
Addis Ababa master plan: Oromo protesters claim Liyu police killed 27 after government scraps plan
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By Ludovica Iaccino, January 20, 2016
Economic and development analysis: Perspectives on economics, society, development, freedom & social justice. Leading issues in Oromo, Oromia, Africa & world affairs. Oromo News. African News. world News. Views. Formerly Oromia Quarterly
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.
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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).
‘Mormii lafa nannoo Finfinnee irrati Burussel Belgiumti goodhamee. Nami lafa isaa irra buqayee waan hunda dhaba, enyuuma isaa, amanta isaa, afaan isaa dhaba. Kanaafu Uumani Nannoo Finfinne bara Minilik irra kasee Hanga harati buqa’aa jira kana dhabuu qabna, dhadannoo jeedhun mormii goodhama ture irra suura murasa.’
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.
http://oromopress.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/oromo-americans-held-human-rights.html
Kan VOA Afaan Oromoo, SBO fi OMN gabbaasan irraa caqasaa: http://www.voaafaanoromoo.com/audio/2809619.html
https://www.oromiamedia.org/2015/06/omn-oduu-waxabajjii-19-2015/
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.
Today, The Advocates for Human Rights, along with Human Rights First, theInternational Oromo Youth Association, Oromia Support Group Australia, the Oromo Community of Minnesota, the Oromo Studies Association, and World Without Genocideat William Mitchell College of Law, sent a letter to six of the United Nations’ special procedure mandate-holders, urging them to request and conduct country visits to Ethiopia to investigate actions taken by the Ethiopian Government in response to student-led protests in the state of Oromia. The request comes on the heels of last month’s Universal Periodic Review of Ethiopia at the United Nations Human Rights Council, where the Government of Ethiopia agreed to “grant full access to Special Rapporteurs and Special Procedures Mandate holders to visit the country, notably the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education,” and to “accept the outstanding requests for visits from the special procedures” of the United Nations. The letter, addressed to the Special Rapporteur on the right to education, the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, and theSpecial Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, notes that country visits from these independent UN experts “are urgently needed because no entities in Ethiopia are able to conduct independent fact-finding.” “Moreover,” the letter notes, “the situation is grave. The June 1 death of a student in custody suggests that demonstrators are being subject to torture and other forms of ill-treatment while in custody.” Click here to read the full letter.
Oromo Film Maker Gammado Jamal to Release New Movie: “Mr. Master Killer” on YouTube on Feb. 28, 2015 – WATCH TRAILER NOW
Guraandhala/February 20, 2015 · Finfinne Tribune | Gadaa.com |
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/
January 21, 2015 | Oromedia.net
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:
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
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
Kabajamoo fi jaallatamo hawwaasoota/jiraatoota Oromoo biyya Berliin, Jarmanii, Awuroopaa fi firoota oromoo hundaaf,
26 November 2014 ·
Because I am Oromo Discussion, Oromo Community in Minnesota, USA, Nov 8 2104
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:
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 Heard 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 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.
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
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-ethiopia Fuulbaana 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)
(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
Taken from Gadaa.com Hagayya/August 4, 2014 · http://gadaa.net/FinfinneTribune/2014/08/ethiotube-interview-with-oromo-recording-artist-nigusuu-taamiraat-on-oromoprotests/ And also see @http://www.ethiotube.net/video/31591/EthioTube–the-Scene–Interview-with-Artist-Nigussu-Tamrat–Oromo-Protest-in-front-of-the-White-House–August-01-20
#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. http://http://www.siitube.com/oromo-rally-underway-in-dcoromoprotests_58f4159a3.html#.U9u8CBtg7X0.twitter
#OromoProtests: Oromo Peaceful Protest Rally in Washington, DC- August 01, 2014.
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.
