Oromo political prisoners appeal


A new found alliance between Ethiopia's largest opposition party - Kinijit (CUDP) - and the rebel group Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) has become a thorn in the flesh of the genocidal regime of Meles Zenawi. Widespread human rights violations in Ethiopia are pushing the country's youth into joining an ever-intensifying armed struggle. Photo shows OLF fighters on parade in military zone four near the Ethiopia-Kenya border. "Discipline among the OLF fighters appears to be strong. About one in seven or eight of them are women," says a report by the London-based Panos Institute. (Photo: Panos)
ADDIS ABABA - Imprisoned for several years, many of them see no end in sight to their ordeal. In the course of time, some of them were shot to death, others tortured, and still others subjected to irreversible mental damages. They are political prisoners ranging from young university students to elderly civic society leaders of Oromia region. Their impassioned plea for justice has fallen on deaf ears. Today, they appeal again, hoping to salvage their battered life from wasting away in the dark dungeons of Meles Zenawi.

As if the regime doesn't have enough Oromiffa-speaking hirelings, Meles uses his Tigrinya-speaking servants as police officers, prosecutors and judges that deal with the "court cases" of the Oromo compatriots with the intention of fueling animosity toward Tigrinya-speaking Ethiopians. A breakdown in communication, and an inmate asking for translation, is cause to provoke the fury of the men in power - all loyal to the profoundly anti-Ethiopian tyrant Meles Zenawi.

Following is the appeal by the political prisoners from Oromia that the regime has accused of "attempts to overthrow the constitutional order by violent means," in other words "treason," a crime punishable by death.


WE THE OROMO POLITICAL PRISONERS, charged with false accusations for the crimes of attempting to overthrow the regime and inciting war, were detained and have been suffering for such a long time in prison without trial and justice only for our political outlook and being Oromo. Moreover, our human rights are always violated and we have been denied of humane treatment as a result of which we have been suffering from sickness, torture and death.

Even though Article 20(1) of the FDRE Constitution provides that the accused have the right to speedy trial by an independent judiciary, this constitutional right of ours has been utterly violated and our trial is excessively delayed.

For example:

  • The trial of Tegene Gebresillasie and other 48 innocent Oromos who were apprehended from the town of Adama (Nazereth) and its vicinity has been proceeding before the Second Criminal Division of the Federal High Court since 1990 E.C. for 8 years. We have been suffering in prison during all these years.

  • The trials of Ali Ibirahim and others (48 innocent Oromos) who were apprehended from the town of Dire Dawa and its vicinity, the trial of Mohammed Hussein and others (41 innocent Oromos) who were apprehended from Arsi, Bale and East Shewa Zones of Oromia have been proceeding for the last 6 years since 1992 E.C. before the above mentioned Bench.

  • The trials of Hussein Hamza and others (15 peaceful Oromos) and that of Kedir Zinabu and others (15 innocent Oromos) who were apprehended from East and West Hararge Zones in Oromia have been dragging since 1993 E.C. for solid 5 years before the same Court and Bench.

  • The trial of Mesfin Ittana and others (9 innocent Oromos) who were apprehended from East and West Wallaga Zones of Oromia has been dragging before the same Court and Bench since 1995 E.C.

  • The trials of Diriba Damisse and others, Gameda Kasim and others, and leaders of Mecha Tulama Association (Oromo self-help association), Oromo students of Addis Ababa University and Oromo journalists (generally 59 innocent Oromos) have been proceeding since 1996 E.C. for 2 years.

  • The trials of Haile Tasisa and others (9 persons), Chala Lench and others (7 persons), Merga Negera and others (3 persons), Elias Jibiril and others (2 persons), and the trials of Olkaba Lata, Liben Jarso, and Shiferaw Hinsarmu (a journalist) have been pending before the same Court and Bench in which we all are suffering in cell without lawfully convicted.

There is one and only one reason why the Second Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court has failed to dispose of our case: that is the crime we are charged with is unfounded and cannot be proved in which case we will certainly be acquitted if the court will have decide the matter. So the only mechanism by which we can be kept in prison for indefinite period is by delaying our trial. This, however, is illegal and inhumane. We therefore request the concerned Ministry of Justice to
respect the country's Constitution and provide us immediate and just solution.

Contrary to Article 21(1) of the FDRE Constitution the conditions in which we are held in prison or custody is quite inhumane. More often than not we have been subjected to torture, shot to death. For instance:

On October 24, 1998 E.C student Alemayehu Gerba was shot in his bed and died of this on November 1, 1998 E.C. Gadisa Hirpasa, a student and prisoner was tortured to death by prison administrators and policemen. On October 24, 1998 E.C. a police officer of the prison opened an automatic fire on a cell in which Amin Kelil, Idiris Awel, Lamessa Tasissa, Zekarias Tariku, and Ashenafi Biru were heavily wounded while in their cell and sustained incurable bodily injury.

Many have become mentally deranged due to police torture. Tolera Tadesse, Umar Shek Kedir and Temam Amede are losing their conscious due to this torture in which they are also denied medical attention by prison officials.

