Media association calls for release of journalists imprisoned for over two years without verdict

 The Ethiopian Mass Media Professionals Association has called on the authorities to release journalists imprisoned for over two years without verdict, while also urging for more actions to ensure a more open media environment in Ethiopia.

The association issued a press release after its newly elected executives visited Kaliti and Kilinto prison facilities in the capital Addis Abeba, where they met several detained journalists, some of whom the association confirmed to have been detained for over two years without verdict.

“While the journalists did not raise concerns about their treatment in prison, they expressed concerns over how they were arrested and regarding the handling of their cases at the court,” the statement noted, emphasizing the urgent need for their trials to be free of political interference.

Many journalists are experiencing imprisonment or exile due to the ongoing political crisis in the country, posing serious risks to their safety and professional freedom, the association stated, reaffirming its commitment towards the protection and professional autonomy of journalists working under challenging conditions.

In April last year, the association called on the government to “immediately release” all media professionals that are detained by security forces “without any legal procedure”, listing at least six journalists.

Ethiopia has been ranked as the third-worst country in Africa for imprisoning journalists in 2023, trailing behind Eritrea and Egypt, according to a report by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). 

Farmers in Oromia’s Horro Guduru Wollega zone struggle against forced conscription

 Before the start of the current harvesting season, Dechasa, a father of five, was preparing his land for planting crops to provide for his family.

However, events did not unfold as he had hoped.

One day, while returning from the local market with other vendors, he was stopped by the police for an identification check.

Dechasa recounted, “Out of the seven of us, the police detained five, leaving two women behind. We were then taken to Kombosha, a city in the Guduru district.”

He continued, “After three days there, we were transported to Shambu City, located in the Horro Guduru Wollega zone. Upon our arrival, we were informed that we had been conscripted for militia training.”

According to the farmer, the police initially claimed the training would last only a few weeks.

“However, that training was unexpectedly extended to two months,” he emphasized. “This entire ordeal occurred without my consent.”

Due to the prolonged time Dechasa was forced to remain in training, he highlighted that the land he had plowed and prepared for planting remained barren, with no crops sown.

 A human rights lawyer and researcher working for a local non-governmental organization that investigates human rights violations in the Horro Guduru Wollega Zone provided details about the implementation of Gachana Sirna at the grassroots level.

However, its correlation with human rights violations is particularly pronounced in Western Oromia, especially in the Horro Guduru Wollega Zone.

The human rights lawyer reported that farmers and youth who refuse to participate in Gachana Sirna and militia training face imprisonment, coercive training, denial of access to fertilizers and pesticides, torture while incarcerated, and exclusion from other government services.However, it is unlawful to coerce individuals into undergoing military training or to defend the ruling party. Those farmers who refuse to participate are denied access to fertilizers, pesticides, and other essential resources for their farming activities,

However, the lawyer emphasized that serious human rights violations are being committed in the Horo Guduru Wollega Zone under the pretext of implementing Gachana Sirna.

The lawyer urged the Oromia  government to address issues of maladministration and to protect the rights of farmers who are being coerced into militia training without their consent and pressured to exchange training for agricultural inputs such as fertilizers and seeds.

WFP struggles to ensure safe and timely food deliveries to millions in Ethiopia amid conflict, inflation, and financial shortfalls

 The World Food Program (WFP) has expressed concern over the increasing challenges it faces in ensuring safe and timely food deliveries to Ethiopia’s most vulnerable populations.

According to the UN agency, these challenges are exacerbated by the ongoing conflict, rising inflation, and a widening funding gap for humanitarian efforts.

In its latest country brief, published on 23 August, 2024, the WFP highlighted Ethiopia’s dire food crisis, warning that the situation could deteriorate further without increased aid during the peak needs period from July through September 2024.

It further emphasized that the possibility of more severe outcomes is a stark reality if support does not intensify during this critical time.

WFP indicates that a staggering 15.8 million individuals across Ethiopia are in dire need of food assistance in 2024, primarily attributable to the ongoing drought.

However, the agency emphasized that the deteriorating security situation, particularly within regions such as North and Oromia, is giving rise to access challenges, jeopardizing the safety of its staff, and negatively impacting its operations.

A recent report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) also disclosed that 14 kidnappings of aid workers for ransom have occurred in 2024.

In its recent Food and Nutrition Security Update, WFP further highlighted that the depreciation of the birr, resulting from recent macroeconomic measures, is anticipated to have an immediate adverse effect on impoverished households.

‘The introduction of free-floating exchange rates and the subsequent depreciation of the birr are expected to exert an immediate detrimental impact on poor households,’ forecasted the UN agency. ‘Elevated food prices constitute one of the primary factors contributing to acute food insecurity by restricting economic access to food.’