WASHINGTON, DC (VOA, 25th July 2014) Maaster Plaanii kan magaalee addaa Oromiyaa Finfinnee jala galcha – jedhame mormuuf kanneen hiriira nagaa ba’an barattoota Oromoo irratti tarkaanfii humnoota mootummaan fudhatame – jedhan ajjeechaa, reebichaa fi hidhaa mormuudhaan as Washington DC kanneen jiraatan miseenonni hawaasa Oromoo Roobii dabre irraa eegalanii nyaataa fi dhugaatii lagachuun mormii dhageessisaa jiran. Mootummaan Itiyoophiyaa lammiiwwan isaa irratti miidhaan geessisu hammaatee itti fufee jira- kanneen jedhan – miseensonni hawaasa Oromoo kun masaraa Waayit Haawus fuulleetti nyaataa fi dhugaatii lagachuun mormii geggeessanitti kanneen hirmaatan namoonni gara soddomaa ta’an, kaayyoon isaanii miidhaa uummata isaanii mudataa jiru mootummaa Ameerikaa fi addunyaatti beeksisuu ta’uu dubbatan. Naannoon Masaraa Waayit Haawus bakka tuuristoonni itti heddummaatan waan ta’eef, ergaa keenya lammiwwan Ameeikaa qofa otuu hin taane tuuristoota biyyoota Addunyaa adda addaa irraa dhufanii fi falmitoota mirga dhala-namaa dhaqqabsiifannee jirra – kanneen jedhan – mormitoonni kun, “hedduun isaanii suuraa keenya kaafatanii, barreeffama nu irraa fuudhanii, akka mootummoota biyya biyya isaanitti beeksisanii fi nu waliin dhaabatan waadaa nuuf seenanii jiran”. Qindeessitoota mormii kanaa keessaa, akkasumas, hirmaattota keessaa haga tokko dubbisnee jirra.
http://www.theadvocatesforhumanrights.org/uploads/tahr_ioya_crc_loi_submission_july_1_2014.pdf
Adoolessa/July 18, 2014 · Finfinne Tribune | Gadaa.com
Members of the Oromo Community in Berlin, Germany, rallied in Berlin, Germany, to call for the immediate and unconditional release of Oromo students languishing in TPLF Ethiopian regime’s prisons (#FreeOromoStudents), and to call for justice for the Oromo civilians murdered by the TPLF regime. http://gadaa.net/FinfinneTribune/2014/07/photos-freeoromostudents-protest-rally-in-berlin-germany-july-11-2014/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vM38Leih3Jo Response from US State Department to Oromo Protest in Washington, DC
Seneterootii USA, Mootummaan Itoophiyaa Oromoota Hiriira Bahan ‘Humnaan Itti Dhufe,” Jechaatti Yaaddahanii Ministera Haajaa Alaa Isaaniitti Xalayaa Barreessan Posted by Madda Walaabuu Press on 26th June 2014 Waxabajjii 26, 2014 | VOA Afaan Oromoo
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).
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
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/
“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- 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.
#Oromoprotest- Maree Hawaasa Oromo Toronto Haala Si’ana Oromiyaa keessati deemaa jiruu, May 25, 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJVnUP3S0-0 #OromoProtests- The Australian Ogaden and Oromo communities have protested outside the New South Wales Parliament against what they say is systematic human rights violations, 22nd May 2014 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7TBpPNkBDU #OromoProtests- Marii Haawaasa Oromo Phoenix, 24 May 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CoyiB9clTKc #OromoProtests- London (UK), in front of the Parliament, 23rd May 2014
#OromoProtests– Candle lights vigil at the White House in Washington DC, 22nd May 2014 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4sSNQK8nYM #OromoProtests- Amsterdam, 21st May 2014 #OromoProtests- United Nations, Human Rights. Oromo Community Switzerland https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQyX20ahYjA #OromoProtests- Marii dubartoota Oromoo magaalaa Torntoo Caamsaa 21, 2014
#OromiaProtests- ”The master plan is evil plan’.
