OSG PRESS RELEASE No. 13 - August/September 1996

The Oromia Support Group has now reported 1,210 extra-judicial killings and 459 disappearances 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. Urji Newspaper, Addis Ababa, 16.7.96

2. Clandestine Human Rights Organisation A, Addis Ababa, Bulletin 26, August 1996.

3. Urji Newspaper, Addis Ababa, 13.8.96.

4. Urji Newspaper, Addis Ababa, 20.8.96.

5. Letter from victim, 31.7.96.

6. Clandestine Human Rights Organisation A, Addis Ababa, Supplementary Report, 25.6.96.

7. Oromo Commentary, Uppsala, Sweden, p3,VI, 1, 1996.

8. Correspondent Sacci A. Raagoo, Bale, Ethiopia, 20.7.96

9. Urji Newspaper, Addis Ababa, 23.7.96

10. Correspondence from victim’s relatives in Canada, July 1996.

11. Victim’s statement to OSG, Atlanta, Georgia, 10.8.96.

12. Victim’s statement to Sue Pollock, London, July and August, 1996.

13. Correspondent, in exile, Horn of Africa, 20.7.96.

14. Correspondent, relative of victims, Europe, 4.8.96.

15. Correspondent, brother to one of the victims, Nairobi, Kenya, 15.7.96.

16. Correspondent, Nairobi, Kenya, 11.7.96.

17. Report of Ogaden Human Rights Committee, Porrentruy, Switzerland, 9.8.96.

18. Amnesty International, report on Ethiopia for 1995, London, July 1996.

19. Report of Ogaden Human Rights Committee, Porrentruy, Switzerland, 17.7.96.

20. OMCT/SOS Urgent Action, January 1996, Switzerland.

21. Statement by acquaintance of victim, now living in Canada, June 1996.

22. U.N. General Assembly, Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programme, Report for 1994-5 and Proposed Programmes for 1996, Part 1. Africa, Section 6. Djibouti, Geneva, 18.7.95.

23. Statements made directly to Peter Niggli, Bruna Fossati and Lydia Namarra by victims in exile in Djibouti, 24.7.96 - 12.8.96

24. Georg Haneke, Sociologist at the University of Bielefeld, Germany, working in Borana region and Addis Ababa, June 1995 - March 1996, interviewed by OSG, 13.7.96.

25. Urji Newspaper, Addis Ababa, 6.8.96.

ADDIS ABABA AND CENTRAL OROMIA/ETHIOPIA

Killings

Hailu Gelaalcha , 16 yr old, Siba Kechemaa Kebele, Meta Robi District, Showa, was killed by army officers while his father was being beaten in prison (see below). He had been to Sidamo to earn money to buy livestock for his father's farm. He was stopped on his return by the local deputy administrator, who accused him of "being with bandits", and shot "with colleagues" in Goro town, reported 16.7.96 (1).

Bayissa Galalcha, Ginchi town and

Haile Galalcha, aged 16, Metta Robi, W.Showa, were reported killed in August (2).

Disappearances

Sabit Abdulwahab, a young man, was abducted by armed government personnel on June 26th while walking with his brothers and friends. Sabit was detained for about a year previously in Didessa. Since his recent abduction his relatives have been unable to trace him. (3).

Haji Kasim Aliy Danbooba, Itaya town,Hetosa district, Arsi, was detained on June 17th. He was kept at the police station during the daytime and the military camp at night. He was beaten and tortured for five days. He lost consciousness, was left on the prison veranda, and later removed to an unknown place. His elderly father, aged 86, went to the prison to enquire of his son’s whereabouts. There he was kicked and beaten by one of the officers and sustained a broken leg. (4).

Mohamed Haji Awal was kidnapped from near the Hawi hotel, Addis Ababa, on 22.6.96, and his whereabouts are not known (2).

Two unnamed Oromo were taken from a hotel in Woreda 16, Kebele 09, Addis Ababa on 29.6.96. They were beaten until their "faces changed" and one lost two teeth before they were handcuffed and driven away in a police car (Land Rover). They have subsequently disappeared. (2).

Imprisonment, torture, etc

Abu Dakabo, from the Harar area, E.Hararge, was imprisoned in Zeway, Arsi, at the end of 1992 and was tortured so severely that his left arm had to be amputated. He is currently seeking political asylum in Italy (5).

In Tulubalo town, Betcho District, near Addis Ababa, Showa, the following were reported to have been imprisoned in the Police Camp, without court order (25.6.96):-

Dereje Midagsa Amare Galan

Girma Mamo Teklu Mengiste

Bekele Solomon Wondwosen Alamu

Abera Worku Ocholon Midagsa

Zamedkun Guta Sisay Saman

Birhanu Dichasa Regassa Fantaye

Mustafa Kebede Kebede Muleta

Hirpa Dechasa Yitades Mengistu

Taye Worku Tesema Dinsa

Mr Diriba Tadele Mekonnen

Dejene Midagsa Tariku Ijo

Ashenafi Biratu Tewodros Tadesse

Demelash Abba-Kurat Dejene Feleqe

Abash Kadie Taye Tademe and

Mr Iticha (6).

Indalu Xiqo,

Mr Girma and

Mr Fekadu, were reported on 25.6.96 to have been imprisoned in Addis Ababa (6).

The following are said to be imprisoned at Itaya town prison, Hetosa district, Arsi:-

Tuna Haji Arshe Kider Tuke

Mrs. Teyiba Shek Mohamed Beshir Haji Arshi

Aman Tuke Haji Haji Fato

Mohamed Kuba Abdella Beshir

Esmael Amanuel Abdo Sheh Arab Tolo and

Mohamed Beshir. Reported 20.8.96 (4).

The following imprisonments and beatings in Meta Robi district, Showa, were reported 16.7.96:-

Dule Ejersa, of Sheno Iyesus Kebele, 80 yr old farmer - "tied to the ceiling", beaten and asked for money.

Kenani Wordofa, Siba Kechama Kebele, 75 yr old farmer, was beaten in prison and paid 800 Birr.

Yadesa Wakjira , of Ketkato town, 50 yr old businessman, was "mistreated" in prison and asked to pay 3,000 Birr for his release.

Mrs Tisdale Huriso, Ketkato town, 65 yr old farmer, was "mistreated" in prison, paid 3,000 and promised another 3,000 Birr to obtain release.

Tafa Tulu, Legarobi Kebele, business man, imprisoned and "mistreated", was released after paying 2,500 Birr.

Biru Woyecha, Mutte Robi Kebele, farmer, was imprisoned and flogged.

Gennenee Gedaa, Ketkato town, business man, imprisoned over four months, flogged and released after paying 3,000 Birr.

Wogene Gedaa, a youth from Ketkato town, was imprisoned for over four months, repeatedly flogged while suspended, and asked to pay 4,000 Birr.

Hunde Tafaa, Wolensu Kechema Kebele, imprisoned for several months, flogged several times while suspended, and was released after paying 4,000 Birr.

