between 2011 and 2014 based on their actual or suspected peaceful opposition to the government. These include peaceful protesters, students, members of opposition political parties and people expressing their Oromo cultural heritage. After the Amnesty International report, the human rights violations against Oromos have continued. Just two month, on December 9, 2014, in Oromia, Salale province – Darra district – Goro Maskala town, the government soldiers killed Katama Wubatu and his comrade in front of the public. The Ethiopian ruling elites are most likely will continue their wild acts of killing, torturing and forcing millions Oromos to flee their homes. We are calling on the international community to stand against the brutality of the Ethiopian regime – particularly Norway, U.S.A., the UK and EU governments – to stop their relationships with the Ethiopian dictatorial regime and to stop sending their taxpayers’ money to TPLF. There are reports by international organizations that the aid has been used against the people to whom the money has originally been sent for. Finally, the organizers of this demonstration delivered a letter to the Norwegian Foreign Minister Børge Brende at Clarion Hotel Trondheim. The slogans raised and chanted during the demonstration were:- – JUSTICE for massacred Oromo students; – STOP killing and imprisoning innocent Oromos; – FREE all Oromo political prisoners; – STOP selling Oromo land to foreign and local investors; – Ethiopian government, STOP evicting Oromo farmers from their land; – TPLF is brutalizing people in Ethiopia for 24 years; – Killing Oromos will never stop the Oromo struggle; – TPLF, you can kill thousands, but you can not kill 40-million Oromos …
Boobbaan Mootummaa Wayyaanee Salphinaan Xumuramte!Toronto, Canada, 8th February 2015
Another round of #OromoProtests against fascist TPLF Ethiopian regime’s delegation led by Abduleziz staying in Melbourne at 81-95 Henry St. Albans, February 7, 2015.
Liberation is a journey. However, for the weak minded, it is a journey toward an unreachable destination. For the brave community like Australian Oromo Community however, it is neither a short distance running nor it is unreachable destination. Nonetheless, for the shortsighted opportunists, liberation is the process of economic transactions. It is the process through which they make a living by selling their own people and information. Here is the protest of Australian Oromo Community in Victoria against those men and women who used the Oromo cause and came to Australia and now running around in Australia’s malls and hotels where this, the Tigre Trojan horse, named Abduleziz eats and sleeps at 81-95 Henry st. St. Albans on February 7, 2015. Thanks to the sacrificed heroes, we have glimpsed our future, we know the way and we have the truth on our side. #OromoProtests Hawaasti Oromoo Magaalaa Melbourne keessa jiraatan walgahii jila mootummaa Itoophiyaa morman. Hiriira mormii yeroo lammataaf Guraandhala 7, bara 2015 taasisan irratti akka ibsanitti, kanneen mootummaa Itoophiyaa deeggaran dhiittaa mirga namoomaa biyyattii keessatti gaggeeffamaa jiru waliin qooddatan. Walgahii Melbourne, naannoo St Albaansi (81-95 Henry st. St. Albans on February 7, 2015) keessatti godhame kana mormuuf hawaasti Oromoo, Ogaadeenii fi Itoophiyaa gamtaan bahanii dhaadannoo fi ejjannoo isaanii ibsataniiru. Ajjeechaan Itoophiyaa keessatti raawwataa jiru haa dhaababtu! Daaímman mana barumsaatti ajjeesuun gochaa shororkeessummaadha! Mootummaa abbaa Irree deeggaruun gocha isaa garagaaruu dha fi kkf sagalee tokkoon dhageessisaa turan. Jilli Ittaanaa prizidanti Caffee Oromiyaa, Abdulaaziz Mohaammadiin durfamu kun toraba darbes hoteela Kirawon Pilaazaa keessatti walgahii gochuuf yaalii mormiidhaan haqameera. http://oromedia.net/2015/02/08/hawaasti-oromoo-melbourne-jila-itoophiyaa-balaaleffatan/
#OromoProtests against TPLF agents in Melbourne, 7th February 2015
#OromoProtests against OPDO/ TPLF agents meetings in Melbourne and said no place for murderers in Australia. 31 January 2015. Due to the protesters the meeting was cancelled by Australian security forces.
#OromoProtests against OPDO/ TPLF agents meetings in Melbourne and said no place for murderers in Australia. 31 January 2015. Due to the protesters the meeting was cancelled by Australian security forces.
#OromoProtests in Frankfurt, Germany in front of the Ethiopian embassy where meeting by Woyane (government) officials led by Dhaabaa Dabalee was underway. 31 January 2015.
#OromoProtests in Frankfurt, Germany in front of the Ethiopian embassy where meeting by Woyane (government) officials led by Dhaabaa Dabalee was underway. 31 January 2015.
URGENT: Statement released by Western Australian Oromo Community
The Western Australian Oromo Community says any individual or/and group of individuals who may take part in meeting with the Ethiopian government do not represent the Oromo Community in Western Australia. This is in reference to telephone conversation and written request made by Ethiopian Embassy in Canberra, Australia to meet with Oromo diaspora by high level of delegate from Oromia Regional State led by Vice President. Thank you for your invitation. As Oromo Community in Western Australia, we held a series of meeting and discussion about your request and made the following official statement to your request. We would like to inform you that we are not only unable to participate in any formal or informal discussion or dialog with the current Ethiopian Government body or it’s representative, but also we strongly and firmly oppose such gathering in its any form. We the Oromo community in Western Australia demands that the current Ethiopian regime immediate cessation of hostility against Oromo people. We demand that Government stops its lip service campaign in the election year; release all political prisoners without any precondition, respect the basic human right of freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, and expression. We also demand that the Government stop displacing Oromo people from its ancestral lands. We speak loud and clear that the Government cease the power immediately and allow opposition political parties to operate in the country freely. We also demand that the Government respect its article 39 constitution and allow the nation and nationalities in the empire of self-determination including cessation or union at will. Then only we believe that the door of dialog and discussion with this Government be open. According to the press release “the current Ethiopia Government is the regime that dehumanized the Oromo public: marginalized the Oromo people politically, economically, and socially.”Here is the press release from Oromo Community of Western Australia. Official Statemen_OCWA The email letter sent to the Oromo community from Ethiopian Embassy Canberra indicated that “high level delegation of the Oromia Regional State led by the Vice President will visit Perth after January 23, 2015 (the specific date will be notified later) to meet with Oromo Diaspora in your city and the surroundings.” The purposes of the meeting are:
To brief on the objective situation (political, economy and social development) of the region,
To brief on the Diaspora Housing Development Program and
To brief on the upcoming Oromia International Diaspora Day
The venue will be in one of the big hotels in Perth, the cost of which will be covered by us. Therefore, as Chairman of your association, we seek your assistance to inform the leadership and members to attend the forthcoming meeting in Perth. The Diaspora Minister Counselor will call you on Saturday, 17 January 2015, for detailed discussion. Here is a letter sent from Ethiopian Embassy Canberra: Ambassador’s Letter
Read more at: http://maddawalaabuupress.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/urgent-statement-released-by-western.html
Oromo in Steinkjer, Norway, Demonstrate Against Oppression
Oromo in Steinkjer demonstrate against the government in their home country.
January 16, 2015, Steinkjer, Norway (Trønder-Avisa – Google Translation) — Thursday could hear slogans chanted throughout the square in Steinkjer. The reason was that a group of Ethiopians demonstrated against what they perceive as a dictatorial regime in their homeland. Being persecuted: – We belong to the Oromo people, the largest ethnic group in Ethiopia, with around 40 percent of the population. The Government of Ethiopia is dominated by minority tribe that makes around 6 percent of the Ethiopian Population. Oromo being pursued by this government – including putting journalists and politicians from our group of people in jail, telling Alisee Fira Aynagee, who organized the demonstration. – You are far away from Ethiopia now. What do you hope to achieve? – We hope that some of the residents in Steinkjer come to hear our message, and we hope to arouse the Norwegian government, which supports the regime in Ethiopia, says Aynagee. Amnesty calls for action A report by Amnesty International tells of persecution, imprisonment, torture and killing of Oromo people in Ethiopia. Among other reports of youths being captured in military camps, where they get glowing coal on empty stomach, because they support the Oromo People’s Liberation Movement, Oromo Liberation Front. Teachers are being tortured when they refuse to teach in government friendly propaganda, and it is expected that Oromo politicians will be gagged towards the election in Ethiopia later this year. “At least 5,000 of the Oromo people have been imprisoned in Ethiopia between 2011 and 2014 because of peaceful opposition against the government,” writes Amnesty. The organization believes regional and international human rights organizations must react against the Ethiopian government to put an end to the persecution, which is described as “often shocking brutal.” Want secession Oromo people want Oromia shall be independent again. Land area was independent until 1890, when it was conquered and incorporated into Ethiopia. Since 1978, the Oromo celebrated their National Day to commemorate those who sacrificed their lives to liberate the people from what they see as Ethiopian colonialism. Oromia is a land area of 600,000 km2, ie about ten times as large as Norway, and about 35 million people considered Oromo. Source: Trønder-Avisa
For more see: http://ayyaantuu.com/horn-of-africa-news/oromo-in-steinkjer-norway-demonstrate-against-oppression/
Oromo Demonstration In Bergen, Norway Dec 20,2014 #BecauseIAmOromo #OromoProtest
Oromians in Germany (Berlin) Rally Against Tigrean Rulers’ Repression in Oromia. 3rd December 2014. #BecauseIAmOromo
Mudde 3 Bara 2014 yeroo ergamaan wayyaanee, Hayilamaram Dassaleny, gurgurtaa boonditi fi kadhaa gargaarsa mallaqa hidha haaromsa laga abbayaatif gara jaarman magaalaa Barlinitti imale ture ilmaan Oromoo Jaarman jiraatani kanneen Berliinitti dhiho jiranus ta’e kanneen fagoolle osoo fageenyi jara hin daangessin Iddoo adda adda irraa fageenya dheeraa km 6oo tahu deemuun gara magaalaa gudditti jaarmanitti imaludhaan hiriira nagaa bahani oolaniiru kaayyoon hiriira kanaas maqaa boonditin ummata oromoo saamuu fi goyyomsuun haa dhaabbatu, barattoota fi beektota oromoo hidhuunifi ajjeessuun harka murunifi harma muruun akka irra hin deebi’amne akekkachiisaniiru. Mootumman woyyaane dhibbaa fi cunqursaa ummata oromoo irraan gaha jiru irra akka of qusatuu fi Oromiyaan yero dhiho kessatti akka bilisoomu qabdu dhadanno jedhuun sagalee isaani dhageesifachaa turan. Kana males muslimtoonni kutaa biyyatti addaa addaa keessa funaanamani badii tokko male mana adabaa biyyatti keessatti hidhamanii jiranu bilisaan akka gadi lakkifamanuuf ifatti gaffi dhiyyessaniiru.
Waamicha hiriira mormii magaalaa Berliinii kan guyyaa 03/12/2014
Kabajamoo fi jaallatamo hawwaasoota/jiraatoota Oromoo biyya Berliin, Jarmanii, Awuroopaa fi firoota oromoo hundaaf,
Duran dursee nagaan oromummaa bakka jirttan maratti isiin haa qaqabu. Itti aansuun yeroof akka „Mumicha Ministeera Itoophiyaa“ jedhamee beekamuu fi ergamtuu Wayyaanee kan tahe Hailemariam Dessaalanyi gaafa 02-03/12/2014 magaalaa Berliin akka dhufuu/argamu fi akka Piresidaantii biyya Jermanii kan tahe Jochim Gauck duukaa akka marii qabaan odeefanoo mirkana’e qabna. Nuti hawaasnni Oromoo magaalaa Berliin kan biyya Oromiyaatti taha jiru (Sarbaminsa Mirga namumaa,Ajjechaa,Hidhaa siyaasaa, gidiraa, dhabamsiisa fi saamicha) fi kessumaa kan yeroo dhiyoo dura karaa AI „Amnesty International“ yakka umaata oromoo iratti otoo wal-iraa hincitiin tahaa jiru otoo hin irranfatiin mormii keenya wal-cina dhabachuudhaan sagalee guddan akka dhageesisnnuf akka irratti argamtaan isin afferra.Dirqamni lammummaas nurra jira. Guyyaa:03.12.2014 Sa’aa: 09:00 – 13:00 Edoo: Balbala Piresidaantii Jarmanii ful-dura Spreeweg 1, 10557 Berlin KHG-HOB
Rally in Norway Against Tigrean Rulers’ Repression in Oromia Against Oromo
Oromos in Lillehammer, Norway, Rally Against Tigrean Rulers’ Repression in Oromia Against Oromo (November 29, 2014) – Rally Against Repression #BecauseIAmOromo
London’s Rally Against Repression in Oromia by Tigrean Military
26 November 2014 ·
Oromos in UK marched in front of Westminster, Parliament Square, on November 26, 2014, to call attention to the repression against the Oromo people by the Tigrean military occupying Oromia. In October 2014, a detailed report, entitled “‘BECAUSE I AM OROMO’ – SWEEPING REPRESSION IN THE OROMIA REGION OF ETHIOPIA,” was published by the London-based Amnesty International. Thousands of Oromos were killed, and others imprisoned and/or exiled over the last 23 years since the occupation of Oromia by the Tigrean military government of Ethiopia. Protesters have asked the UK government to severe its financial support to the Tigrean military government of Ethiopia; the Tigrean military government uses the money from the West to finance its repression in Oromia (#BecauseIAmOromo).
