OSG Press Release No. 37
July 2002

   
 

The Oromia Support Group is a non-political organisation which attempts to raise awareness of human rights abuses in Ethiopia. OSG lobbies governments to withdraw support from the Ethiopian government until it abides by its constitution which guarantees human rights and self-determination for all peoples of Ethiopia.

OSG has now reported 2,915 extra-judicial killings and 854 disappearances of civilians suspected of supporting groups opposing the government. Most of these have been Oromo people. Scores of thousands of civilians have been imprisoned. Torture and rape of prisoners is commonplace, especially in secret detention centres, whose existence is denied by the government.

   
 

Human Right Abuses in Ethiopia

  Contents:
 
Abbreviations

 

 

Killings and Detention of Demonstrators

 

In demonstrations and protests across Oromia Region, beginning on 20 March in Nekemte, Wallaga, and continuing into mid-May, at least 16 civilians were shot dead when police used live ammunition to disperse the crowds. Many were severely wounded and hundreds, probably thousands, were detained. The demonstrations, led by students, were against government oppression of Oromo people, their culture and their wish for self-determination.

In Showa, one, possibly two, were shot dead in Ambo and one was killed in Gedo. Protests were also reported from Guder, Adaa Berga, Bako, Bishoftu (Debre Zeit), Gindeberet, Shashemane, Waliso and Holata.

In Wallaga, five were killed in Shambu, three in Nekemte and three in Nunnu Kumba. Demonstrations also took place in Horro Guduru, Bedele, Nejo, Mandi, Gori, Gimbi, Gida Ayana, Dembi Dollo, Jimma Ganate and elsewhere.

In Arsi, three students were shot dead at Kofale. Demonstrations were reported also from Dodola and Robe in Bale province, and from Chiro in Hararge.

The Oromia Regional Council admitted to ten civilian killings before the three students were killed in Kofale on 20 April.

 

 

demonstration sites

Sites of demonstrations, killings and detentions 20 March - 24 May

 

In an urgent action appeal, issued on 19 April, Amnesty International named 21, among the many school and university students, schoolteachers, civil servants, healthcare workers and farmers who have been detained', including Bekele Jirata, vice-president of the Macha Tulama Association (an Oromo cultural and welfare organisation) who was arrested in Addis Ababa around 12 April. 'They are being held incommunicado in police stations and prisons, including Dedessa [Didhessa] special detention centre near Nejo, where they are at risk of torture' according to Amnesty International.

The largest number of fatalities is reported from Sidama, Southern Peoples Region, where at least 38, probably many more, were killed near Awasa on 24 May, in peaceful protest against the change in the regional capital and its administration.

'There is simply no excuse for shooting into crowds of civilians. The Ethiopian government must take immediate steps to ensure that state and federal police cease such practices and prosecute those responsible for shooting demonstrators' said Peter Takirambudde, Executive Director for Africa at Human Rights Watch on 11 June.

 

Addis Ababa and Central Oromia Region

 

Addis Ababa

Three students, active in the Oromo movement, were arrested shortly after a meeting between Oromo student representatives and Oromia Regional President, Juneidin Sado, at the end of March. A student who attended the meeting has reported that they were taken from the Amist Kilo campus and are named:

Tolossa Dabala (pharmacy)*
Daniel Gemechu (pharmacy)*
Abdi Bekele

* Also named in Amnesty International urgent action appeal, AFR 25/014/2002, 19 April 2002.

 The OLF reported on 15 April that Kumara Ittana, Kabade Motora and Tamiru Babu, were among the students detained after the meeting.

Addis Ababa University students marched to Oromia Regional government offices on 13 May, after being refused an appointment by letter on three occasions. On 22 May, Human Rights Watch reported nearly 200 were arrested following the march, only some of whom were released two days later. (Ethiopia: Halt Crackdown on Oromo Students, Human Rights Watch, New York, 22 May 2002.) They were taken to Kolfe police training camp, according to local informants. About half were released on 15 May, according to the Addis Tribune newspaper.

Student contacts in Kenya reported on 22 May that 14 first and second year students in the faculty of natural sciences had been dismissed by Addis Ababa university. The 14 are named: Legesse Angassa, Takele Umma, Mathewos Tarfa, Tinsaye Fikadu, Dayessa Leta, Dejene Boru, Habtamu Nagashe, Kuma Hinde, Guluma Saboka, Digajara Hailu, Shole Dame, Dawit Takilu, Demisse Legesse and Tomas Diriba.

 

Bishoftu (Debre Zeit)

Among detainees according to local sources, 25 April:

Gamachu . . .
Abdulkarim Mohammed
Gamada . . .
Zinash Tasama
Gamachu Yaadata

 

Ambo

In Ambo, on 25/26 March, demonstrators set fire to the Ethiopian flag and tore down posters advertising the 12th anniversary of the OPDO, as police were brought in from Senkele training centre. Student, Girma Beyene, was shot dead, according to media reports and Amnesty International. Another killing was admitted by Oromia Regional president, Juneidin Sado, according to one of the students he met at the end of March.

