crack down on activists intensified following state of emergency

By abenezer_a

According to local sources and voice of America.  Police started arresting members  and ex-members of Blue party  on october 8,2016. From Addis Abeba  Awoke Tezera, Abebe Akalu , Blen Mesfin,  Tena Yetayew are Arrested  and From Amhara region, Abebe ayele, Moges Abeje are arrested. Eyasped Tesfaye  who was Dissmesed from party leadership  and Tena Yetayew are held Amiche Police station,  Eyasped has been actively writing up updates about the unrest  in Ethiopia and also have been quoted by some medias.  It has been three days since Eyasped is arrested, he hasn't been brought to court yet. Blen Mesfin  who is also an Ex- member of Blue party is  charged with speaking loud to incite public unrest. Gulele First instance court has given four days to investigate on Blen's case. 

Blue party recently has carried  out the third General assembly. Based on the party's latest Press release, Yeshewas assefa who was recently released from jail as has been elected as  chair man of the party. There are reports that indicate that, the election of the  chairman happened in the absence of one third of the General Assembly.

The Ethiopian government has declared state of emergency on an urgent meeting the prime Minster cabinet conducted on october 8, 2016.  It will last for 6 month and  command post has been established, Attorney General Ato Getachew Amabye outlining state of emergency, it is prohibited to Distribute writings that incite violence (articles critical of the regime), to show hand protest signs and protest, the authority can arrest and search house without court order, also can close any form of media.

The Ethiopian government has promised to change the electoral system as a solution to give space for the opposition. critics say, technocratic fixes wont solve the mess the country is in. The regime must step down and a transitional government must be formed.  Ethiopia conducted the 5th round General election in May 2015, the ruling party and it allies  claimed wining 100 percent of the parliamentary seats. Experts add that, the government decision to change the electoral system is admitting the last election wasn't free and fair.


In related development, Eyob Kebede member of AEPO Party is arrested and Nigisti Yirga who has become face of Amhara resistance has appeared in court on Oct 14 for the second time, she was held in the torture chamber Maekelawi.

Photograph: internet 

Eyaseped Tesfaye: Photograph: Facebook

Correction: It was repored on october 11, 2016 that Yeleqal Getenet(Former Chair man of Blue party), Seleshi Feyisa (vice chairman of blue party ), Woyinshet Molla, Woretaw Wase, are arrested too. Thats wrong 

Crack down continues: Oppostion party members and ex-member are getting arrested

By abenezer_a

According to local sources and voice of America.  Police started arresting members  and ex-members of Blue party  on october 8,2016. From Addis Abeba  Awoke Tezera, Abebe Akalu , Blen Mesfin,  Tena Yetayew are Arrested  and From Amhara region, Abebe ayele, Moges Abeje are arrested. Eyasped Tesfaye  who was Dissmesed from party leadership  and Tena Yetayew are held Amiche Police station,  Eyasped has been actively writing up updates about the unrest  in Ethiopia and also have been quoted by some medias.  It has been three days since Eyasped is arrested, he hasn't been brought to court yet. Blen Mesfin  who is also an Ex- member of Blue party is  charged with speaking loud to incite public unrest. Gulele First instance court has given four days to investigate on Blen's case. 

Blue party recently has carried  out the third General assembly. Based on the party's latest Press release, Yeshewas assefa who was recently released from jail as has been elected as  chair man of the party. There are reports that indicate that, the election of the  chairman happened in the absence of one third of the General Assembly.

The Ethiopian government has declared state of emergency on an urgent meeting the prime Minster cabinet conducted on october 8, 2016.  It will last for 6 month and  command post has been established, Attorney General Ato Getachew Amabye outlining state of emergency, it is prohibited to Distribute writings that incite violence (articles critical of the regime), to show hand protest signs and protest, the authority can arrest and search house without court order, also can close any form of media.

The Ethiopian government has promised to change the electoral system as a solution to give space for the opposition. critics say, technocratic fixes wont solve the mess the country is in. The regime must step down and a transitional government must be formed.  Ethiopia conducted the 5th round General election in May 2015, the ruling party and it allies  claimed wining 100 percent of the parliamentary seats. Experts add that, the government decision to change the electoral system is admitting the last election wasn't free and fair.


In related development, Eyob Kebede member of AEPO Party is arrested and Nigisti Yirga who has become face of Amhara resistance has appeared in court on Oct 14 for the second time, she was held in the torture chamber Maekelawi.

Photograph: internet 

Eyaseped Tesfaye: Photograph: Facebook

Correction: It was repored on october 11, 2016 that Yeleqal Getenet(Former Chair man of Blue party), Seleshi Feyisa (vice chairman of blue party ), Woyinshet Molla, Woretaw Wase, are arrested too. Thats wrong 

More than 50 Oromo students arrested by Ethiopia’s TPLF regime in Ambo, Oromia; 20 being tortured

The following is a statement from the Human Rights League of the Horn of Africa (HRLHA)

Ethiopia: The Endless Violence against Oromo Nationals Continues

Fear of Torture | HRLHA Urgent Action

For Immediate Release

May 7, 2015

Harassment and intimidation through arbitrary arrests, kidnappings and disappearances have continued unabated in Ambo and the surrounding areas against Oromo youth and intellectuals since the crackdown of last year (April 2014), when more than 79 Oromos, mostly youth, were killed by members of the federal security force.

According to HRLHA correspondents in Ambo, the major targets of this most recent government-sponsored violence were Ambo University and high schools Oromo students in Ambo town. In this incident, which started on April 20, 2015, more than 50 university and high school students were arrested; more than 20 were severely beaten by the security force and taken to the Ambo General Hospital for treatment.

Although it has been difficult to identify everyone by their names, HRLHA correspondents have confirmed that the following were among the arrestees:

Those who were badly beaten and are being hospitalized in the Ambo General Hospital:

According to HRLHA reporters, the arrests were made to clear out supporters and members of the other political organizations running for the 5th General Election to be held May 24, 2015. The EPRDF, led by the late Meles Zenawi, claimed victory in the General Elections of 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2010. The TPLF/EPRDF government of Ethiopia has started a campaign of intimidation against its opponents. Extrajudicial arrests and imprisonments, particularly in the regional state of Oromia, the most populous region in the country, began late October 2014.

The Human Rights League of the Horn of Africa (HRLHA) expresses its deep concern over the safety and well-being of these Oromo nationals who have been arrested without any court warrant, and are being held at police stations and unknown detention centers. The Ethiopian government has a well documented record of gross and flagrant violations of human rights, including the torturing of its own citizens, who were suspected of supporting, sympathizing with and/or being members of the opposition political organizations. There have been credible reports of physical and psychological abuses committed against individuals in Ethiopia’s official prisons and other secret detention centers.

HRLHA calls upon governments of the West, all local, regional and international human rights agencies to join hands and demand the immediate halt to such extrajudicial actions against one’s own citizens, and the unconditional release of the detainees.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to the Ethiopian Government and its officials as swiftly as possible, written in English, Ahmaric, or your own language. The following are suggested:

– Indicate your concern about citizens being tortured in different detention centers, including the infamous Ma’ikelawi Central Investigation Office; and calling for their immediate and unconditional release;

– Urge the Ethiopian authorities to ensure that detainees will be treated in accordance with the regional and international standards on the treatment of prisoners, and that their whereabouts be disclosed, and

– Make sure the coming May 24, 2015 election is fair and free

– Read the Full Statement (HRLHA)

Source:gadaa.com