Dadii Tafa, Wolensu Kechema Kebele, imprisoned for several months, beaten several times while suspended and asked to pay 6,000 Birr.

Bekele Elema, Sire-Babu Kebele, imprisoned, beaten and maltreated.

Tadesse Deme, Wolensu Kebele, and

Lemecha Bulto, Sheno town, were imprisoned for three months, "mistreated" and released after paying 2,500 Birr.

Regassa Tafa, Amumaa Jijjiga Kebele, imprisoned, beaten and released after paying fine.

Adecha Damessa, Kuyu Gich Kebele, imprisoned and "severely beaten".

Megersaa Abebee, Makoloya Jegola Kebele, imprisoned, beaten "severely" and bears scars of beatings on his face.

Batuu Hursaa and

Jonse Kebede, both from Ketkato town, imprisoned for four months.

Motumma Lemecha, Agemsoo Borea Kebele, imprisoned for three months, twice beaten while suspended and released after paying 600 Birr.

Bedadaa Gudeta, a farmer of Wolensu Kechema Kebele, imprisoned and released after paying 1,000 Birr.

Gelaalcha Wordofa, Siba Kechemaa Kebele, imprisoned, twice beaten while suspended. He was released after armed officers killed his son, Haile Gelaalcha (see above). (1).

The following, from Bekore town, Kofale district, Arsi were imprisoned on July 25th for allegedly hiding guns:-

Mohamed Elf Kifle Teshome

Mr. Tamiru Alemayehu Obse and

Aguyo Agonafer.

They were detained for a week at Bekore town and transfered to Kofale District Police Station on August 2nd.

Taye-Shewa Woldeyes, aged 60, was beaten and tortured throughout the night on July 31st and taken to Kore prison when he lost consciousness due to pain. (3).

EASTERN OROMIA/ETHIOPIA

Killings

See statements of Oromo refugees in Djibouti, below.

Qamaria Haajii Shabbu, Robe town, Bale, married businessman Saani Abdalla in 1995. She was pregnant when he fled because of threats and harassment by the EPRDF. They accused him of supporting the OLF.

She was arrested on 11.11.96 because embroidered basketwork, a koboo, in her home, bore the colours of the OLF. Sometime after her arrest and subsequent torture, she appeared in court and the judge ordered her release.

Local EPRDF political cadres overruled this and returned her to prison and torture.

She delivered a premature son who died after three hours. Her health deteriorated but she was not allowed treatment.

She died in prison on 24th March. She was in her late teens. (7).

The following children were killed by government forces in Tukaara, near Gasera town, Bale, because they had the initials of the Oromo Liberation Front tattooed on their hands, reported 20.7.96:-

Usen Kalu, 12 yrs

Badiri Shaza, 12

Awal Sani, 13

Awal Idire, 16 (8).

Disappearances

The following, detained from the Kibre Mengist area of Bale, disappeared between May and July 1996:-

Mr Tebsa, 29, teacher at Adola Secondary School,

Liben Shashoo, 34, farmer, Udo Sisay, 43, businessman,

Berhanu Shanya, 32, businessman, Adem Buli, 30, businessman. (9).

Aboubaker Hamza, 32 yr old trader, from Dire Dawa, E.Hararge, was arrested by uniformed security forces in the open market at Dire Dawa on July 2nd. Relatives were told to take food and clothing to a detention centre in Harar. When they arrived there, they were told he had been transferred to an unknown detention centre. (10).

Mr. Abdusalam and

Mr. Amsalu from the Melka Walel Agricultural Research Institute and Melka Walel Health Station, respectively, Hararge, were abducted by armed officers on July 27th and their whereabouts is not known (3).

Kudha Tokko Ahmad was kidnapped in Dire Dawa, E.Hararge, taken to Dadar, where he failed to appear in court, and is now untraceable, reported August (2).

Imprisonment, torture, etc

See statements of Oromo refugees in Djibouti, below.

Abdul Bahar Abdurahiman, 31 yr old trader, Chalanko, E.Hararge, is the man whose father’s death following torture in 1992 and whose frequent imprisonment was recorded in the February Press Release (p6). The following is his statement to OSG on 10.8.96 (11).

"After my father’s death, they (the TPLF) seized all property at the house, saying it was all OLF property.

I was in prison ten times between 1992 and 1996. The periods of detention were from 17 days to 6 months. I have spent 11 months of the last 4 years in prison. I was once in Dadar, once in Kulube and eight times in the secret detention centre at Kumutu military camp, near to Chalanko. My last time was for 6 weeks from January/February this year.

I was tortured every time I was in prison. The torturers were always drunk. Every time they pass you, they kick or beat you. I was stripped naked and beaten on my back. My arms were tied during 6 imprisonments. The guards who do the torture change frequently, they were different people each time I was in prison. All of them were Tigrean. One named Behre did my torture in 1994; he tied my arms behind my back, and I was stripped naked and beaten.

In November 1994, I, my uncle, Ahmad Mume, and 13 other businessmen were arrested in Chalanko. Twelve of us, who were able to pay "gift money", were released after one month. The other three were still in prison when I left Ethiopia in May.

During my last detention I was beaten and tied every day for 6 weeks. My arms were once tied for 3 days. I was given a small amount of heavily salted food and only a small amount of water.

They tied a plastic rope around my neck and pretended to hang me. They put a gun to my head. They told me to tell them where the OLF were and to admit that our money and cows belonged to the OLF.

They torture a lot of farmers at Kumutu detention centre every day. Every day they bring new people, between 2 and 5 farmers usually. One day they bought in 24 peasants from Bikiye village (near to Chalanko). They were still there when I left. Usually, farmers are ordered to surrender their guns but these had none. They were told they had sold their guns and so they were made to sign to pay 1,000 Birr instead of the guns.

Some people disappear in the middle of the night. Everyone thinks they may be the next.

The farmers have the (arm tying) torture straight away. Most get paralysed. I only had numbness in my arms for a short time.

Town or city people sometimes escape by giving bribes of 3-5,000 Birr. So if they want money, they imprison businessmen to pay bribes.

Thirteen people disappeared during my 11 months in prisons. The ones who disappear are those who are most suspected of OLF membership. Two people disappeared at night in my last 6 week imprisonment. They were Ahmed Sadiq, the Kebele Chairman from Erer, Goro Gutu Zone, and the Vice-Chairman. I cannot remember the Vice-Chairman’s name. Their bodies were found part eaten by hyenas. Their parents reported it to the foreign Red Cross in Harar. When this was reported to the government, they said the two had escaped."

He bore a scar on his upper left arm from the "tying" torture. He escaped to the USA on May 5th, after bribing officials in Addis Ababa with 20,000 Birr.

His uncle, Ahmed Mume, has been in prison 6 times since 1992. Each time he has been tortured with arm tying. On the two occasions they were imprisoned and tortured together, they were released after bribes were paid. Ahmed Mume is now again in prison.