OromoProtests- Oromo community in Birsbane, Queensland, Australia, 21st May 2014 https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=YpKR3WNgI4s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbiwjG7D_rQ
OromoProtests- Solidarity Rally – Nova Scotia, Halifax, Canada (18 May 2014)
#OromoProtests- Oromians @Parliament House making their voices to be heard by Australian government for atrocity directed by woyane against my people oromo 18th May 2014 http://www.sbs.com.au/news/video/260180035582/Ethiopias-ethnic-community-ask-Australia-to-stop-a?fb_action_ids=888354877857869&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6JewLUjlzI #OromoProtests- OMN news on worldwide Oromo rally, 18th May 2014
#OromoProtests-Another Victory in Minnesota (Minnesotaa keessatti injifannoon lammataa dhagayame) . MN Senate Resolution on Oromo Issue) http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Va–IXstAaE&list=UUxDLFJt7VUCgifoAjtvT55Q http://oromopress.blogspot.co.uk/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4khoYSqN3Wo #OromoProtests- Ireland
#OromoProtests, Brooks, Canada, 15th May 2014
#OromoProtests– Northern Norway at Harstad town, 15th May 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=pmrjMfdYhmg #OromoProtests, Denver
#OromoProtests, Michigan State, 15th May 2014
#OromoProtests- today in Helsinki, Finland. Renowned poet Zelalem Abera in attendance, 15th May 2014
#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!
#OromoProtests outside #CNN 15th May 2014 against TPLF violence to peaceful Oromo students in Oromia.
#OromoProtests Vegas Candlelight vigil, 14th May 2014 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykO_VskYFd8 #OromoProtests, Melbourne, Australia, SBS reports https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=VabKdsQ5-jk https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=0rfeuOUBWNc By EDITORIAL BOARD OF OromoTV.com
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!
Credits: Cartoons image from http://aminarts.com; Modified by OromoTV.com
http://www.oromotv.com/sustain-the-movement-in-honor-of-the-heroes-and-heroines/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRt20nPmcn8 #OromoProtests- Oromo Rally in Denver, 13th May 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6Y9XM-UJQ8 In solidarity with #OromoProtests, MN state legislature passing the following resolution:
Keith Ellison the U.S. Representative for Minnesota’s 5th congressional district made statement concerning the injustices going on #Oromostudents; #OromoProtests
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 http://gadaa.com/oduu/25891/2014/05/04/photosvideos-the-global-oromo-community-and-friends-of-the-oromo-express-solidarity-with-oromoprotests-and-demand-justice-for-slain-oromos/ http://ayyaantuu.com/horn-of-africa-news/oromia/videos-oromo-communities-around-the-world-demonstrate-against-tplf-genocide/
#OromoProtests Solidarity Rally in France Urges the Cities of Paris and Lyon to Abstain Support for the TPLF’s Politically-Motivated Addis Ababa Master Plan, Also Appeal Presented to UNESCO
Posted: Caamsaa/May 12, 2014 · Finfinne Tribune | Gadaa.com
(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.
[read appeal letter: http://gadaa.com/oduu/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Human-rights-violations-in-Ethiopia.pdf]
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.
Report by Ahmed Abbaa Bulguu
(Demonstration Organizing Committee)
Miseensa koree Hawaasa Oromoo Faransay
(Miseensa Qinddeessituu Hiriiraa)
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[* Please click here to read the appeal letter submitted to the different branches of the French government as well as UNESCO, the Ethiopian Embassy in Paris, human rights organizations and media organizations:http://gadaa.com/oduu/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Human-rights-violations-in-Ethiopia.pdf ]
#OromoProtests in Tel Aviv, Israel @Ethiopian Embassy, 12th May 2014 https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=BRt5y8s6wU4
#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
11th May 2014
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gygszCCc8fI #OromoProtests, 9th May 2013, Doha
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=RrOnaf1RpDU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-0kj4w5HPk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzXv3ZUCFl0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=cb9iAc_S0rM #OromoProtests, 10th May 2014, Manchester, UK
#OromoProtests, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 9th May 2014
#Oromoprotests Edmonton, Canada
#Oromoprotests-Minnesota Churches United for Oromo…three pastors from Our Redeemer Oromo Evangelical Church of Minnesota
#OromoProtests, 9th May 2014, Minnesota Worldwide Oromo ralies and Prayer day
#OromoProtests Oromo Diaspora Mobilizes to Shine Spotlight on Student Protests in Oromia 9th May 2014, Paris, France https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=UoEWdmM4RaU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_QB2YaQXTs&list=PLMNB_JthHxcCU3N6iOxQldUGudVOL55_e&feature=player_embedded Den Hag, Netherlands (May 9, 2014)
Calgary, Canada (May 9, 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)
s.oregonlive.com
San Francisco, California (May 9, 2014) Minneapolis, Minnesota (“Little Oromia”) (May 9, 2014)
http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/blog/advrights/little-oromia-unites-advocate-justice-and-human-rights-ethiopia-0 Washington, DMV (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)
Las Vegas, Nevada (May 9, 2014)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=J_QB2YaQXTs
OromoProtests: Oromo #OromoProtests
Melbourne, Australia, 9th May 2014
#OromoProtests, Sweden, 9th & 10th May 2014
#OromoProtests, Germany, Berlin, 9th May 2014
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
http://ayyaantuu.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/summary-reportof-09052014-Berlin-Germany-protest.pdf
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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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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
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:
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:
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.facebook https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=jsbCz9koswM http://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!