Oromo-American Citizens Council (OACC) on Amnesty’s “Because I Am Oromo”
The following is a press release from the Oromo-American Citizens Council (OACC) on the Amnesty International’s Report: “Because I Am Oromo” —————- Oromo-American Citizens Council (OACC) is a Minnesota based, non-profit organization set up, among others, to expose human rights violations against the Oromo people and influence the policy of the U.S. towards Ethiopia. Minnesota is a state with the highest population of Oromos outside Africa. OACC collaborated with the Advocates for Human Rights in the 96-page report issued in 2009 under the title, “Human Rights in Ethiopia: Through the Eyes of The Oromo Diaspora.” That Report documented the experiences Oromos in Diaspora faced when they lived in Ethiopia. In May 2005, the Human Rights Watch also issued a report entitled, “Suppressing Dissent: Human rights Abuses and Political Repression in Ethiopia’s Oromia Region.” This report, for the first time, exposed the mechanisms used the Ethiopian government to control rural communities in Oromia through the Gott and Garee Systems. Furthermore, the periodic U.S. State Department’s own annual reports have documented rampant human rights violations against the Oromos over the years. Amnesty International’s report, ETHIOPIA: BECAUSE I AM OROMO: SWEEPING REPRESSION IN THE OROMIA REGION OF ETHIOPIA, is the most researched and the most comprehensive report ever conducted about human rights violation against the Oromos. The vivid descriptions of tortures conducted against Oromos, the long imprisonment without trial, the murders by security forces, the harsh actions taken against peaceful protests are all well documented with irrefutable evidences. The report further disclosed that any act of Oromo nationalism that is not controlled by the government, such as the Oromo language and the culture development movement, results in detentions and tortures. For that, we want to take this opportunity and congratulate and thank Amnesty International. While appreciating the efforts and achievements in documenting human rights violations against Oromos under the circumstances, we also want to reiterate that this is only the tip of the iceberg; the reality is much worse than what is documented in this report. Furthermore, we want to warn all stakeholders that this is not a time to rest on our laurels. Especially, as the 2015 election is approaching, the human rights violations will get worse. We, therefore, call up on: (a) All Oromo and Ethiopian civic organizations to come forward and work on the recommendations of the report mostly in mobilizing the communities and in putting pressure on the government. We need to get united and make our voices heard opposing such violations together as this is an issue that unites all of us. (b) All other international human rights organizations, based on this report, to put pressure on donor countries to make the respect of human rights a precondition to further assist the Ethiopian government. Nagessa Dube, Executive Director Oromo-American Citizens Council (OACC)
(November 16, 2014, Brisbane,Sydney, Australia – G20): Members Oromo Community in Australia held peaceful rally protesting against mass killings, torture and arrests of Oromo people by TPLF Ethiopia. The peaceful rally was held during G20 meetings in Brisbane. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-30064549 The Oromo community protests against Ethiopia’s genocidal killings, mass arrest and evictions which are happening in state of Oromia. The protesters call for rule of laws, freedom, human rights protections and expressed that the Ethiopian regime has been killing the Oromo nationals just because of that they are Oromo. http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/AFR25/006/2014/en/539616af-0dc6-43dd-8a4f-34e77ffb461c/afr250062014en.pdf They call for all G20 nations to stop funding the genocidal Ethiopian regime.
#BecauseIAmOromo. #OromoProtests. #FreeOromoStudents. 16th November 2014
Oromians living around Lillehammer, Norway are calling for peaceful demonstration on 29 November 2014 at 12 :00. This peaceful rally is to protest against human right violation and crime committed by TPLF Ethiopia in Oromia against Oromo people. #BecauseIAmOromo (http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/AFR25/006/2014/en)
London (Nov. 26, 2014): A Peaceful Rally Against Repression in Oromia – #BecauseIAmOromo
A Peaceful Demonstration to All Oromos and Friends of Oromo! #BecauseIAmOromo The OCUK has organised a big demonstration to protest against the never ending human rights violations in Oromia and to support the Amnesty International on its 2014 Report “Because I am Oromo” – which was the response of Oromos who had been the victims of the Ethiopian prisons to the interview questions by the Amnesty International on why they were persecuted by the Ethiopian government. Please come along and join the demonstration, and be the voice for the voiceless Oromo in Ethiopia: “I am arrested, tortured, looted, my property confiscated, and dehumanised ‘Because I am Oromo.’” Date: Wednesday, November 26, 2014 Time: 12:00 noon – 4:30 PM Address: Westminster, Parliament Square, SW1P 3BD – Closest station: Westminster (Jubilee, District and Circle Lines) OCUK Management Committee
“Because I am Oromo” Rally in Phoenix, Arizona (Nov. 13, 2014) – #BecauseIAmOromo
Because I am Oromo Discussion, Oromo Community in Minnesota, USA, Nov 8 2104
Oromo community in Hammer and arround Hamer Norway had a demonstration against the ongoing mass killing of Oromo students in Oromia by the TPLF/EPRDF regime of Ethiopia. #BecauseIAmOromo. #OromoProtests. #FreeOromoStudents. 3rd November 2014
Building Momentum in Geneva with the Oromo Diaspora
November 6, 2014 (The Advocates Post) — This fall was a busy time for advocacy at the United Nations on human rights in Ethiopia. It was also a great time to see The Advocates for Human Rights’ new toolkit, Paving Pathways for Justice and Accountability: Human Rights Tools for Diaspora Communities, in action. Universal Periodic Review Concludes with Some Fireworks In a one-hour session on September 19, the UN Human Rights Council adopted the outcome of its second Universal Periodic Review of Ethiopia. You can watch the video of the session here. I’ve blogged about the UPR of Ethiopiabefore, and the adoption of the outcome is the last step in the process. The adoption of the outcome is also the only opportunity civil society organizations have to speak during the UPR process. The Advocates for Human Rights is based in Minnesota, not Geneva, so we don’t generally get a chance to address the Human Rights Council during the UPR process. But I often watch the live webcasts, and this time I got up early to livetweet. Several non-governmental organizations took the floor and raised concerns about the human rights situation on the ground in Ethiopia. Civicus World Alliance for Citizenship Participation, for example, expressed concern about Ethiopia’s refusal to accept recommendations to remove draconian restrictions on free expression. Renate Bloem (left), speaking for Civicus, added:
While relying on international funding to supplement 50-60 percent of its national budget, the government has simultaneously criminalized most foreign funding for human rights groups in the country. These restrictions have precipitated the near complete cessation of independent human rights monitoring in the country. It is therefore deeply alarming that Ethiopia has explicitly refused to implement recommendations put forward by nearly 15 governments during its UPR examination to create an enabling environment for civil society.
The Ethiopian Ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Minelik Alemu Getahun (top), lashed out at the NGOs that commented, particularly Civicus:
I regret the language used by some of the NGO representatives and particularly the call for action some of them made against Ethiopia in the Council for alleged isolated acts. Some of the language used in the allegations, particularly the remarks by CIVICUS on our budget is outrageous and incorrect. I can assure the Council that Ethiopia relies on its peoples and their resources, which is not unusual supplemented by international support.
The Human Rights Council then adopted the outcome of the second UPR of Ethiopia. The recommendations Ethiopia accepted are contained in the Report of the Working Group and an addendum, available here. Some of the more promising recommendations that Ethiopia accepted in September are:
Implement fully its 1995 Constitution, including the freedoms of association, expression and assembly for independent political parties, ethnic and religious groups and non-government organisations (Australia).
Take concrete steps to ensure the 2015 national elections are more representative and participative than those in 2010, especially around freedom of assembly and encouraging debate among political parties (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland).
Consider implementing the pertinent recommendations from the Independent Expert on Minorities, with a view to guaranteeing equal treatment of all ethnic groups in the country (Cape Verde).
Monitor the implementation of the anti-terrorism law in order to identify any act of repression which affects freedom of association and expression and possible cases of arbitrary detention. In addition, develop activities necessary to eliminate any excesses by the authorities in its application (Mexico).
Now it’s up to people on the ground in Ethiopia, as well as people outside of Ethiopia like the Oromo diaspora, to lobby the Ethiopian Government to implement the recommendations it accepted and to monitor whether the government is keeping its word. The next UPR cycle for Ethiopia will begin in about 4 years, when NGOs will have a chance to submit new stakeholder reports demonstrating whether Ethiopia has implemented the recommendations it accepted, pointing out any developments on the ground since the last review, and advocating for new recommendations that will improve human rights in Ethiopia. Learn more about how you can get involved in the UPR process of Ethiopia (or any other country) on pages 200-210 of Paving Pathways. Opportunities Ahead for Voices to be HeardThere’s much more to be done in the effort to build respect for human rights in Ethiopia. In addition to the next steps mentioned above, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights will be reviewing Ethiopia’s human rights record in its December 2014 session. In September, the Advocates and the International Oromo Youth Associationsubmitted a lengthy alternative report to the African Commission, responding to the Ethiopian Government’s report. The African Commission will conduct an examination of the Ethiopian Government and then will issue Concluding Observations and Recommendations. You can read the African Commission’s Concluding Observations from its first review of Ethiopia, in 2010, here. To learn more about advocacy with the African Commission, read pages 268-280of Paving Pathways. On Wednesday, November 19, Amane Badhasso and I will have a talk with the Amnesty International chapter of the University of Minnesota Law School. The students are eager to learn more about human rights in Ethiopia, and they want to participate in a collective activity to show their support. There’s been a lot of attention lately to a report Amnesty just released on human rights violations against the Oromo people. Organizations like The Advocates for Human Rights and Amnesty will be ineffective if they work on their own. The Oromo diaspora, as well as other diaspora communities from Ethiopia, have a critical role to play in leading the way to promoting human rights, justice, and accountability in Ethiopia. The Advocates for Human Rights hopes thatPaving Pathways will lay the groundwork for many more fruitful collaborations. Are you a member of a diaspora community? Do you know people who are living in the diaspora? What steps can the diasporans you know take to improve human rights and accountability in their countries of origin or ancestry? How could Paving Pathways and The Advocates for Human Rights assist them? By Amy Bergquist, staff attorney for the International Justice Program of The Advocates for Human Rights.More posts about the crisis in Ethiopia:
See also more @ http://theadvocatespost.org/2014/11/07/advocating-for-the-rights-of-children-in-ethiopia/ MADDA ODUU SBO/VOL irraa Sadaasa 02,2014 Ilmaan Oromoo Iskaandineviyaatti argaman guyyaa kaleessaa jechuun Sadaasa 01, 2014 Osloo, Norwayitti walitti dhufuudhaan Sadaasa 9 guyyaa yaadannoo FDG waggaa 9ffaa haala bareedina qabuun kabajatanii/yaadatanii oolaniiru.
Qophii yaadannoo guyyaa FDG Sadaasa 9, waggaa 9ffaa kana irratti ilmaan Oromoo bakka adda addaa jiraatan qooda kan irraa fudhatan oggaa ta’u, keessumaa dargaggootni Oromoo Osloo Norwayitti argaman baay’inaan qooda irraa fudhachuun qophiilee adda addaa kan guyyaa kana ilaallatan dhiheessaniiru. Ilmaan Oromoo sabboontota biyyaa FDG keessatti wareegaman, akkasumas gootota Oromoo QBO keessatti aarsaa ta’aniif dungoon qabsiifamee yaadannoon sammuu godhameefii jira. Sirna kabajaa guyyaa yaadannoo FDG Sadaasa 9 kan waggaa 9ffaa Osloo Norwayitti geggeeffame kana irratti kutaaleen hawaasaa hundi kan irratti argame si’a ta’u, akkaataa itti FDGn caalaatti jabaachuu fi babal’achuu danda’u, jabinaa fi hanqinoota jiran irratti, akkasumas akkamittiin QBO kan ammaarra jabeessuun fuula duratti tarkaanfachuun karaa danda’amu irratti marii bal’aan geggeeffamuun, yaadotni ijaaroo fi murteessoo ta’an dhihaachuu isaanii oduun SBO dhaqqabe ifa godhee jira. Waltajjii yaadannoo Guyyaa FDG Sadaasa 9, Sadaasa 01,2014 Osloo, Norwayitti geggeeffame kana irratti walalooleenii fi qophiileen adda addaa kan sochii FDG fi gootota Oromoo falmaa kana keessatti kufanii fi gootummaa isaanii faarsan akkasumas Oromoo jajjabeessanii fi onnachiisan kan dhihaatan si’a ta’u, caalbaasiin adda addaas dhihaatanii galiin irraa argame QBO fi sochii FDG jabeessuuf akka oolfame beekuun danda’ameera. Qophii kana ilaalchisuun yaada namootni adda addaa saganticha irratti hirmaatan SBOf laatan ammoo SBO guyyaa har’aa jechuun SBO Sadaasa 02,2014 irraa dhaggeeffachuu dandeessan.
Oromo Rally at the U.N. to Seek Justice/Freedom for Those Slain/Imprisoned by Ethiopian Regime
Lammiiwwan Oromoo kutaalee United States adda addaa irra har’a kan New Yorkitti argamu waajjira Tokkummaa Mootummootaa fuulletti hiriira nagaa geggeessan. Onokoloolessa 17 Bara 2014. #OromoProtests, 17th October 2014 http://www.voaafaanoromoo.com/content/article/2487489.html
#OromoProtests @ New York City, October 17, 2014 at the United Nations. Oromo communities in Upstate new York, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Ohio, Atlanta and other places are organizing to come as a group.
Oslo Peaceful Protesters Demand Freedom for Oromo Political Prisoners and Denounce Land-Grabbing in Oromia.
