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Special Report 93: Acts of terrorism should be stopped

Posted on 17th March 2006 by HRCO
Categories: Special Report
Posted on: Mar 17, 2006
Region: Gambela

“The Ethiopian Human Rights Council is a neutral organization that stands for the sovereignty of law, development of democracy, and respect for human rights. That is why EHRCO unfailingly condemned terrorism in all the international, continental and national forums it has participated in. It also warned that political parties in our country are terrorism by trying to overpower each other through unlawful and inhuman activities instead of tolerating each other and creating a forum for solving their differences trough discussions.

Regarding this, in its special report No. 13 issued on Miazia 24/1989(E.C) EHRCO stated that damage was done to people and properties by the bomb explosions that occurred on Miazia 4 and 6, in Tigrai Hotel, Blue Tops restaurant, and Tana Market Hall, A.A. It is also to be remembered that similar bomb explosions had occurred in Ghion Hotel, Wabe Shebele Hotel and the Dire Dawa Ras Hotel. A number of innocent people lost their lives and bodies as a result of these explosions.

The fact that innocent citizens lost their lives in a most cruel manner, since the May 2005 elections has become a cause for the inception of vengeance and expansion of hatred, this fact may not have been seen clearly by some people, but it is no secret to those who are far-sighted and are concerned for their country and their compatriots.”

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92nd Special Report: Human Rights are not respected = There is no democracy

Posted on 12th January 2006 by HRCO
Categories: Laws, Special Report
Posted on: Jan 12, 2006
Region: Addis Ababa

“EHRCO announced in its report No. 90 that following the shooting by the security forces to stop the protest that arose as of Nov. 1/2005 in A.A. 34 persons have died, 62 persons have been wounded by bullet shots or beating and a number of others have been detained at different places great damage has been done to properties too. In the conflict that occurred as of Nov. 1/2005 12 additional persons have been killed without trial; 9 persons are missing and 34 persons have been detained as detained out here below.

A) Killing

Contrary to the provision of article 15 of the constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, which states, “Every person has the right to life. No person may be deprived of his life except as a punishment for a serious criminal offense determined by law” and contrary to article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which Ethiopia has ratified which states that “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person” the following persons have been killed by the security forces.”

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Special Report No. 91: Put a Stop to Racial Agitation

Posted on 2nd January 2006 by HRCO
Categories: Special Report
Posted on: Jan 2, 2006
Region: Oromia

” Nov. 6/2005 being the annual celebration day of Amanuel, in the Trinity Church of Kore Town, the Christians of the area celebrate it at a high magnitude. Among the arm bearers of Kore Town assigned to keep the peace during the celebration, one of them fired a shot in the air at 8 o’clock in the evening by way of celebrating the occasion. The inhabitants of the area who heard the shot left their homes and heeded towards the house of the armed man wounding why he fired a shot in the peaceful atmosphere that reigned, and throw stones on his home as well as the houses of his neighbours.

On the other hand, on Nov. 15/2005 people discovered leaflets strewn in a Kore mosque that read, thus “What are you waiting for Amharas? Why don’t you rise up and destroy Arsi?” Elders in the area from both the Christian and Muslim Communities have been invited to investigate the matter through the Kore kebele office, on the same day at 11 A.M., while the elders were investigating the matter, on Nov. 16/2005 other leaflets were found strewn in Kore high school, that read thus: “The descendants of Menelik, what are you waiting for? Arise!” As a result of this, a conflict arose between the Muslim and Christian students. However, the conflict subsided right away trough the intervention of the school authorities. On this same day, at 8:30 in the evening, young students of Arsi Oromo raided Kore town, and burnt down the houses and organizations of the Christians and looted their properties.”

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Special Report No. 90: No Human Rights = No Democracy

Posted on 6th December 2005 by HRCO
Categories: Special Report
Posted on: Dec 6, 2005
Region: Addis Ababa

“The human rights situation in Ethiopia has been going from bad to worse since the May 2005 General Election. The June 8th crackdown against peaceful protestors has claimed dozens of lives, including those who were not involved in the protest, and led to mass arrest of thousands of innocent people from Addis Ababa alone. This repressive measure by the government has only exacerbated the political tension in the country.