OromoProtests Oromo 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 #OromoProtests Oromo 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 #OromoProtests Oromo 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=71cRF1jPCBQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=LYqBjKESXdQ #OromoProtests Oromo 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 #OromoProtests Oromo 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 #OromoProtests Oromo 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.facebook http://theadvocatespost.org/
Wayyaaneen Tarkaanfi Abdi Kutannaa itti fuftee
Caamsaa 12 bara 2015 yeroo 2ffaaf kadhimamaa KFO kan ta’e Ob. #Geetuu Dhaadhii kabnoota fi hidhatoota OPDOtin Aanaa Warra Jaarsoo ganda Bobee Liban keessatti odoo duula filannoo gaggeessaa jiru sa’atii 6:30 irratti reebicha sukkaneessaa irratti raawwatamee! Miseensota keenya 1 Ob Salamoon Jimaa 2 Ob Tufaa Hundee kan jedhamanis reebicha cimaa irraan gahaniiru ! Gochaa kana kan qindeesse immoo kaabnee opdo kan ta’e Ob Iyyaasuu Gammadaa ta’un isaa bubatameera ! Akka waliigalatti dulaa filannoo Aanaa kanatti gageessuu hin dandeenyee. Haalumaa wal fakkaatun, Garee KFO kan gara Wollaggaatti bobba’an ilaalchisee humni woraana Woyyaanee tarkaaffii humna irratti fudhachuudhaan midhaa irraan ga’uun himameet ture. Garee gara Wollaggaatti bobba’e kana keessa 1. Ittii aanaa dursaa dura taa’aa (the first vice chairman) Baqqalaa Garbaa 2. Itti-aanaa paartii Ob Mulaatuu Gammachuu 3. Barreessaa Liigii Dargaggootaa Darajjee Margaa fi 4. Gazeexessaa Badhaasaa Hayiluu kan keessatti argaman yeroo Naqamte dhaqqanan a) woraanni woyyaanee fi poolisoonni federaalaa magaala keessatti bobba’uudhaan akka uummanni wolgayii hin baane Daandii cufanis uummanni reebichaa isaanii osoo hin sodaatin cabsee wolgayiirratti baayyinnaan argame. B) uummanni baayyinnaan hirmaachuu barraan ammoo videon akka hin woraabbamne video gazeexessa Badhaasaa Hayiluurraa saamuudhaaf yaalanis kunis hin milkoofneef. KFOn kora ajaa’baa kan uummanni 40,000 ol itti hirmaate jedhamee tilmaamamu gaggeesse. C) jila KFO kanaaf siree akka hin kireessine ajaja dabarsanis barbaasaa yeroo dheeraa booda siree qabataniiran. D) Kanaan milkaawuu dadhabnaan ammoo dargaggoo Darajjee Margaa fi gazeexessaa Badhaasaa Hailuu bakka isaan siree qabatamatti deemuudhaan meeshaa woraanaa qabdu / meeshaa barbaanna sababa jedhuun daree isaan kireeffatan keessaa baasuudhaan sakattaa irratti gaggeessan. Garuu womaa hin arganne. E) Gochi sossodaachisaa Kun sabboontota keenna duubatti hin deebifne. Daran qabsoo DNF finiinsuudhaan Gimbiirrattille kora aja’ibaa gaggeessuun himameera. Wayyaaneen hawaasaa Oromoo ofitti kaakafti malee qabsoo keenyaa duubatti hin deebiftu jedha KFOn. Isin hoo maal jettu? Source: Social media network
https://www.oromiamedia.org/2015/05/omn-oduu-caamsaa-11-2015/
Ummanni Aanaa Midaa Qanyii Godina Lixa Shaggar,Gita Bittuu Mootummaa TPLF Jalatti Hin Bullu Jechuun Gamtaan Diddaa Dahgeessisan,Barattooti Oromoo 7 Ol Ta’anis Mana Hidhaatti Darbamuu Qeerroon Gabaase
Gabaasa Qeerroo Aanaa Midhaa Qanyii
Caamsaa 9,2015 Godina Lixa Shaggar Aanaa Midaa Qanyitti uummatni Oromoo gita bittaa mmootummaa Wayyaanee Abbaa irree EPRDF/TPLF/ jalatti hin bulluu jechuun mormii isa jabeesse, Mootummaan Wayyaanee Qeerroo barattoota Oromoo qabee hidhaatti darbuun dararuu itti fufe.
