Killings, Kidnappings and torture intensified against the Oromos in Ethiopia

Finfinne (Addis Ababa):
On 17-19, 2004, an elderly Mecha Tulama Oromo Self Help Association leaders Mr. Legesse Detti ( Secetary of the association), Mr. Dechasa Benti were kidnapped by the security forces. They came to the respective houses and told their family not to try to find or locate them unless they are informed by the authorities. Still their where about is unknown.

Bushoftu (Debre Zeit):
On March 18,2004, the security forces shot the elementary schools students in Dirre village near Bushoftu, 45km east of Finfinne (Addis Ababa); killed a 5th grade student, Lemma Ambasse and wounded a female student Birtukan Dhuguma. She was admitted to the hospital with serious wounds. The local people who attended the funeral ceremony of Lemma Ambasse on May 20,2004 were dispersed forcefully and several of them injured from the cruel beatings of the government forces. On 20 March 2004, Chala Xiqaa one of those who had been beaten also died from injury.

Maqi ( 90km of south of Addis Ababa)
At the end of this week, teachers of Maqi school of south east shewa region, Mr. Shane Korma and his wife, Mr. Bilisuma Alemayehu, Mr. Bate Gemechu and Mr. Melka Korji were kidnapped from their home and taken to an unknown place.

Ginchi (90km west of Addis Ababa)
On 23. 04.2004, 9th grade student Chalchisa was killed from the shootings from police in Ginchi. The next day several hundreds of security forces sealed the town and imprisoned many students.

Sebeta (20km south of Addis Ababa)
Several hundreds of students and teachers are arrested in Sebeta from 09.03.2004 on. Among them a mother of 2 months old baby and a teacher of Sebeta senior secondary school –Hamelmal was among those arrested separated from her baby.

Armed Tigrean students in the colleges and universities
Armed government agents and students from Tigrean ethnic group attacked and shot at oromo students in Alemaya university and Ambo Agricultural colleges siding the security forces. Several hundreds of students are arrested.

Äthiopien: Studenten-/Schülerproteste

Teacher arrested from Ambo and Gudar towns

On April 9, 2004, around 5 - 6am, the government forces went into the houses of over 60 people (mostly teachers) from Ambo and Gudar towns and arrested them after searching into their houses without court warrant. These people are kept incommunicado though it is believed under arrest at Ambo palace.

Most of these people served jail more than twice alleged in connection with the previous student protests or sympathizing the OLF. In the previous arrests they were released freelyas their guilt was not proven.There is a fear that they will be ill-treated or tortured while they are kept incommunicado. Few of those arrested

1. Mr. Mosisa Futasa -Gudar High School teacher (AI urgent action 2002)
2. Mr. Abebe Chimdi- " " "
3. Mr. Dhinsa Serbessa- " "
4. Mr. Tesfaye Teressa " "
5. Mr. W/Yesus Mengesha Ambo high school teacher, arrested for ten years during the Dergue era and the current government for the second time

Ambo Comprehensive Secondary School: On 16.03.2004, around 12:30, the students in the morning shift come out from the school and the afternoon shift students are coming into the school after security check and search at the gate. Bomb exploded from an unidentified person at this time killing at least seven and wounding an unknown number of students according to local sources. Those wounded were taken to the hospital immediately by the ambulance and hospital was totally surrounded the police and nobody was allowed to visit or report on the causuality. There was heavy presence of the police force inside and outside the school compound during the time of explosion according to the witnesses.

Quoting the regional police commander, state media blamed the OLF as usual for the bombing of the school children which wounded 18 students.

Such inhuman acts of massacre should be investigated from independent bodies and those responsible be charged.

Jimma University: On March 2, 2004, the Oromo students of the Jimma submitted a letter to the University to protest the expelssion of the Oromo students from the Addis Ababa University. The Jimma University advised the students to submit their protest to the Administrator of Jimma town and the later declined to give approval. Hence, the students once informed the Administrator, as per the law inforce, were prepared to go on demonstration.

Then the Police Force intervened and opened shouting against the students. This was stated by the Chief of Police of Jimma named Leut. Berhanu Erkossaa. The Police identified the Oromo students with their ID cards and detained 14 students. The Chief of Police denied the detention of about 300 students as stated in various private news papers.

The 14 students then appeared before the 1st instance Court and the prosecutor asked for the extension of time to investigate the case. Hence, the Courst extended until 15 March 2004 on which date the students appeared again for the second time.