A younger brother, Izadin Abdurahiman, was detained and tortured for three months in early 1995.

Another younger brother, Jafar, was imprisoned with him for one month in 1993 and is now again in prison.

Kalid Abdurahiman, his older brother, disappeared in January 1995. "We searched for him in every prison in Eastern Ethiopia, but could not locate him. He was probably executed by government soldiers".

Finally "I am an Oromo peasant from an urban centre, so there is no end to my story".

The following seven children were imprisoned at Dabool, near Gasera town, Bale, for bearing tattoos of "ABO", the initials of the Oromo Liberation Front, on their hands. Four children were killed because of this (see above). Reported 20.7.96:-

Muyidin Haj Usen, 14 yrs Kaliil Usen, 13

Eliyas Haj Abdo, 12 Idiris Aman, 13

Qadiro Usen, 12 Shita Usman, 13

Abdi Qasim, 12 (8).

On 23.7.96 the following cases of illegal detention and torture were reported:-

From Denbel Kebele, Gasera District, Bale:-

Mrs Umaa Sheik Bekri, 30 yrs, was beaten to persuade her to reveal her husband's whereabouts and the location of a suspected arms cache.

Mrs. Genno, was severely beaten and tortured by having her breasts tied and pulled.

Mrs Meka Mohamed, 50 yrs, was severely beaten for not showing where "her husband had hidden his arms". She was warned not to get any treatment at hospital and is in a "critical condition" . Her husband is in detention.

Tekalign Wordofa is also in a "critical condition", from torture wounds, in Goba hospital.

Hajinesh Kadu, businessman.

From Robe District:-

Businessmen:-

Bushura Ibrahim Mr Amin and

Aman Kider,

Farmers:-

Yosuf Haji Mus and Abdella Osman.

From Wosh Kebele, Adaba District, the following farmers have been held at Adaba police station for three months without questioning:-

Haji Lugomjilo, 75 yrs, Worku Geleta

Heyii Robi Kider Kurke

Dibaabaa Jima Umar Bacha

Ahmed Woticha Niguse Gemeda

Abdulahi Haji Ahmed Gezahegn Hunde

Abdulrhzak Haji Sultan, a businessman, is similarly detained. (9).

Imprisonment in the Goba and Kibre Mengist areas of Bale, for alleged support of the Oromo Liberation Front and the All Amhara Peoples' Organisation, was reported in July to have intensified in the preceeding two months. The following, mainly government employees, were dismissed from their jobs and imprisoned,

from Goba town:-

Idris Obso, teacher, Mr Indris, businessman,

Woyessa Firdessa, teacher, Girma Huursa, teacher,

Kumarra Tesemma, Public Health employee,

Mr Redio, Distant Education, Tolera Kekeba a business man,

Aman Aliyi, Head of Education in Bale Regional Division,

Kider Mohamed, employee of Ministry of Agriculture,

Mr. Aman, unemployed, Pastor Zeleke Biru, lawyer,

Fikru Markos, businessman, Sgt. Mjr. Abera, cattle rearer, and

Kebede Amare, lawyer,

From Kibre Mengist, the following are being detained in Kibre Mengist police station and EPRDF camp:-

Businessmen:-

Mr Muluneh, 37, Tedecha Shanko, 34,

Mr Shashoo, 35, Ayele Aya, 38,

Others:-

Yohannes Sherbete, 48 yrs, office worker at Adola School,

Kebede Tore, 28, Kibre Mengist Town Administration staff member,

Belay Birbirsa, 46, miner at Lega Dembi gold mine, (9).

Faki Haji Hussen was reported in August to have been badly tortured at Gasera Police Station, Bale.

Sultan Hassan, arrested in Robe, Bale, was taken to Dinsho where his hands were tied behind his back for three months. His hands are now paralysed, his legs do not function properly and he has to be Federation by fellow prisoners. (2).

The following are reported imprisoned from Bale province in August. Those arrested in Dodola and taken to the secret detention centre at Malka Wakkana are:-

Sheikh Kadir Nure, merchant Kasim Haso Abdalla, merchant

Abba Dula, farmer Yeba Shafi

Hussein Ahmed Warkana Negeri

Haji Omar Gobena Abdul Bakar Abdo

Kedir Dulla and AbdulshakurWashe.

Also at Malka Wakkana are:-

Umer Haji Hebo, merchant and Mr Yabaa, merchant.

Held at Adaba Police Station are:-

Dafo Lenjiso Kadir Korke and

Negasso Mohamed.

Among the 100 estimated to be in the two prisons at Robe are:-

Ms Ilfuu Mrs Haadha Hussen and

Abduli Jalili.

Haji Abdo Abba Shafi, merchant, is being held at Dinsho prison, with his two sons.

Held at Goba, among the 5-800 in Ganale prison, are:-

Galatu Adam Jayilan Haji Hussen

Shabee Sheko (previously thought to have disappeared)

Haji Ibrahim Bakara, aged 75, Sheikh Kadir Kabir Kalile

Hasan Nasir (held 8 months) Idris Obsa (held 7 months)

Among over 100 held at Gasera are:-

Haji Aman Abda Haji Hussen Sura

Haji Kadir Kabir Hussen Haji Mohamad Aman Abida

Haji Usile Kabir Aliyi Haji Adam Tola and

Haji Habashi Mohammad. (2,6)

Ahmed Habibe is held at a secret detention centre at Girawa, E.Hararge, reported August (2).

WESTERN OROMIA/ETHIOPIA

Killings

Zeritu Berkessa, Walal, Yemalogi, Wollega was beaten to death in July. Her child was also beaten. (2).

Bafikadu Ofgaha, Mendi, Wollega, was reported killed in August (2).

Disappearances

Mamoo Namarra, father of two and teacher at Aira Primary School, W.Wollega, was apprehended by Dagnachew Sheferaw, a local OPDO (Government Oromo organisation) representative, while queueing for treatment at Gimbi Seventh Day Adventist Hospital recently. He was taken at gunpoint to the OPDO office, since when his relatives have been unable to trace him. A teacher of Qubee, the Latin script for the Oromo language, he survived six bullet wounds from government security men in 1992, and detention for six and four months in 1993 and 1994 respectively. Reported 23.7.96 and August (2,9).

Mohamed Issa, a guard at Yebu town Adult Training Centre, was arrested by armed security officers on 19.6.96 and taken to Jima police station. With four other detainees, he was taken to an unknown destination in the evening of 27.6.96 (9).

Sheh Ibrahim Ahmed Omar, an elder and religious leader from Setema, near Jima town, Illubabor, was the only prisoner in Jima Western Zone Army Command's camp and was transferred to the new detention centre at Afeta, Manna district, Jima (see below). His whereabouts became unknown in early August. (3).

Imprisonment, torture, etc

The victim interviewed by Sue Pollock (12), wished to keep his name secret. He was detained in Gimbi prison, Wollega, from September 1993 to June 1994. He was tortured by kicking and beating "most days", and had his arms tied tightly behind him for 3-4hrs/day, 3-4days/week for 3 months. He was observed to have a scar 2-3cm wide on his upper left arm.