Goototni barattootni Oromoo Aanaa Midaa Qanyii M/B Baallammii sadarkaa 2ffaa fi qopha’ina Oromummaan yakkamanii wajjiraa Poolisii Aanaa Midaa qanyiitti humna poolisaan qabamanii darbamuun dararama jiraachuun walqabatee diddaan uummata qonnaan bultoota haalan jabachuun dabbaalloota wayyaanee EPRDF/TPLF/OPDO gandoota baadiyaa keessa adeemuun nu filadhaa jechuun maqaa filannoo kijibaan uummata afaan faajjeessuuf walga’ii garaagaraa uummata baasuuf karoorfatan, uummatni mormii guddaan jaladhabbachuun f irraa arii’achaa jira.Uummatni Aanaa Midaa Qanyii ifatti wayyaaneedhaan isin nu hin bulchitan nuti isinitti hin bullu, uummata Oromoos OPDO’n bakka bu’uu hin dandeessuu, nuti bilisummaa fi dimookiraasii dhugaa barbaadna jechuun dabballoota OPDO of irraa arii’ate jira. Ergamtootni Wayyaanee diddaa uummataa nu mudachaa jiru kanaaf sababaan guddaan Qeerroo barattoota Oromooti jechuu barattoota Oromoo dararuu fi hidhatti darbuu itti fufte jiraachuun ibsame.
Haaluma kanaan Qeerroon barattootni Oromoo badii tokko malee yeroo amma kanatti hidhatti darbamuun dararama jiran:
1. Barataa Addunyaa Birhaanuu barataa kutaa 9ffaa
2. Barataa Boruu Badhoo
3. Barataa Fayisaa Badhoo
4. Barataa Guutaa Girshaa
5. Barataa kuubaa Taakkalaa
6. Barataa Taarikuu Gusoo
7. Barataa Haptamuu Haptaamuu Caalchisaakanneen keessatti argaman
yeroo ta’u. Barattooti kuniswajjira poolisii Aanaa Midaa qanyii Baallammiitti hidhamuu madden Qeerroo Baallammii irraa gabaasan. Ummatni Oromoo hidhaa fi ajjeechaa, barnoota irraa arii’atamuu fi Oromummaan yakkamuun dimookiraasii miti, Mootummaan maqaa dimookiraasii jedhuun lafa dimookiraasiin hin jirreetti mirga keenyaa ukkamsaa na filadhaa jechaa jiruu dhaabuun yakka dalagaa jiruuf seeratti nuuf dhiyaachuu qaba jechuun kaabinoota ergamtuu wayyaanee uummata goolaa jirtu gaaffiin mataa hadoochaa jirachuun ibsame jira.
The Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC/Medrek) campaigning: Dambi Doolloo, Oromia, 12 May 2015.
Caamsaa 12 bara 2015, Magaalaani Dambi Dolloo akka waan bakkalchii biliisummaa irrattii bateetti callaqqiftee cululuqaa ooltee. Angaasuu KFO abbaa quba shani waliin. Uummataa kana hundatuu magaala kana keessa jira jechuun namatti ulfaata. Dargaggoo, shamarran, jaarsa jaarti tokkichi manatti hin hafne. Dhadannoofi sirbaan deeggarsa KFOf qaban ibsachuun diina Oromoo afaan qabachiisan. Akkasi ijoollee Dambi!
