The Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement (OFDM) said gross human rights violations and harassment of thousands of opposition party supporters was taking place in Oromia amidst growing instability in the region.
A statement the party issued this week highlighted Gimbi, Lallo Asabi, Mendi, Nejjo, Dembi Dolo, Ambo, Tiqur Inchini and North Shewa as spots that had recently been transformed into battlegrounds between party supporters and federal police forces.
"Most of these, who were inhumanely beaten, were deported to Senqele (West Showa) and the rest to Tolay camp. Some others arrested at Gimbi, Lallo and Nejjo are still languishing at police stations in the open air," the statement said.
OFDM said women, elderly men of up to 70 years of age as well as children were frightfully overcrowded in some of the camps, adding that that state of affairs was a clear violation of the Constitution as well as international convention on human rights.
The statement, which indicated that the teaching-learning process was disrupted in several places of Oromia, added that several high school teachers were in jail and deported to unknown places. It said the worsening situation had left people dejected and ever frustrated.
"Although the grain and coffee harvesting season had arrived, areas were short of farmers owing to the harassment and jailing. This had resulted in starvation," it added.
The statement indicated that the matter was clearly beyond the jurisdiction of the regional government since federal police troops were committing the crackdown on opposition supporters.
OFDM used the occasion to deny recent accusation by the Security Affairs Department Head with the Oromia Region, which went on to allege that OFDM and the Oromo National Congress (ONC) were responsible for the instability in Oromia.
It further refuted the recent report by the government-owned ETV in which a former OFDM member, who was sacked for disciplinary reasons by the name Dereje Kebede levelled harsh criticisms against Bulcha Demeksa and stated that he had rejected the decision to sack him.
The statement said ETV should have approached the subject from a critical angle and tried to be more objective instead of airing one-sided allegations.
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