He was held in a large room with all the other detainees at Gimbi prison. His estimation of 1,000 detainees is presumed to be an exaggeration. The room was filthy. There were no washing facilities and detainees slept on the bare floor. "Many" died of TB and pneumonia. There were no medical facilities. Not one of the detainees was tried. (12).

More than 400 Oromo have been arrested since March around Nejo and Mendi, Wollega, including:-

From Mendi:- Dr Mezigabu Ifa, veterinary surgeon

Belay Hirpha, bank manager

Rev. Samuel Garba

Berhanu Muka, coffee trader

From Nejo:- Taddesse Lubo, trader

Dhufera Berkessa, elementary school director (13).

"Hundreds" of Oromo have been arrested since May, in Eastern Wollega, from Horro Gudru, Gidda Ayyana, Limmu, Ibentu, Jimma Gennati and Nekemte, including:-

Haile Yesus Keneni, pharmacist

Debtera Worqu, X-ray technician

Mulugeta Asfewu, of the Ministry of Education

Mekonnen Fixe, teacher

Terrefe Jere, and his wife, Tej/Dhadi traders

Itrenesh Negasa, hotel owner

Abebe Belayneh, trader

Amsalu Teferra, trader

Wakweya Oggo, hotel owner

Terrefe Genbo, teacher

Mr Melaku, trader

Deme Terfa, Nekemte hospital administrator, (13).

More than 800 Oromo are imprisoned in Western Wollega, around Dembi Dollo, Haroo Sabuu, Qaqe, Hawwa Walal, Ayira Gulliso, Gimbi and Henna. Many have been tortured. some have "had their testicles hammered" and some have suffered a new torture, melted wax applied to the anus. (13).

Reported to be held in prison in Dembi Dollo, Wollega, in June are:-

Konte Nanu Teka Dano

Ragassa Feyissa Gurmessa Daka

Birhanu Gebissa Mehari Gebissa

Guta Shure Gebi Mitassa (from Sheshamane)

From Qaqe, near to Dembi Dollo:-

Tesema Dumesu Nano Wayessa

Olana Ayanna Tesfaye Tefera and

Chuchura Nano.

Believed to have been taken to Gimbi prison from Aira Gulisso are:-

Tesfaye Deressu Mrs Aragash and daughter

Ambaye Ayana Teferi Ejetta and

Nega Tarafa. (2).

Mrs Adde Dasatu Ittana, mother of eight, Nagasa village, Tinfa, South of Nekemte, Wollega, has been unwell since her husband killed himself in 1991, when threatened with arrest because his brother had been a Dergue official. She was arrested in early June and released on bail.

Tashome Makonnen, one of her sons, evaded arrest in 1992 and later returned to help his mother. He was arrested in early June and taken to Nekemte prison, where he is believed to be being tortured.

Dasaleny Makonnen, her youngest son, also returned from Addis Ababa to help his ailing mother, and went into hiding when his brother was detained. (14).

Among the following prisoners in the areas around Jima and Agaro, Illubabor, many are reported to have been tortured. Some are unable to "use the toilet without assistance" due to torture wounds. Court closures have prevented the hearing of cases, even of those who have been charged. Provision of food and clothing has been denied. All are accused of supporting the Oromo Liberation Front. Among those detained are:-

From Toba:-

Getenet Gemechu, Employee of Coffee and Tea Development Program,

Taken from Agaro town and detained in Jima police station:-

Abazinab Abagojem Mrs Masho Abawari

Sheh Siraj Mohamed Siraj Mohamed,

Kedir Kelil,

Those taken from Mana town:-

Sheh Habib Bushura Ifa Abadiga

Said Ibrahim Sheh Mohamed Amin Haji

From Beshasaa area and Agaro town:-

Musa Mustafa Abatemam Abdulkadir

Fuad Temam Musa Abalulessa

Nesro Abafita, employee of Coffee and Tea Development Program

Mohamed Abagojem Mohamed Abasemel

Misbahu Haji Abudukadir Abagero

Fekadu Aboye Mohamed Abawari

Kider Abatemam, Abdo Muhamedzein

Miss Rosa Husein (detained for not be able to hand over her brother) and

Mr. Husein, school teacher at Sedecha School.

Taken from Asendabo Town and among those detained in Nada town, "severely tortured and in critical condition":-

Mohamednur Adem, businessman Temam Abagero, businessman,

Abdulkerim Husein Mohamed Kebir Haji Bedru

Mohamedsani Mujahad, a youth caring for his mother,

Mohamed Haji Jemal, reported 23.7.96, (9).

So many have been arrested in and around Agaro, Illubabor, that its police station has had to transfer detainees to surrounding Kebele and Social Service offices and to Jima city.

The following prisoners are taken from Agaro, Kebeles Omo Gurude, Omo Bako and Beshashaa:-

Abamecha Haji Sadik, businessman Temam Ababulg, businessman

Temam Abagojem, business man Mesbahu Fita

Berhanudin Abafita Mrs. Jafere Kemal

Mrs. Suda Abaoli Abareshad Haji

Teka Abamecha Nura Abfita

Reshad Abafita Mr Muktar

Bedru Abaali and Hassen Abafita.

There is typhoid in the prison. The newspaper reporting these imprisonments claims that publication results in the prisoners being moved to "darker rooms".

The following were arrested in Gibe town, Illubabor, and are now imprisoned in Jima, Division 1Police Station:-

Haji Nuru Abawari Abafita Abawari and

Getinet Gemechu, employee of Ministry of Coffee and Tea Development, Toba Town Branch. He is suffering from typhoid. Reported 6.8.96 (25).

Prisoners are reported to have been moved from Jima town police station, prison and Divisional Police Headquarters to a "new mass detention centre" at Afeta, Manna district, Jima, Illubabor. Among those transferred are:-

Mr Abdusalam, employee of Metu Coffee and Tea Development and

Seyfu Kasim, Jima Town Councillor, arrested for asking for a meeting to be held in the Oromo language, 1.8.96.

The following were taken to prison by six plain clothed men and one in military uniform, from the Addis Hotel in Jima town:-

Abrar Abafogi, hotel owner Abdalla Abbabulgu, receptionist and

Mr Hussein, store keeper. Reported 13.8.96 (3).

Jabessa Gemechu was arrested in Nekemte, Wollega, and tortured for two months from May, at the Farmer’s Regional Office. He has been tied and beaten, and shows scars of whipping on his back. (2).

Mr Nuree has been tortured at Dembi Dollo EPRDF camp. His feet have been beaten and his testicles "were swelled up when tied by strings", reported August. (2).

SOUTHERN OROMIA/ETHIOPIA

Killings

The following killings in Borana province have not been reported previously by OSG. They were killed within the last two years, but the actual date was not reported:-

Jirmo Dida and his entire family

Jaldesa Golisa and two friends

Turo Huka and two fellow students

Badhane Gashu, (15).