Among 'hundreds' of prisoners, according to local sources reporting via Kenya on 25 April:

Fikadu Nagara
Sanbata Gamachu , with his child
Sayid Sanbata
Tasfa Tadassa
Caala Bayissa
Jifara Bayissa
Gugsa Irka
Nigatu Muluna
Warqu Kabada
Getachu . . .
Jabessa Abdi
Tolera Mardassa - former director of Ambo High School

Among prisoners in the old palace at Ambo are the following, reported by local sources to contacts in Kenya on 3 May:

Belay Bekele - civil servant
Elias Niguse - civil servant
Amsalu Deresa - civil servant
Abera Gonfa
Nagaasaa Qajela Abdeta
Ebise Lamu
Aynalam Ragasa
Tigist Hailu
Teshale Edesa
Mengistu Abdisa
Bizuayehu Indale
Alemneh Nagara
Alamu Kajela
Asnakech G/ Michael
Masarat Damise
Abera Rafisa

Others detained in Ambo:

Nuguse Deresa - businessman
Getachew Merga - businessman
Muluneh Kabata - civil servant
Olanii Kitila - civil servant
Desaleny Bekele - civil servant
Dereje Tolera
Tefera Borena

 

Gedo

The Oromia Regional Council admitted in a public statement in early April that one student had been killed in Gedo and six wounded when four students 'tried to disarm the police'.

 

Bako

The following information was sent by local sources to contacts in Kenya on 3 May. Agricultural research workers detained:

Dr. Diriba Galata Yoseph Tolasa
Hunduma Shari Melese Chala - businessman

Teachers and students detained:

Motuma Warku
Belay Benti
Muzeyen Waji
Dula Muhamed
Mamo Gudeta

The following are said to be being 'hunted by armed men':

Xilahun Fekadu
Belay Bekele
Adane Ensermu
Geremew Gebedi
Barsisa Gudeta
Jirata Tolasa
Alamayehu Gudeta

Holota

Detained according to local reports, 3 May:

Teshome Biru
Kebede . . .
Shumiye Xila
Adaa Berga

The OLF and local sources reported on 10 April that over 50, mainly elders, were detained after a policeman was shot dead. All of the following are aged between 65 and 80 years,

Elders:

Diriba Tufa
Mekonen Zewude
Addunya Ida'a
Alemu Robi
Ababa Dida
Hunde Koricho
Elderly ladies:
Booshe Damte
Chaltu Robi
Chaltu Hunde
 

Adama (Nazaret)

According to the OLF, 26 April, at least 15 were detained, including: Bira Rorissa

Warqu Dhugassa
Rashid Kedir
Katama Ida'o
Abdissa Tafa
Hussein Waqayo
Zenaba Ali
Kuma Waqtola

 

Bale Zone:

Adaba

Local sources reported via contacts in Kenya on 11 May the following detentions:

Shambu Kedir - teacher
Dodola
Sheko Fato Damboba - teacher
Qabato Guyyee Bu'ii - teacher
Qamar Mohammed - 12th grade student
Yusuf Yawaro - 12th grade student
Abdurazak Hebbo Walashe - formerly of Robe Technical School

 

Arsi Zone:

Kofale

Students of Kofale High School, Junior High School and Elementary School demonstrated on 20 April. Security forces opened fire, killing:

Musa Ebbiso, 10th grade student
Mohammed Hajo, 9th grade
Yasino Tino, 9th grade

Five others were seriously wounded. The following were arrested:

Students:

Abdulaziz Abdulkadir, 12th grade Mohammed Bibbilo, 12th grade
Kubaye Gebre-Amlak, 12th grade Nasir Woliyi, 12th grade
Mohammed Gadule Mohammed Dube
Tonnoo . . .

Teachers:


Aman Churiso
Biqila Aman
Aman . . .
Mohammed Agaro
Nabsu Abdella
Lellissa Morkiso
Jamal Kamal
Abdurazaq Hebbo
Malka Fate

Schools were closed, at least until 3 May. Five hundred soldiers were 'guarding' the town after the demonstration. (OLF News Update, 3 May 2002).

 

Wallaga Zone:

Nakamte

Three students , including two teenage girls, were killed when security forces opened fire following the students' attempting to walk out of a meeting with OPDO officials on 20 March. According to local sources, reporting via exiled contacts in Kenya, and according to OLF statements, over 200 were detained after the disturbances. The Oromia State Council denied any killings and stated that all 102 detainees were released two days later. 'However, after detailed investigation, we uncovered the OLF structures, subversive documents etc, which led to the arrest of 17 students' the statement read.