Viva Dambi Dolloo! Viva KFO!
Wayyaaneen filmaata sobaa dhufutti uummati Oromoo narratti ka’a sodaa jedhuun kan baarage guyyaa har’aa Caamsaa 11,2015 sa’aatii saddeetii hanga kudhaniitti barattoonni Yuunivarsiitii Wallaggaa FDG narratti qindeessu sodaa jedhuun deeppoo magaalaa Naqamteetti argamu keessatti wal ga’ii caasaa basaastotaa geggeesse.
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.
Kanuma waliin kaayyoon ijoon biro naannoo Yuunivarsiitichatti walga’uus barattoota Mootummaa Wayyaanee TPLF irratti FDG kaasan ykn falmaniin akkaataa itti adamsanii uummati Oromoo utuu hin dhaga’in barattoota ukkamsanii fi kanneen jajjaboon hawaasa magaalaatiin qunnamtii qaban hidhamuu qaban,kana malees yaada barattootaa qoranii ilaaluu fi FDG(Gaaffii Mirgaa) yeroo hunda tasgabbeessuu dadhabameef kallatti maddichaa qoranii ilaaluuf akka mariirra turaniif dhumarratti eegumsa guddaa naannoo dhaabbilee barnootaatti akka taasisan irratti waliigaluu waltajji kana Warren hirmaatan ibsaniiru.http://qeerroo.org/2015/05/11/aangawoonni-tika-mootummaa-wayyaaneetplf-magaalaa-naqamtee-keessatti-walgahuun-akkaataa-uummata-oromoo-shiraan-miidhan-irratti-marihachuun-isaanii-saaxilame/
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)
(Ibsa ABO duula diinaan Oromoo irratti baname ilaalchisee)
Gurraandhala 13, 2015 (Oromo Liberation Front) — Mootummaan Wayyaanee ummatoota irraan gama dinagdee, siyaasaa fi hawaasummaan miidhaa ol aanaa dhaqqabsiisaa jiru kufaatiin isaa kan hin hafne tahuu caalaatti wayta mirkanaa’ee jiru kanatti abdii kutannaa irraa shira gara garaa hojjatuun bittaa isaa itti fufsiisuuf yaalii ijibbaataa gaggeessaa jira. Ummatoota bittaan nu gahe! Sirni Cunqursaan nurraa haa ka’u! jechuun bifa gara garaan qabsoo adeemsisan kolaasuu fi kan ummatoota irraa deggersa qabu fakkaatee mul’atuuf wixxifannaan adeemsifamaa jirus lammiiwwan Itophiyaa gara garaa addatti ammo lammiilee Oromoo sirnicha baqatuun biyya alaatti argaman irratti kan xiyyeeffate tahuu sochii diinni gochaa jiru irraa hubatama.
Lukkeelee diinaa bittoota murna bicuuf riqicha tahanii ummata Oromoo saamuu fi saamsisuu, ajjeesuu fi ajjeesisuu, biyyaa baqachiisuu fi hiisisuu keessatti shoora ol aanaa qaban, ergaa diinaa kana qabatanii biyyoota alaa keessa oggaa laban kan arge isaan taajjabuu irra dabree akka namaatti yaaduu isaanii shakka. Ergamtootni osoo ummatni Oromoo bakka bu’ummaan hin filatiin humnaan bakka bu’aa of taasisan kunneen hin galleef malee kanneen har’a maqaa guddinaa fi misoomaan isa hawwatuuf itti bobba’an kanneenuma kaleessa miidhaa isaanii baqa biyyoota adda addaatti baqatani dha. Kanneen Abbaa fi Haadha, Obbolaa fi firoottan, ilmaan, akkasumas hiriyootni isaanii jalaa ajjeefaman, mana hidhaatti guuramani hiraaraa jirani dha.