Liban Dabasicha, from Negele, Borana, was killed by government forces and his body thrown into the bush, date not known (15,16).

Imprisonment, torture, etc

Tight security, unlawful arrest of suspects' families, and TPLF soldiers in pursuit of Oromo refugees are reported by a sociologist present in Borana during 1995 and 1996, see Situation in Borana Province, below.

Businessmen arrested in Borana province (reported August) include:-

Sara Bora Elias Galgalo

Wako Duba Getahun Mulisa

Tiya Huka and her son Elias Rasali

Tadesse Worku and Halake Arero

Others held at Yabelo, Borana are:-

Dadi Gelima Daniel Getahun and

Zerihun Alemineh (2).

OGADEN

The Ogaden Human Rights Committee reports that in June and July there were extra-judicial killings, arbitrary detentions, gang rape, child molestation, looting, mining of water wells and caravan routes, and widespread dismissal of civil servants. (17).

Killings

Ali Yusuf Khalif, poet and singer,

Mohamed Haybe Yusuf, science graduate, and

Buhul Sheikh Abdirahman were arrested in July 1995 by soldiers near Wardheer. Their bodies were found near Kebre Dahar a few days later. (18).

On 18th June, in Hodaya, EPRDF militia killed the following tribal chiefs and clan elders in cold blood:-

Gahnug Yusuf Aare Haybe Hirad

Mohamed Aw Farah Ga'iye Mohamed Aabi Hirsi

Abdi Mohamed Yare

Hassan Abdi Qodhob, civilian, was killed in Dhagahbour, in the last three months. (17).

50 civilians, including women and children, were reported in July to have been killed in the Qabri-Dahare area (19).

Disappearances

The following were detained on 31st July in Dire Dawa then transferred to an unknown destination:-

Members of Parliament - Sheikh Abdinasir Sh. Adan,

Nur Goni

Khadar Moalin

Businessman - Farah Sheik Bihi

Mohamoud Moalin Farah, businessman, is also reported disappeared, but the report is not clear whether he was taken in Dire Dawa or Addis Ababa. (17).

Imprisonment, torture, etc

62 Ogadenis were reported in January to have been imprisoned, including four children:-

Abdi Kheyr Suge, 5 yrs, and

Asli Abdi Muhumed, who were wounded when their parents were killed in the Bargun area on October 10th 1995, and

Ahmed Hassan Aw-Ise, 12 yrs, and his brother,

Abdi Hassan Aw-Ise, who are believed to have been taken hostage along with their mother on 10.12.95 and held in their own house in Dh/Burr. (20).

"Hundreds of civilians" in all main towns in the Ogaden have been rounded up by government security and army forces and detained in June and July, 1996. They are being held in military detention camps.

Among the Ogadeni people detained in Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa (E.Hararge) are:-

Members of Parliament - Ibrahim Adam Mohamoud "Doolaal" .

Ali Bashe

Abdirashid Ahmed

Riyaale Hamu

Others - Mohamoud Akhi, Relief Organization Chairman

Ibrahim and Bashir Abdulkadir, businessmen, realeased after property taken,

Hure Mohamud Ugas, civil servant

Sheik Nur Baroud, an elderly blind religious man, detained and maltreated.

Dhubane Ali, detained and tortured.

Most of those detained are being held incommunicado.

Only three of the detainees in the Ogaden are named in the report:-

Abdulkader Abdi, civilian, detained in Godey,

Dhiigshiil Ali, civilian, detained and tortured Godey,

Ahmed Makaahil, Member of Parliament, detained in Jigjiga . (17).

Dismissals

Salaries of civil servants the Ogaden have been held back for over six months, and more than 1,500 civil servants have been dismissed because of their "political affiliation" (17).

KENYA

Husein Sora, a young Kenyan Oromo lawyer, died under suspicious circumstances one week after the round of Oromo detentions began in Nairobi, in March. He was found unconscious outside his residence and died without regaining consciousness. He used to represent Oromo with immigration problems and had compiled a report on TPLF incursions into Kenya and associated deaths of Kenyan Oromo and refugees. (21).

DEATH OF ORA ORPHANS

Interviews with surviving children, teachers and carers, and interviews with residents in Wollega province over the last twelve months have shed some light on the fate of the ORA orphans.

The children, whose parents had died or been separated from them, were living at two sites in Sudan prior to 1991. In 1990 there were 652 in Damazine and 700 in Bikore camps. Those from Bikore, aged 12-18, were moved to Asosa in 1991. Because of the poor security situation there, they were moved to a site near Mendi (Wollega) for one year. Nearby clashes between the OLF and the TPLF forced them to be moved around April/May 1992 to Kobor, 10-20km in the direction of Asosa from Begi. The youngsters helped to construct the site to accomodate themselves and the 5-15 year olds who were arriving from Damazine. Their arrival coincided with the encampment of OLF soldiers prior to the June elections.

All of the children were under 18, forbidden to carry arms and untrained.

Following the withdrawal of the OLF from the elections (to be held on 22.6.96) the OLF camps were attacked by TPLF soldiers. The escape route to the Sudanese border was blocked by TPLF units who had, during the encampment period, circled North of Wollega and West from the Sudan border.

The children, with teachers and carers, fled from Kobor to Gaba Dafino. It is not clear from reports whether the TPLF began shooting at the children in Kobor or Gaba Dafino. The children were pursued to Charpha, from where some were sent to find homes of relatives. The majority were chased towards Mendi, across the Dabus river, and more were sent to their relatives.

The TPLF chased the remaining 600 or so children across the Dilla river, a tributary of the Dabus. After three weeks on the run, with rain, mud, hunger and sleeping rough in the bush, the orphans were attacked in the Gunfi area.

Carers and children were scattered, to seek refuge in the bush or to hide with relatives or friendly villagers. Some were taken by TPLF soldiers while fleeing. Teachers and carers were shot, tortured and imprisoned. Children were hunted in their hiding places or when they left them to find food, over the next three months. Very few eventually escaped to Sudan or areas far away.

The captives were taken to Didessa concentration camp, where some died of hunger and infection. Children below 12 years were released after bribes were payed. Some children were beaten, tortured and raped. A few of the girls were forced to marry TPLF soldiers.

Initial claims of 30-70 children being drowned or shot during one of the river crossings are probably exaggerated. More recent estimates are up to 20.

Local informants claim that fleeing children were hunted like "kurupe", a small antelope which leaps to see its way while fleeing through tall vegetation.

Between 170 and 200 bodies of children were found.

CONDITION OF OROMO REFUGEES IN DJIBOUTI

A team comprising Peter Niggli, Bruna Fossati and Lydia Namarra visited Oromo refugees in Djibouti for 18 days in late July / early August. Their full report is at present being written up. Information and excerpts from the statements of victims of detention and torture are given below. The following is general information obtained during their research.