Local sources reported via contacts in Kenya on 10 April that among the 200 detained, were 50 students who had been arrested on 1 April, and at least some of the 200 had refused to sign confessional papers to get released. The following are reported to be among those detained:

Ayana Qabata - teacher (still detained 25 April - see below)*
Tesfaye Burayu - teacher*
Getachew Umata - teacher*
Garoma . . . - teacher
Sileshi . . . - school director
Chala Mulugeta
Amarech Qinati
Werku Hailu
Alemayehu Hailu
Ashenafi Hailu
Shimelis Endale
Bushura Endale
Zelalem Turki
Abdisa Kana'a
Olani Kajela
Birhanu Hailu
Negash Kushi

* also named in Amnesty International urgent action appeal, AFR 25/014/2002, 19 April 2002.

Three students who were reported by Amnesty International on 19 April, to have been detained:

Biratu Qanani
Miss Atsede Tola
Miss Lemlem Tesfaye

Local sources reported via Kenya on 20 April, that the following had been released by the court between 16 and 18 April, but immediately re-arrested:


Reta Hordofa
Mulu Gerba
Hailu Dheressa
Tilahun Qaqqaba
Karrayyuu Oda
Shibiru Hordofa
Alemayehu Hunde
Batiree Filee
Ayyana Terfa
Berhanu Baabbee
Dirriba Dheressa
Belay Terfa
Dachasa Benti
Feqede Ibsa
Jaleta Obsi
Dessalenye Gerbaba

The following are named by local sources, reporting 25 April, and an OLF report on 15 April, to be in detention following the orders of OPDO chairman, Aba Dula Gamada :

Kabada Bulto
Dasta Kitila
Warqu Qadida
Mizanu Kumso
Asfaw Ittafa
Imiru Wasaru
Tamrat Bakala
Demisse Gamachu
Abera Keno
Dabala Galata
Begedenu Ayita
Werqineh Dansa
Dejene Jirata
Baqala Dabala
Gadissa Adunya
Tesfa Gutama
Getachu Qinati
H/Yesus Qanani
Fikadu Nagari
Banti Ligaba
Dr Tariku Kumsa
Ibrahim Likissa
Roba Zanaba
Chala Dhufera
Dinqa Yohannis
Dr Dereje Sibu*
Insamu . . .
Abraham Tarfassa
Nagash Kusha
Shimalis Gurmessa
Takala Idosa
Fikadu Ibsa
Marga Gutama
Zalalem Birhanu
Tasama Fufa
Oljira Kumsa
Gamachis Ittana
Assafa Fayissa
Getachu Kabada
Lama Tasissa
Tasfa Bayu
Dadhassa Marara
Ayana Qabata
Zarihun Lamessa
Shimalis Gurmessa
Amsalu Ibsa
Ragassa Guta
Dr Gamada Dinagde*

* also named in Amnesty International urgent action appeal, AFR 25/014/2002, 19 April 2002.

On 3 May, local sources informed contacts in Kenya that the following detainees were transferred from Gida Kiramu, E. Wallaga, to an 'informal hidden prison' in Nekemte:

Asefa Jalata
Goshu Biratu
Yoseph Chala
Getacho Adis
Daniel Tadesse
Agaa Itana
Jigsaa Alamay

(all are teachers except for the last named)

They also reported that the wife of a wanted suspect, Abel Busha, was taken from her bed (she had delivered a baby five days previously) to detention, because the authorities were unable to find her husband. The incident is reported in Seife Nebelbal newspaper, Addis Ababa.

Shambu

The five or more killings in Shambu occurred on 27 March, when police opened fire on a peaceful gathering of students in the school grounds. The regional government, which admitted to only two immediate killings and one death later in hospital, claim they started shooting when students attempted to disarm a policeman who had been knocked down by a stone. Of the two or three girls shot dead, two were partly eaten by hyenas before their discarded bodies were found. Tenth grade student, Fikru Negassa had a leg amputated at Tikur Ambessaa hospital in Addis Ababa, after being shot in Shambu*. At least ten others were seriously wounded and over one hundred detained. One teacher, named Lata, collected 2700 Birr to help treat the wounded. He was detained and the money confiscated, according to the OLF. The OLF report, distributed electronically on 10 April, names three of those killed:

Asefa Fekadu Dhaba - 9th grade student
Belay Babsa - 10th grade
Mulugeta Akkata - recently promoted to 11th grade

The names of the two or three girls who were killed is not given.

Among the seriously wounded are:

Dachasa Asaba
Masala Lamessa
Garamu Gidissa

* Also reported by Amnesty International urgent action appeal, AFR 25/014/2002, 19 April 2002., and Seife Nebelbal newspaper, Addis Ababa, 5.4.02.

The OLF reported on 3 May that 500 hundred students sitting their 12th grade exams in Shambu were rounded up on 27 April. Some, including 14 'being held secretly', had not been released by 3 May.

Nunnu Kumba
Shone Banti
Dubbiwak Fikadu
Miss Shume Kajela

students demonstrating on 15 April, were killed when security forces opened fire.

At Shume's funeral, demonstrators again came under fire and the following three were seriously wounded, according to the OLF News Update, 3 May 2002:

Yeshi Adunya
Demekach Bekele
Tana Hayile.

