The Oromia Support Group aims to publicise human rights violations committed against the people of Ethiopia by forces employed by the Ethiopian Government. Its objectives are to promote democracy, freedom from human rights abuses and self-determination for all the peoples of Ethiopia, and disseminate information about Oromo history and culture.
Since its inception, and prior to this press release, the Oromia Support Group has reported 973 extra-judicial killings, 385 disappearances and 6380+ imprisonment of civilians suspected of supporting groups opposing the government. Most of these have been Oromo people. Tens 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. The EPRDF government's security forces are making it increasingly difficult for information on human rights violations to be gathered within the country and for this information to be sent abroad.
Sources of Information
1. Clandestine Human Rights Organisation A, Addis Ababa, Bulletin 23, February 1996.
2. Correspondent in Wallega, W.Oromia, 20.3.96
3. Correspondent A in USA, February 1996
4. Correspondent B in USA, February 1996
5. Correspondent in Canada, 27.2.96
6. Informant from Addis Ababa, 11.4.96
7. Dima Noggo, interviewed 9.4.96
8. Amnesty International Urgent Action Appeal, 21.3.96
9. Addis Tribune 22.3.96
10. Urji newspaper, Addis Ababa 22.3.96
ADDIS ABABA AND CENTRAL OROMIA/ETHIOPIA
Killings
Abicho Haji Mohammed, Manya Worki village, Arba Gugu, Arsi region was recently killed (reported Feb.1996). He was a prominent elder who was in detention in Hurso camp in 1992. (1).
Gobana Safatu, killed in Bacho Waddessa village in Woliso district, W. Showa, and
Tamane Olika, killed in Djaldu district, W. Showa, (reported Feb.1996) (1).
Mrs Zahra Sheikh Bakry, 38, mother of four, residing in Saudi Arabia, went to Ethiopia to secure the release of her father, Sheikh Bakry Gaja, 75, arrested on suspicion of supporting the OLF. Mrs Bakry paid a lot of money bribing different officials but was herself arrested and "severely beaten". She was released but died of her wounds a few days later. (5).
Challa Kebebe was among dozens arrested at Gindeberet, W.Showa on about 12.2.96 (see imprisonments below). It has been reported that he has died in detention as a result of torture. (8).
Disappearances
Jamal Hussein, whose imprisonment in Maikelawi Interrogation Centre, was reported previously, has disappeared from there. He was last heard of in 1994. (6).
In January, 1996, the following Oromos were kidnapped by EPRDF security forces in Addis Ababa and their whereabouts remain unknown :-
Fayera Nagara, employee of the Ethiopian Air Lines. He was also held for one month from Nov. 1995 without being charged.
Marga Gudata and his wife,
Kulani Atomsa and 2 other people, were taken from their home in Woreda 15,kebele 34.
Fikadu Dinsa, teacher
Boja Boru, teacher
Garbaba Tolassa
Mr Dhaba
Tekalegn Dago, Addis Ababa University, (14.1.96)
Shiferaw Toli, (14.1.96)
Kumsa Burayu, student at Addis Ababa University, (14.1.96).
Magarsa Wakjira has been named as one of the two people who disappeared with Firomsa Taye, (Aga), an economist in the Oromia planning office, and Fayera Abdissa, an agricultural economist, on 14.1.96. (see February Press Release). (1).
Teshome Mutama was arrested at Gindeberet, W.Showa, on about 12.2.96 (see imprisonment etc, below). His whereabouts since arrest are not known and there are fears for his safety. (8).
Imprisonment etc
A recent report by the New-York based Committee to Protect Journalists shows that Ethiopia arrested 31 journalists last year. This is the second highest number of detained journalists in the world, after Turkey where there has been a crackdown on those reporting the war against the Kurds. (9)
More than 200 people were arrested in the South Central province of Arsi in January, 1996, in the villages of Itayya, Asasa, Shanaka, Seeru, Roobee and Bokoji. All were arrested without due process of law. Most of the detainees are prominent elders with large families. The following were identified :-
Khedir Ahmed
Hussien Qassim
Haji Ali
Nassir Ahmed
Ms. Fatuma
Mr. Bulo
Haji Hussien (1).