Wayyaanee dantaa murna bicuuguutuuf jecha ijaaruu irra diiguu, haqa lagatuun kijibaaf dhaabbatu , mirga dimokraasii dhugoomsuu irra bittaa abbaa irrummaa jireessuu, biyya misoomsuu irra deegsuun beekame, mootummaa guddinaa fi misoomaa ti jechuun duulli ergamtoota sirnichaan biyyoota alatti eegalame fudhatama fi deggeraa dhabee bakka dhaqan maratti mormii ol aanaa fi salphina guddaan akka deebi’an taasifameera. Haa tahu malee salphifamaa fi xiqqeeffamaa harca’aa funaannatuu akka aadaa fi kabajaatti fudhatan lukkeeleen diinaa kunneen, garaa itti nyaatan malee sammuun ittiin yaadan waanitti hin uumamneef mormii irra gahaa jiru danda’aa fi obsaa ergaa diinaa baqataa Oromoon akka gahaniif karoora itti kenname itti fufuuf murteeffatanii jiran.
Lukkeeleen diinaa raata’oo kunneen ummatni Oromoos akkuma isaanii akka raata’uuf hojjatan. Akkuma isaanii har’a nyaadhee bullaan ana gaha! jechuun ulfina isaa gurguree akka jiraatu barbaadan. Akkuma isaanii ashkara alagaa tahee biyya isaa irratti alageeffamee jireenya gadadoo fi salphinaa akka jiraatu barbaadu. Waggoota 24 boodallee fedhiin ummataa maal akka tahe hubatuu dadhabu/diduu irraa mirga isaaf falmatuu dhaabee akka harka kennatuuf irratti bobba’uun isaan taajjabsiisa malee ummata ejjannoo isaa hin jijjiirsisu. Kanneen of xiqqeessanii ummata xiqqeessuuf yaalan hin galleef malee ummatni guyyaa irratti of irroomsanii eegalee kan isaan hin deggerre, waliinis hin dhaabbanne tahuu ifatti itti himeera. Mormuun dura dhaabbatee walabummaa fi bilisummaa isaaf falmateera, falmaas jira.
Jilli gara garaa muddama qabsoon ummatootaa gooftolii isaanii irraan gahaa jiru jalaa baraaruuf dhiheenya kana dirqama Wayyaanee fudhatuun Awrooppaa, Ameerikaa, Kanadaa fi Austraaliaatti bobba’uun Oromoota biyyoota kanneen keessa qubatan gowwoomsuuf yaalanii taasisaniin salphifamaa akka turan midiyaaleen gabaasaa turan. Jilootni bakka gahan hundatti salphifamaa turan kanneen kan dhagahu hin argatiin malee, lafti mana irratti ijaarratan magaala Finfinneetii isiniif kennama, qabeenya qabdan investment/misooma irra akka oolchitaniif deggersi addaa fi barbaachisu isiniif kennama jechuun waadaa kijibaa tarrisuun hawwataa akka turanis gabaafamaa ture. Biyyi misoomaa fi guddataa akka jirtu, wal qixxummaan ummatootaa mirkaneeffamuu fi mirgi dimokraasii dagaaguu qaanii malee haa dubbatan malee haalli empaayera Itoophiyaa fi kan ummataa addaan fagoo tahuun hubannaa ummataan ala hin turre.
Mootummaa abbaa irreef aangoo isaa turfatuun alatti kan itti mul’atu waan hin jirreef hanga kufutti tikfatuuf dhidhiitatuu hin dhaabu. Waan taheef Wayyaaneen salphina ergamtoota isaa Awrooppaa fi Ameerikaa itti bobbaafate irra gahe irraa barachuu hanqatee baqattoota Oromoo Afriikaa biyyoota gara garaa keessatti argaman irratti karoora bal’aa baasuun akka sossobanii biyyatti deebisaniif, dadhabame ammoo mootummoota of gargaarsisuun biyyatti deebisuu irratti akka hojjataniif ergamtoota isaa bobbaasee jira.
