Tuesday, August 31, 2021
Saturday, August 28, 2021
#OromoLibrationFront
OLF is Troubled to Believe the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission Reports
OLF Press Release – August 27, 2021
The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) claims to be an independent agency charged with promoting human rights and investigating human rights abuses in Ethiopia. However, we repeatedly observed that some of the reports and press releases are biased, and politically motivated. We believe that an autonomous human right organization must conduct independent, professional, and unbiased human rights duties and excel its public responsibility in fair and impartial manner. We also believe that it is good practice to corroborate investigation from various sources including field data in relevant regions, gathering information from sources that may include “families of victims, eyewitnesses, and residents of the places of violation”, from government authorities as well as referring to national and international human rights laws to verify atrocities.
But unfortunately, we see lack of appropriate investigation methodology, independence, and professionalism from the top leader of the EHRC and its staff. It is obvious that the EHRC is government affiliated body and the leadership at the top have their own political motives and ethnic preferences that influence their practices in excelling their responsibilities in a professional way. From careful observation of past reports, we see that some statements are biased, mostly where the conflict hotspots were between Amhara and other nations and nationalities such as Oromo, Benishangul -Gumuz, and Tigray. According to the information we received from residents (that can be verified by consulting people in the local areas), the facts incorporated into some EHRC reports were compiled based on consultation with the government authorities who carry out the atrocious themselves. The investigations ignore accounts of actual victims in some areas. This lack of data corroboration, unfairness and lack of professionalism had been demonstrated in many investigations and reports of the commission. Most of the reports were either biased or misleading the public about the facts on the ground. Also, sometimes, the commission ignores reporting major human rights abuses that took place in some areas that might not attract the interest the officials of the commission. Also, we observe that, at times, there were lack of keeping confidentiality and anonymity of informants that might expose some individuals to further atrocities by the government agents. In general, it appears that the Chief Commissioner of EHRC and his personnel are intentionally producing politically and ethnically motivated reports.
Although we saw many biased and misinforming reports in the past, the Press Release issued yesterday, August 26, 2021, has particularly grabbed our attention. The report clearly shows that the EHRC has implicitly concealed the merciless atrocities of the Amhara militias and government forces on Oromo civilians and exaggerated / highlighted the Amhara victims. The report stated that the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) has killed 150 Amhara residents in East Wallaga Zone, Gidda Kiramu Woreda. The report also highlighted that the killing was ethnically motivated against Amhara people. However, as we verified from the actual victims and residents in the areas, the EHRC press release issued on 26 August 2021 fails to mention the political drama that took place few days before the incident. As it had been done several times in the past, the government agents and allied forces had organized a political drama few days before the fight started. The aim was to campaign against the OLA operating in the area. Two days before the incidents, armed Amhara Special Forces from Amhara region crossed the Abbay river and deployed to the places known as Gidda Ayana, Kiramu, Hagamsa and Amuru-Jartee -Woredas. The first-round of their mission was to evacuate Amhara women and children from these areas. In the meantime, the Government cut telephone lines and networks in the area to block communication and information leakage and to prepare for the hidden massacre. The second mission was to conduct the actual war and to kill as many civilians as possible in the area and to spread false propaganda on the media for political gain by labelling the OLA as if they conducted ethnic targeted killings. After the children and women had been evacuated, the Amhara militias, in collaboration with government forces, come back in large number armed with heavy weapons and opened fire on Oromo residents in places known as Wast, Siredoro, Hagamsa, and Haroo/ Lalisee towns. The fight continued for three days, and they killed a large number of Oromo civilians. This massacre was not mentioned in the EHRC report, but the Amhara killings were highlighted in the report and put to various media outlets to blackmail the OLA. Therefore, OLF consider that the press release issued on 26 August 2021 stating the killings of 150 Amharas in East Wallaga was biased, incomplete and untrue.
OLF express its condolence for civilians and their families that might have been affected in this conflict. In addition, we want to make clear that our information on the actual number of people killed in the conflict is to be verified as it is difficult to identify figures in the short period of time as the conflict in the areas still escalates.
Therefore, we call for independent investigation into this incident report of EHRC issued of 26 August 2021 regarding the OLA and Oromo people in stated regions so that it will be clear to the Oromo and Ethiopian peoples as well as to the international community.
We would like to inform all media including BBC Oromo program to be cautious reporting this biased report of the EHRC and refrain from misinforming the public. Instead, we advise them to verify the facts from the victims themselves.
We ask the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and related human rights watch groups to monitor the activities of the EHRC and scrutiny its credibility so that the institution will be able to function according to the UN Human Rights Council standards and Human Rights guiding principles and practices. The UNHRC must confirm that the EHRC demonstrate their professionalism, fairness, and equitable campaign for all Ethiopia peoples.
Finally, we advise the EHRC to carry out its public duties according to the UNHRC standards and guiding principles and free itself from biases of ideology, political views, and ethnic preferences.