At the same time, the following were detained and released without charge :-
Hussein Sheikh Reshad
Gana Feyissa Tolcha
Tola Balcha Badhaso
Mansur Sheikh Abdala
Jamal Haji Tahir
"Most of these detainees lost most of their property, especially cattle, to the EPRDF army occupying their village. Some also lost their property during house searches." (1).
Wasane Mengistu, kidnapped on 14.1.96, went back to her home after 14 days and told her family that she was kept in the Special Branch for Investigation where she "saw and heard a lot of Oromo speaking prisoners". (1)
Bekele Ababa, from Ambo, W.Showa, was taken by EPRDF army in January 1996 and was "beaten all over his body and arrested. He is in a serious situation." (1)
Taye Tesema, Woreda 28, Kebele 02, House No. 551, Addis Ababa was taken by the EPRDF late one evening in December '95 or January '96. He was "blind folded and taken to an underground prison where he was kept for a week, beaten every night and asked to tell them those who are supporting the OLF by finance from Addis Ababa. He could not figure out the place of his detention after he was dropped somewhere on the road side to go home." (1).
Dalu Bekule was arrested in Addis Ababa, 16.2.96 (8).
Teshome Mutama, a male nurse at Gindeberet hospital, W.Showa, was arrested about 12.2.96, along with "dozens" of people in Gindeberet, following the escape of a suspected OLF detainee, former captain Dugassa Iticha, several of whose relatives were arrested and reportedly beaten. (8).
EASTERN OROMIA/ETHIOPIA
The gang rape of Mrs Hajara Ibrahim and the murder of her husband in Oboro, Harar, E.Hararge, was reported in the February 1996 Press Release. OSG has since learned that the events took place in October 1993 and were witnessed by relatives who now reside in the USA. Mrs Ibrahim now suffers from mental illness. (3).
Disappearances
The famous Oromo artist, Ms. Shabbe Shekko was arrested by the EPRDF on February 15, 1996 in the town of Goba, Bale, south-eastern Ethiopia. She was arrested upon arrival at Goba to celebrate with her family Id Al-Fatir, a holiday celebrated at the end of the fasting of Ramadan. A member of EPRDF militia, who was in the bus in which she was travelling, forced the bus to go to a police station where she was detained until they took her to an unknown place. To date, she is neither charged nor taken to court. (3, 8).
Imprisonment, Torture, etc
Mrs Dahabo Abdule, Laga Ambo, Hararge region, was taken by EPRDF soldiers from her home sometime in December '95 or January '96. She was pregnant. Her hands were tied together behind her back for 2 days and she was beaten because she appealed to the EPRDF commander about her sheep, cattle and goats being taken by the EPRDF army. She was detained for another two days and nights at Bate 04, and was labelled "OLF". (1)
Oromo singer, Baharsitu Obsa, who lives in Addis Ababa, was arrested in mid-February when visiting Dire Dawa, E.Hararge (8).
Abdella Ahmed Tesso, known as Abdella Magazaja, town council worker, was arrested in Dire Dawa on 19.2.96 (8).
WESTERN OROMIA/ETHIOPIA
Killings
The following were reported in February, 1996, (1) :-
Getachew Lamessa, killed in Horo Guduru, Eastern Wallega.
Bayana Obsi and 2 other people, killed in Horo Guduru, E.Wallega.
Eteffa Ofga, killed by EPRDF forces who surrounded his home in Babo Tobara village Mana Sibu district, Western Wallega.
Adam Mul'ata was also killed in Babo Tobora village.
Disappearances
Birhanu Melka Guma, was held in Mendi EPRDF camp, Wallega, from 20-25th Jan., 1996. He disappeared from then on. (1).