16th October 2014 #OromoProtests
IOYA and The Advocates for Human Rights Representatives at the United Nations Office discussing issues concerning rights of a child in Ethiopia, the recent#Oromoprotests in Oromia and #FreeOromoStudents. Photo Cred: Amy Bergquist On September 26, IOYA leaders co-presented a report on the rights of children in Ethiopia along with the Minnesota-based Advocates for Human Rights at the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child in Geneva, Switzerland. During the weeklong engagement, IOYA representatives participated in several meetings discussing human rights issues related to Oromo, spoke at a side event looking at diaspora engagement on human rights (with Ethiopia as a case study) and met with the U.N. Committee in a 2.5 hour, closed-door session. http://www.opride.com/oromsis/news/3775-ioya-shines-spotlight-on-child-right-abuses-in-ethiopiaFuulbaana 15 Bara 2014 Hiriiri Nagaa Mootummaa Wayyaanee irratti Magaalaa Torontooti Geggeeffame.Sept. 15,2014 Demonstration in Toronto by Oromo community to protest the Tyranny of TPLF Ethiopia . #OromoProtests.Fuulbaana 15 Bara 2014 Hiriiri Nagaa Mootummaa Wayyaanee irratti Magaalaa Torontooti Geggeeffame. (suuraa kana olii ilaalaa).Sept. 15,2014 Demonstration in Toronto by Oromo community to protest the Tyranny of TPLF Ethiopia. #OromoProtests. (see above in pictures)
Melbournians Hold a Concert for Oromo Human Rights
(Advocacy for Oromia, 12 August 2014) — The Human Rights Concert for Oromia was held in Ascot Vale, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia, on August 9, 2014. Bonsen Dhabasa, 10 years old boy who was six months old when his father was arrested; five years old when his mother was imprisoned presented his memoir of persecution account on this Human Rights for Oromia concert in Melbourne. This is our Human Rights Concert. The people coming together as one and uniting against a common enemy! Corrupt power. We are the voice of the people! This is dedicated to those suffering under suppression and Human Rights Abuses. The people on the ground who are treated like collateral damage by those who have vested interests and no concern for human values or human rights! Melbourne’s diverse communities came out to support the Oromo people’s struggle for human rights, and oppose the ongoing human rights violations against Oromo students and civilians by the Ethiopian TPLF regime. The people coming together as one and uniting against a common enemy! Corrupt power. The big message of the day was, “We are the voice of the people!” This is dedicated to those suffering under suppression and Human Rights Abuses. The people on the ground who are treated like collateral damage by those who have vested interests and no concern for human values or human rights! Currently, thousands of Oromo students and civilians are languishing in Ethiopian government’s prisons in connection with #OromoProtests, a movement which opposes the Ethiopian TPLF regime’s Master Plan to expand the boundaries of Addis Ababa (Finfinne), and subsequently to dispossess Oromo farmers surrounding Finfinne of their lands, and evict them from their ancestral lands. http://ayyaantuu.com/human-rights/melbournians-hold-a-concert-for-oromo-human-rights/ The Human Rights for Oromia concert held in Melborne, 9th August 2014, #OromoProtests
EthioTube Interview with Oromo Recording Artist Nigusuu Taamiraat on #OromoProtests
#OromoProtests: Oromo Peaceful Protest Rally in Washington, DC- August 01, 2014.
#OromoProtests at Ethio-US Business Summit in
Houston, Texas
July 30, 2014 http://ayyaantuu.com/horn-of-africa-news/oromoprotests-at-ethio-us-business-summit-in-houston-texas/Appeal Letter to President Barack Obama Following the DC#OromoProtests Solidarity 3-Day Hunger Strike The joint appeal letter of the Oromo Community Organization(OCO) of Washington-DC, OYSA/WWDO and IOWO to President Obama on the Hunger Strike conducted from July 23 – 25, 2014. ——————— President Barack Obama The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500 RE: Staging Solidarity Hunger Strike to Protest Massacre, Torture, Detention of the Oromo People by the Ethiopian Government Dear Mr. President, On May 9, 2014, the Oromo Community Organization of Washington D.C. Area (OCO), the Oromo Youth Self-help Association (OYSA) and the International Oromo Women’s Organization (IOWO) held a large demonstration in front of the White House and State Department to express our deep concern and outrage about the massacre of Oromo students in April and May, just for peacefully demonstrating against government land grab; some as young as nine years, from Ambo and other towns of Oromia Regional State by the TPLF Aga’azi force and army of the Ethiopian government. Similar demonstrations were held in many state capitals of the United States, Europe, Australia, Middle East, and Africa to condemn the callous crime of the Ethiopian Government. Candlelight vigils were also held in front of the White House on May 22, 2014, and in many states of the U.S. and other countries, at different times, where Oromo communities reside. According to partial reports received, 61 students were shot dead, 903 students are detained and still being tortured. The massacre of Oromo students by the Ethiopian regime is parallel to the 1960 Sharpeville massacre of 69 black people by the Apartheid regime of South Africa for demonstrating against the Pass Law. The blood of the black South Africans led to the abolition of Apartheid and creation of Democratic South Africa with the support of democratic nations of the world. We hope the blood of the innocent Oromo students will not be ignored and left in vain but motivate the leaders of the democratic nations of the West to help bring justice, liberty, peace and democracy in Ethiopia in general and Oromia State in particular. Today, it is estimated that there are more than 50,000 Oromo political prisoners in Oromia in various concentration camps and prisons. Although it is difficult to know exactly how many Oromos have been killed or massacred by the regime, mass graves have been discovered in many places, including Hamaressa in eastern Oromia. The annual reports of the U.S. Department of State and other credible sources regarding human rights abuses in Ethiopia indicate that the Department is familiar with the massive human rights violations that have been committed by the Ethiopian government on the Oromo and other peoples in the country. During our demonstration in May, we submitted appeal letter to the State Department to use their leverage to make a difference in the social, political, and economic crisis perpetrated by the Ethiopian regime against the Oromo people and others in Ethiopia. In response to our appeals, the State Department units handling Ethiopian affairs have jointly granted us audience to discuss the problem of human rights abuse, detentions without warrant, extrajudicial killings, torture, land grab and eviction without appropriate compensation, lack of freedom of expression, right of assembly, justice and democracy. Though they have the information, we have given them additional extensive dimensions of the problem. The State Department has also replied to our appeal letter expressing their concerns about human right abuses in Ethiopia. Similarly, United States Senators, Honorable Al Franken and Honorable Amy Klobuchar representing Minnesota State; and Honorable Patty Murray and Honorable Maria Cantwell representing Washington State have written letters to Secretary Kerry expressing their deep concerns of Ethiopian government violence against its citizens. They asked the Honorable Secretary to use his influence for the respect of rule of law and human rights in Ethiopia. They stressed the Ethiopian Government’s equal treatment of all ethnic groups and implementation of democratic system must be central to their relationship with the United States. A member of the Parliament of Australia also has tabled the Oromo plight in Ethiopia for debate and asked his government for action to curb the Ethiopian government violence against peaceful citizens. – Read More (Ayyaantuu.com) http://gadaa.net/FinfinneTribune/2014/07/appeal-letter-to-president-barack-obama-following-the-dc-oromoprotests-solidarity-3-day-hunger-strike/ #OromoProtests #FreeOromoStudents, 28 July 2014.
International-Oromo Youth-Association has been invited by the Committee on the Rights of the Child, to attend its Pre-sessional Working Group meeting on September 26 in Geneva, Switzerland to discuss the situation of child rights in Ethiopia. Earlier this last month, IOYA submitted a report on rights of a child in Ethiopia (Co Author) with The Advocates for Human Rights , Amy Bergquistt . FreeOromoStudents #OromoProtests. #FreeOromoStudents. 18th July 2014.
Dhiibbaa mirga namaa Itophiyaa keessattiiyyuu kan saba Oromoo irratti raawwatamu ilaalchisee mootummooti biyya adda addaa balaaleffachaa turuun ni beekam. Hidhaan, reebichiifi ajjeechaan barattoota Oromoo irra baatii Eebilaa 2014 dhaabbilee barnootaa Oromiyaa keessatti raawwatames kan dhaloota saba kanaa bira darbee qaama heddu rifachiseef yakka sukkanneessaa kana akka mormanu taasiseedha. Ajjeechaa barattootaa kana mormuun Caamsaa 9, 2014 Oromooti jiraattota biyya France ta’aniifi kanneen yakka mootummaa abbaa irree Itophiyaa kana balaaleffatanu hiriira mormii magaala gudditti Paris waajjira ministra dhimma alaa akkasumas Embasii Itophiyaa duratti bahun yakka shororkkeessaa kana balaaleffachuun ni yadatama. Hawaasni Oromoo biyya France kan balaaleffate yakka mootummaa Itophiyaa qofa utuu hin ta’in deggersa mootumman France mootummaa abbaa irree sanaaf laatu keessattiiyyuu hirmmaannaa qophii «master plaanii Finfinnee» jedhamu irratti fudhatanu ilaalchisee ture. Mormiin hawaasa kanaas barreeffamaan waajjira Prezidantii France irraa eegalee qaamota dhimmi isa ilaala jedhamee yaadame hundaaf akka gale oduu si’as tamsa’e irratti ibsamuun ni yaadatama. Waajjirri Prezidantii France deebii iyyata hawaasaa kanaaf laate irratti ajjeechaa naannoo Oromityaa keessattiiyyuu Universitoota Jimmaa, Amboofi Adaamatti raawwatame siriitti hubachuu isaa ibsee mootummoota lamman gidduu hariiroon jiruu cimaa ta’uyyuu hundeen isaa kan kabajaa mirga dhala namaa irratti hundaahe akka ta’e dubbata. Fakkeenyaafis gumii mirga dhala namaaa irratti France mootummaa Itophiyaatif kabaja mirga namaa ilaalchisee hubachiisa laachuu isii; kunis kabaja bilisummaafi mirga dhala namaa guutuutti kabajuu akka ta’e ibsa. France qindaahina gamtaa Awrooppaa jalatti socho’uun hidhaa balaaleffatoota mootummaa akkasumas gaazexessitootaa irratti baatii Caamsaa darbe raawwatame balaaleffachuun kun dhiibbaa mirga yaada ofii ibsuufi wolabummaa sab-qunnamtii kan hubu ta’uu isaa addeesseera. Itti ida’uunis Embaasiin France kan Finfinneetti argamu miilttowwan isaa kan Awrooppaafi Amerikaa woliin ta’uun dhaddacha himatamtoota kanaa irratti argamuun dhugaa jiru adda baafachuuf yaaliin godhame diddaa mootummaa Itophiyaatiin gufachuu isaa saaxileera. Hata’u male jedha deebiin wajjiraPrezidaantii kun hariiroon Franciifi Itophiyaa gidduu jiraatu uumamatti kan kaayyoo kabaja mirga dhala namaa, wolabummaa seeraafi guddina diinagdee irratti hundaheedha jechuun dhuma irratti mootummaan France iyyata hawaasa Oromoo kana hubannaa itti laatee akka hodofu ibseera. Kara biraatiin Masterplaanii Finfinnee kan woldiddaafi gaaga’ama uume irratti hirmaannaa fudhateera kan jedhamu bulchiinsi magaala Lyon (France) deebii barreeffamaan woldaa hawaasa Oromoo France kanaaf erge irratti komii dhimma kana irratti dhihaate xiinxalaa jiraachuu isaa ibseera. Hawaasni Oromoo biyya France ammas hanga mirgi ummata keenyaa guutummaatti kabajamutti fageenyi lafaa utuu isa hin daangessin falmii isaa akka itti fufu hubachiisa. —————— ———- ENGLISH TRANSLATION* —————– The Chief of Staff of the President of the Republic ESSA LENJISSO ASSOCIATION OF OROMO COMMUNITY 125 BOULEVARD de DE CHARONNE 75011 PARIS The president has received the letter you sent him concerning the situation of human rights and the Oromo people in Ethiopia. Responsive to your request, MR François HOLAND assigned me to take care of your case. The France has learned the deadly incidents that occurred last April in Universities of the Oromia region, particularly that of Jimma, Adamaa, Ambo cities, in the context of a protest against new territorial reform. France maintains very good relations with Ethiopia, at this very case, feels entitled to monitor the situation of human rights in the country. At the Council of human rights for example France attracts the attention of Ethiopia authorities on the importance of respect for the freedoms and human rights for all countries aspiring to become emerging. France is taking action in the European context following the arrest of nine journalists and bloggers and several members of the oppositions in the beginning of last May; the European Union has condemned the attacks on the respect of freedom of expression and media. Our Embassy in Addis Ababa has tried unsuccessfully, with our European partners and Americans, to attend the opening of their trial to testify to the interest that France has to this situation. Furthermore, the French cooperation with Ethiopia naturally meets the objectives of promoting human rights, social justice and sustainable economic development. Ensuring that these issues are carefully followed, please accept the assurance of my highest consideration. Isabelle SIMA * N.B. unofficial translation ———————————-
OYA Press Release on the #FreeOromoStudents Campaign
he following is a press release from the International Oromo Youth Association (IOYA). June 29, 2014 Beginning on April 25, 2014, students protesting peacefully have been gunned down by federal security forces in the town of Ambo in Oromia region of Ethiopia. Since then, protests have spread across all universities in the Oromia region resulting in the massacre of hundreds. Thousands have been expelled and dozens held at undisclosed locations. Mass kidnapping, disappearance and shooting of innocent students has been reported in numerous towns since the protests began. The expelled students face economic hardships and rampant assault and harassment from Ethiopian security forces. The imprisoned face torture and ill treatments. In order to raise global awareness about the protests and the imminent threat facing students who have been expelled from school and those imprisoned, the International Oromo Youth Association (IOYA) is launching a social media campaign. IOYA has prepared a short informative documentary that provides a summary of the protests to date. IOYA is also calling for the immediate release of thousands of Oromo students currently being held in detention and are likely to face torture for peacefully protesting against the Integrated Development Master Plan. The Ethiopian government’s continuous use of brutal force, arbitrary detentions, and torture to severely restrict freedom of expression and rights of citizens should be condemned. The campaign will call on various international human/governmental organizations to urge the Ethiopian government to release the students arrested and to refrain from expelling and abducting innocent students.
#OromoProtests- Oromo rally @Dallas downtown @ in front of federal building in solidarity with Oromo students and civilians protest in Oromia. 26th June 2014
#OromoProtests (26th June 2014)- Oromo Women rally at State Capitol, Minnesota, USA, in solidarity with Oromo students Protests in Oromia.