The round table talks between the opposition and the ruling party, which was mediated by the diplomatic community in Addis Ababa, were discontinued without any result. The call of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) for peaceful protest through the hooting of car horns and stay-aways was denounced as unlawful by the government, which regarded such protest as tantamount to an insurrection to overthrow the constitutional order. And the closure of peaceful avenues for expressing political dissent has precipitated the explosion of pent up frustration, with the confrontation between stone throwing youths and well armed security forces easily degenerating into an unprecedented street violence on November 1st and 2nd particularly in Addis Ababa. The security forces indiscriminately fired live ammunition at unarmed civilians to stop the protest. The outcome has been yet more loss of lives and unnecessary destruction of both private and public property. On November 15, 2005, the Federal Police Commissioner reported to Parliament that 35 civilians and seven policemen had lost their lives in and outside Addis Ababa, 156 civilians and 338 policemen had been injured, over 153 vehicles, most of them public buses, had been damaged, and private property burned down during the protest. So far most of the leaders of the CUDP whom the Prime Minister has accused of committing treason, have been put behind bars, awaiting prosecution. Following the wave of mass arrest of people in Addis Ababa, the police reported that it had released over 8,000 people who it said had no link with the street protest, but it has not disclosed how many were arrested and how many are still languishing in official and unofficial prisons as well as military camps. Nor is the true scale of the loss of lives and the destruction of property known since the crack down has also shut down most of the independent presses and thrown into jail several journalists and publishers.”

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Special Report No. 89: Human Rights Violations Committed Against Members and Supporters of the Opposition Parties Should be Stopped

Posted on 17th October 2005 by HRCO
Categories: Press Releases, Special Report
Posted on: Oct 17, 2005
Region: Addis Ababa, Afar, Amhara, Dire Dawa, Harari, Oromia

“The Ethiopian Human Rights Council (EHRCO) has repeatedly urged for the immediate stoppage of human rights violations such as killing, illegal detention, beating, torture and harassments committed by various organs of the Government so that the problems created in connection with the nationwide election to the House of the Peoples Representatives and Regional Councils that were conducted on May 15, 2005 may be resolved peacefully and legally. In addition, EHRCO, in its special statements, election reports and press releases that were issued before and after the election, has been calling upon the Government, contending parties and members and supporters of the contending parties to conduct their affairs in a legal and peaceful manner, to respect the right of the people to express their views and aspirations in a manner that is peaceful and legal and to recognize the right of the people to freedom of association, expression and other constitutional and human rights without any interference.

However, conditions are not improving but rather worsening day after day. Consequently, the country is now in a precarious condition. As a human rights organization, EHRCO conducts investigations into such conditions and also receives pertinent information daily. EHRCO’s assessment indicates that, as a result of the illegal measures that are being taken against members and supports of the opposition parties, citizens are without guarantee of peace and, therefore, are forced to live in an intimidating and threatening atmosphere. It is, thus, not difficult to estimate the seriousness of human and material loss that the country may incur if conditions remain unchanged.”

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80th Special Report:Stop Illegal Acts Being Committed by low-level Government Officials Against Members and Supporters of Opposition Parties!

Posted on 19th October 2004 by HRCO
Categories: Special Report
Posted on: Oct 19, 2004
Region: Amhara

“Ethiopian Human Rights Council (EHRCO) had been issuing reports concerning the various forms of abuses being committed against members and supporters of opposition political parties. In its 19th, 20th, 21st, and 22nd Regular Reports issued previously, EHRCO documented several incidents of such violations and urged the government to take legal measures on the perpetrators. It also appealed to national and international human rights groups to do whatever they can and exert pressure on the Ethiopian government so that it would take the necessary corrective measures.

Nevertheless, these illegal acts have continued unabated particularly in the Amhara regional state where local militiamen, kebele officials, members of the defense force and other low-level government and party officials in the state commit various forms of human rights violations. These illegal acts include extra judicial killings, torture, eviction from farmlands, intimidation, denial of relief food, prohibition of public services and discrimination against participation in social forums and institutions. These abuses are being committed by taking membership in opposition political parties as an excuse. This is an utter disregard of the rights of citizens to be members of political parties of their choice enshrined under Art.38/2/ of the FDRE Constitution.

In this Special Report EHRCO documented its findings of abuses being committed against members and supporters of the Ethiopian Democratic Unity Party (EDUP) and those of the All Ethiopia Unity Party (AEUP) in East Gojam zone Awobal, Goncha Siso Enesse, Enarj Enawga, Hulet Eju Enesse, Enemay and Shebel Berenta weredas and in North Wello zone Guba Lafto and Kobo weredas of the Amhara regional state.”

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