Others died of it, for example, Mokonnen Zawude, Nigusu Gojera, Alemayehu Ittafa, Zelalem Bayisa, Umar Haji and Haji Mohammed Messa died of the torture.

We have denied of medical attention as a result some of us are suffering from diseases. Mahammed Tayib Abdulmelik died of a desease because he was denied access to medical treatment.

We fear that they are intentionally delaying our trial so that they get time to expose us to disease, torture and put us all to death over a longer period of time.

We demand that the torture and killing should be stopped and the murderers of students Alemayehu Gerba, and Gadisa Hirpasa, that is, Major Afework Teferra, privates Fiseha Gebremariam and Iyasu should be brought to justice immediately.

Article 25 of the Constitution guarantees equality before the law and protects against any form of discrimination. However, we Oromos have been detained and jailed without conviction only for our political outlooks and ethnic nationality, and language. We are exposed to torture such as electric shocks. Our investigators are only Tigrian members of the Federal Police. This team is led by a man called Tadese Meseret known for using electric shocks in which many innocent Oromos lost their lives. Ali Ibirahim and Gutu Geletu (in 1987 E.C), Mahammed Yusuf in 1990 Sisay Debele in 1993 died of such torture while in custody. Many like Girma Ittafa became lame and unable to walk due to this torture.

The ones prosecuting us for such a perpetrated crime are prosecutors born to Tigrian ethnic group.

The presiding judge of the Second Criminal Division who simply delays our trial by adjourning our case is a man called Le'ul Gebremariam who is a Tigrian national. This judge has been assigned to try Oromos since 1984E.C. He simply orders death penalty upon Oromos.

The so-called crimes that we are charged with are said to have been committed in Oromia. Constitutionally Oromia has jurisdiction to try us, but we are put to the investigation by Tigrian police, prosecution by Tigrian prosecutor and trial by a Tigrian judge before federal court in a Language which we do not understand, where we are orally abused, insulted if we demand explanation or accurate translation. So we are denied of fair trial and justice in all the processes of investigation, prosecution and trial. We could have been tried in Oromia, but we are brought before federal institutions for the purpose of discrimination.

Following the list of Oromo prisoners facing trial for intentionally perpetrated crimes which are quite unfounded and meant only to imprison us.

  1. In the case of Tegenu Gebresillasei
    (Criminal file no. 1741, Federal High Court)

    1. Tegenu Gebresillassei
    2. Zerihun Hailu
    3. Jida Siyum
    4. Niguse Beturi
    5. Mengesaha Nabi
    6. Hasen Janbo
    7. Tsegaye Koricho
    8. Challa Biru
    9. Negewo Birbisso
    10. Shegena Melka
    11. Ashu Waqayo
    12. Lita Angure
    13. Mirbo Korji
    14. Lencho Dame
    15. Megire Negash
    16. Dita Kebenecha
    17. Mideksa Korme
    18. Asebot Ninni
    19. Berhanu Beyene
    20. Bojora Gemeda
    21. Dullo Tekaka
    22. Dagne Belachew
    23. Bedo Melka
    24. Tafa Regasa
    25. Girma Ayana
    26. Hasan Jilo
    27. Gudeta Kurfa
    28. Lema Lube
    29. Defaru Shewarega
    30. Kasim Hamda
    31.Wachare Abo
    32. Abo Warajo
    33. Getu Tadese
    34. Biru Mamo
    35. Demisu Daba
    36. Tullu Birru
    37. Alemayehu Abebe
    38. Tesfaye Demisse

  2. In the case of Ali Ibirahim and others
    (Federal High Court criminal file no. 809/93

    1. Ali Ibirahim
    2. Temesgen Meshesha
    3. Abdu Mohammed
    4. Abdu Umar
    5. Morka Idosa (dead)
    6. Ahimad Zakiri
    7. Girma Adugna
    8. Adam Usman
    9. Mahammed Jayilan
    10. Biratu Disasa
    11. Abera Merti
    12. Husen Abdella
    13. Jibiril Hasen
    14. Hamza Uso
    15. Abdi Ibirahim
    16. Taye Guteta
    17. Mehammed Aliye
    18. Ibirahim Ahimed
    19. Adma Ale
    20. Ahimad Mehammed
    21. Fayera Tolera
    22. Jamal Ibirahim
    23. Yunis Umar
    24. Jora Mehammed
    25. Abiyi Demashe
    26. Abdella Adam
    27. Jamal Amin
    28. Alganesh Dirgasa
    29. Abdella Mehammed
    30. Mehammed A/Rahiman
    31. Abdurahiman Hasen
    32. Abirahim Adam
    33. Ziyad Mehammed
    34. Musa Haji
    35. Abdella Shehi Ahimad
    36. Sufian Aliyi
    37. Teshome Desta
    38. Yunis Sham Dado
    39. Tofik Umar
    40. Abdi Isma'el
    41. Mahammed Musa Ibirahim
    42. Dabale Asfawu
    43. Jamal Abas.