Photos: Sen. Amy Klobuchar (L) and Sen. Al Franken (R) of Minnesota Two more U.S. Senators, Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Sen. Al Franken of Minnesota, wrote a letter to the U.S. Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry, to express concerns about the Ethiopian government’s human rights violations, particularly the Ethiopian government’s recent acts of violence against Oromo peaceful demonstrators in Oromia. In the letter, the U.S. Senators urged the U.S. State Department to make the “respect for the rule of law and human rights in Ethiopian government’s treatment of all ethnic groups” central to the U.S.-Ethiopia relationship. It’s to be noted that U.S. Senators from the State of Washington, Sen. Maria Cantwell and Sen. Patty Murray, also wrote a letter earlier in June – expressing their concern about the Ethiopian government’s acts of violence against Oromo peaceful demonstrators. See @http://qeerroo.org/2014/06/24/oromoprotests-u-s-senators-say-ethiopian-govts-respect-of-all-ethnic-groups-human-rights-must-be-central-to-the-u-s-ethiopia-relationship/
#OromoProtests- In Pretoria, South Africa, 24th June 2014 in solidarity with Oromo students and civilian in Oromia.
Oromian and Ogadenian communities rallied in front of the presidential palace. South Africa’s President, Jacob Zuma’s secretary appeared in person and accepted their appeal letter.
#OromoProtests- letter from US State department.
UN Special Procedures Urged to Visit Ethiopia to Investigate Crackdown on Oromo Protests
Oromians in Europe staged a solidarity rally in Brussels, Belgium, at the European Parliament on 20th June 2014, to bring awareness about the human rights violations of the TPLF Ethiopian regime on the Oromo people – including the killing of more than 100 Oromo students and civilians, mass imprisonments of thousands of Oromo students as well as expulsions from universities of Oromo students for nonviolently protesting TPLF’s ‘Addis Ababa Master Plan,’ a plan that is designed to annex land from the State of Oromia and evict millions of Oromo farmers around Addis Ababa – both under the pretext of “urban development.’ Here’s the coverage of the rally by the DW/German radio (Amharic).
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See more @http://gadaa.net/FinfinneTribune/2014/06/the-oromoprotests-solidarity-rally-in-brussels-at-european-parliament/Sen. Maria Cantwell (L) and Sen. Patty Murray (R)#OromoProtests– USA, Senators from the State of Washington, Sen. Maria Cantwell and Sen. Patty Murray, raised concerns about the Ethiopian government’s crackdown on the nonviolent student-led #OromoProtests movement, which fights to stop the implementation of the Addis Ababa Master Plan, a plan to expand the administrative boundaries of Addis Ababa by annexing land from the State of Oromia, and by evicting millions of Oromo farmers from the Oromian districts adjacent to Addis Ababa – both under the pretext of “urban development. The above is their letter of 19th June 2014 to US Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&list=UU57ZgbBOo7YM6H58MtOIGbQ&v=szt2eSZVohQ Speech on #OromoProtests by Hon. Anthony Byrne, Member of the Australian Parliament. Federal Member for Holt, Australia, on #OromoProtests, 18th June 2014
(June 16, 2014 (Reuters) — An Ethiopian child migrant and member of the Oromo community of Ethiopia living in Malta takes part in a protest against the Ethiopian regime outside the office of Malta’s Prime Minister in Valletta June 16, 2014. The protestors called on Malta and the European Union to stop support for the Ethiopian regime and its plan to displace Oromo farmers. Late last year, the Ethiopian army evicted Oromo farmers from their ancestral land on the pretext of needing the land for an industrial zone, according to the protestors. REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi
#OromoProtests- Members of Oromo Community in Malta held a protest in Valletta on 16 june 2014 calling on Malta and the EU to stop support to Ethiopian regime and its plan to displace Oromo farmers. They called for freedom and justice in their country. Late last year, the Ethiopian army evicted Oromo farmers from their ancestral land on the pretext of needing the land for an industrial zone. The practice has continued in other areas of Ethiopia. Dispossessed of their land, these Oromo men and women will be forced to work as day-labourers on their own land. See @ http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140616/local/ethiopian-migrants-hold-protest.523625#.U58iFu-MdQ9.facebook
#OromoProtests June 13, 2014 @ ExCeL London, UK. Oromia and Ogaden community jointly in action.
The Ogaden and Oromo women held a large protest at the Global Summit to end Sexual violence and demanded the recognition of the plights of the Ogaden women and Oromo women. The protesters complained the Rape and sexual violence used as a weapon against Ogaden and Oromo women at the hands of the Ethiopian military.
The Oromo and Ogaden Women appealed to the British Foreign Secretary William Hague and Angelina Julie the especial envoy of the UN High commissioner for Refugees to support the Ogaden women and Oromo women survivors of rape and other abuses who are currently in the Dadaab refugees camp with out any rights. The protesters also asked the International Community to pressure Ethiopian government and make accountable of the Ethiopian officials and military personnel who committed the sexual violence as a weapon of war and terror to intimidate locals. See more @http://oromiatimes.org/2014/06/16/pictures-of-ogaden-women-and-oromo-women-protest-at-the-global-summit-to-end-rape-and-sexual-violence/
On May 31st, 2014, the Portland Oromo Community Association held a candlelight vigil for the 80 Oromo victims who were slain by the Ethiopian government for protesting against the government’s plan to annex land from the State of Oromiyaa using the “Addis Ababa Master Plan.
#Oromoprotests– 11th June 2014 @ Diamond League 2014 in Oslo Norway, Oromo community and Oromo youth together in solidarity with support the on going Oromo students protests in Oromia.
“We translate, we write, we do whatever we can from the other side of the world in the hopes that we will inform and inspire enough people to bring an end to the unjust imprisonment of dissenting young voices.” Read @http://amyvansteenwyk.tumblr.com/post/88273995454/gone
#OromoProtests- Important: Jen &Josh who Witnessed brutal Ethiopian regime crackdown on peaceful Oromo Students Protests will be at the Community Fundraising this coming Sunday. They will be sharing their stories and updates while they were over in Oromia. Come and show your support.
#OromoProtests-Oromo protesters in the United Kingdom rallied in front of the BBC building in London on Friday, June 6, 2014, to bring to BBC’s attention the ongoing mass killings of Oromo students and civilians by the TPLF Ethiopian regime – the stories BBC has largely failed to cover entirely.On the ocassion the protesters Marched through Central London, at BBC, Whitehall, Downing Street and the UK Parliament.
The protesters demanded fair and impartial media coverage from the BBC and they were carrying slogans to put pressure on the UK government to consider its Foreign Policy with the Ethiopian government which the protesters labled as dictatorial.
Their slogans and voices show their support to Oromo Students Protest against the expansion of Addis Ababa Master Plan in Ethiopia and they strongly denounced the crimes against humanity commited by the current Ethiopian government security forces which they hold fully accountable for the mass murder and torture they said are still hapening. The TPLF Ethiopian regime continues to attempt to violently crush the nonviolent Oromo students-led #OromoProtests, which is fighting to stop the implementation of the Addis Ababa Master Plan — a plan to expand the Addis Ababa City Administration into the Federally and Constitutionally instituted Oromia State, and a plan to subsequently evict millions of Oromo farmers under the disguise of “urban development.”http://gadaa.com/oduu/26465/2014/06/06/in-pictures-oromoprotests-solidarity-rally-in-front-of-bbc-in-london-for-more-coverage-of-oromoprotests/http://www.demotix.com/news/4942550/oromo-protest-bbc-against-killing-students-ethiopia#media-4942464
#OromoProtets- Senator Al Franken of Minnesota writes to US Secretary of State John Kerry raising concern about the ongoing repression against the Oromo people in Ethiopia. Another accomplishment of our community in Minnesota. 4th June 2014.
#OromoProtests- Solidarity Hunger-Strike in front of the Federal Building in downtown Seattle, Washington, continued in Seattle, from 3rd June 2014 to 5th June 2014.
#OromoProtests- The above pictures are Oromians in Portland, USA, held a candlelight vigil in honor of their fallen Oromo students who were victims of the recent brutal killings by TPLF security forces. Many of the fallen students did not receive proper funerals from their families. The cruel TPLF Government has ordered some of the victims’ dead bodies to be disposed in bushes, in attempt to cover-up their crime. Hence, human corpses were left for wild animals to feast on. It’s also heartbreaking that the mothers or fathers of the Oromo students cannot mourn for their loved ones; instead they are forced to condemn their dead children as “terrorists,” “anti-development agents,” “anti-peace agents,” and “anti-government agents,” etc. The despicable act of the TPLF government is beyond the human imagination. see more @http://gadaa.com/oduu/26293/2014/06/03/in-pictures-portlands-oromoprotests-candlelight-vigil/
#OromoProtests– Australia’s Oromo people rally in Canberra, @ Canberra’s Parliament house in a bid to expose the Ethiopian government’s recent human rights violations dubbed “Oromo Protests”, 2nd June 2014
#OromoProtests- Candlelight Vigil in Atlanta , Ga, 31st May 2014
#OromoPRotests- Waaqeffannaa Association Condemns Human Rights Violations in Oromia (Melbourne, Victoria, 27 May 2014) – The Waaqeffannaa Association in Victoria Australia (WAVA), a non-profit religious organization incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012 in Victoria, condemns the killing, torturing, and arresting of students in Oromia. As religious organisation, we affirm that life is sacred.
The situation in Oromia has been very disconcerting. The vast ongoing human rights violation by the government has urged the Waaqeffannaa Association in Victoria Australia (WAVA) to speak and condemn the ongoing onslaught on peaceful Oromo protestors. The level of instability in Oromia has never been more apparent than ever before. Oromo students have been peacefully protesting against a land policy where the government intends to implement. Largely, the protests took place in universities and various schools in towns such as Robe, Bule Hora, Haromaya, Dire Dhawa, Ambo, Jimma, Naqamte and so on. According to BBC, in Ambo, 125km (80 miles) west of Finfinne, eye witnesses reported at least 47 students were killed by security forces during the days preceding May 2, 2014. Instead of addressing the issue peacefully the government security forces used live ammunition at unarmed protestors killing and leaving several hundred causalities in various universities, colleges and schools of Oromia. However, the killing of defenceless civilians by live ammunition for no other reason than exercising of their Waaqaa given right is inhuman, unconstitutional and unacceptable at any international standard. Killing of civilians just for participating in a peaceful rally is a violation of human rights and a crime against humanity. According to human rights watch the Ethiopian government is, “showing increasing intolerance of any criticism of the government and further restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression and association.” Hundreds of students and perhaps in the thousands now have been so far imprisoned and expelled in relations with the protests. The regime has been systematically implementing an ethnic cleansing and marginalisation policy in Oromia. The land policy is a façade to extend its systematic implementation of confiscating land from poor Oromo villagers around cities, especially around Finfinne. The regime also systematically incites violence between ethnic groups to create mistrust and hate among them. This agenda disguised as policy is eroding the communal relationship and harmony that has existed for centuries. The Oromo students, as any other group of students, have the right to peacefully protest and be herd, Oromos have the right to live where they wish, and Journalists and bloggers have the right to free speech without any form of repression and intimidation. As a religious organisation based in democratic country, we support and believe in these basic human rights ideals. Preserving and promoting Waaqeffannaa’s religion is only possible when the rights of the people are respected. Thus, WAVA decries the cruel act of violence that ended the life of more than 200 Oromo students and condemns the government for its heinous crimes. Waaqaa knows best! Waaqeffannaa Association in Victoria Australia Website: www.waaqeffannaa.org Email: waaqeffannaavic@gmail.com
#Oromoprotest- Maree Hawaasa Oromo Toronto Haala Si’ana Oromiyaa keessati deemaa jiruu, May 25, 2014
The following is an appeal letter from the Oromo Community in Ireland to the Prime Minister of Ireland. ——————- Oromo Community In Ireland 69 Woodford Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 www.oromocommunityireland.com The Honourable Prime Minister Mr Enda Kenny Department of the Taoiseach, Government Buildings, Upper Merrion Street, Dublin 2 Dear Prime Minister, We, members of the Oromo Community in Ireland, are outraged with the Ethiopian government ongoing reckless attacks on Oromo students who are peacefully demonstrating against irresponsible expansion of Addis Ababa for the sole purpose of land grabbing. Oromo students at various universities and high schools across Oromia, Ethiopia, have been staging non-violent demonstrations against the ‘Master Plan’ that is set to expand Addis Ababa into the surrounding Oromia region. The students were concerned by the fact that the so called Master plan will inevitably displace millions of Oromo farmers and destroy many communities and their livelihood. The plan has been facing opposition by many Oromo communities across the globe because it breaches the constitutional rights of the people of Oromia. Currently, there are rallies being held all over the world. Information about the current situation of the country can be obtained from community-based media out lets, such as www.ayyaantuu.com, www.bilisummaa.com, http://www.gadaa.comm and www.opride.com. The Oromo people have been victims of long years of continues land grabbing policies of the Ethiopian government where millions lost their land to riches from China, India and Arabs without proper compensation. Our people back home are already suffering from economic and social impact of the poor policies of the government. We also feel such impact directly or indirectly has the high duty of speaking for those voiceless victims. The Oromo people, its political organisation, civic organisation and journalists have been the prime targets of the Ethiopian government in the cover name of fighting against terrorism. The Oromo people, though the single largest ethnic group in the country, has been deliberately and systematically marginalised and made powerless so that they can be easily targeted whenever they demand their rights. The recent crackdown is not the first time that our young children are massacred, torched, jailed and disappeared. Many university students and lecturers, many high school students and teachers, and many businesspersons have disappeared or have been in jail for many years without justice. Many of them are dying from inhuman treatment, torture, attacks, and humiliations and from deliberate deprival of medical treatments. The Oromo people have been continually seeking their rights being respected, but the Ethiopian government’s response is cruel even for young children and students. This time the victims were the students who just gathered to air their concern of the Addis Ababa expansion plan. They were not violent, and they were not armed, yet they were violently and brutally crashed with the notorious assassin squad well trained and equipped for such purpose. For the last two weeks a merciless killer crew has been dispatched to university campuses in Ambo, Adama, Walaga, Robe, Jima, Haramaya, Dire Dawa, Metu, Finfinne (Addis Ababa), and Mada Walabu to quell the rightfully and peacefully rallying Oromo students. We have a credible source that indicating more than 70 innocent Oromo individuals, university, and high students, including a 12 years old boy, were the victim of such brutality perpetuated by the Ethiopia killing machinery. These inhuman groups in power in Ethiopia even do not care rubbing salt into Oromos’ wounds. We are receiving information that in order to get the bodies of the victims their family