Victory to the Masses!
Oromo Liberation Front.
August 27, 2021
Finfinne, Oromia
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
Monday, August 16, 2021
Thursday, August 12, 2021
#AbiyMustGoEthiopi
Circumstances around the death of Attorney Abduljebar Hussien:
1. Abdulajabar is a fearless and selfless attorney who currently co-represents (along other attorneys) high profile political prisoners including Jawar Mohammed, Bekele Gerba, Hamza Borena et al.
Abduljabar’s recent case was that of Lidetu Ayalew (a non-Oromo political prisoner). He represented Lidetu and fought for him before Supreme Court of Oromia. Lidetu managed to get released after so many political interferences from Abiy Ahmed’s administrations.
2. Today, we heard news of Abdulajabar Hussien’s body found dead. Autopsy isn’t done yet. However, here is what we know so far.
A. Two strangers (a male and female) called the phone of Abduljabar’s wife. They called her to tell her the news. They said “We found the body of your husband.” The wife doesn’t recognize the strangers and their phone number.
Possibly, they might have had access to his phone contact list; or this could be a premeditated act in which they have already dug her number from external sources!
B. Abduljabar’s phone is always on strict security lock. He uses a highly secured and complex pattern to unlock his phone. This is a matter of fact.
C. The strangers’ phone was off forthwith. Any attempt to call back didn’t go through.
D. About a week ago, Abduljabar’s wife received a death threat from stranger via phone call. “Atis Abbaan manaa kee ni argattu.” Translation: “you and your husband will get it one of these days” was the threat message.
E. Abduljabar spent the afternoon before his death at one of his closest friend, who is a professor. When Abduljabar left his friend’s house in the evening.
F. His body was found dead on a route he never uses to get to his house in Adama.
G. His body was taken to Rift Valley university hospital. Nothing is visibly seen on his body, according to the hospital’s doctors.
H. His body is now en route to government operated St. Paul hospital in Addis Ababa.
Abduljabar is a brilliant Oromo person, a friend, former colleague who served as Judicial Trainer at Oromia judicial training center and also Supreme Court Judge of Oromia before starting his own solo practice, where he represents high profile Oromo and non-Oromo political prisoners.
Rest In Peace Jabboo!
Thursday, August 5, 2021
Wednesday, August 4, 2021
Saturday, July 31, 2021
Wednesday, July 28, 2021
Tuesday, July 27, 2021
Saturday, July 24, 2021
Oromo Liberation Front
Using Children for War is A futile but Criminal Act by Desperate Remnant PP Group
OLF Presse Release- July 23, 2021
The Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) was repeatedly raising its gravest concerns about the Ethiopian ruling group declaring war on its own citizens. We were stressing that it is not only unconstitutional but also the war that cannot be won. Instead, the OLF was demanding peaceful settlement of the conflicts to the political crises. However, sadly, the outlawed Prosperity Party (PP) ruling group continued fighting Ethiopian peoples and opposition parties for the last three years. The PP ruling group kept on thinking that the war would produce a solution to the existing crises in the country.
It is obvious that the Government of Dr. Abiy Ahmed has been defeated in all internal wars in Oromia, Benishangul-Gumuz and Tigray regions. This led to the weakening of the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) and deteriorated its warring capacities. Also, the manpower supply for the army is depleted as most of the Ethiopian peoples believe that the war declared on the citizens is unjustified and meaningless. At this juncture, it became crystal clear that anyone in Ethiopia with normal conscience does believe that the conventional war undergoing against the Ethiopian peoples is totally unacceptable. It is not only the civil population who do believe that the war is meaningless but also the ENDF members themselves and associated Militias who went to the war front are regretting about their actions in this unjust war. However, the PP ruling group is still determined to the war effort against peoples’ need.
As a last resort for their survival, the PP group turned to children who don’t understand anything about the war and its consequences. According to tangible information we receive from different parts of the country, the PP group is forcing most underaged children below 15 years old for military training and preparing them for war. Most of the children they are conscripting are from poor sector of our society who are shoe polishers, daily laborers and those looking for manual labor work to earn their daily bread. They forcefully recruit these children by giving them false and misleading information promising them job. As we speak the PP armed forces are conscripting several children from Ambo prison, Dalattii (Sabbata) prison, Sululta, Burayyu and different locations including from streets and individual homes. Also, we are receiving reliable information that similar recruitments of child soldiers are taking place in other parts of the country.
Currently many of these children enlisted from central Oromia are kept in concentration camp at Sandafa College from where they will be transferred to Military training Centers. After they have been taken to the military training camps, they don’t have option to escape as they will be thwarted by armed forces.