The names of the students under the Police custody as per the chief of Police are:

1. Berhanu Gonfa
2. Addis Alem Negassa (female student)
3. Abebe Wolde Mariam
4. Haile Lelissay
5. Alemayehou Tuffa
6. Bedessa Fuffa
7. Bizuneh Yigezu
8. Alemayehou Admassu
9. Gurmessa Banne
   and others from Jimma Teachers College are:
10. Meressa Tilahun
11. Feyerra Kebede
12. Abiti Hirpha
13. Qelbessa Qene'a
14. Girma Milko

According to sources from Jimma, about 293 students were detained beyond the 14 students mentioned above.

Tulu Bolo: On 17 March 2004, Oromo students of the Hibret Fire School were to stage a demonstration similar to other schools inn Oromia. Due to the clash with the Police Force, one students was injured by the shouting from the Police Force and admitted to the Hospital. About 200 students were detained at unknown place.

Burayu: Similar problem arrised. The School Director called the Police Force and many causalities been done. On 5.3.04 Burayu Higher School students were taken to Holota Military Camp and detained. Among them:

10th grade students:

1. Kebeni qenno
2. Mezgebu Benti
3. Dirbatchew Amente
4. Temesfen TAddesse
5. Abate Meles
6. Zekarias Mitiku
7. Asfaw Mitiku
8. Gemechis Challa
9. Hailu Gadissa
10. Desaylegne Roorroo
    and 9th grade students:
11. Lelissa Enna
12. Hailu Dadhi

On 6.3.04 the following Oromo students were taken also by the Police Force.

1. Cchalla Gere'a
2. Dereje Zewde
3. Dinku Biffa
4. Mesresha Hayo.

They also denied familyy visits.

Ziway: Similar demonstration wyas to take place, however, Police Force intervened and detained many students.

Assella: On 17 March 2004, Chilalo Higher School Oromo students staged similar demonstration. About 106 students were heavily beaten and detained. Among them:

1. Hashim
2. Gadissay Terressa
3. Kemal Roba
4. Sultan Beshir
5. Desta Hirpha
6. Mohammed Jemmal
7. Adbul Malik Aman Haji
8. Hassan Siraj
9. Huzein Siraf
10. Jemmal Mohammed.

Five students among them badly injured and denied medical treatment.

Harar: On 15 -03-04, similar incidents been occured at Harar at two Higher Schools and Chelenko School. On 17-03-04, from Chlenko school many students were heavil beaten and detained . Among them

1. Abbas Ahmed
2. Seifu Sefedin
3. Hamme Hassen
4. Semman Shibbo
5. Satti Mohammed
6. Mussa Aliy
7. Adem Yusuf
8. Hassen Haji Kedir.

Their family members denied to visit and supply food.

Dukkam and Bishoftu: On 18-03-04 similar protest staged. Many of ghem were detined at unknown place. The Road Transport was closed yesterday. Many persons were detained from the street.

Sebetta: On 9-03-04, Sebatta Higher School students stage simolar protest an detained. Among them:

1. Legesse Mulissa
2. Gutamma
3. Mekonnen

---> and teachers by the name of:
1. Bulcha Wonde - Economics teacher
2. Teferra gelatu - English teacher were detained.

Holotta: On 18.03.04, at Walmerra School, similar protest staged and many students detained from Yekatit 25 Higher School and Holotta Agricultural School were 50 students were also detained at the Police Station of Holotta.

Gimbi, Nejo and Mendi schools: Similar protest staged.

Harromaya: The University is serrounded by the Military installing tents at the area. The Military searched the dormitories of the students and folund armamments possessed by Tigre students, Klashinkov guns, pistols and hand grindage were found. No action been taken so far against them. Instead, an Oromo student by the name of Birra Merga was detained and his whereabout is unknown.

Kidnappings:
Several Oromo persons were kidnapped from their houses in Finfine.

1. Dechassa Benti, Member of the Board of Directors of Mecha and Tullamma Association kidnapped on 14.3.04 from his house and his whereabout is unknown. His house was searched on 15.3.04 without Court Order.
2. Zewde Qene'a was kidnapped onn 14.3.04 from Ayar Xenna Zone. He is a student of Unity College.
3. Bayissa Belay was kidnapped on 14.03.04 and his house was searched without court order.
4. Gemeda Qassim was kidnapped when he was coming back from the School. His whereabout is unknown.

Students arrested from Ambo and Gudar towns

On March 1, 2004, in Tukur Inchinni ( Inchinni town) at least one student Alemu Guteta , 9th grade student at Inchinni Secondary School was killed and several others were wounded from shootings from the government forces.

