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97th Special Report:Atrocities Committed by Religious Extremists

Posted on 30th November 2006 by HRCO
Categories: Press Releases, Special Report
Posted on: Nov 30, 2006
Region: Oromia

“A clash between the followers of Islam and of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, which took place in Illubabor, Jimma and West Wollega zones of the Oromiai region, has caused loss of life, physical and psychological injury, property damage, and displacement of hundreds of people. The incident occurred during the Celebration of Demera, a burning of the bonfire on the eve of the Christian holiday of Meskel, the finding of the true Cross. According to evidences documented by EHRCO, the incident started when some grouped Muslim extremists disrupted the celebration by throwing stones at the Christian worshipers.

Cause of the conflict

On September 26, 2006, about 7 pm, while many Christian worshippers were celebrating the annual feast of Demmera in Illubabor zone, Dedessa woreda, around Chello town, a group of Islam followers disrupted the celebration declaring that the formers were not allowed to burn the bonfire at that place. This triggered a conflict which resulted in severe human and material damages. The conflict swollen both in leap and bound until Oct 16, 2006 such that it affected Christians in neighboring kebeles (the lowest administrative unit) of Sebo, Yebu, Goro, Gera, Chelo Dingo, Bilu, Demecha, Haro, and Bilkemu Kemech.”

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96th Special Report: Ethnic Conflicts are a Threat to Human Rights

Posted on 31st October 2006 by HRCO
Categories: Special Report
Posted on: Oct 31, 2006
Region: Oromia

“Conflicts between ethnically grouped students at the different universities of the country have become a serious concern of human rights. Conflicts that frequently erupt at higher learning institutions have caused loss of life and grave body injury, making the problem serious and complex.

It is to be recalled that EHRCO has been issuing reports regarding conflicts among ethnic groups, appealing to concerned governmental bodies to address the problem. However, due to the indifference exhibited by concerned authorities, and even partiality by some officials, the conflict has continued to cause human rights violations.”

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94th Special Report: Stop illegal measures being taken by security forces on innocent civilians

Posted on 30th June 2006 by HRCO
Categories: Special Report
Posted on: Jun 30, 2006
Region: Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa

“It is to be recalled that EHRCO has been issuing reports on human rights violations occurred during unlawful displacement and eviction of people.

A business place by the commonly known as Gemb Gebeya found in Nazareth town of the East Shewa Zone of the Oromia region was established in 1974. There are over 1700 shops subdivided into small plots that are used by about 10,000 small and big businesses. The tenants of the small plots had organized themselves in a share company and submitted a proposal requesting the Nazareth town Council to be given a permit to construct a three-story business complex on the land occupied by the market place. The Council however declined their request and gave a construction permit to other investors.

The town’s Council told the traders that as they were tenants they are not allowed to construct a business complex on the land. This created a dispute between the Council and the merchants which escalated on 26 May 2006 when government armed security forces tried to forcibly remove the traders from the market place.

According to evidence documented by EHRCO, during the disturbance occurred on 26 May, scores of innocent civilians were killed and sustained injuries as a result of the measures taken by government security forces. Others were also arrested and illegally detained.”

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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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