Many were arrested. Over 450 Oromo were detained in Arjo prison, the update stated.

In a report two weeks earlier, the OLF reported the following detainees:

Tamiru Kebede - teacher
Desta Kajela - health worker
Yohannes Lammi - judge
Dereje Furgasa - merchant
Bacha Asefa - merchant
Melaku Nemomsa - peasant farmer
Surra Dagoo - self-employed
Tura Dibbi- self-employed
Berhanu Furgasa - teacher
Taddese Hordofa - teacher
Getachewu Workineh - teacher
Mekonnen Dinka
Dheressa Lamesa
Safawu Kusa
Wandimu Haile
Getaneh Qana'a
Zewde Tarfa
Sori Tesfaye
Tesfaye Legesse
Birhanu Kajela
Qabata Wadajo
Arabu Gamachu
Abebe Seekoo - employee of Natural Resource Development
Sirata Kabade - reported to be paralysed in one leg after being beaten
Addisu Hinore - teacher, said to be badly injured, and
Ten people from Lalo Hinne Peasant Association.

Gida Ayana


The following students were wounded, several of them critically, during protests on 1 April, according to OLF reports on 10 April:


Gete Getachewu
Dereje Kaba
Arega Olana
Asafa Bekele
Shuma Amanu
Getachu Hailu
Mengistu Beyene
Desalegne Lama
Aschalewu Marga
Amsalu Nagasa
Tesfaye Banti
Bayissa Dhufera

The following were detained between 16 and 18 April, according to an OLF report on 20 April:

Abdisa Gamada - teacher Ragassa Gamada - teacher
Dereje Waqjira - student Aseffa Jalata - health worker, detained for treating the wounded

Local sources reported via Kenya on 3 May that the following were 'under tension and terror' from security forces.

Teachers:

Bekele Fanta
Mitiku Kebede
Bikila Soboka
Girma Kebede
Kumala Tana
Moga Alamayo
Kebede . . .
Alemayehu Kuma
Mrs Zawuditu - elementary school, heavily pregnant and Waq-jira . . . , a businessman.

Sibu Sire

15 were reported detained around 15 April, by local sources via Kenya, on 20 April. These included:

Tesfaye Feyissa - pharmacy owner
Werkineh Wirtu - teacher
Tadesse Lammu - teacher
Tesfaye Debela - teacher

Jimma Rare

Local sources reported on 3 May that 'the following people were picked and arrested from a meeting':

Tesfaye Raja - pharmacist
Biratu Lama - retired artist
Kumsa Lama - health officer
Gurmu Luchesa - student
Abebayehu Merzu - student
Miss Warkinesh Daba - student
Gelgeluu Cimdessa - student
Mesay Girma - student
Abera Tadese
Chebude Tesema
Dejene Game
Ebisa Nagassa
Zerihun Chimdesa - businessman
Sori Tefera - businessman
Desalenye Asefa
Diriba Qixat

Jimma Ganate, Horro Guduru

Grade 12 students of Harato School, who were detained after demonstrating on 28 March, include the following, according to an OLF report on 10 April. A teacher, Tesfaye Tekele, was also taken to 'an unknown place'.

Badhasa Mengistu - accused of organising the demonstration
Tesfaye Argata
Diriba Barana
Gose Getachew
Lamesa Berhanu
Dabalo Fite
Adunya Lamessa
Asmare Fite
Mulugeta Mamo
Abusha Garoma
Bacha Tadessa

Gori

Local sources reported on 3 May that the following were arrested in Gori after demonstrations involving Gori Junior High School students on 2 April, and taken to detention in Nejo:

Benti Fufa - businessman
Yohannes Fufa - teacher
Decha Ejeta - reported separately to have had teeth broken
Sadi Muleta
Techanie Legesse
Bekuma Jite

Three of the above were corroborated in an OLF report, 29 April, which also reported the detention of 50 civilians from Gori in Nejo, including:

Malkamu Tarafa
Dhisissa Dhaaba
Fiqadu . . . - teacher
Tamane Legesse
Ababe Taressa
Hambissa Fikadu

Gimbi

Local sources reported via contacts in Kenya on 10 April that 118 were in detention after demonstrating on 27 March, some at least on the orders of visiting OPDO chairman and Minister of Defence, Aba Dula Gamada. They were being held in the police camp, the police station and the newly-built Warra Sayyoo prison. Those detained on the OPDO chairman's orders included:

Abose Lami - successful merchant
Bekele Tafassa - successful merchant
Daniel Dime - pharmacy owner
Yilma Dheressa - employee of Agricultural Development Office

On 10 May, they reported that the following detainees were denied contact with any visitors:

Mrs Alemitu Regassa - hotel businesswoman
Hana Angelo
Mrs Alemitu Tobo Lula Nasir - music shop businessman
Other detainees include:
Belachew Gutama
Zelalem Tesfaye
Dr Wakjira Abdissa*
Qabana Atomsa
Dereje Tola
Teshome Dhaaba
Qanani Oljira
Teferi Dhibissa
Samuel Geneti
Zelalem Mulatu
Mohammed Abdulkadir
Mohammed Aberra - student*
Ahmed Said - student*
Miss Meseret Tamiru - student*

* Reported by Amnesty International urgent action appeal, AFR 25/014/2002, 19 April 2002.