must sign a document that reads their child was dead because of his or her own fault. Since there is no any international media allowed in the country it is not possible for such planned attacks against children be reported to the outside world. The international community has been ignoring the cry of our people for long, but now it is at the stage they no more ignore it. There were many reports on the misuse of development aids and supports being used for military build ups for cracking down civilian. These were reported by human right groups, civic societies and international NGO have been given deaf hear. This time the situation is now exceptionally dire. We fear that it could escalate and contribute to the already fragile security of that region. The Oromo are saying enough is enough. It is going be late for the international community to deal with the fragile political, human and security issues in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian empire has been depriving Oromo of the natural human rights, but it is impossible to control them anymore. It is a matter of time before the set time bomb is out of control of the Ethiopian rules. The tolerance of the people should not be taken for arrogance. Your Excellency, There are more than enough incidents and records confirming the Ethiopian authorities violation of international human rights law and has committed crime against humanity. The Ethiopian ruling elites are most likely will continue their wild act of killing, torturing and forcing millions to flee their homes to end up in refugee camps in neighbouring countries; unless your government in coordination with other similar bodies exert ultimate push on the Ethiopian to stop committing such crimes. We understand that the Irish government and the Ethiopian government have good relations. This does not morally sound for a democratic government to have association with such a brutal and dictator regime since such relations give the aristocrats a wrong gesture. Such relation can be taken wrongly and encourage them continue killing people and never stop their government sponsored terror against civilians. We also know that Ireland has been generous in providing aids to Ethiopia. Though we are very much grateful of the support to our poor people, there are reports by international organisations that the aid has been used against the people to who you were sent for Your Excellency, We appeal to your government and the Irish people to stand against the brutality of the Ethiopian government. We believe the Irish people understand from its history how it feels to be suppressed, deprived of rights and humanity, and thus better understand the agonies of the Oromo people. We feel strongly that your leadership and Ireland is in a good position to use its European Union and global reputation as a defender of human rights to initiate dialogue and coordinate actions against the suppressive Ethiopian government. We appeal your government to stand up for our people and send a warning message to the dictatorial regime in Ethiopia to stop the killing of innocent children. We call on your office to listen to the cries of Oromo people and restore justice and peace to their villages. The fact that the Oromo people are peaceful, tolerant and patient should not be taken for wrong. We appeal that those people who murdered our children and those who lead and ordered the crime be investigated and charged for the crimes they committed. We ask your esteemed office and government to tell the Ethiopian authorities to halt the implementation of the so called controversial master plan until all the stockholders discuss on its pros and cons and support its implementations. Sincerely, Adam Tola Chairman, Association for Oromo Community in Ireland www.oromocommunityireland.com oromocommunityireland@yahoo.com CC: – Labour Party, 17 Ely Place, Dublin 2 – Fianna Fáil, 65-66 Lower Mount St, Dublin 2 – Sinn Féin, 44 Parnell Square W, Dublin 1 – Amnesty International Ireland Sean MacBride House 48 Fleet Street, Dublin 2 – United Nation, 27 Fitzwilliam Street Upper, Dublin 2 – Irish Human Rights Commission, 4th Floor, Jervis House Jervis Street, Dublin 1
#OromoProtests FDG Solidarity/Justice: Appeal Letter to the Prime Minister of Ireland from the…
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Letter to the Canadian Prime Minister Regarding Massacres of Oromo Students
Posted: Caamsaa/May 18, 2014 · Gadaa.com
The following appeal letter is from the Oromo Community in British Columbia to the Prime Minister of Canada. ————————– To: The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, The Prime Minister of Canada Office of the Prime Minister 80 Wellington Street Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2 From: Oromo Community in British Columbia Re: Killings of Oromo University Students in Ethiopia Over the past few weeks, the entire world has witnessed one of the most heinous crimes perpetrated on innocent Oromo students by the Ethiopian government security forces for merely exercising their democratic rights of peaceful demonstration. Since April 28, 2014, Oromo students in universities, colleges and secondary schools, involving over 12 institutions across the Oromia region of Ethiopia, have been peacefully demonstrating against the regime’s recently unveiled “Addis Ababa City Integrated Master Plan.” Within one week, more than 50 University students have been confirmed to be murdered by government security forces in their campuses in Ambo, Haromaya, Madawalabu and Naqamte Universities. Recent estimate put the number of student massacred at 76, injured 300, and over 2000 rounded up and incarcerated in unknown locations. International media sources, such as the BBC, CNN, Fox News, Al-Jazeera and Human Rights Watch, have been reporting on these killings. Under this new Addis Ababa City Master Plan, more than 15 farming Oromo communities will be engulfed under the city’s jurisdiction and their farmlands will be re-zoned as “urban” lands and will be expropriated for city expansion. Implementation of this land grab policy unfolded under total secrecy with no public consultations or transparency whatsoever. The lives of 76 innocent Oromo University students have been gunned down for peacefully protesting against such an unfair and criminal project. The Oromo Community in British Columbia is deeply saddened by the massacre of our school children by the Ethiopian regime. It is unfortunate that the Canadian government continuously provides significant economic support to this murderous regime in Ethiopia. In light of this fresh massacre and abysmal human rights track record of the regime, our community would like to appeal to your good office to: – Condemn the mindless killings of innocent Oromo students and farmers; – Exert pressure on the regime to immediately stop its murderous campaign against Oromo students and farmers; – Demand an independent investigations into the killings to bring the culprits to justice; – Review Canada’s economic support to the regime that is bent on massacring innocent kids in their schools and Universities. We trust that you will consider our appeal and take appropriate actions to stop the killings of defenseless students and land expropriation from poor framers under the disguise of Addis Ababa City Integrated Master Plan. Sincerely; Oromo Community of British Columbia, Vancouver CC: The Honourable John Baird Minister of Foreign Affirs The Honourable Thomas J. Mulcair Official Opposition Leader The Honourable Justin Trudeau The Liberal Party Leader
More than 50 protesters took to the streets of Grand Island, to march against the killings of students in Ethiopia.The Associated Press reports at least 11 students were killed in violent clashes with Ethiopian police recently.Ethnic Oromo people have marched in cities across the world, including Grand Island.Oromo is the largest state in Ethiopia, and there is a movement there to declare independence.The march in Grand Island went from the Federal Building to City Hall, and attracted the attention of police. There was some confusion about the march, and Police Chief Steve Lamken advised city staff the marchers had the right to protest, as long as they didn’t block traffic or block the doors at City Hall.Leaders in the local Oromo community in Grand Island said they wanted to draw attention to the plight of their people. Similar protests around the world have used social media to mobilize, especially Twitter, where they have been branded as the #OromoProtests.http://www.nebraska.tv/story/25537421/ethiopians-march-in-grand-island-to-protest-students-killed-in-africa#.U3ZqnG1XsKF.facebook#OromoProtsets- March in Grand Island to Protest Peaceful OromoStudents Killed by TPLF/Agazi of Ethiopia, in Africa (State of Oromia)
#OromoProtests- (OMN, Atlanta, Georgia, 15 May 2014) – We the Oromo Community of Atlanta, Georgia gather at the CNN Headquarters to demand the Ethiopian government immediately halt all the senseless killings of innocent University students throughout Ethiopia. We ask CNN and its affiliates as trusted and reliable sources of media to launch a diligent and timely investigation on the current crisis in Ethiopia and draw attention to the indiscriminate killings of innocent students. Furthermore, we demand the Obama Administration unequivocally condemn the actions of the Ethiopian Government and urgently take action to end the massacre! Students are being murdered for peacefully protesting against the Addis Ababa Master Plan which would expand the capital city and annex land from farmers in the surrounding area. This planed annexation is in violation of United Nations and African Union Charters on Human Rights. According to reports from trusted sources, since April 25, 2014 as many as 100 civilians have been murdered by government forces. In addition 500 have been injured, while over 5000 students have been detained at unknown camps!
Ethiopia’s violation of human rights has been well known and documented, however, as Oromo’s and United States citizens we can no longer stand by as the future of Oromia (priceless students) are destroyed by gun touting government forces. In addition the recent visit by Secretary of State of John Kerry to show Ethiopia as a model democracy is not only unacceptable it is irresponsible. Mr. Kerry was present in Ethiopia while students were gunned down by Ethiopian forces and he failed to raise awareness on this grave matter. Unfortunately, CNN too failed to cover this important event in East Africa. Therefore, we must raise awareness of the ongoing struggle and we ask CNN, its affiliates, the Obama Administration, and various governing bodies of the world to join us in our fight to end the senseless murder of innocent students. THANK YOU FOR HELPING US RAISE AWARENESS!
If there is a lesson to be learned from these past few weeks it should be that Oromo’s across the globe have responded to the ongoing threat to annex parts of Finfine (Addis Ababa) with a single and resounding NO. This response has galvanized communities across the globe from San Francisco and Washington DC to Johannesburg, Tel Aviv, Jeddah, Melbourne, Paris, Berlin, Geneva, New Zealand, and beyond. It is this sort of galvanized, resounding, and unequivocal NO in support of the farmers as well as the students injured, imprisoned, and murdered by the rogue government forces that may help lead us to the rise of democratic forms of government in the near future.
As the young and old alike unite as Oromo’s without religious, regional, and political differences and in unison join forces among the Diaspora and within Ethiopia we have for lack of a better term tasted the possibility!
The mere fact the Diaspora community protested in more than 30 cities around the world all on the same weekend shows our strength. We will no longer be the sleeping giant. And, as we shed light on the ongoing atrocity we cannot afford to allow the pressure to subside. We have to push forward and sustain the ongoing protests, candlelight vigils, hunger strikes, and so forth. Because in the past we have made the mistake of rallying against abuse by the Ethiopian government, however, within weeks if not days we return to our normal livelihood. This kind of un-sustained pressure has kept us from advancing our cause forward because we make noise and then lay dormant until another despicable crime impacts the greater Oromia State or community at large. However, as we have shown this past weekend we can unite and we certainly can articulate to others the crime our people have suffered for over a century which was recently put on display by Ethiopian government forces when they chose to kill innocent students. What the government did not realize is the level of unity Oromo’s would show across the globe as they voiced their opinion against atrocity. As we speak there are families who continue to lose their young and beloved children to abduction, imprisonment, or bullets by government forces.
So the lesson for all Oromo’s in this dire time when future leaders are slaughtered by government forces is to NOT let this impressive response from the Diaspora community subside. After all, history for the most part was not shaped by individuals, but rather by the actions of much larger number of people who tackle dire circumstances with aggressive passion for change. Therefore, we must fight to sustain this ongoing effort to galvanize support from all over the world. One great example is the house resolution passed on May 9, 2014 in the Minnesota Legislature thanks to the efforts of the “Little Oromia” community who held a rally, candlelight vigil, and above all a massive and exemplary #hungerstrike in solidarity with #oromoprotests. This extraordinary movement showed us we can indeed raise awareness throughout the Diaspora community and bring a much needed change for Oromia. After all, the students killed did not die in vain. They died standing up for their inherent belief that all people regardless of religion, political affiliation, gender, and ethnicity deserve the most basic of human rights; free speech, free press, and above all freedom from a tyrannical government.
As President Obama on his first trip to Africa said, “Africa doesn’t need strongmen, it needs strong institutions.” Indeed, what Africa needs and what Oromo’s in Ethiopia and across the globe demand is strong institutions that can both guarantee and ensure the safety and wellbeing of Oromo’s all over Ethiopia, while simultaneously democratic norms are enshrined in the governed and the government. Here in the Diaspora we are fortunate enough to have these basic democratic norms which respect human rights not only recognized by our respective governments, but cherished by all citizens. So why should the Ethiopian government not abide by the most basic principles of humanity? We have to continue to be the voice for the voiceless throughout Oromia and beyond. We have to prove to the Ethiopian government we will no longer standby as they commit these heinous acts. And we will support the ongoing protests throughout Ethiopia at all costs.
After all, their freedom is our freedom! Their suffering is our suffering! Their unmet demand for freedom is our collective demand! Their heroic stand against government forces who abuse, imprison, and kill innocent protesters should also be our collective stand as communities across Africa, Europe, Australia, and North America showed this past weekend. Whether you took part in Minnesota’s various forms of raising awareness, Australia’s rose handout, Seattle’s candlelight, or San Francisco’s small but passionate protest. You are obligated to continue this effort in hopes of maximizing the ongoing effort to demand for our collective stand against the Ethiopian government and its inhumane government forces because “the Addis Ababa Master Plan is a Killer Plan!”
We have the tools like social media, the means, and ultimately the freedom to speak our mind, and the ability to collectively protest across the globe. We owe it to the mothers who will forever yearn for their murdered children, the fathers who will never see their child, and above all the young innocent children who stood in the path of bullets to demand basic human rights. In honor of these heroes and heroines let us NEVER FORGET what has been done to our people for over a century and most importantly the most recent barbaric acts against our future leaders. The days of seeing a free, fair, and democratic Ethiopia are fast approaching so let us NOT STOP short of the ultimate goal!!! Let us continue to sustain our protests, build on our achievements, and find new and creative means to engage all of the Diaspora communities as one single and united OROMO VOICE FOR THE VOICELESS!
(May 11, 2014) – The Oromo community in France held demonstration in Paris to oppose the controversial master plan to expand Finfine (Addis Ababa) and the mass killing act committed against the Oromos in Ethiopia. The protesters gathered from every corner of the country to the capital (Paris) in front of the Ministry of the Foreign Affairs and the Ethiopian Embassy.