  3. In the case of Mehammad Usen Mehammed and others
    (Federal High Court Criminal File no. 992/93

    1. Mehammed Husen
    2. Mehammed Teyib (dead)
    3. Nuredin Dedefo
    4. Hasen Abdella
    5. Nasima Mehammed
    6. Uke Beja
    7. Shehi Ali Berertu
    8. Kerjul Wayu
    9. Abdurazak Banti
    10. Daksisa Geleta
    11. Gudeta Birso
    12. Husen Teshite
    13. Amano Warso
    14. Tadese Ali
    15. Gabi Shila
    16. Gana Ali
    17. Bulbula Seyife
    18. Sayid Kedir
    19. Basiye Ware
    20. Aseffa Hika
    21. Jarmo Chana
    22. Hiko Bato
    23. Dasta Bato
    24. Dajene Gonfa
    25. Yesin
    26. Ahimad Kalifa
    27. Abe Heyi Aute
    28. Bantu Midaksa
    29. Gemeda Bati
    30. Kemal Gobe
    31. Yohannes Feleke
    32. Adam Surur
    33. Abu Gobena

  4. In the case of Husen Hamza and others
    (Federal High Court Criminal files no. 1263/93

    1. Husen Hamza
    2. Bedri Adam
    3. Taye Balami
    4. Umar Idiris
    5. Haji Mehammed Musa
    6. Jamal Ahimad Abdo
    7. Umar Shehi Bidiri
    8. Ahimad Haji Aliyi
    9. Ahimad Nuri
    10. Salim Shehi Ahimad
    11. Irena Legesse
    12. Sultan Isma'el
    13. Hasim Kedir
    14. Kedir Salih Adam

  5. In the case of Kedir Zinabu and others
    (Federal High Court criminal file no.1810/93

    1. Kedir Zinabu
    2. Feruz Abdi
    3. Husen Ahimad
    4. Sherif Jundi
    5. Mehammed Abdella
    6. Ali Mehammed
    7. Aliyi Ibiro
    8. Abdul Reshid Abdulahi
    9. Adam Salih
    10. Ayush Bekiri
    11. Abdella Abib
    12. Kedir Abdi
    13. Usma'el Husen
    14. Yasin Mehammed
    15. Abdi Ame

  6. 6. In the case of Mesfin Ittana and others
    (Criminal file no. 222/95)

    1. Mesfin Ittana
    2. Mesfin Mosisa
    3. Dani'el Ayana
    4. Cherinet Yemaneh
    5. Mitiku Tesfa
    6. Yohannes Waqbulcha
    7. Kemal Bebgir
    8. Mengistu Hordofa

  7. In the case of Diribi Demisse and others
    (Criminal file no. 36263/96)

    1. Diribi Demisse
    2. Gemechu Feyera
    3. Sintayehu Workineh
    4. Ayelu Itisa
    5. Bekuma Yendo
    6. Tolasa Debebe
    7. Alemayehu Gerba (dead)
    8. Kebebew Bobasa
    9. Bilisuma Dabare
    10. Dawit Odo
    11. Melaku Degafi
    12. Teshale esfaye
    13. Legese Abetu
    14. Gemechis Wodajo
    15. Samu'el Haile
    16. Kefiyalew Gerbi
    17. Aberra Namomsa
    18. Ibirahim Tarfa
    19. Badasa Abdisa
    20. Milkesa Dandana
    21. Idosa Tolasa
    22. Ibisa Melaku
    23. Guta Tullu
    24. Dabasa Waqjira
    25. Nega Kefeni
    26. Telila Bulbula
    27. Taye Dendena
    28. Gadisa Hirpasa (dead)
    29. Tomas Beranu
    30. Regasa Worku

  8. In the case of Gemeda Kasim
    (Criminal file no.33176/96)

    1. Gemeda Kasim
    2. Tadesse Amede
    3. Kedir Wadajo
    4. Guta Tullu
    5. Legese Gebresillassie
    6. Challa Abu
    7. Zewudu Kene'a
    8. Dachasa Banti
    9. Bayisa Belay
    10. Legesse Yadata
    11. Mehammed Awal
    12. Nasiri Abdo
    13. Derara Abdisa
    14. Teferra Nasi'a
    15. Dagafa Gebremariam
    16. Tamene Getahun
    17. Yilma Indale
    18. Adam Tibeso
    19. Imiru Gurmessa
    20. Adugna Daba

  9. In the case of Haile Tasisa and others
    (Criminal file no.36268/97)

    1. Haile Tasisa
    2. Lamessa Tasisa
    3. Wage Melka
    4. Abdu Siraj
    5. Aman Hasen
    6. Zakarias Tariku
    7. Idiris Awal
    8. Sa'id Abdella
    9. Tasamma Afirasa.

CC.

Embassies of different countries
Donor countries and organizations
TPLF
OPDO
Federal Police
Federal High and Supreme Courts
EPRDF.


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