Mandi

 On 2 April, six were wounded when demonstrators were beaten. Later, a history master at Mandi High School was taken from his bed after midnight and beaten unconscious. He was admitted to Aira hospital. Among the detainees in Mandi are the following teachers, according to OLF reports:

Berhanu Keneni
Aschale Kefale
Kasahun Tadesse
Berhanu Asmara
Berhanu Ismail - teacher*
Tadelle Kalbassa - teacher*

* Reported by Amnesty International urgent action appeal, AFR 25/014/2002, 19 April 2002.

The OLF reported on 26 April that the following were badly injured by beating:

Biratu Qannisa - history teacher
Gezahenye . . . - student's house mistress
These people had their houses searched:
Ebba Matiwos
Yohannes Waqbulcho
Birhanu Malka
Mesfin Temesgen

The regional government called for meetings on 4 and 6 April but no-one attended. Students were ordered to go back to school on 11 April, but they refused. Then soldiers began searching houses and looting contents. Three restaurants were looted and one owner was bayoneted. Beatings and robberies of suspected OLF supporters in nearby Arjo was also included in the 26 April report.

Mana Sibu

The following students and others were detained, according to an OLF report dated 29 April:

Muzanbil Abdulkadir - student
Waqjira Taso - student
Israel Sanbata - student
Shukura Mizana - student
Taganye Tazara - student
Getachew Bayissa - businessman
Henok Dagim - businessman
Solomon Nado - businessman
Dasta Namaraa - businessman
Badhasa Calte - businessman
Tariku Taso - businessman
Temesgen Garoma - businessman
Kabada Jeto - teacher
Mammiru Qalbessa - teacher
Yohannes Getahun - elder
Temesgen Oliiqa - reported to be sick
 

Nejo

Seven were injured at a peaceful demonstration, including Mamush Bekele and Dabale Sura, according to OLF reports, dated 10 April. One of the wounded was admitted to Aira hospital with a back injury. Over 135 were reported by local sources to have been detained, including at least four students and Legese Ejeta, his wife, Chaltu, and his son, Nebiyu.

Students Zelalem Abebe and Bekele Tedla were named as detainees in Nejo by Amnesty International. (Amnesty International urgent action appeal, AFR 25/014/2002, 19 April 2002.)

Dembi Dollo

Local sources, reporting on 25 April, name the following detainees:

Takalinye Tsinu
Tadassa Takile
Birhanu Kabada
Tolassa Daqa
Tashoma Kaba
Nasradin Bushara
Ibrahim Olashe
Mohammed Adam
Saani . . .
Adiyo Ramadan
Abbas Muca
Bayan Aliyu

Boji-Dirmaji

Ayantu Abose Lami and Jalale Tadasse Ayane, two girl students under 18 years old, were among nine students sentenced to one year's detention in April, following demonstrations. Ayantu's father, Abose Lami, has been in detention for some time and was brought to court on the day of his daughter's detention, according to local informants. 'Policemen were the prosecutors and witnesses at the same time', they wrote. (Local informants via Kenya and OLF News Update, 3 May 2002.)

 

Southern Peoples Region, Sidama Zone

3000 took to the streets of Awasa on 24 May, in peaceful protest against the change in the regional capital and its administration. Like Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa, the town is to be administered by the federal, not the regional, government. The regional capital is to be moved south to nearby Yirgalem.

Elders, carrying leaves and flags as a sign of their peaceful intent, lead the demonstration against the taking over of the administration of their land around Awasa, by the federal government. The procession was in the village of Looqe, on the road to Awasa when it was fired upon. Local sources claim around sixty were killed and over 100 wounded. The Sidama Liberation Front reported 'close to 100' were killed. Twenty seven bodies were counted in Yirgalem hospital, by mid-night on 24 May. IRIN, the UN news agency, reported at least 15 shot dead, including two policemen, and 25 wounded. Leading Southern Peoples Region opposition politician, Beyene Petros, said he had proof of 38 dead bodies. The Ethiopian Human Rights Council had proof of 25 killings, including 12 children. 'Security agents used machine guns mounted on armoured vehicles to fire into the group of unarmed farmers' quoted Human Rights Watch on 11 June.

Eye-witnesses reported that many had stood still in a hail of automatic fire, embracing each other as they were killed. Some were reported to have been shot in front of Yirgalem hospital, to where they followed dead and wounded relatives.

According to local sources, the following day, many bodies were found after being partly devoured by hyenas and access to Awasa and surrounds was denied by security forces. (Sidama Concern, London, 25 May 2002; IRIN, 27 May 2002; OLF Statement, 26 May 2002.)