Disappearances occurring on Jan. 7th. 1996 at Ende Town, Limu District, Horo Guduru, E.Wallega (1):-
Mekabil Tefera, teacher
Merga Sima, teacher
Dhuguma Galata, teacher
Dbuguma Foraso, teacher
Adeba Mengesha, teacher
Bebele Abata, teacher
Nemo Abdissa, teacher
Getachew Worku, teacher
Ms Yade
Ms Hegi Gerbi
Beyene Tesso, Ministry of Agriculture
Zalalem Amanu, Ministry of Agriculture
Mamush Hailu, Ministry of Agriculture
Ali Fet, living in a village between Gidami and Dembi Dollo, S.Wallega, was arrested in the presence of most of his fellow villagers and taken to an unknown destination by EPRDF troops on 3.2.96. Soldiers returned to his house on 18.2.96 and were prevented from burning down his two houses by village elders. The houses were sealed off and Ali's 23 family members are living in the open, with no access to belongings or food. (2).
Imprisonments etc
Rasim (Ali) Fet, son of Ali Fet (see Disappearances, above), has been in prison in Zeri town, 180km east of Addis Ababa, in Adami Tulla Woreda, since 1992 (2).
A relative of Rasim, from the village between Gidami and Dembi Dollo (see Ali Fet, Disappearances, above), named Fet Yadata, has recently had 67 cows, 8 horses, 4 mules, 2 donkeys and 36 sheep taken by EPRDF soldiers (2).
The following, all believed to be farmers, from Manu Sibu district, W.Wallega were detained without warrant at Mendi Police Headquarters in November, 1995 :-
Totoba Hundessa,
Ayana Ligid,
Salamon Dhuguma,
Mustefa Tarressa and
Habte Ashana, from Babe Tobara village.
Ahmed Garba and
Kamal Garba, from Darge Tobara village. (1)
The following from Horo Guduru, Dadu 01 Kebele, Wallega, were illegally detained in December, 1995 :-
Tulu Nagara, teacher
Gidisa Duressa, teacher
Melesse Namara, farmer
Belete Bane, farmer
Gadissa Bayana, trader
Zeleke Bakare, an elder of 53 from the Molale Handode farmers' village
Family visits were forbidden after the prisoners told of their being tortured. (1).
Also illegally held in December 1995, at Shambo District detention centre, Bore Guduru, Wallega, were the following. All are farmers unless otherwise stated :-
Dugassa Furi
Mulugeta Kunsa
Idossa Ayana
Negash Edosa
Tadasse Burka
Gadissa Mulata
Marga Toleera, trader
Tollera Deresa, trader
Dasalegn Juria & wife, traders
Dhaba Lamessa, Head of Guduru district Agriculture. (1).
The following were taken in December, 1995 to Gida Kiramu detention centre, Horo Guduru, E.Wallega :-
Abdelle Amdihun, Gida district Administrator
Abdissa Kitila, an aged farmer in Abey Chomes Hachama Migira village, Horo Guduru, was detained in Dec. 1995 (1).
Teachers, whose names are not known, were dismissed from the Arbi Gebeya elementary school and are being held at Jida Ayana EPRDF detention center. Reported February 1996 (1).
Haile Ayana, OPDO/EPRDF Security Head for Ebantu district, is in detention as of February 1996 (1).
Asfaw Mekonen, a "prominent" OPDO/EPRDF Regional Administrator has been detained in Jimma, South Western Army Headquarters, December '95/January '96. (1).
Kasa Banja and 2 other people were arrested on 19.1.96 and are being held incommunicado in the Lalo Airs District (1).
Olana Bati, 75 yr old retired lawyer and prominent elder of Nekemte, Wollega, has been imprisoned for the 7th time since 1992. He was arrested in Nekemte on 18.2.96. He was detained in October 1994, severely beaten and threatened with death, and held by the local security services for three months despite court orders for his release. (8).
Asrat Buli, a medical doctor at Fincha sugar factory near Bako, Wollega, was arrested on 15.2.96. (8).