The protesters expressed their deep condolences by the massacre committed against the innocent students, farmers and urban-dwellers in Oromiya, and urged the French government to stop its diplomatic and professional support and assistance to the dictatorial Ethiopian government. Besides that, they urged the cities of Paris and Lyon to abstain from their roles in Finfine master plan that is politically motivated to uproot our people from their ancestral farmlands in the name of development.
They presented their written appeal* to the Office of the French President, Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Parliament and the Cities of Paris and Lyon to use their diplomatic channels to stop this unpopular and destructive plan.
They appealed also to the UNESCO headquarters in Paris for this plan could destroy the natural resources and cultural heritages of the Oromo people. Finally, they vowed to intensify their struggle until our people attain their full human, social and political rights and democracy reign in our country.
#OromoProtests Remembering Oromo Mothers and Candle light Vigil following a prayer by the Oromo Church of the Bay Area. Prayer led by Pastor Guta Yadeta. 11th May 2014
Portland’s Ethiopian community holds rally to protest brutal killings
s.oregonlive.com
May 9th, 2014 — Portland, Oregon — Members of Portland’s Ethiopian community and others march to protest killings in Ethiopia. Dave Killen / The Oregonian
Summary notes on the Oromo demonstration in Berlin, Germany
Oromos and Oromo friends in Germany flood along the street in the main city of Germany, Berlin, on 9 th of May 2014 in protest against the ongoing mass killing of Oromo students in Oromia by the TPLF/EPRDF regime of Ethiopia. Ogadeni, Sidama and people from Gambela have joind the Oromo rally and showed their unflinching support and solidarity to the Oromo people in the struggle against TPLF led Ethiopian regime. Every observer and partcipant of this rally wittnessed that this rally was the first of its kind in which all oromos and Oromo friends massivelly stood shoulder to shoulder togetherwith greate anger on EPRDF regime. The demonstration started infront of German Chancellor office, Willy-Brandt-Straße 1, and followed to German parliament (Deutscher Bundestag), Platz der Republik 1, then US Embassy, France Embassy, Pariser Platz 5, Hause of EU representative, Unter den Linden 78, British Embassy, Wilhelmstraße 70 – 71, Russian embassy, Unter den Linden 63-65, to the German Foreign affairs Ministry, Werderscher Markt 1, and finally to Alexanderplatz. The rally condemned the fascistic act of the TPLF regime against the defenceless peaceful protestors of Oromo students and urged democratic governments to use their influential leverage in immediately stopping the TPLF regime from further mass killing and hidden brutality. It also demanded to set an independent enquiring commission that investigate into the massacre, mass imprisonment, torture and rape of Oromo students. The demonstrators also urged the International Community to stop giving financial and material aid to the Ethiopian regime, which is using the tax payers money to kill its subjects. The protestors called up on unified act, strengthining of Oromo liberation struggle and unfolding support for Oromo liberation army and Qeerroo(Oromo youth activities). Oromia shall be free!!!! Gumaabas Biyyaa, Berlin, Germany
Oromos and Friends of Oromo in Minnesota have started a Hunger-Strike in solidarity with the demands of #OromoProtests and for justice for the Oromo students and civilians massacred by the Agazi Special Forces of the Ethiopian TPLF regime. The Hunger-Strike is expected to last from May 9, 2014 to May 12, 2014, and will be in front of the Minnesotan State Capitol – Stay tuned for more updates.
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Statement from United Sidama Parties for Freedom and Justice (USPFJ): the Indiscriminate Killings of Oromo University Students and Civilians by Ethiopian Security Forces Is Deplorable! Posted: Caamsaa/May 8, 2014 · Finfinne Tribune | Gadaa.com
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By United Sidama Parties for Freedom and Justice (USPFJ) May 7, 2014 It has been confirmed that the Ethiopian regime’s security forces have indiscriminately massacred over 50 unarmed Oromo University students who were all peacefully demonstrating against the plan of the regime to uproot Oromo peasants from the outskirts of Finfine/Addis Ababa. The casualties were said to have included children of age 6 and the elderly who were marching against the proposed plan. Over 250 Oromo youth and other civilians were seriously injured during the shootings which is said to be continuing sporadically as we speak. More than 2000 Oromo University students and other members of the Oromo nation were unlawfully detained. There is also allegations of torture of those detained. All Universities throughout Oromia were targeted and being encircled by the regime’s killing squad, the infamous ‘Agi’azi’ special force. The massacre began on 29th of April 2014 when Oromo University students peacefully expressed their dissatisfaction and anger over the TPLF/EPRDF’s government’s master plan to expand the territory of Finfine/Addis Ababa. The demand of the Oromo students emanates from the fear that, if the plan is implemented, it leaves Oromo peasants who have got strong attachments with their lands without hope and aspirations. This has been the case with hundreds of Oromo peasants around Buurrayyuu areas; who have been deceived into selling their land to the TPLF’s business companies and others for little amount of money only to become beggars in their own land, few months after they lost attachment to their legitimate lands. Read More:- http://uspfj.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/the-indiscriminate-killings-of.html
Union of Oromo Evangelical Churches of Europe (UOECE) Denounces the Ongoing Killing, Torturing and Arresting of Oromo Students by Ethiopian Government Forces
Posted: Caamsaa/May 13, 2014 · Gadaa.com
The following letter is from the Union of Oromo Evangelical Churches of Europe (UOECE).
———— The Union of Oromo Evangelical Churches of Europe (UOECE) strongly condemns the ongoing killing of Oromo students by Ethiopian government forces. We are deeply saddened by the loss of innocent lives and the mass arrest of our people. The killing of defenceless civilians by live ammunition for no other reason than exercising of their God given right is inhuman, unconstitutional and unacceptable at any international standard. Killing of civilians just for participating in a peaceful rally is a violation of human rights and a crime against humanity. Therefore, we urge the government of Ethiopia to refrain from killing, arresting and torturing of students and innocent civilians. We also urge for the establishment of a neutral body of inquiry in order to bring to justice the perpetrators of this brutal act. We call up on human rights organizations to give due attention to the ongoing situations in Oromia and make known the human rights abuse to the International community. We also request the governments of all peace loving and democratic countries to use their influence on the Ethiopian government to stop killing students and unarmed civilians and to respect its own constitution. During this difficult time, we call up on our churches, fellowships and believers to pray for and stand with the victims and their families in every possible way and advocate for peace and justice. Union of Oromo Evangelical Churches of Europe (UOECE) http://gadaa.com/oduu/26264/2014/05/13/union-of-oromo-evangelical-churches-of-europe-uoece-denounces-the-ongoing-killing-torturing-and-arresting-of-oromo-students-by-ethiopian-government-forces/#.U3HzdrDTL0Y.facebook May 8, 2014
Letter to the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, Jointly from the Oromo Community Organizations of the United States and Oromo Studies Association (OSA)
Posted: Caamsaa/May 8, 2014 · Gadaa.com
A Joint Letter of the Oromo Community Organizations of the United States and OSA to Mr. John Kerry, U.S. Secretary of State.
————————- Date: May 6, 2014 The Honorable John Kerry Secretary of State 2201 C St NW Washington, DC 20520 Re: Ethiopian Government on going violations of human rights and land-grab Dear Mr. Secretary, We, the Oromo Community of Chicago, write this letter to bring to your attention and seek your intervention in the widespread and systematic violation of human rights, discrimination and persecution that Oromo people in Ethiopia are facing. Our heart is bleeding while we tell your good office the Ethiopian government’s continued massacre and shocking suppression of peaceful protesters and journalist continued unabated. These acts of state violence, apart from destroying the targeted society, will cause irreparable damage not only to Oromos and the wider Ethiopia but also the international community’s geopolitical interests in the region over the long run. The Oromo people, the single largest nation in the Horn of Africa, constitute about 40 percent of the population of Ethiopia. The ruling Ethiopian regime came to power following the collapse of the Communist military dictatorship in 1991. The regime is dominated by the former rebel group Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which hails from the Tigray people. The Tigray people approximately constitute about 6 percent of the Ethiopian population and dwell in the barren and over cultivated land of North Ethiopia. The Oromo country, the largest and richest region in Ethiopia, is the breadbasket and the economic backbones of Ethiopia. For Ethiopian elites, who are traditionally the Northerns, maintain a tight grip on the Oromo country. Therefore, in Ethiopia, despite their numeric superiority and richness of their land, the Oromo have always been treated as a minority group, perpetually subjected to political, economic, and cultural depredations and dispossession. Because of their preponderant number, the Tigrayan minority considers the Oromos an existential threat to its political hegemony. For this reason, the TPLF regime is hell-bent on undermining the human, economic, and intellectual capacity of the Oromo people. Repressive measures such as targeted killings, abductions and disappearances, unlawful imprisonments and torture against the Oromo people have been widespread for over two decades. The government denies them freedom of association, press and expression; marginalizes them from political decision-making; stifles and intimidates dissent through invoking arbitrary and draconian laws. Several international organizations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and International Crisis Group have archived and well-documented scores of these atrocities over the years. Decades old practice of discrimination and persecution of the Oromo people is now translating into a broad day massacre of the country’s young lives on the streets and villages of the Oromo people. Just over the past few days, when Secretary John Kerry visited the country, only in one city, at least 47 young lives perished under the weight of live ammunition fired at peaceful protestors drawn from high schools and Universities. These protests were staged by the students following the government’s so called “Integrated Master Plan” for the city of Addis Ababa. The implementation of this master plan will dislocate and dispossess millions of Oromo farmers off their land. The non-violent protest is facing an extreme and disproportionate level of violence from the government. To date, it has claimed the lives of dozens of students while a greater number of students are seriously injured by government force. Dear Mr. Secretary, We like to stress that this pattern of gross violation of human rights of the Oromo is repeating itself time and again and has become habitual practice. In 2003, over 300 Oromo students were illegally dismissed from the Addis Ababa University because they protested against the decision of the government to relocate the seat of Oromia from Addis Ababa (Finfinnee). The students were banned from schools, their only ticket to life in the country of little opportunity. Most of them ended up in jail and lived incommunicado for a long time. Some of them died crossing border to escape persecution at home. We, the community of the Oromo Community of Chicago, would like to draw your attention to these tragic series of events in the last couple of weeks as we call on you to use your office’s diplomatic and/political influence, resources, and network of friends in order to put pressure on the government of Ethiopia by calling upon it:
To stop the acts of violence immediately and to stop implementing the so called “Integrated Master Plan”.
To establish a commission of inquiry to investigate the violation and recommend the remedial measures that need to be taken to restore the victims and to penalize the perpetrator;
To bring the perpetrators of this atrocious crimes to court to account for their acts of violence;
We also like to call upon you to voice your solidarity with the victims to alert the international community to the events unfolding in Ethiopia. We have faith in you that you will act promptly before the violence and unrest evolve into a full-fledged humanitarian crisis and destabilize the region. Kind Regards, Ibrahim Elemo, M. D, M.P.H President, Oromo Studies Association Email: ielemo@oromostudies.org The Joint Letter of the Oromo Community Organizations of the United States and OSA:
The Oromo Studies Association
The Oromo Community of Chicago
The Oromo Community of Ohio
The Oromo Community of Michigan
The Oromo Community of Nashville and Memphis, Tennessee
Oromo-Canadian Community Association Waladaya Hawaasa Oromoo-Kanadaa 94 Kenhar Dr. Suite # 3 Toronto, Ontario, M9L1N4 Tel: (416) 767 8784 Fax: (416) 767 7223 www.oromocanadian.org
May 3, 2014
The Right Honorable Stephen Harper Prime Minister 80 Willington Street Ottawa, On K1A0A2
Dear Prime Minister,
We, members of the Oromo-Canadian Community Association, are outraged with the Ethiopian government recent onslaught on the Oromo students who have been peacefully demonstrating against the so called ‘Master Plan of the City of Addis Ababa.’
For the last two weeks, Oromo students at various universities across the Regional State of Oromia, Ethiopia, have been staging demonstrations against the ‘Master Plan’ due for implementation. Using their democratic rights, the students have been legally and peacefully demonstrating within and around their respective university campuses against the plan that will uproot the Oromo communities residing in towns surrounding the City of Addis Ababa.
This plan is highly contested on the ground that it contravenes the constitutional rights of the people of Oromia. The immediate political, economic, and social impact on the communities slated for evictions will be enormous; that it will erode their political rights and expose them to abject poverty like those who have already been dispossessed of their land and ended up in the city slums with no means of living.
Voicing this concern of the Oromo society, the students began opposing the plan in various forms one of which is demonstration. While the demonstration of students against the plan is within the bound of their democratic rights, it did not sit well with the Ethiopian government – the government that has been notoriously known for its zero tolerance to any opposition during the last 23 years of its reign. In the last couple of days, crafting its usual bogus pretext, the government has launched its crackdown on the students. Alleging that the ‘students are against development’, it has dispatched to university campuses in Ambo, Adama, Walaga, Robe, Jima, Haramaya, Dire Dawa, Metu, and Finfinne (Addis Ababa) its elite security force drawn predominantly from Tigray Region, the ‘Agazi Special Security Force’ known for its brutality, to quash the rightful opposition of the Oromo students.
Now credible reports from back home reveal that the Agazi force has embarked on its terrorizing mission. In a broad daylight, in just the last two days, they cold-bloodedly murdered many students and unarmed residents of the various towns who were attempting to shelter students escaping from brutal beating and mass arrest by the Agazi force. As the killing rampage has not relented, it is very hard to provide the exact death toll. We know for sure, in Ambo alone, BBC reported the death of 47 students and residents of the city. At Harmaya and Mada Walaabu universities similar killings have been reported.
To fully subdue the students and muzzle their voice against injustice, the government force has continued with its campaign of mass arrest, torture, and killing spree at various campuses throughout Oromia. The situation is now exceedingly dire. We fear that it could escalate to a level that gravely threatens the lives of the students.
With independent local and international media totally banned by the Ethiopian regime, we are concerned that the heinous crimes that the regime commits could go unnoticed by the international community. With its abysmal record of human rights abuse that parallels few in the world and yet facing no consequence from the international community, the regime will undoubtedly continue perpetrating atrocities on citizens with dissenting views.