 

Addis Ababa and Central Oromia Region

Killings

Students, Adunya Woti and his sister, were killed in the town of Ziway on 27 April. Local townspeople claim the two were 'decent, innocent students' who were suspected to be supporters of the OLF. (OLF News Update, 3 May 2002.)

Disappearance

Lieutenant Tesfaye Gemechu, a Federal Police officer, was abducted around 26 April or shortly thereafter, in Addis Ababa. His family have been unable to find his place of detention. (OLF News Update, 3 May 2002.)

Detention

Mrs Dinkinesh Deressa Kitila, 46 year old production control head of the Total petroleum company in Addis Ababa, was abducted by security men on her way home from work at about 5.00 p.m. on 7 June. Armed security men then spent at least 24 hrs searching her home in Kebele 13, Wareda 17. They found nothing, according to her husband. Her family were initially denied access.

The Ethiopian News Agency, as part of an intense media campaign similar to that which accompanied the large scale arrests of Oromo in late 1997 and early 1998, announced on 13 June that security forces had arrested a leading OLF organiser in the capital and that OLF documents, planning civil disturbances in several towns in Showa, had been found in her home and 'packed in a private van'.

Four of her children in the USA contacted OSG on 9 June. There is no personal or family connection with the OLF. The vehicle belonging to Dinkinesh may have been planted with incriminating material while in the hands of security personnel.

US State Department officials told OSG in mid-1998 that the 65 professional and prominent Oromo, who were charged with conspiracy after the 1997/8 arrests, had been proven to be involved with OLF activity. However, in early 2001, 28 of the 65 were released after court appearances because of the lack of evidence against them. They had spent over three years in detention.

Ziway Prison: 101 missing, torture, food shortage, long sentences

According to Seife Nebelbal newspaper, 8 March, and relayed by the BBC monitoring service, the families of 101 detainees held in Ziway prison, S. Showa, have reported that they are no longer to be found.

Over 500 OLF fighters and suspected supporters were detained in 1992 and 1993, after the OLF was forced out of the transitional government. Unfair secret trials in Ziway took place up to 1996 and were resumed in early 2000.

In May 2000, 285 were tried in camera. The only prosecution witnesses were soldiers who were deputies-in-chief at Hurso and Didhessa military camps, from where the detainees had been transferred around 1995. The only proof that the detainees were OLF fighters were the slips of paper saying so, which accompanied them to the camps. Defendants and lawyers were not allowed to answer the charges. By June, of the sentences known to OSG, two were given 17 years and eighteen received 10-15 years (OSG Press Release 32, p. 6, November 2000). Prolonged interrogation, death threats, solitary confinement and the tying of arms behind backs were reported. Human rights defenders claimed one detainee had died and 229 others were in Ziway at this time, making a total of 514. The 229 had been promised release in November 1999, but were still in detention in July 2000.

In January 2001, eleven received sentences of 25 years and twenty-two were given 15-18 years in prison (OSG Press Release 33, p. 8, May 2001). Again, the only prosecution witnesses were TPLF soldiers. Food brought by relatives was being diverted and at least three were reported to be in a 'critical health condition'. In January 2002, Seife Nebelbal newspaper reported that detainees were suffering from lack of sanitation and extremely poor food.

On 25 February, the Federal High Court sentenced Ahmed Isma'el Muda to death and Hamza Mohammed to life imprisonment, after 10 years detention.

Clandestine local sources stated in early 2002 that there were only 81 political prisoners remaining in Ziway. The names of 32 of these 81 are as follows:

Bonsa Gudata Jirata
Kajela Saba
Dheko Doyo
Birbirso Gana
Murata Huluqa
Ifabas Badhanee
Aliyi Abdulahi
Mohammed Abdi Kalil
Zakariya Abdulahi
Abdulkadir Bakar
Aliyi Husu
Adam Mume
Aliyi Mume
Mohammed Umare
Mohammed Haydar
Godana Dayo
Xayib . . .
Danuu . . .
Magarsa Elemo
Magarsa . . .
Dherassa Roba
Biqila Abomsa
Abdurahman Sh. Adam
Abba Buta
Kopha Duul
Murata Seena
Dima Ciro Siree
Roba Gutu
Nura Jamba
Badhadha Beeka
Biqila Awal H. Aman
Dadafa Jamal H. Adam

Conditions in Ziway: RF, a 31 year old, wrote from Kenya of his ordeal in Ziway. He was imprisoned in Didhessa military camp in September 1992 and transferred to Ziway in 1994. He wrote that while in detention there:

'From January 1996 to 1997, my feet were shackled together. In December 1996, I was beaten . . . unconscious. I was beaten with metallic rod inside my feet that became sore and numb, I was carried to/from the toilet by my fellow prisoners.

In January 1999, I was prevented from leaving my cell for sunlight or fresh air except for going to the toilet. I was accused of inciting the prisoners to go on hunger strike . . . and my detention was extended by five months and subjected to harassment and hardship. A friend of mine, who came to visit me in October 1999, was abducted and taken away for over a month.'