The following is the list of some of the students from Gudar secondary school who had been arrested in Gudar prison.

1. Nagasa Galana
2. Asafa Furgasa
3. Motumma Calchissa
4. Takka
5. Girma Abarra (student of Jimma University- had been on vacation)

List of some of Ambo comprehensive secondary students who had been arrested

1. Warqinaa Sabbooqa
2. Gadissa Ratta
3. Tsagayee Tadassa
4. Takkala Dalassa
5. Hailuu Dalassa (in coma after severe beatings)
6. Ambasse Birru
7. Yitaagazu Fufaa
8. Kassahun Gurmeessa
9. Kabbadaa Gonfaa
10. Tammiruu Calchisaa (currently under medical attention in Ambo hospital)
11. Tafarii Ararsaa
12. Asaffa Marga
13. Olani Kumala
14. Jagamaa Badhanee
15. Zalaqaa Sibiruu
16. Dhugumaa Caffe
17. Ratta Bakale (suspended from Addis Ababa University)
18. Jagamaa Getacho (suspended from addis Ababa University)
19. Baqalaa Alamu
20. Kumalaa Hirphaassa
21. Mammush
22. Hailuu Takka
23. Tamiruu Takka
24. Badhanee Foyye

Am 18. Februar 2004, verhängte das fünfte Strafgericht die Todesstrafe durch Erhängen gegen zwei Oromos, die verdächtigt werden, Mitglieder der 'Oromo Befreiungsbewegung' ('Oromo Liberation Front', OLF) zu sein. Es sind Herr Fisseha Birasa und Herr Dereje Dame, die 1992 angeblich Zivilisten in der Ortschaft Mugi in der West Wollega Region getötet haben.

Auf gleiche Weise verurteilte Ende Januar 2004 das gleiche Gericht im Daro Labu Distrikt, in der Region West Hararghe, Herrn Jemal Mustafa zum Tode, weil er beschuldigt wird, im Jahr 1992 Zivilisten im Daro Labu Distrikt getötet zu haben.

Bis dahin war kein Todesurteil gegen Vertreter des Derg-Regimes, die für das Massaker während der Mengistu Aera verantwortlich waren, ausgesprochen worden. - nachfolgend ausführlicher in Englisch -

Death sentences

On 18.02. 2004, the 5th criminal court chaired by Mr. Leul Gebremariam , excecutive committee member of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) passed death sentence against two Oromos suspected as Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) members Mr. Fisseha Birasa and Mr. Dereje Dame, alleged of killing civilians in Mugi locality of West Wollega region in 1992. In a similar way, the same court passed another death sentence at the end of January 2004 against Mr. Jemal Mustafa, accused of killing civilians in Daro Labu district, West Hararghe region in 1992. So far no such death sentence was heard against the Dergue officials who ordered massacre and accused of genocide during Mengistu era.

One of the victims Mr. Dereje Deme was born in central Oromia at a place called Jaldu. He was a businessman and owner of a big hotel in Finfinne (Addis Ababa). In 1992, the TPLF regime confiscated Mr. Dereje Deme's imported commodities valuing millions of birr at the port of Asab purportedly as properties of OLF. In 1993, Mr. Deme was arrested by Tigrian security officers in Finfinne (Addis Ababa) while he was returning to his home from a place called Jimma Bar and the TPLF regime confiscated all properties belonging to Mr. Deme including his deposit from the commercial Bank of Ethiopia. Mr. Deme's mother and brother died of grief and frustration and Mr. Deme's whereabout was unknown until the death sentence was pronounced by TPLF Court.

On February 18, 2004 the regime declared that it has decided to hang Mr. Dereje allegedly accusing him of killing the regime's supporters in Muggi town, in western Oromia in 1992. This allegation is categorically false, as Mr. Deme has never been a soldier and has never been armed with any kind of weapon in his life.

The other Oromo national who has became victim of TPLF death sentence; Mr. Fisha Birasa was also a civil servant in the ministry of Coffee and Tea plantation of Ethiopia. In 1992, he was arrested from his workplace in Mugi town, Anfillo district of Western Oromia.
Then he was taken to Dhidhessa detention Camp in Wallagga, from there he was taken to Ziway detention Camp in the South. In 1997 when a mobile court was taken to Ziway Mr. Birasa was cleared of any sort of crime and the court decide to release him. However, the then commander of the Southern Army of TPLF regime, Major General Ayelom Araya ordered personnel of the detention camp not to release Mr. Birasa and accused the judge who decided the release for their decision and for being Oromo ethnic origin. Subsequently, one of the judges Mr. Qasim Hussen was systematically killed by the regime's security force and the other two judges left the country to escape death and imprisonment.