The OLF would like to stress that this act of forced recruitment of underaged children for war is not only morally wrong, but it is also against the national and international laws. For example, the convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (2002) all forbid armed forces and non-state armed groups from using children under the age of 15 directly in armed conflict (technically "hostilities"). Other regional and international laws prohibit child soldiers as children are vulnerable victims of the society and suffer a broad range of human rights violations and abuses, including their right to life and subject to warring zone violence and other forms of torture.
We, therefore, condemn this act and call up on the Oromia citizens, other Ethiopian peoples and the international community do their best to stop this criminal act. We observe that parents, different community groups and political organizations are making efforts to protect the children from these hostilities. However, it may be difficult for them as the child conscription is enforced by the PP armed groups.
Therefore, we urge citizens of Oromia and other Ethiopian peoples to organize themselves, strengthen their unities and defend the children from this evil act of the PP ruling group. Particularly, we ask the political parties’ structure, Oromo Youth (Qerroo/Qarree) structure, and the administration of the Oromia Regional National Transitional Government (ORNTG) to work hard to protect these children. We also appeal to the international communities to do their best in their capacities to investigate and prosecute those who recruit and use children for war as this is now recognized as a war under international laws.
Finally, we would call up on the Oromia citizens and other Ethiopian peoples stand in unison to avoid the current wide spectrum devastative acts of the PP group that would lead the country to more irreparable crises.
Victory to the Masses!
Using Children for War is A futile but Criminal Act by Desperate Remnant PP Group
OLF Presse Release- July 23, 2021
The Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) was repeatedly raising its gravest concerns about the Ethiopian ruling group declaring war on its own citizens. We were stressing that it is not only unconstitutional but also the war that cannot be won. Instead, the OLF was demanding peaceful settlement of the conflicts to the political crises. However, sadly, the outlawed Prosperity Party (PP) ruling group continued fighting Ethiopian peoples and opposition parties for the last three years. The PP ruling group kept on thinking that the war would produce a solution to the existing crises in the country.
It is obvious that the Government of Dr. Abiy Ahmed has been defeated in all internal wars in Oromia, Benishangul-Gumuz and Tigray regions. This led to the weakening of the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) and deteriorated its warring capacities. Also, the manpower supply for the army is depleted as most of the Ethiopian peoples believe that the war declared on the citizens is unjustified and meaningless. At this juncture, it became crystal clear that anyone in Ethiopia with normal conscience does believe that the conventional war undergoing against the Ethiopian peoples is totally unacceptable. It is not only the civil population who do believe that the war is meaningless but also the ENDF members themselves and associated Militias who went to the war front are regretting about their actions in this unjust war. However, the PP ruling group is still determined to the war effort against peoples’ need.
As a last resort for their survival, the PP group turned to children who don’t understand anything about the war and its consequences. According to tangible information we receive from different parts of the country, the PP group is forcing most underaged children below 15 years old for military training and preparing them for war. Most of the children they are conscripting are from poor sector of our society who are shoe polishers, daily laborers and those looking for manual labor work to earn their daily bread. They forcefully recruit these children by giving them false and misleading information promising them job. As we speak the PP armed forces are conscripting several children from Ambo prison, Dalattii (Sabbata) prison, Sululta, Burayyu and different locations including from streets and individual homes. Also, we are receiving reliable information that similar recruitments of child soldiers are taking place in other parts of the country.
Currently many of these children enlisted from central Oromia are kept in concentration camp at Sandafa College from where they will be transferred to Military training Centers. After they have been taken to the military training camps, they don’t have option to escape as they will be thwarted by armed forces.
The OLF would like to stress that this act of forced recruitment of underaged children for war is not only morally wrong, but it is also against the national and international laws. For example, the convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (2002) all forbid armed forces and non-state armed groups from using children under the age of 15 directly in armed conflict (technically "hostilities"). Other regional and international laws prohibit child soldiers as children are vulnerable victims of the society and suffer a broad range of human rights violations and abuses, including their right to life and subject to warring zone violence and other forms of torture.
We, therefore, condemn this act and call up on the Oromia citizens, other Ethiopian peoples and the international community do their best to stop this criminal act. We observe that parents, different community groups and political organizations are making efforts to protect the children from these hostilities. However, it may be difficult for them as the child conscription is enforced by the PP armed groups.
Therefore, we urge citizens of Oromia and other Ethiopian peoples to organize themselves, strengthen their unities and defend the children from this evil act of the PP ruling group. Particularly, we ask the political parties’ structure, Oromo Youth (Qerroo/Qarree) structure, and the administration of the Oromia Regional National Transitional Government (ORNTG) to work hard to protect these children. We also appeal to the international communities to do their best in their capacities to investigate and prosecute those who recruit and use children for war as this is now recognized as a war under international laws.
Finally, we would call up on the Oromia citizens and other Ethiopian peoples stand in unison to avoid the current wide spectrum devastative acts of the PP group that would lead the country to more irreparable crises.
Victory to the Masses!
Oromo Liberation Front.
July 23, 2021
Finfinne
July 23, 2021
Finfinne
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