Your Excellency,
The Ethiopian regime has a history of repeatedly committing heinous crimes. The type and scale of the crimes it has perpetrated on the people of Oromia and other ethnic groups during its 23 years of reign are well documented by prominent international human rights organizations, such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. With no consequences for its actions from the international community, the regime is emboldened to continuously trample upon the rights of citizens.
It is this Ethiopian regime, one devoid of democratic ethos and respect for human rights, which the Government of Canada financially supports with no string attached. Canadian tax payers deserve better. Aids from the Canadian Government should not sustain the Ethiopian regime that has total disregard for democratic values and the rule of law.
Your Excellency,
We appeal to you and your government to weigh the actions of the Ethiopian regime and use your good office to exert an appropriate pressure on the rulers of Ethiopia to play by the rule of law and stop terrorizing citizens who voice legitimate concerns. We feel strongly that Canada with its global reputation as a defender of human rights has the high moral authority to raise the issue of human rights with the Ethiopian regime.
Sincerely,
For Abebe Challaa Hordofa Gussa President of the Oromo-Canadian Community Association
CC: The Honorable Thomas Mulcair, Leader of the Official Opposition Mr. Justin Trudeau, Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada Ms. Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada
http://gadaa.com/oduu/26040/2014/05/08/oromo-canadian-community-association-open-letter-to-the-prime-minister-of-canada/#.U2sga5UtmuY.facebookhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=jsbCz9koswMhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsbCz9koswM (Seattle, Washington, 6 May 2014) – We the Oromo Community of Seattle, Washington demand the Ethiopian government immediately halt all the senseless killings of innocent University students throughout Ethiopia. Furthermore, we demand the Obama Administration unequivocally condemn the actions of the Ethiopian Government and urgently take action to end the massacre! Students are being murdered for peacefully protesting against the Addis Ababa Master Plan which would expand the capital city and annex land from farmers in the surrounding area. This planed annexation is in violation of United Nations and African Union Charters on Human Rights. According to reports from trusted sources, since April 25, 2014 as many as 100 civilians have murdered by government forces. In addition 500 have been injured, while over 5000 students have been detained at unknown camps! Ethiopia’s violation of human rights has been well known and documented, however, as Oromo’s and United States citizens we can no longer stand by as the future of Oromia (priceless students) are destroyed by gun touting government forces. In addition the recent visit by Secretary of State of John Kerry to show Ethiopia as a model democracy is not only unacceptable it is irresponsible. Mr. Kerry was present in Ethiopia while students were gunned down by Ethiopian forces and he failed to raise awareness on this grave matter. Therefore, we must raise awareness of the ongoing struggle and we ask you to join us in our fight to end the senseless murder of innocent students. THANK YOU FOR HELPING RAISE AWARNESS!
OromoProtestsOromo Diaspora Mobilizes to Shine Spotlight on Student Protests in Oromia Seattle Rally, 7th May 2014 https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ZLX4yGNkgVU#OromoProtestsOromo Diaspora Mobilizes to Shine Spotlight on Student Protests in Oromia #Norway Rally Members of the Oromo community organised a protest in front of the Arab League in Cairo’s Tahrir Square on Wednesday to denounce the killing of Oromo protesters in Ethiopia last week. Dozens of the Oromo protesters demanded the Arab League, African Union and the United Nations intervene in the situation in Ethiopia’s Oromo state, where tens of ethnic Oromos were killed last week in protests over the expansion of the capital Addis Ababa. Ethnic Oromo students have been protesting since April against the Ethiopian, who they accuse of intending to displace farmers from their territories in the capital of Addis Ababa through plans to develop and urbanise the city. http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/100727/Egypt/Politics-/Ethnic-Oromos-protest-in-Cairo-over-violence-in-Et.aspx#OromoProtestsOromo Diaspora Mobilizes to Shine Spotlight on Student Protests in Oromia #Cairo, Egypt Rally 7th May 2014 https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=71cRF1jPCBQhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=LYqBjKESXdQ#OromoProtestsOromo Diaspora Mobilizes to Shine Spotlight on Student Protests in Oromia #Chicago Rally 6th May 2014 https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kdDYZ75FkVs#OromoProtestsOromo Diaspora Mobilizes to Shine Spotlight on Student Protests in Oromia #USA, DC Rally 6th May 2014 https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kdDYZ75FkVs#OromoProtests Washington DC happening now. Kids tell TPLF ” Killing Oromos never stop the Oromo struggle” 6th May 2014 https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CoyiB9clTKc#OromoProtestsOromo Diaspora Mobilizes to Shine Spotlight on Student Protests in Oromia 6th May 2014 in London (UK) in front of the Parliament. Aljazeera English and Arabic on the scene. Caamsaa/May 6, 2014 · Gadaa.com Oromo Diaspora Mobilizes to Shine Spotlight on Student Protests in Ethiopia The Oromo Community of Minnesota hall was packed yesterday afternoon. Twice we scooted our chairs forward to make room for the crowds at the back; our knees were pressed up against the backs of the chairs in front of us. And when community members took the microphone, we could hear a pin drop. People I spoke with said the turnout and show of unity was unprecedented. The Oromo diaspora in Minnesota was gathering together to develop strategies to show support for the student protests that have been breaking out over the past two weeks in their homeland. Who are the Oromo people? The Oromo people are near and dear to my heart. I learned about them first-hand when I taught social studies for English Language Learners at Minneapolis South High School. Most of my ELL students were newly arrived refugees from Ethiopia. But many bristled at being called “Ethiopians.” They identified themselves as Oromos, and their homeland was Oromia—the largest of nine federal states in Ethiopia. The Oromos are the largest ethnic group in Ethiopia, and there are Oromos in northern Kenya and parts of Somalia as well. Oromos speak Oromiffa, or Afan Oromo, a Cushitic language that shares approximately 35% of its vocabulary with Somali. Approximately 47% of Oromos are Muslim, and a similar percentage are Christian. As a civics teacher, I was fascinated to learn that the Oromo people had a sophisticated traditional system ofdemocratic governance called the Gadaa system. The Oromo people have long faced persecution from the Ethiopian Government and in Ethiopian society. In fact, one of the reasons I decided to leave teaching and become a human rights lawyer was to try to play a role in stemming the systematic human rights abuses that had driven my refugee students away from their homelands. The Advocates for Human Rights highlighted some of the persecution that Oromos face in astakeholder report for the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review of Ethiopia, which takes place tomorrow in Geneva. Oromo students are mobilizing for change in Oromia Last month, the Ethiopian Government announced a controversial “Integrated Development Master Plan for Addis Ababa.” The Ethiopian capital, which Oromos call Finfinnee, is surrounded by the state of Oromia. The Master Plan would expand the territory of Addis Ababa, annexing thousands of hectares of Oromia’s fertile agricultural lands, and then selling or leasing them to commercial agricultural enterprises. Oromo students sounded the alarm about the Master Plan, recognizing that it would displace Oromo farmers and leave them without a livelihood or access to their traditional lands. Students have been staging protests at 12 universities in Oromia. Last week, federal special forces opened fire on what seems to have been a peaceful student demonstration at Ambo University. The government has confirmed 11 fatalities, but people on the ground say the toll is closer to 50. The Ethiopian government asserts that the protests have been led by “anti-peace forces.” One Oromo diasporan based in London told me that his sister fled Meda Welabu University in Oromia on Sunday after military forces took control from the local police and then began beating students. She saw one student killed. Students in several universities have been under lock-down, ordered confined to their dormitory rooms and not allowed to leave campus. There are reports that officers come through the dorms at night and arrest people. One female student leader is being kept incommunicado, raising concerns that she is being ill-treated. At transportation check-points, officials check passengers’ identification and detain people with student IDs. Students who have fled are not allowed back on campus. Getting the word out: The power of remote monitoring Ethiopia has one of the most restrictive governments in the world. There are no independent local media organizations. No Ethiopian non-governmental organizations work openly on controversial human rights issues, and international human rights groups have been expelled from the country. In these circumstances, it’s nearly impossible to safely conduct human rights monitoring on the ground. Oromos in the diaspora have expressed frustration that major international human rights organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have been silent about the protests. Remote human rights monitoring is a critical tool for diaspora communities like the Oromo who want to show support for and solidarity with human rights defenders on the ground in their countries of origin. In 2009, The Advocates published a report based on a remote fact-finding project here in Minnesota called Human Rights in Ethiopia: Through the Eyes of the Oromo Diaspora. The report has been used for advocacy at the United Nations and in support of applications for asylum. In our new toolkit, Paving Pathways for Justice & Accountability: Human Rights Tools for Diaspora Communities, we expanded on the human rights monitoring we did with the Oromo diaspora to develop an entire chapter on remote monitoring strategies. Oromo diaspora mobilizes to conduct remote monitoring Over the past two weeks, the Oromo diaspora has mobilized to shine an international spotlight on the protests. Like many diaspora groups, Oromos outside of Ethiopia maintain contacts with friends and family “back home,” some of whom have been victims of police violence or have witnessed events. Through telephone calls, text messages, email, and social media, Oromos in the diaspora have their fingers on the pulse of the student protest movement in Oromia. The Oromo diaspora has been buzzing on social media, quickly adopting the #OromoProtests hashtag to allow people around the world to follow and contribute to the remote monitoring process. People are posting photos of victims on twitter and uploading video of some of the demonstrations to YouTube. The Oromos I’ve talked to have also recommended following certain prominent Oromos on facebook and twitter who have the trust of Oromos on the ground and feed them breaking news. Ayantu Tibeso has compiled a list on facebook of ways that diasporans can support the Oromo protests and get involved in raising awareness. Paving Pathways includes an appendix on effective human rights advocacy using social media platforms, and the Oromo diaspora is deploying many of these tactics. I’ll be using one of my favorite social media strategies—live tweeting—during the UN’s Universal Periodic Review of Ethiopia tomorrow morning. The Oromo diaspora also has more traditional media, including the newly launchedOromia Media Network, Oromo Voice Radio, as well as diaspora blogs and news websites like Gadaa.com, Ayyaantuu New Online, and O-Pride. These media have helped consolidate information into useful posts, first-hand accounts, and broadcasts for people who are unable to keep up with the flurry of activity on twitter, facebook, and YouTube. And they have started a more systematic effort to verify reports of deaths and injuries, maintaining lists of victims and connecting photos with dates and locations. The diaspora’s efforts are beginning to get traction with mainstream media, with some initial coverage from the BBC, Voice of America, Think Africa Press, and an editorial piece in Al Jazeera America. Human Rights Watch just published a statement. A Minnesota-based radio program called Reflections of New Minnesotans just released apodcast of a show it did with two members of the Oromo diaspora talking about recent developments in Oromia. Momentum is building, and Oromos in the diaspora are pressing mainstream media and human rights organizations to raise visibility on the issues. They’re planning protests around the world on Friday, May 9. But diasporans who want to pitch stories and lobby policymakers will need to undertake careful remote monitoring to find receptive audiences. With the restrictions on civil society in Ethiopia, reporters, lawmakers, human rights organizations outside of the country will need to work with the Oromo diaspora to verify sources and confirm reports coming out of Oromia. This post is the first in a four-part series about human rights in Ethiopia. Part 2 will highlight Tuesday’s Universal Periodic Review of Ethiopia at the United Nations. Part 3 will explore the Oromo diaspora’s strategies for showing solidarity with the Oromo students while pushing for human rights and holding perpetrators accountable for the violence against peaceful demonstrators. Part 4 will tell the stories of Oromos in the diaspora who have spoken with friends and family members on the ground in Oromia about events over the past two weeks.If you are an Oromo diasporan who has talked to people on the ground who are involved in the protests, facing restrictions on their freedom of movement or freedom of speech, or have other first-hand information, and you’d like to share what you’ve heard for an upcoming blog post, please contact me at abergquist@advrights.org or 1-612-746-4694. By Amy Bergquist, staff attorney for the International Justice Program of The Advocates for Human Rights. http://gadaa.com/oduu/25944/2014/05/06/oromo-diaspora-mobilizes-to-shine-spotlight-on-student-protests-in-ethiopia/#.U2hVNkSG1iU.facebookhttp://theadvocatespost.org/
Qaamni Qeerroo caasaa mootummaa keessaa fi kan magaalaa Naqamtee icciitii fi ijoo marii tikoota Wayyaanee kana akka saaxiletti, namooti lama man maqaan isaanii Yohaannis Abebee fi Beekkataa fi akkasumas barattoota keessaa basaasaa beekamaan Yuunibarsiitii Wallaggaa nama Tsaggaa Ashaabbir jedhamu ta’anii namooti shan waltajjicha kan geggeessan yeroo ta’u, walgahicha irratti kan akeekamee fi irratti mariyatamee kan murtaaye ukkamsitooti fi humni federaalaa uuffata sivilii uffatee uummata basaasus magaalaa Naqamtee fi Yuuniversitiilee irra akka tamsa’u irratti ta’uu Qeerroon saaxilee jira.
The Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC/Medrek) campaigning for the upcoming General Election (scheduled to be held on May 24, 2015) has continued in the State of Oromia. On Saturday, May 9, 2015, elder statesman Bulcha Demeksa and OFC Chairman Dr. Merera Gudina were in Naqamtee and Shashamane, respectively, to campaign for OFC with an unprecedented huge turnout at each location.
Naqamte Gadaa Otaa
Shashe Town
Over the last several weeks, the Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC) has been criss-crossing Oromia to campaign for the upcoming General Election on May 24, 2015; despite intimidation and harassment of voters as well as candidates by the TPLF regime (as reported here: http://wp.me/p4JW8b-3d5), there has been a huge turnout at each campaign rally, including Ambo (as reported here: http://wp.me/p4JW8b-375)
Here are some photos from Adama (dated May 8, 2015), and Ginchi and Gedo from the last week.