Baqattoota Oromoo, Sudaan Kaabaa fi Kibbaa, Kenyaa, Ugaandaa, Jibuutii fi biyyoota birootti argaman kanneeniinis waadaa kijibaa:
Haqni bobbaa diinaa kanaan duuba jiru garuu, waldaalee maqaa baqattoota Oromoon ijaaraman diiguun waldaa Itophiyaa jala galchuu, suuraa fi vidiyoolee baqattootaa midiyaa isaanii irratti agarsiifatuun hamilee ummataa biyya keessaa qabsoo irratti finiinsaa jiru cabsuu, baqataa gowwoomsuun biyyatti akka deebi’u taasisuun kanneen hafan galuu danda’u, rakkoon homaatuu irra hin gahu, jechuun golgaa UNHCR irraa argatan akka dhaban taasisuu, Sochii baqattoota Oromoo hordoffii fi to’annoo embaasii Itoophiyaa jala galchuu; hidhaa fi ajjeechaa isaanii jalaa kanneen baafatan biyyatti deebisuun mana hidhaatti darbuu kan akeekkate dha.
Sirni heeraa fi seera ofiif tume cabsuun lammiilee seeraa fi murtiin alatti ajjeesu, badiin alatti raga kijibaan hidhaa waggaa dheeraa itti murteessee manneen hidhaa keessatti dararuu fi humna tikaa fi poolisaa amanamoo isaa tahaniin tumsiisaa jiru, misoomaa fi Sirni heeraa fi seera ofiif tume cabsuun lammiilee seeraa fi murtiin alatti ajjeesu, badiin alatti raga kijibaan hidhaa waggaa dheeraa itti murteessee manneen hidhaa keessatti dararuu fi humna tikaa fi poolisaa amanamoo isaa tahaniin tumsiisaa jiru, misoomaa fi guddina, mirga dimokraasii fi namoomaa ilaalchisee ololli adeemsisu kan madaala kaasu miti. Qabiinsi mirga namoomaa fi mirgi dimokraasii biyyattii maal akka fakkaatu ummatoota biyyattii irra dabree kan alagaan iyyuu kijiba tahuu hubatee dura dhaabbataa jiru tahee jira.
Ummatni Oromoo biyya keessaas haa tahu biyya alaa kijiba Wayyaaneen kan hin dagamne tahuu ifatti agarsiisaa jira. Addatti ammo lammiileen Oromoo biyyoota alaa adda addaa keessa jiran ergama diinaa fashalsuun qoodni gumaachan kan Oromoo hunda boonse, ergamtoota diina rifaasise dha. Bobbaa’an jiilota Wayyaaneen baqattoota Oromoo Afriikaa jiran irratti xiyyeeffates akkasuma akka fashalu shakkiin hin jiru. Haa tahu malee haalli biyyoota Afriikaa, akka biyyoota Awroppaa fi Ameerikaa aanjaa kan hin qabne taahuun beekamaa dha. Waan taheef , hawaasni Oromoo biyyoota adda addaa keessatti argamtan obboleeyyaan keenya diinni itti xiyyeeffatuun shira irratti raawwatuuf abuurratee jiru hordofuun miidhaa diinaa akka qolatuu danda’aniif tokkummaan akka cinaa dhaabbattan ABOn yaadachiisa. Midiyaaleen Oromoo fi kanneen haqaaf dhaabbatan kan biros gochaa diinummaa fi farra namoomaa baqattoota Oromoo irratti xiyyeeffate kana saaxiluun garee haqaaf dhaabbatan tahuu akka mirkaneessitan ABOn waamicha isaa isiniif dabarsa. Akkasumas jarmiyaaleen kabajaa mirga namaaf dhaabattan duula mirga baqattoota Oromoo ukkaamsu Wayyaaneen itti jiru akka hin milkoofne taasisuuf tumsa barbaachisu akka gootan waamicha isaa dabarsa.
Shirri diinaan Qabsoo bilisummaa Oromoo irratti raawwatamu qabsoo caalaatti finiinsa malee hin laaffisu. Kanaaf lammiileen Oromoo biyya keessaaf alaa bittaa Wayyaanee gateettii ummataa irraa buusuuf qabsoo bilisummaa caalaatti finiinsuun gaaffii yeroo tahuu hubannee tokkummaan haa kaanu.
Injifannoo Ummata Oromoof!
Adda Bilisummaa Oromoo
Gurraandhala, 13, 2015
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