The office of the ministry of Coffee and Tea Plantation of Ethiopia has already sent evidence to the regime's high court, which confirms Mr. Fisaha Birasa was a civil servant in the ministry in 1992. Even for his stay at home during a time of sick leave a Dembi Dollo hospital has sent evidence to the regime's high court. Besides the then President of Oromia state Mr. Hassan Ali wrote a letter to the high court of the Wayane regime confirming that Mr. Fisaha Birasa was a development worker in the Ministry of Coffee and Tea Plantation in 1992.

Im Jahr 2003 gab die äthiopische Regierung Registrierungsbescheinigungen heraus, um die traditionelle Religion der Oromo - die Waqqeffanna - ausüben zu dürfen. ('Waqaa' heißt 'Gott' in der Afan Oromo-Oromosprache)

Am 17. Februar 2004 nannte die gleiche Behörde diese Religion 'illegal'.

Unterdrückung von Studenten aus der Nationalität der Oromos

The students protest still continuing in different parts of Oromia. The government forces also took unparallel force to quell this peaceful demands. Shooting live bullets at the students from these forces made dozens of students wounded and several killed.

Those killed from bullets shot or severe beatings by the government forces are Alemu Guteta 9th grade student from Tukur Inchinni Secondary School, Lemma Anbasse, Chala Xiqa both 5th grade students from Dirre junior secondary school, near Bushoftu ( Debre Zeit), Chalchisa 9th grade student from Ginchi secondary school, Tarikuha Hailu (F) from Ambo comprehensive secondary school, Hamelework Buli (F) from Nekemte Darge senior secondary school and others whose names are not yet obtained.

Holota
On 18.03.04, many students detained from Yekatit 25 high school and Holota agricultural college. About 50 students were also detained at the police station of Holota. In a similar manner, on 22.03.2004 , the campus of Holota agricultural college students was engulfed with the security forces who had beaten Oromo students and rounded up dozens of them and took to the former Tatek military training camp. Few of those students still arrested are

1. Lelisa Ina ( severely beaten and arrested)
2. Habtamu Negash
3. Megersa Ifa
4. Mekonnen Ajema
5. Tilahun Tolesa
6. Dechasa Demie
7. Assefa Bokku

Few from Holota Agricultural College

1. Dereje Zemenu
2. Wakjira Feyisa
3. Wanna Manjo
4. Gelane Fekadu (F)
5. Habtamu Abdata
6. Sileshi Terfasa
7. Abdulaziz Maza
8. Feyise (F) and others

Amuru-Metu Illubabor
On 18.03.04, several students were arrested after their peaceful demonstration was dispersed with excessive force from the government forces. The demonstration in Metu was also dispersed. The names of few of those arrested from Amuru are

1. Berhanu Birru
2. Bekele Nemo
3. Tilahun Alula
4. Asfaw Abdisa
5. Yilma Abdisa
6. Satiya Demeke
7. Kassa Dereje
8. Melkamu Aboma
9. Taddesse Fila
10. Kassa Gonfa
11. Habtamu Shiferaw
12. Fufa Lemma
13. Fekadu Tullu and several others full name not so far obtained

Dembi Dollo
On 17.03.2004, students from Dembi Dolo senior secondary school peacefully protested and several students were beaten and arrested. The director of the school, Mr. Getachew Assefa who had an interview with the voice of America was also kidnapped and his whereabout unknown after he disclosed that several students were arrested.

Gindabarat
On 2n 24.03.2004, students from Kachisi secondary school staged protests with which the government forces reacted with live ammunitions. Five students were severely wounded and hospitalised in Ambo and St. Paul hospital in Addis Ababa. Security forces did not allow the wounded to get medical attention for over a day. Megersa Lemessa , 10th grade student is hospitalised after his abdomen and kidney were seriously wounded. About 10 elders and traders of Kachisi were also arrested after the shootings at the school children.

Waliso
Teachers and traders Dilalla village and Waliso town were arrested after the students’ peaceful protests. Taye Berecha (teacher), Daniel Abate and Tulu Alemu ( both traders) as well as more students Tesfaye Sufa, Taye Dirriba, Kidanu Bogale, Solomon Kebede and others are recently arrested.