Djibouti, independent since 1977, has a population of 500,000 and presently supports over 30,000 refugees.

Most of the refugees who were in Djibouti in early 1991, especially Oromo, returned to Ethiopia.

In 1991 about 50,000, mostly Dergue army or state functionaries, came from Ethiopia and about 34,000 came from Somaliland.

Since early 1995, UNHCR claims that 32,000, mainly Amhara and Isaa, have been repatriated to Ethiopia. Most Isaa, traditionally nomadic across the border, return and occupy the Afar region in the North of Djibouti. From 3-30,000 Isaa from Ethiopia and Somaliland, have been recruited into the Djibouti army since 1994.

Of those in refugee camps, about 1,000 are Ethiopians associated with the Dergue regime and about 19,500 are Isaa people, the clansmen of the Djibouti President. Isaa are welcomed to the camps. Some have voting rights in Djibouti and many repeatedly take advantage of voluntary repatriation in order to claim the $30 grant, free rail fare to Dire Dawa and the food supplement.

Oromo refugees are not welcomed to the camps and most are illegal immigrants living in and around Djibouti town. UNHCR claims that 10,000 Oromo refugees are in the town. Oromo refugees themselves claim that 15-40,000 are present. The highest estimates are from the later arrivals. The true figure is likely to be 10-20,000.

Sources including UNHCR state that since 1994 the majority of refugees are Oromo. There are also some Adare, from Harar city, and Tigrean people, presumed to be Ethiopian government informers.

UNHCR states that only 1,000 Oromo have obtained asylum status or been given letters stating that they are seeking such status.

The Djibouti State Commission, which has the power to grant asylum status, consists of high ranking officials and meets infrequently. It last met in January 1995, when it granted asylum to only two applicants.

The Djibouti government has not responded to a request by UNHCR to train more people to screen applicants.

UNHCR is therefore only able to issue letters to refugees stating that they are seeking asylum. About 20 such letters are issued each week, but there are about 50 new arrivals each week. Recently the office of the sole UNHCR Protection Officer in Djibouti has been closed except on Mondays. The guards, who are Isaa and do not speak in Amhara or Oromo, treat applicants in an offhand way and frequently tell them to return another day, even if they have travelled several hours to reach the office. Some applicants sat outside the office every day for up to 9 months before obtaining the UNHCR letter. Most give up after a few visits.

UNHCR has stated that it will facilitate the repatriation of urban refugees in Djibouti town (22).

Some 2-3,000 Oromo refugees live in relative comfort on agricultural areas near to Djibouti town. For every person working as a farm labourer or gardener for rich Afar or Isaa land owners, there are 5 dependents in addition to their family members. Only those who are working there are welcome by the land owners. Others run away when the land owners are present. The payment to immigrant labourers, which includes work done by their children, is 8-10,00 Djibouti Francs (50-60$) per month. An educated native of Djibouti expects to earn about 60,000 DF (300-350$) each month. Even so, refugees are more affluent and suffer less harassment by Djibouti police and nationals in these areas than those in Djibouti town.

Some Oromo refugees in the town work illegally as casual labourers for 5-10,000 DF/month. There are more dependents per earner (8-9) than outside of the town.

Some rent houses in the town but most live in shacks, shanties or sleep rough on the streets. Some take advantage of the water and toilets around mosques at night, to be driven away by police during the day. One rough shanty of pieces of corrugated iron, about 3 by 6 metres, accomodated 5 families.

Djibouti police harass refugees. Groups of up to 30 were seen to be chased "like dogs", beaten, forced into lorries or marched to police stations.

Money or sex is demanded if detainees are to avoid being handed over to TPLF forces on the Ethiopian border. Sometimes a letter of asylum seeker status from UNHCR is respected by the police. Sometimes the letters are torn up. Sometimes bribes of money or sex are demanded despite the letter.

The plight of women refugees is particularly distressing (see statement by Ms Sebide Musa, below).

Statements made by victims to the investigating team (23).

Ms Sebide Musa, 30, from Haromaya, Hararge, was a cook with the Chafe Gada Oromo cultural group (1991-2). She arrived in Djibouti in early 1995, having fled because she feared questioning about her brother, Osmayu Osman Musa, who also worked with the cultural group. It is reported that he is now in prison. The TPLF "make women useless if they take you", she said, meaning that women are gang raped.

She reported that Isaa nomads take bribes of money or sex to guide refugees to Djibouti. Isaa women sometimes help female refugees by protecting them. Many are kept "like slaves" by the nomads, however.

In Djibouti some Oromo women are taken in as housemaids and "many are sexually mistreated" by their masters, being thrown out on the streets to become beggars if they become pregnant.

The Djibouti police "sexually misuse" women. This occurs in prisons or in the policemen's homes.

Ibrahim Yusuf, 52, farmer, with 2 wives and 13 children, Chairman of Zonal Committee, Kombolcha Awraja, Hararge, 1991-1992, re-elected in 1992 to organise regional elections that year. In July 1992 the TPLF overran Kombolcha and arrested all the Woreda, Kebele and Zonal administrators. He fled to Hargeissa in 1993 after living in hiding in Dire Dawa, Addis Ababa and Jigjiga. He arrived in Djibouti in mid-1995.

Mustafa Saleh, 37, farmer, Kebele Chairman, Haromaya, Hararge. The TPLF imprisoned him and 5 other Kebele members, and killed two other members, in May 1992. He was taken to Hurso camp with others and beaten there. His wife was also imprisoned and beaten several times. He was released after a bribe. All his animals and goods were confiscated. Phone contact with his wife is now impossible because all calls to Djibouti are monitored.

Seifu Mohamed, 42, was an affluent shop owner/chat trader in Kobbo (Hararge). He helped raise funds for the (then legal) OLF in 1991-1992. In 1992 all his possessions were taken by the TPLF, including 2 vehicles. Over 150 goats were killed. It took TPLF soldiers 3 days to fill their trucks with his goods. His shop was turned into a prison, in which 3 of his children are held. "This is a common way of humiliating people" he said, meaning imprisonment in their own former homes. His wife is in hiding and 9 of his children have disappeared. 30 people were arrested in Kobbo in 1992 following nearby conflict between EPRDF and OLF when 150 EPRDF soldiers were killed.

Dine Ahmed Boku, 30, textile trader, Dire Dawa-Djibouti. Accused of supporting OLF. Tortured with arm tying and rolling on sharp stones during detention in Dire Dawa.

Jamal Yusuf, 31, civilian, Dire Dawa, Hararge. Accused of supporting OLF and imprisoned in Hurso for 18 months, 1993-4. In Hurso, detainees were made to shout anti-OLF slogans daily, and were "beaten heavily" if they did not comply. Frequently beaten and kicked while in detention, he did not think this amounted to torture.

