| Protest against the Ethiopian Government's Brutal Treatment of the Oromo People |
| Date: |
May 20, 2004 |
| Source: |
United Liberation Forces of Oromiyaa (ULFO) | |
On this day, May 20, 2004, we, the members of Oromo community in North America, who have enjoyed the shelter of peace in the United States and Canada are demonstrating in great cities across these two countries to show our solidarity with the Oromo people who are currently harassed and terrorized daily in their homeland.
We also remember on this day all those who have been forced out of their motherland, killed by Ethiopian government gunfire or attacked by wild animals while en route to neighboring countries in search of shelter. We extend our condolences to the mothers and fathers of these Oromo heroes and heroines; we say to you, that your loss is ours and it is the loss of Oromo people in general. The commitment of your children and their sacrifice will definitely lead to a free Oromia.
On this day, we would like to ask once again the governments and citizens of our respective countries, the United States and Canada, to initiate a dialog with the Oromo people, carefully examining the root causes of the Oromo plight. We ask that friends in the free world stand with us to oppose the genocide currently carried out by the Ethiopian government which targets the Oromo.
While portraying his country abroad as a champion of democracy and human rights, Prime Minister Zenawi in Ethiopia has earned notoriety as a chief enemy of democracy, of a free press, of the rule of law and of human rights. In order to secure the domination of Tigrai people over other nationalities as well as to continue to perpetuate political oppression, economic exploitation, and social subjugation of the Oromo people, the regime has become involved in the:
- Mass expulsion of Oromo students from high schools and universities,
- Harassment and dismissal of Oromo journalists, teachers and civic leaders,
- Kidnapping, murdering and terrorizing refugees in neighboring countries,
- Deliberate spread of AIDS in the Oromiyaa regions;
- Wanton and deliberate destruction of Oromia¢s ecosystem;
- Mass arrest, torture and extra-judicial killing of Oromo and other non-Tigrean nationalities;
We appeal to our fellow US and Canadian citizens and the international community at large:
- To understand the scope and magnitude of the human rights violations currently committed by the Ethiopian Government against the Oromo and other peoples;
- To condemn unequivocally this latest wave of acts of genocide unleashed on our people in general and on the students, teachers and civic leaders in particular;
- To work tirelessly to influence national governments, international institutions and non-governmental organizations to exert powerful influence upon Ethiopia in order that Ethiopia might live up to the expectation of the civilized world – demonstrating respect for human rights, freedom of expression, and the rule of law.
Unity is Strength!!
Oromia Shall Be Free!!
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The Oromo Liberation Council (OLC) ::
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