He was released on 8 August 2001 and returned to his uncle's home to find that, in October 1996, his father was abducted, his mother and brother were killed and his father's house burnt down. The property was 'either looted or burnt by TPLF military'. His father's whereabouts are unknown and his brothers and sisters have all scattered. His wife left his son with his mother and fled in 1995, because of harassment. He received threats from security men at home and when he tried to hide in Addis Ababa, before seeking exile in Kenya. He has so far failed to gain UNHCR protection, despite repeated efforts.

 

Eastern Oromia Region

Detention

According to information received from clandestine sources in early 2002, Oromo detainees (prior to civil disturbances reported above) in Goba prison, Bale, include the following 85:

Ejata Boru
Gamachis Tolassa
Leenco Shaffis
Jara A. Jarimaya
Hordofa Lata
Ambo Ararso
Caala Roriso
Oda Roba
Firomsa Bali
Darara Hallo
Lenjissa Roba
Yaadachis Seena
Caccabsa Doyo
Nadhi Darara
Bakalcha Bari
Irko Dagale
Hangasu Ibsa
Hangasu Bari
Burqa Elemo
Midhegsa Hallo
Birbirso Bararti
Magarsa Waqo
Gotomsa Mudhi
Dumesso Roba
Murata Waqo
Qananissa Ibsa
Korme Jilo
Buni Roba
Jarjarso Danboba
Danboba Darara
Gamachu Wariyo
Baali Nadhi
Barso Qunbi
Dhaqaba Somo
Gadissa Obsa
Sh. Yaadata Wariyo
Caala Leenco
Bosonu Damboba
Fininsa Roba
Dachasi Roba
Shaffis Gutama
Gudata Dhaaba
Dima Gada
Mul'ata Gada
Waami Boru
Wayu Elemo
Gutu Waqo
Falmata Roba
Shabo Roba
Ganno Midhaga
Darara Bubule
Birbirso Boru
Dima Dadhi
Dima Aga
Kumsa Boru
Tumsa Roba
Fuu'aa Aliyi
Amansis Bilo
Gurmessa Lammi
Abdissa Waqo
Tasissa Badhadha
Jarjarso Qunbi
Bekata Roba
Qilxu Badhaso
Falmata Aga
Wariyo Dadafo
Leenco Dadhi
Falmata Dadhi
Dhaqaba Wariyo
Dumesso Dallo
Goru Godana
Magarsa Roba
Gudata Burarti
Amad Aliyi
Caala Roba
Ejerso Hunde
Finsa Jilo
Dadhi Magarsa
Abdisharu Hussein
Hordofa Jilo
Abdalla Quree
Umar Suruur
Murata Bararti
Mohammed S. Gaza
Jamal K. Rashidi

The following were recently released:

Dr. Fayissa
Argay . . .
Olfago Oda
Gusa Waraqsa
Amansis Wayu
Bajiga Dadhi
Lelliftu Dadhi

H. A. Dule wrote on 21 March from Kenya. After High School in Kofale, Arsi, he trained as a meteorologist. He became an active OLF member in 1991. He wrote of an unspecified period of detention, during which he was beaten, shortly after the OLF were forced out of the transitional government in July 1992. In 1997 he was among the OLF members in Somalia, but left in late 1999, along with most others. He now lives in Nairobi despite UNHCR referral to Kakuma camp.

 

Western Oromia Region

Killings

According to a news update published by the OLF on 3 May, on 28 April, 'Wayane [TPLF] security forces in Jarte sub-district of E. Wallaga killed Tolassa and Marga who are agricultural extension workers of the sub-district. The two workers were killed while on their routine duty of visiting farms in the villages to give agricultural education to farmers'. The government claim that bandits were responsible.

 

Beni-Shangul Region

The OLF also reported on 3 May that two central committee members of the Beni-Shangul Peoples Liberation Movement (BPLM), Ali Yusuf and a Mr Yisihak, had been detained in Dabuus military camp. The BPLM is a surrogate government organisation which, like the OPDO, has been subject to purges of nationalist elements.

In addition, according to the news update, 'there are more than 400 Oromo and Beni-Shangul in Asosa prison'.

 

Press

Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF) reported on 14 March that, following the release of Tamrat Zuma, editor of Atkurot newspaper, on 4 March, no journalists were detained in Ethiopia. [This is the first occasion since at least 1996.] The UN news agency, IRIN, stated on 10 April that RSF had reported the previous day the detention of three journalists in Addis Ababa. According to IRIN:

Lubaba Said, former editor of the newspaper Tarik, was jailed for a year by the federal high court on 3 April for 'inventing news likely to demoralise the army and make people anxious'.

On 20 March, Melese Shine, editor of the newspaper Ethiop, was jailed for publishing an interview with a colonel in the former imperial army now in exile in Sudan, and also for writing a profile of the prime minister based on statements by former aides. Melese was accused of 'libeling the head of government' and 'interviewing a bandit claiming to be leader of an illegal organisation'. The third journalist, Gizaw Taye Wordofa, editor of the weekly Lamrot, was arrested on 15 March for publishing 'immoral and indecent material'.

