| Politically Meditated Death Sentences
And Long-term Imprisonments of Innocent Oromos
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| Date: |
November 22, 2004 |
| Source: |
United Liberation Forces of Oromiyaa (ULFO) | |
The politically motivated death sentence the Ethiopian regime of Meles Zenawi passed on innocent Oromos is appalling and a gruesome act of savagery that demands rejection and condemnation.
Its callous features demonstrate the rule of the Ethiopian government of Meles Zenawi. Harassment, imprisonment, torture and murder are routine and prime characteristics of the TPLF-led regime of Ethiopia.
The Ethiopian government is a regime that has mapped a strategy to wholly deal with what is Oromo in order to rule over Oromiyaa. It is a strategy of perpetrating a reign of terror on the Oromo people. As there is no rule of law, the so-called court is not where justice is done; it is rather a chamber where injustice is committed.
On October 19th, 2004 three Oromos were sentenced to death whereas three others were sentenced to 20 years, 25 years and life-imprisonment allegedly for associating themselves with the Oromo Liberation Front. Incidentally, advocating for the fundamental human rights enshrined in the declaration of the United Nations as has been is a criminal act in Ethiopia.
In fact this is not a singular case. Since Meles usurped power in 1991, nearly 4000 Oromos were executed, and the whereabouts of over 900 persons is unknown, and roughly, 30,000 - 35,000 languish in the most notorious covert and overt prisons of the Ethiopian empire.
The Meles regime is widely known for its human rights abuse. Local and international Human Rights organisations conscientiously report on the human rights violations of his regime. The irony is that governments and Organisations that more often propagate about the protection of human rights remain acquiescent despite mounting evidence of human rights abuse of Meles regime. In fact the regime is often rewarded by huge sum of financial support and rendered legitimacy on the diplomatic front. This trend has animated Meles to intensify the atrocious acts of his regime against our people. We would like to remind governments and organisations supporting the Meles regime knowingly or unknowingly that they are guilty by association. They have the moral obligation to stand by the victims, the Oromo people, and not the victor, the regime of Meles Zenawi.
Meles thinks that execution, imprisonment and torture may frustrate and discourage Oromos in their endeavour for freedom. History attests that no amount of execution and no degree of repression can stop a people determined to achieve liberty. Let Meles Zenawi and the TPLF realise that the Oromo people are more than determined to dismantle the colonial order and bring about a free Oromiyaa.
As we condemn and reject the politically peppered kangaroo court decision of death sentence and long-term imprisonment passed on our compatriots with no legal protection, we appeal to all governments and humanitarian organisations to open their eyes to see and to come to the rescue of these innocent victims of the ruthless Ethiopian regime using your influences and through all possible means at your disposal before its too late.
Finally, we would like to make Meles Zenawi and his EPRDF cohorts unmistakably know that we shall hold them accountable for each and every Oromo life lost in their hands.
Unity is Strength!!
Oromia Shall Be Free!!
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The Oromo Liberation Council (OLC) ::
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