The Ethiopian government waged another round of kidnapping and arrests hundreds of Oromo students from Addis Ababa and Jimma Universities, Zuway and other high schools alleging them with different covert covers. In the last ten years, the same regime expelled or suspended, arrested and killed thousands of Oromo students from different Universities and high schools.

Addis Ababa University

It is recalled that on the demonstration called by Mecha Tulama Oromo Self Help Association on 04.01.2004, the identity cards of Oromo university students were confiscated and dozens arrested for few days and later released on the premises not to take part in any protest and demonstration against the government policies on the Oromo and Oromia.

On January 18, 2004, a pro government OPDO (Oromo People' s Democratic Organization) musical band was invited to the grand hall of main campus of the Addis Ababa University by few of its members to make propoganda work on the transfer of the capital city of Oromia from Finfinne (Addis Ababa) to Adama. The Oromo students were denied this hall to perform cultural show for the fund raising of their graduation bulletin as in the previous years. According to reliable sources, the agents of the government in the Campus exploited the disagreements between the groups to flame it into violence. To get into cracking Oromo students, the agents threw stones and properties damaged. The same night, eight students were taken from their dormitory by the Federal Police. Those university students arrested on 18.01.2004 are

1. Getachew Gadisa
2. Terfessa Barkessa
3. Tamirat Gadisa
4. Merga Namo
5. Imiru Gemechu
6. Balina Manocha
7. Million Dirriba
8. Temesgen Gemeda

After three days on January 21,2004, Oromo students gathered in front of the University administration and peacefully requested the release their fellow students. In the evening, the government forces gathered 547 (329 according to the government) students from the dormitories, library and on the way against their long list and took them crowded in 6-8 trucks to Kolfe police camp. On January 22, 2004, government media transmitted that 315 were suspended for a year from their study and released, while the rest will be either completely expelled or charged for their violent actions, loss of properties, alleged with connection to the Oromo Liberation Front-OLF (which it denied on its statement issued on January 22, 2004). According to reliable sources there are still about 240 students detained.

Jimma University

On January 01, 2004, Oromo University students were celebrating the new year peacefully singing cultural songs. Security forces rounded several students and arrested without any charge or trial. Those students arrested are

1. Endalu Ejigu
2. Imana Qajela
3. Shamsadin Yasin
4. Abiti Hirpho
5. Gebisa Insarmu
6. Belay Negussie
7. Alemu Iticha
8. Motuma Chala
9. Zerihun Dhugasa (his whereabout unknown)

Twenty students were expelled from the school and seven of them are still imprisoned.

Unruhen wegen der Verlegung einer Regionalhaupstadt

The decision to change the capital city of Oromia regional government from Finfinne (Addis Ababa) to Adama (Nazareth) was to underway in the last two months of 2003. This decision was opposed from different sectors of the Oromo society. The Macha Tulama Association and the Oromo Students, the workers of the Oromia regional offices, the Oromo Political and Civic Organizations blamed the move unconstitutional. The constitution of Ethiopia gives the Oromos status in which their special rights is recognised as Finfinne (Addis Ababa) is in the heartland of Oromia. The Macha Tulama Association,workers of Oromia regional offices requested the federal government of Ethiopia and the Prime Minister to intervene, decide in favour of the constitution and foil the decision in their letters. There was no reply from the government side and finally decided to stage a peaceful demonstration. The Macha Tulama Association called the Oromos to demonstrate on January 4, 2004 still in accordance with the constitution of Ethiopia.

According to the constitution of Ethiopia citizens have the right to demonstrate peacefully filing or informing the institution in charge before 48 hours. The Macha Tulama Association informed the authorities two weeks earlier that it is about stage demonstration. Besides that, four days before they also requested the authorities for the security during the demonstration. On the abovementioned day, estimated over 100,000 Oromos from different walks of life were on the way to Meskel square when they were rounded at different outposts of the city and beaten severely by the Ethiopian government security forces. It is not uncommon to react heavy handedly with the peaceful demonstration of the Oromos. Hundreds were imprisoned in unknown places. Some of them were released after hours of intimidation not to take part in any type of peaceful demonstration. The Macha Tulama Association leaders were among those taken to unknown place. Few of those arrested on January 4, 2004 are

1. Mr. Dirribi Demissie – President of the Macha Tulama Association
2. Mr. Bekele Jirata – Former Vice President of Macha Tulama Association also previously arrested by the current government (AI Urgent Action)
3. Mr. Bekele Gurmu
4. Mr. Legesse Detti
5. Mr. Mengistu Jalata
6. Mr. Kebede Gudeta