RSF said the three journalists should be freed immediately, the 1992 press law should be abolished and the criminal code amended to ease the 'harsh restrictions' on the media.

 

Kenya

Kenyan police have reported that over 843 'illegal aliens' were taken away in truckloads from the Nairobi district of Eastleigh, in the early hours of 30 May. The house to house search began between 1.00 and 4.00 a.m., when police, armed with weapons and saws, broke down doors and smashed windows of refugee quarters in 2nd Street. Eye-witnesses report beatings and the looting of cash, mobile phones and jewellery. Most were said to be Oromo and Somali, including infants with their mothers, elders and the disabled. On the next day, the OLF reported that around 1250 Oromo were taken in ten trucks to Kasarani police station. They included 75 elders, who had been beaten, one woman who gave birth a few days before and a woman who is mentally ill. According to a refugee whose interview was reported by the UN news agency, IRIN, one refugee suffered a broken hand, another had his genitals beaten and one was stabbed with a bayonet. 'They forced their way in and started kicking and slapping' she said. The police 'stole anything that looked new . . . everybody was beaten'. The OLF reported that mothers and children were separated and they name the following 8 teenagers who were raped in detention:

Rahima Bashir, aged 17 years
Marqabo Mohammed, 14 yrs
Najaati Mohammed, 15 yrs
Fayiza Abdi, 13 yrs
Aziza Mohammed, 15 yrs
Harowe Haji Ahmed, 13 yrs
Yasmin Haji, 14 yrs
Caaltu Yusuf, 12 yrs.

Simon Kipkeu, the commanding officer of the police in Kasarani district, told IRIN that only two of Eastleigh's twelve streets had been cleared and the operation would continue.

He said 'We went in the area in daytime. We did not go there at night. They would have accused us of raping women or stealing from them'.

Some refugees, presumably a minority with UNHCR support in Nairobi, were released on 4 June. Refugees with UNHCR papers which recognize their refugee status, but which order them to Kakuma or Dadaab camps, were to be transported to those camps, Kipkeu said on 4 June. They were taken to court from Gigiri Police Station on 3 June and charged with failing to produce documents from Kenya's immigration department and for living outside their assigned camps.

A spokesman for UNHCR had said earlier that 'the matter of refugees who were in breach of the conditions of their asylum in Kenya [i.e. refusing to go to Kakuma or Dadaab] was purely one for the Kenyan police'. UNHCR information officer Emanuel Nyabera told IRIN on 4 June that 'We have the transport as long as the police can bring them to us'. IRIN reported that he was 'still involved in negotiations with the police for access to the 400 detainees who had no valid documents'. They were charged in court, on 31 May, with being in Kenya illegally.

OSG has written repeatedly about the insecurity from Ethiopian government agents and the Kenyan police which is experienced by the reported 10,000 Oromo families in Nairobi and the 790 Oromo in Kakuma camp. Recently, refugees are also being referred to Dadaab camp, in the northeast. Killings, rape, beatings, stabbings, robbery and the burning of homes has been reported from Kakuma and Dadaab (OSG Press Releases 27, p.13, April 1999; 28, p.13, July 1999; 29, p.18, October 1999; 31, p.26, July 2000; 32, p.15, November 2000; 33, p.19, May 2001; 34, p.7, August 2001; 35, p.15, December 2001). Insecurity from violence in the camps is acknowledged by UNHCR. Many more than ten times as many prefer the insecurity of Nairobi to the insecurity of Kakuma.

But the access to UNHCR in Nairobi remains difficult. Waiting periods are many months even for first interview and the resettlement process has stopped since the exposure of the bribery scandal last February. Only very few high profile cases are now dealt with individually by sympathetic embassies.

One refugee, whose story of torture and prolonged periods of detention has been published by OSG, registered with UNHCR in December 2001. He was given an appointment for 15 April. After pleading, he was awarded earlier appointments on two occasions, but these were postponed - eventually until 15 April. According to friends in Nairobi, on 15 April, 'they took his appointment paper but failed to interview him. They gave him a piece of paper without picture to come the following day. The following day, again they failed to interview him. On the third day, they kept him the whole day and at the end of the day, he was fisted by the security boss, pushed out of the premises by security and told not to come back again'.

The, Nairobi-based, Oromo Community in Kenya wrote to OSG on 11 June with 527 names and UNHCR case numbers of Oromo refugees who had been rejected refugee status by UNHCR. Included were the reference numbers given to some of the refugees when visited by International Committee of the Red Cross delegates during detention in Ethiopia.

 

Abbreviations:

IRIN - Integrated Regional Information Network (UN news agency)
OLF - Oromo Liberation Front
OPDO - Oromo Peoples Democratic Organisation (government Oromo Party)
OSG - Oromia Support Group
TPLF - Tigrean Peoples Liberation Front (dominant government Party)
UNHCR - UN High Commissioner for Refugees

 
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