In the aftermath of the recent government’s implementation of comprehensive macroeconomic reforms, the country, particularly the capital Addis Abeba, has witnessed a marked increase in prices for a variety of consumer goods, prompting a crackdown on businesses accused of price gouging and hoarding.

Beyond the security challenges and escalating food prices, the WFP has indicated that a funding gap is hindering the scale of its operations, limiting its ability to reach more vulnerable segments of the population.

The attack on Oromo people continues - Deadly attacks leave 15 dead in Oromia’s Horo Guduru Wollega Zone

 At least 15 individuals were reportedly killed in an attack by an armed group in the Abe Dongoro district of the Horo Guduru Wollega Zone, Oromia region, last week.

 Abdeta Tesfaye, a resident of Abe Dongoro, disclosed that on last week,  August, 2024, at approximately 8:30 AM, an attack took place in a location known as Miriga while people were traveling to the market.

“The assailants, identified as members of amhara extrimists, killed five individuals and wounded two others,” he recalled. “Traders fled the scene as soon as the gunfire erupted.”

Abdeta further reported that among those killed were two women: Hawi Kabada and Warkine Beyena.

He also mentioned a subsequent attack on the same day in Charu village, where eight people were killed by members  and individuals wearing uniforms resembling those of the Oromia Police.

Ahmed Ali, a resident of Haro Shote village in Horo district, reported  that an attack perpetrated by a “ armed group” occurred in the village on 09 August, 2024, resulting in the fatalities of two individuals. He further disclosed that multiple people remain unaccounted for.

Ali provided an account of another incident that transpired on 08 August, 2024, in Hanafare Darge village at a location known as Kata. During this event,  extremists group intercepted two buses en route to Shambu City, proceeded to pilfer mobile phones, clothing, and monetary possessions from the passengers, and inflicted no physical harm.

The security situation in Western Oromia, particularly in the Horro Guduru Wollega Zone, continues to deteriorate due to ongoing armed conflict.

Over 15 students held in Shashamene without court appearance amid OLA allegations

 More than 15 students have been detained at Shashemene Police Station for up to two months without appearing in court amid allegations of connections to the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA)

Kuni Dida  a friend of one of the imprisoned students who is pursuing an accounting course at Rift Valley University’s Shashemene Campus, informed that over 15 students, primarily from the Borana zone of the Oromia region, are currently detained at the Shashemene Police Station, commonly known as 81.

The source claims that the other detained students attend higher education institutions, such as Paradise College in Shashemene City, which is situated in the West Arsi zone of the Oromia region.

Additionally, the source disclosed that a student from Addis Ababa University who was traveling to the Borena zone via Shashemene is among those detained.

“The majority of these detained students reside in Shashemene city,” he disclosed. “They were arrested at different times, with some being detained for nearly two months.”

The names of some of the detained students include Yakob Godana, Guracha Abba Gudo, Culu Kenasa, Tulu Nama Duri, Halkano Jirma, Wako Dhenge, Kanu Jirmo, Abayo Galma Halake, Lami Bacha, and Abaduba Kuli Jilo.

According to the witness, the students were imprisoned based on recommendations from the Borana Zone Police Department regarding their alleged connection with the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA).

The source further explained that these students are active on social media platforms such as Facebook and TikTok, but they are not involved in politics and have no affiliation with any political party. “None of the students have appeared before a court, and their families have been unable to communicate with them since their imprisonment.”

Firaol Bacha, a family member of one of the detained students, shared  that his brother, Lami Bacha, was detained on 01 June, 2024. According to Firaol, Lami was a second-year computer science student at the Rift Valley University campus in Shashamane.

Firaol further explained that prior to his detention, the police have intimidated his brother, threatening to imprison him if he does not cease his activities on TikTok. “Additionally, a friend of Lami’s, who did not even have a TikTok account, was also arrested alongside him.”

Firaol recounted that the local police in Shashemene informed his parents, who traveled from the Borena zone, that an investigation was ongoing and evidence was being collected.

“However, no evidence has been presented by the police since last Friday,” he added. “Furthermore, the committee responsible for reviewing the case had not yet convened as of last week.”

Kalicha Jirma, a brother of another detained student, Halkano Jirma, informed  that his brother was arrested in Shashemene on 07 June, 2024, and is currently being held at the Shashemene Police Station.

He added that Halkano was studying surveying at Rift Valley University College in Shashemene.

“Until yesterday, he had not been brought before a court,” Kalicha indicated. “We have no information regarding the reasons for his detention; the police only state that they are conducting an investigation.”