SOUTHERN OROMIA/ETHIOPIA
Killings
Sheikh Jeilan Khadir, leader of the Oda Chafe Mosque, Agarfa District, Bale, and three fellow worshippers attending Ramadan prayers, were killed in the mosque in January, 1996. The others killed were :-
Abdurazak Aba Malka
Sheikh Ali Aba Melka and
Abdlsabur Muhammed.
They were killed by EPRDF soldiers who claimed those killed were OLF supporters. (1)
Ahmud Fate, 70, was killed in the Gorro district of Ginir, Bale region. Reported February 1996, (1).
Disappearances Imprisonment etc
Many Oromo nationals in Borana have been arrested without warrant by EPRDF soldiers.
They are kept in the following army camps:
1) Finchawa
2) Hagare Mariam
3) Mellra Sodda and
4) Dawa Digatte.
The number of detainees is
"large but figures could not be compiled because travelling into the area and visits by family are forbidden."
Two of those imprisoned at the Hagare Mariam army camp are Oromo language teachers named :-
Ganada Duli and
Dida Wake. Both of them were beaten several nights severely and their homes were searched without any legal procedure. They are both married and are incommunicado with their families. Most of the other detainees are farmers of the local Oromo nomadic society, here in many cases the cattle are looted by the army. The following people were arrested and their cattle were taken by force from the other family members, leaving the family without any means to survive because the only means of survival in that arid zone is dairy products.
Those who lost their cattle (looted by the EPRDF army) are :-
Wata Fanja, Finchawa village and
Dhugo Guyye, from Dawa Digate village. The number of cattle taken and the names of those other people is not available at the time. The reason why they are kept at army camps are to torture them during the nights, beating instep of the feet is common (witnesses), many farmers lost their cattle because the EPRDF arrested almost all the herdsmen they find at water wells or on grazing fields." (1).
NAIROBI, KENYA
Five members of the Oromo Liberation Front, all legal residents or registered refugees with UNHCR in Nairobi, were arrested by Kenyan officials on 21/22.3.96 and told they were to be deported to Addis Ababa. They are Dima Noggo (former Minister of Information in the Transitional Government of Ethiopia and legally resident in Nairobi since 1993), Mekonnen Galan (businessman, living with his family in Nairobi since 1992), Tesfaye Dinsa (registered refugee since 1980), Hailu Darge (registered refugee since 1993) and Dula Bosona (registered refugee since 1990). Following mediation by Amnesty International and UNHCR, the five will now be deported to countries other than Ethiopia, to be arranged by UNHCR. Dima Noggo was deported, initially to England, on April 1st. (7).
Wariyo Galgalo, living in the Centre for Victims of Violence on the outskirts of Nairobi, was paralysed following torture by government forces in Ethiopia in 1994 when he and another Oromo were arrested in March 1995. The Ethiopian government were believed to want them deported to Ethiopia. (7).
DISMISSALS
In December 1995, the following teachers were dismissed in Ebantu District, Horo Guduru, E.Wallega:-
Wakitola Hunde,
Merga Ayana
Fatana Mengesha
Hirdashe Jilo
Ragassa Jilo
Amsalu Mengesha
Belay Frede
Wayessa Chibisa
Ms Zewuditu Birke
Geneti Meshesha
Nigussie Fetensa
Dessu Jilo
Yadata Tufa
Abara Tufa
Birile Birhanu
Tamiru Mengesha
Asefa Alemayehu
Adimassu Alemu
Miss Aster, secretary/typist (1).
The following are list of killings and abductions which took place over the last two years but have not previously been recorded by the Oromia Support Group. The list doesnot include victims of mass aarrests and executions in Adama, Horro Guduru, Limmu, Sigimo Gattira (over 300 summarily executed), Hageremariam, Yabello, Megga and Efero. (10)
SUMMARY EXECUTIONS
1. Abate Jote, Walaga
ABDUCTIONS, IMPRISONMENT AND DISAPPEARANCES ETC.
(Some of the following might have been murdered or released)
END OF PRESS RELEASE