UPDATED (May 9, 2015): The Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC/Medrek) campaigning for the upcoming General Election (scheduled to be held on May 24, 2015) has continued in the State of Oromia. On Saturday, May 9, 2015, elder statesman Bulcha Demeksa and OFC Chairman Dr. Merera Gudina were in Naqamtee and Shashamane, respectively, to campaign for OFC with an unprecedented huge turnout at each location.
UPDATED (May 11, 2015): The Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC/Medrek) campaign tour has continued in small and big towns in Oromia. Most recently, the campaign train made a stop at Dodola in central Oromia; yet again, the OFC rally drew a crowd of thousands of potential voters, who braved the constant harassment and intimidation of Ethiopia’s TPLF regime to express their solidarity with OFC/Medrek. It is to be noted that Dr. Beyene Petros of the Ethiopian Social Democratic Party (ESDP/Medrek) revealed once again the ongoing abuses by the TPLF regime on Medrek voters and candidates, as reported by OMN over the weekend: https://www.oromiamedia.org/2015/05/amharic-news-may-9-2015/
Dr. Beyene Petros of the Ethiopian Social Democratic Party (ESDP)/Medrek speaks about the unprecedented levels of intimidation and harassment his organization’s candidates are facing ahead of the May 2015 General Election (April 2015)
January 16, 2015, Steinkjer, Norway (Trønder-Avisa – Google Translation) — Thursday could hear slogans chanted throughout the square in Steinkjer. The reason was that a group of Ethiopians demonstrated against what they perceive as a dictatorial regime in their homeland. Being persecuted: – We belong to the Oromo people, the largest ethnic group in Ethiopia, with around 40 percent of the population. The Government of Ethiopia is dominated by minority tribe that makes around 6 percent of the Ethiopian Population. Oromo being pursued by this government – including putting journalists and politicians from our group of people in jail, telling Alisee Fira Aynagee, who organized the demonstration. – You are far away from Ethiopia now. What do you hope to achieve? – We hope that some of the residents in Steinkjer come to hear our message, and we hope to arouse the Norwegian government, which supports the regime in Ethiopia, says Aynagee. Amnesty calls for action A report by Amnesty International tells of persecution, imprisonment, torture and killing of Oromo people in Ethiopia. Among other reports of youths being captured in military camps, where they get glowing coal on empty stomach, because they support the Oromo People’s Liberation Movement, Oromo Liberation Front. Teachers are being tortured when they refuse to teach in government friendly propaganda, and it is expected that Oromo politicians will be gagged towards the election in Ethiopia later this year. “At least 5,000 of the Oromo people have been imprisoned in Ethiopia between 2011 and 2014 because of peaceful opposition against the government,” writes Amnesty. The organization believes regional and international human rights organizations must react against the Ethiopian government to put an end to the persecution, which is described as “often shocking brutal.” Want secession Oromo people want Oromia shall be independent again. Land area was independent until 1890, when it was conquered and incorporated into Ethiopia. Since 1978, the Oromo celebrated their National Day to commemorate those who sacrificed their lives to liberate the people from what they see as Ethiopian colonialism. Oromia is a land area of 600,000 km2, ie about ten times as large as Norway, and about 35 million people considered Oromo. Source: 
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Oromo-American Citizens Council (OACC) is a Minnesota based, non-profit organization set up, among others, to expose human rights violations against the Oromo people and influence the policy of the U.S. towards Ethiopia. Minnesota is a state with the highest population of Oromos outside Africa. OACC collaborated with the Advocates for Human Rights in the 96-page report issued in 2009 under the title, “Human Rights in Ethiopia: Through the Eyes of The Oromo Diaspora.” That Report documented the experiences Oromos in Diaspora faced when they lived in Ethiopia. In May 2005, the Human Rights Watch also issued a report entitled, “Suppressing Dissent: Human rights Abuses and Political Repression in Ethiopia’s Oromia Region.” This report, for the first time, exposed the mechanisms used the Ethiopian government to control rural communities in Oromia through the Gott and Garee Systems. Furthermore, the periodic U.S. State Department’s own annual reports have documented rampant human rights violations against the Oromos over the years. Amnesty International’s report, ETHIOPIA: BECAUSE I AM OROMO: SWEEPING REPRESSION IN THE OROMIA REGION OF ETHIOPIA, is the most researched and the most comprehensive report ever conducted about human rights violation against the Oromos. The vivid descriptions of tortures conducted against Oromos, the long imprisonment without trial, the murders by security forces, the harsh actions taken against peaceful protests are all well documented with irrefutable evidences. The report further disclosed that any act of Oromo nationalism that is not controlled by the government, such as the Oromo language and the culture development movement, results in detentions and tortures. For that, we want to take this opportunity and congratulate and thank Amnesty International. While appreciating the efforts and achievements in documenting human rights violations against Oromos under the circumstances, we also want to reiterate that this is only the tip of the iceberg; the reality is much worse than what is documented in this report. Furthermore, we want to warn all stakeholders that this is not a time to rest on our laurels. Especially, as the 2015 election is approaching, the human rights violations will get worse. We, therefore, call up on: (a) All Oromo and Ethiopian civic organizations to come forward and work on the recommendations of the report mostly in mobilizing the communities and in putting pressure on the government. We need to get united and make our voices heard opposing such violations together as this is an issue that unites all of us. (b) All other international human rights organizations, based on this report, to put pressure on donor countries to make the respect of human rights a precondition to further assist the Ethiopian government. Nagessa Dube, Executive Director Oromo-American Citizens Council (OACC)
The OCUK has organised a big demonstration to protest against the never ending human rights violations in Oromia and to support the Amnesty International on its 2014 Report “Because I am Oromo” – which was the response of Oromos who had been the victims of the Ethiopian prisons to the interview questions by the Amnesty International on why they were persecuted by the Ethiopian government. Please come along and join the demonstration, and be the voice for the voiceless Oromo in Ethiopia: “I am arrested, tortured, looted, my property confiscated, and dehumanised ‘Because I am Oromo.’” Date: Wednesday, November 26, 2014 Time: 12:00 noon – 4:30 PM Address: Westminster, Parliament Square, SW1P 3BD – Closest station: Westminster (Jubilee, District and Circle Lines) OCUK Management Committee
November 6, 2014 (The Advocates Post) — This fall was a busy time for advocacy at the United Nations on human rights in Ethiopia. It was also a great time to see The Advocates for Human Rights’ new toolkit, 
Several non-governmental organizations took the floor and raised concerns about the human rights situation on the ground in Ethiopia. Civicus World Alliance for Citizenship Participation, for example, expressed concern about Ethiopia’s refusal to accept recommendations to remove draconian restrictions on free expression. Renate Bloem (left), speaking for Civicus, added:
There’s much more to be done in the effort to build respect for human rights in Ethiopia. In addition to the next steps mentioned above, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights will be reviewing Ethiopia’s human rights record in its 
IOYA and 
Photo Cred: 
Fuulbaana 15 Bara 2014 Hiriiri Nagaa Mootummaa Wayyaanee irratti Magaalaa Torontooti Geggeeffame. (suuraa kana olii ilaalaa). Sept. 15,2014 Demonstration in Toronto by Oromo community to protest the Tyranny of TPLF Ethiopia. #OromoProtests. (see above in pictures) 
The Human Rights for Oromia concert held in Melborne, 9th August 2014, #OromoProtests 
#OromoProtests #FreeOromoStudents, 1st August 2014. The above pictures are huge crowd at the Oromo Washington DC rally marching from the white house to State Department, 1st August 2014. #OromoProtests. The day also marking the 50th Golden Jubilee Anniversary of Maccaa & Tuulamaa Movement. 
#OromoProtests: Oromo Peaceful Protest Rally in Washington, DC- August 01, 2014.
The joint appeal letter of the Oromo Community Organization(OCO) of Washington-DC, OYSA/WWDO and IOWO to President Obama on the Hunger Strike conducted from July 23 – 25, 2014. ——————— President Barack Obama The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500 RE: Staging Solidarity Hunger Strike to Protest Massacre, Torture, Detention of the Oromo People by the Ethiopian Government Dear Mr. President, On May 9, 2014, the Oromo Community Organization of Washington D.C. Area (OCO), the Oromo Youth Self-help Association (OYSA) and the International Oromo Women’s Organization (IOWO) held a large demonstration in front of the White House and State Department to express our deep concern and outrage about the massacre of Oromo students in April and May, just for peacefully demonstrating against government land grab; some as young as nine years, from Ambo and other towns of Oromia Regional State by the TPLF Aga’azi force and army of the Ethiopian government. Similar demonstrations were held in many state capitals of the United States, Europe, Australia, Middle East, and Africa to condemn the callous crime of the Ethiopian Government. Candlelight vigils were also held in front of the White House on May 22, 2014, and in many states of the U.S. and other countries, at different times, where Oromo communities reside. According to partial reports received, 61 students were shot dead, 903 students are detained and still being tortured. The massacre of Oromo students by the Ethiopian regime is parallel to the 1960 Sharpeville massacre of 69 black people by the Apartheid regime of South Africa for demonstrating against the Pass Law. The blood of the black South Africans led to the abolition of Apartheid and creation of Democratic South Africa with the support of democratic nations of the world. We hope the blood of the innocent Oromo students will not be ignored and left in vain but motivate the leaders of the democratic nations of the West to help bring justice, liberty, peace and democracy in Ethiopia in general and Oromia State in particular. Today, it is estimated that there are more than 50,000 Oromo political prisoners in Oromia in various concentration camps and prisons. Although it is difficult to know exactly how many Oromos have been killed or massacred by the regime, mass graves have been discovered in many places, including Hamaressa in eastern Oromia. The annual reports of the U.S. Department of State and other credible sources regarding human rights abuses in Ethiopia indicate that the Department is familiar with the massive human rights violations that have been committed by the Ethiopian government on the Oromo and other peoples in the country. During our demonstration in May, we submitted appeal letter to the State Department to use their leverage to make a difference in the social, political, and economic crisis perpetrated by the Ethiopian regime against the Oromo people and others in Ethiopia. In response to our appeals, the State Department units handling Ethiopian affairs have jointly granted us audience to discuss the problem of human rights abuse, detentions without warrant, extrajudicial killings, torture, land grab and eviction without appropriate compensation, lack of freedom of expression, right of assembly, justice and democracy. Though they have the information, we have given them additional extensive dimensions of the problem. The State Department has also replied to our appeal letter expressing their concerns about human right abuses in Ethiopia. Similarly, United States Senators, Honorable Al Franken and Honorable Amy Klobuchar representing Minnesota State; and Honorable Patty Murray and Honorable Maria Cantwell representing Washington State have written letters to Secretary Kerry expressing their deep concerns of Ethiopian government violence against its citizens. They asked the Honorable Secretary to use his influence for the respect of rule of law and human rights in Ethiopia. They stressed the Ethiopian Government’s equal treatment of all ethnic groups and implementation of democratic system must be central to their relationship with the United States. A member of the Parliament of Australia also has tabled the Oromo plight in Ethiopia for debate and asked his government for action to curb the Ethiopian government violence against peaceful citizens. – Read More (Ayyaantuu.com) 
Photos: Sen. Amy Klobuchar (L) and Sen. Al Franken (R) of Minnesota Two more U.S. Senators, Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Sen. Al Franken of Minnesota, wrote a letter to the U.S. Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry, to express concerns about the Ethiopian government’s human rights violations, particularly the Ethiopian government’s recent acts of violence against Oromo peaceful demonstrators in Oromia. In the letter, the U.S. Senators urged the U.S. State Department to make the “respect for the rule of law and human rights in Ethiopian government’s treatment of all ethnic groups” central to the U.S.-Ethiopia relationship. It’s to be noted that U.S. Senators from the State of Washington, Sen. Maria Cantwell and Sen. Patty Murray, 
Sen. Maria Cantwell (L) and Sen. Patty Murray (R) 
#OromoProtests- United Nations, Human Rights. Oromo Community Switzerland 
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OromoProtests- Solidarity Rally – Nova Scotia, Halifax, Canada (18 May 2014) 
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#OromoProtests, Brooks, Canada, 15th May 2014 
Rallying in Thousands Across the World, Oromos and Friends of Oromos EXPRESSED SOLIDARITY WITH #OROMOPROTESTS, AND DEMANDED JUSTICE FOR SLAIN OROMO STUDENTS AND CIVILIANS (see more 
#OromoProtests, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 9th May 2014 
Las Vegas (May 9, 2014) 
Melbourne, Australia (May 9, 2014) 
Minneapolis, Minnesota (“Little Oromia”) (May 9, 2014) 
Oslo, Norway (May 9, 2014) 
Rome, Italy (May 9, 2014) 
Minneapolis, Minnesota (“Little Oromia”) (May 9, 2014) 
Porltand, Oregon (May 9, 2014) 
South Africa – Forum (May 9, 2014) 
Minneapolis, Minnesota (“Little Oromia”) (May 9, 2014) 
Portland, Oregon (May 9, 2014) 
Minneapolis, Minnesota (“Little Oromia”) (May 9, 2014) 
Washington, DMV (May 9, 2014) 
South California (May 9, 2014) 
Minneapolis, Minnesota (“Little Oromia”) (May 9, 2014) 
Toronto, Canada (May 9, 2014) 
The Hague, The Netherlands (May 9, 2014) 
Denver, Colorado (May 9, 2014) 
Calgary, Canada (May 9, 2014) 
Members of the Oromo community organised a protest in front of the Arab League in Cairo’s Tahrir Square on Wednesday to denounce the killing of Oromo protesters in Ethiopia last week. Dozens of the Oromo protesters demanded the Arab League, African Union and the United Nations intervene in the situation in Ethiopia’s Oromo state, where tens of ethnic Oromos were killed last week in protests over the expansion of the capital Addis Ababa. Ethnic Oromo students have been protesting since April against the Ethiopian, who they accuse of intending to displace farmers from their territories in the capital of Addis Ababa through plans to develop and urbanise the city. 