A recent United Nations report has highlighted the troubling human rights situation in Ethiopia throughout 2023, particularly in  Oromia. The most frequent violations included arbitrary arrests and detentions, followed by civilian killings, torture, enforced disappearances, and attacks on civilian property.

The report documented 366 civilian deaths in the Oromia region, where clashes between government forces and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) continued throughout the year. Among those killed in Oromia, 46 were women.

Different entities continue to stress the political problems in Oromia

 Different entities continue to stress the political problems in #Oromia and end the suffering of the people.

In the horn of Africa, the special angel of America Mike Hamar said that he is working to solve the problem of peace in Oromia region.

The wars and the death of thousands, war crimes and kicking of humanity, the displacement of millions of civilians and hunger, the attacks that have taken place in Oromia for the past 6 years.

The conflict between Oromo Liberation Army /OLA/ and the PP government has been going on for a long time, hiding from the world has caused a lot of danger on the future of Ethiopia.

The war that has been going on between the government and Oromo Liberation Army for a long time in the largest region of Ethiopia has been hidden from the eyes of the people and social media.

The federal government and Oromia regional government are blamed for the crimes committed against innocent citizens.

In the past six years, youths, farmers, teachers, students, government workers, Abba Gedaa, political parties and others have been jailed without justice.

Some of them were released from prison and killed. Oromia special force police has killed Oromo youth in Addaba'i. Farmers houses are burnt by government force because they are suspected as the supporters of Oromo Liberation Army.

It is said that all these crimes are hidden from the eyes of the social media and the international media has made the problem in Oromia worse.

There is a large civil war that has reached the people.

The United States has stated that more than 1 million people are displaced from their homes and property due to war.

Many citizens have been killed, imprisoned, stolen property and displaced.

Even though the two parties/OLA & PP/ were in Tanzania for discussion, they finished without agreement has increased the suffering of the people.

Civilian parties, political parties, politicians, members of parliament, religious leaders and Gada have been requesting to stop this war that is following the war that is following in the region.

There is a call for those who are fighting each other to stop shooting for the sake of the people .

The chief officer of KFO and political analyst Jawar Mohammed posted a short writing on his social media page, said that the two bodies should stop shooting and return to reconciliation.

The American government has asked that the war that is going on in different parts of the country should be stopped and the discussion of reconciliation must continue including Oromia and Amhara soldiers.

American special messenger Mike Hamar said he is working to stop the war going on in Oromia and Amhara and start discussion between those parties.

#stopwar #stopkillinginnocentcivillians #stopthekilling #justice #freedom #democracy

Human right commission (HRC) urges end to conflicts causing widespread rights violations in Ethiopia

 In its 3rd Annual Human Rights Situation Report, covering the period from June 2023 to June 2024, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said armed conflicts remain a significant cause of human rights violations across the country, resulting in civilian casualties and displacement. 

The report noted that internally displaced persons, particularly vulnerable groups, continue to face challenges in accessing basic necessities and services.

According to the report, a key development during the reporting period was the resolution of the two-year war in Northern Ethiopia through a peace agreement between the Ethiopian federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). While hostilities have ceased,  the report notes that the region continues to grapple with the long-term effects of the war. Civilians face ongoing challenges in accessing basic services, healthcare, and education.

In Oromia, EHRC’s report noted ongoing tensions and conflicts have led to civilian casualties and displacement. The EHRC recorded incidents in several zones, including North, South, West, Southwest, and East Shewa. The report also highlights an increase in kidnappings for ransom affecting in Oromia.

The implementation of the State of Emergency which remained in effect for ten months, had significant impacts on human rights, EHRC’s report stated, highlighting widespread issues with arbitrary detentions. 

In Addis Abeba, detainees were held in non-standard facilities, including schools, under poor conditions. The Awash Arba detention center, known for its extreme heat and remote location, faced criticism for limited access to family visits and medical care.

Restrictions on movement have affected all focus regions. Road blockades and security checkpoints have disrupted transportation, impacting economic activities and access to services.

The EHRC projects that by the next fiscal year, up to 10.8 million people could face critical food insecurity across the affected regions.  

Healthcare services have been significantly impacted, with restricted mobility, damaged infrastructure, and migration of healthcare professionals leading to declines in service quality and availability. The report pays special attention to the rights of women and children in conflict-affected areas.

The EHRC’s report concludes with a series of recommendations aimed at addressing these challenges. These include calls for the immediate release of individuals held in arbitrary detention, reform of laws and policies that adversely affect human rights, and improvements in the treatment of individuals in custody.

The commission emphasizes the need for peaceful dialogue and inclusive transitional justice processes to address the recurring cycles of conflict and widespread human rights violations across all focus regions.