Illiyas Mohamed Ibro, 38, Biyo Biko Karaba, W.Hararge. Long term OLF member. In charge of political office and cultural events in Burka-Tirtira, E.Hararge. Surrounded by TPLF soldiers when sitting with peasants in Bedeno, early 1993. One man and one girl were shot dead. Imprisoned in former OLF office in Birka-Tirtira for 20 days. Made secretary to Birka-Tirtira council and questioned several times there. Taken to EPRDF camp in Jigjiga in June 1994 where he was beaten every evening with electric wire for 15 days. He was detained for two months from January 1995 in Harawaja, about 200km from Harar. He was then transferred to Gara Hakim military camp in Harar, where for one month his arms were tied for 4 hours each day. He was released and put under house arrest after 45 days. He has been unable to extend his left arm since then.

His friend, the former administrator of E.Hararge Oromia Council, was similarly tortured and both arms became paralysed. To prevent the evidence of his torture becoming known, he was killed.

Illiyas' wife was detained nearby and has partial paralysis of both arms. She managed to get a message to him to flee the country. On his arrival at the border he was arrested by Isaa military. They let him and his fellow travellers free after they asked to be set free or shot on the spot.

His wife remains in Birka-Tirtira and he has learned that she is "taken to the army camp every night".

Shamsadin Mohamed, 31, OLF fighter, from Kobbo, Hararge, wounded with grenade shrapnel to hand and imprisoned in 7th army camp in Dire Dawa for 8 months from early 1994. Then spent 1 month in an army camp in Harar, and then 11 months in the Central Investigation Centre at Maikelawi, Addis Ababa. He finally escaped with 27 others from Kachele Central prison in Addis in early 1996. He received no medical treatment for his hand, which became infected and paralysed.

Kadir Ahmed, 20, from Habro Hama, nr Harar, in Djibouti two weeks. Imprisoned two years in Harar from Spring 1994, being accused of supporting the OLF. Bears scars from whipping, and 6 bullet wounds sustained when escaping with 3 others. Hid in woods for several days, was rescued by shepherds and walked to Djibouti.

Kumsa Burayu Bellow, 29, like "all Oromo students at Addis Ababa university" he left in 1991 to help in the Oromo movement. He became Chief Editor of Madda Walaabuu magazine and was imprisoned several times between 1992 and 1996. He escaped when he heard he was to be arrested again.

Ali Hayder, 37, from Makaballo village, Hararge, arrived in Djibouti 20 days previously. At the end of May, 1996, the "whole of the village" were taken by EPRDF soldiers to a nearby tented camp after there had been fighting in the area. OLF fighters had met with the village warning them of possible reprisals. The EPRDF used this meeting as a pretext for their detention. Ali said "they prefer to harass and torture unarmed civilians than fighting the OLF".

At the time of detention, many women were taken into the bush and raped.

More than 200 were detained for one month. Ali's arms were tied tightly behind his back and bound to his legs. He was then rolled on sharp stones while being beaten with rifles. This was done for three hours on several consecutive mornings, until his family paid a 2,000 Birr bribe. Thereafter he was beaten on his palms only. He was unable to use his hands for 16 days and had to eat from the floor, directly with his mouth.

The torture was conducted by the 20 or so TPLF soldiers in the camp and a roughly equal number of OPDO members.

All those in his tent had the same torture. At least some in each of the other tents were similarly tortured. None of the victims had any medical care.

Initially, the more affluent businessmen of the village escaped torture by bribing. They were subject to more looting later. All village animals were slaughtered and many were eaten by the soldiers.

Ms Seinaba Ibrahim, 55, returned to Dire Dawa from Djibouti in 1991, having fled there following imprisonment for three months by the Dergue in 1979. Because she "had been active in the Oromo community in Djibouti" she was detained in Dire Dawa for one month in 1992.

She was in a cell with men and women and was severely beaten. Other women in her cell were "beaten until their fingers broke". They were told "If you want freedom, join the OPDO".

Four of her female friends were killed in the prison.

Gaali Nurreddin Hussein, 29, from Omonada village, Jimma, Illubabor, first fled to Djibouti to avoid the last wave of conscription into the Dergue army in 1990. UNHCR said it was safe in Ethiopia and, along with about 200 Oromo and 300 others, he was voluntarily repatriated in October 1995. The returnees were given rations, rail fare to Dire Dawa and 30$. They were told to wait in Dire Dawa for further rations.

Officials there demanded to see his identity card and told him the UNHCR documents were "no good". He was taken to the Kebele office, stripped, accused of OLF membership and questioned by TPLF and OPDO members. He was taken to the 2nd police station in Dire Dawa, where a pistol was held to his head in an attempt to make him declare the location of two other returnees.

With 3 others, he was stripped again and whipped. One man confessed to being a former Dergue official and was taken away. The detainees were told "We will kill you unless you admit to being OLF members".

A container was then attached to his testicles with fine strips. One and a half litres of water were then poured into the container.

He was held 28 days without food and without treatment for his, by then infected, wounds. He obtained a little water by bribing an OPDO guard.

He was then told by the guard "You have to get out because they have decided to kill you at Shillile execution centre". This favoured execution site is near a railway line at Shillile, a town near to Dire Dawa, and is known to harbour many human remains.

He bribed the guard to help him escape and walked for 18 days to reach Djibouti.

He still has pain in his testicles and difficulty passing urine. "I am useless as a man today" he said, but "my real wounds are inside".

His friend Jamal Ahmed was killed in detention in Dire Dawa. Three other returnees are now with him back in Djibouti.

SITUATION IN BORANA PROVINCE - ECONOMY, SECURITY, BORDER INCURSIONS AND INTERROGATION (24).

Georg Haneke, Sociology Research Scientist at Bielefeld University, Germany, was working from Addis Ababa University in the province of Borana, S.Oromia/Ethiopia, from June 1995 to March 1996. He was interviewed by OSG on 13th July. He spoke of his arrest, interrogation and fear.

Travel and security

In the course of my work I had to make frequent trips to the South. When I did research there in 1991, Moyale was a peaceful and friendly place, but now nobody talks to you. There is an atmosphere of fear.

When I travelled on buses to and from Moyale there was always a security man around me. He was too well dressed to be an ordinary traveller and carried no luggage. He wanted to talk to me. He came to sit near me on the bus and interrogated me.

Ordinary travellers, unlike five years ago, avoided conversation and told me to keep quiet. They ran away from me at checkpoints. People who just talk about the weather at checkpoints are put in prison. The most horrible checkpoint is at Yabelo (150km North of Moyale). Even when it is cold in the rainy season, the guards suspect that wearers of two vests or shirts are smuggling. They took one man's shirt off and made other travellers tread it in the mud on their way back on board the bus.

Travelling by bus became impossible, so I bought a car.

Once, when I was crossing the Kenyan border, I was "eagled" on the car because the TPLF guards thought my video camera and batteries were weapons and bombs. The TPLF guards were unable to read the explanations in Amharic, which were in my passport.

There is a lot of replacing officials with soldiers. A lot of administrators and staff of different institutions are being replaced by inexperienced Tigreans. This might cause underdevelopment in the long term.

In Moyale town

Things are getting worse in Moyale. I spoke with businessmen in 1991 and 1995. The town was noticeably poorer. The businessmen told me that everything was being taken to Tigray.

Lots of people in the South, especially in Negele, have been killed, torured, disappeared or imprisoned.

I spoke with a man who was not an Oromo Liberation Front member. He told me that he had been offered money, so much per name, by the TPLF, to inform on supporters of the OLF. They would accept any name, right, wrong or imagined. They made a list of 106 suspects and arrested 35 of them. The rest ran away. He told me there was then a second wave of imprisonments.

They imprisoned the eldest sons of the escaped suspects. If the eldest son was not there, they took the second eldest. Therefore the man (suspect) knew his family were at risk if he escaped with his life.

I think they want to clear the town.

Border incursions

At the border, the Tigrean army, Tigreans and Eritreans, follow refugees across into Kenya. Those who are suspected of being OLF fighters or sympathizers are followed 30-35 kilometres. If they get them, they shoot them, definitely. In their cross border attacks, the TPLF bomb and destroy houses, wounding people.

The Kenyan government do nothing.

Thirty to thirty five kilometres east of Kenyan Moyale (Moyale straddles the border), at a place called Sololo, an Oromo chief was killed by uniformed TPLF soldiers in February 1996. This was published in a Kenyan newspaper but no action was taken by the government.

In August or September of last year (1995), the Kenyan Government arranged a meeting to resolve TPLF insurgence into Kenya, with District Officers, District Commissioners, Chiefs and Ministers from both sides of Moyale. The Kenyans came but, one day before the meeting, the Ethiopian side cancelled because the area was "not secure". However, there was no fighting in the area. The Kenyans were there. There was no security risk.

Imprisonment and Interrogation

I was imprisoned for one day in Moyale, in November or December (1995). I was interrogated for 30 minutes to 3 hours about 6 to 8 times and they confiscated my passport. A few days after giving a lecture in Addis Ababa University, on about the 21st of February (1996), I was warned not to leave the house and not to contact anybody, even by telephone. I was watched and followed. I decided to leave the country after I was told it was not safe for me to stay. I left after two weeks. I lost a lot of money on my car. It was difficult to sell when restricted to my house.

At the University

The university is not a critical institution. It should be criticising the government. But they are all quiet, either because they are pro-government or because they are scared.

Most people with influence at the university are pro-Tigrean. I was warned not to trust anybody. People don’t trust each other, there.

I was the only man doing research in southern Oromia. All other research was stopped one year ago because of the "security situation". One Borana researcher was imprisoned in his home town for a period.

SURVEY - OROMO IN WASHINGTON AND ATLANTA - DEATH AND DISAPPEARANCE

Audiences in Washington and Atlanta, who were addressed by OSG on 3rd and 10th August respectively, were asked to raise their hands if a first or second degree relative (parent, spouse, child, sibling, uncle, aunt, cousin, niece or nephew) had been killed or disappeared by the present Ethiopian government forces.

Out of 200 (accurate to within 5) in Washington, 101 had lost relatives by killing or disappearance.

Of 62 Oromo in Atlanta, 30 had lost relatives.

In these samples, therefore, one half of Oromo people in the diaspora, have experienced the loss, by extra-judicial killing or disappearance, of a close relative in Ethiopia.

SECRET DETENTION CENTRES

In addition to the 25 listed in the OSG February Press Release (p9), secret detention centres have been reported at:-

Leman town, Qarsa Malima Solo area, on the way to Butajira town, Showa (June/July Press Release, p3).

Gedo, on the main road West from Ambo to Nekemte,

Chabi Djaldu road, West of Ambo, and

Babichu, West of Ambo, Wollega (June/July Press Release, p5).

EPRDF Military Camps, notably at

Qaqe,

Haro Sabu (Alem Tefari),

Nejo,

Ayira Gulliso,

Mendi,

Henna (between Gimbi and Nejo) and

Gimbi Prison House, Wollega (13).

At Nekemte, Wollega (see also February Press Release, p9)

Nekemte Prison House,

Former Agricultural Office,

24th Military Camp,

Ukke Agricultural Development,

Gute,

Gaba Senbata, 15-20km from Nekemte toward Finfinne, and

Horro (Shanbu) Military Camp. (13).

Afeta, Manna district, Jima, former local Farmers Association office (3).

Military Camps around Chalanko, Hararge, at

Buuti,

Kulube, between Dadar and Dire Dawa, and

Kumutu. (11).

Girawa, South of Dire Dawa, E.Hararge (2).

Malka Wakkana Military Camp, near Dodola, about 15-20 km from Adaba town, Bale (2,6).

Taltal, on the western border of Borana, near the lakes of Chamo (2).

JUDICIARY

Four Federal Supreme Court judges, Oromo who refused to become OPDO (EPRDF surrogate Oromo party) members, were dismissed (reported August). They are:-

Abdulatif Imam Abdalla Ali

Tesfaye Rikitu and Junedi Abdo

24 other Oromia Supreme Court and Regional High Court judges were dismissed for "not collaborating with regional military administrators". Their names and localities are listed in source 2.

In Oromia 224 District Courts are functioning with one judge only. Vacant posts are to be filled with graduates of the new "Civil Service College". "All OLF related cases for Oromos can not be seen by District or Higher Courts, so all prisoners stay in gaol without any court decision". (2).

OROMO BUSINESSES HARASSED, BUSINESSMEN IMPRISONED

Oromo businessmen have been ordered to pay large amounts to the EPRDF led "Oromia Development Association". The following have had their businesses closed and have been arrested:-

Hundessa Kura, pharmacy and hotel owner, loaned 500,000 Birr by World Bank-sponsored Industry and Development Bank, and 100,000 Birr by the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, released on bail of 20,000 Birr while business remains closed.

Rome Amante remains in prison with loans outstanding.

Ayele Korosso, prominent Shashamane businessman, has been harassed by the Oromia Development Association, most of his 3 million Birr investment, with loans from the Agriculture and Industry Development Bank and the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, is closed and "all moveable assets confiscated".

The Gada Agro-Industry, with 4 million Birr invested by local businessmen and women, has been refused land by the Oromia Regional Council.

NGO’s, running hospitals and clinics in Oromia have had medicines and equipment held up at Addis airport and Assab port. Expatriates have had problems renewing visas and work permits. Workers for Care Ethiopia Livestock Development were arrested in May, including Sharo Djilo, Alemayehu Barahe, Sara Jarso and Tadele Galgalo. (2).

TRAVEL RESTRICTION

Movement from town to town, even for places near to the capital, is not free. This applies to social visits and business trips. To travel, a permit is necessary. "Anyone found travelling without a permit faces imprisonment or a heavy fine. That now serves the government as a revenue generating source." (6).

Reporting on human rights violations has become more difficult. Travellers have to report on arrival and departure at Kebele offices. Hotels are searched "every night" in Oromia and ID cards are checked. (2).