Ogaden: Urgent Appeal To Stop Ethiopian Army From Tracking Refugees

Geneva, February 12, 2014 – The Ethiopian Army and Secret Service continue to track refugees from Ogaden in East African countries, the last incident occurring yesterday. Guri’el Cnrtal Somalia District Commissioner Mr. Isma’il Isse Nur “Taardhuleed” stated yesterday to the VOA Somali Service that he handed over four people from Ogaden to the Ethiopian army in the area, claiming they were members of the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF).

The three men were Muhumed Anni (who was travelling to Somali for medical reasons), Arab Hawawar and Mukhtar Asood. Since 2007 in Ogaden, the Somali region of Ethiopia, there has been serious ongoing human rights violations committed by the Ethiopian Army and its allied Liyu Police militia. The Ethiopian Government signed secret agreements with local administrations in Somalia. Similarly, the Djibouti government’s army and secret services operate freely to tackle refugees from Ogaden. Ethiopian secret services have offices in Djibouti, Hargeisa, Berbera, Bosaso, Galka’yo, Baladwein, Baidabo, Mogadishu and now in Kismayu. During the last couple of years, the refugees who were gathered from these araes were returned forcibly to Ethiopia where they faced killing, rape, disappearances and imprisonment.

On the 26th January 2014, Mr. Sulub Ahmed and Ali Hussein, ONLF senior officials, were abducted while in Nairobi for the third talk participation between the Ethiopian Government and ONLF. The Kenyan government apprehended two security officers implicated in this abduction.

We call on the Ethiopian government to immediately and without condition, release the abducted and abstain any such future actions. We ask the Ethiopian government to allow the ICRC to visit all the secret prisons in the Ogaden. We call on the Kenyan Government to guarantee the security of the refugees on Kenyan soil. The Somali government and local administrations should respect the international law and nothand over Ogaden refugees to Ethiopian forces.

=>ogadentoday

In Memory of Obbo Bekele Nadhi

By Ayele Zewge Bojia*

The devastating news of the death of the legendary leader of Macha and Tulama Association, Obbo Bekele Nadhi, was received with deep grief and sorrow. The passing away of such a notable leader, apart from causing an instantaneous grief and agony, usually has got a special power of inducing a moment of reflection by many others. Obbo Bekele Nadhi’s death is one such moment that has got that unique power of spurring thousands to stop for a while, and reflect on the path they have traversed thus far and destined to traverse in the future, too. This is basically so due to the mere fact that he and his alike had played a significant role in a distinctly visible chapter of modern Oromo political history that stretches over the preceding half a century.

By way of paying tribute, let me briefly state some essential facts aboutObbo Bekele Nadhi.

During his early student days, he managed to garner valuable experience and exposure from the role he played in his capacity as a leader of the student union of the then “Emperor Haile Selassie 1^st University,” and was also chosen and received an award as “All Round Student of the Year.”

Again, while he was studying for his LLM in a prestigious Canadian McGill University, he represented his University to various forums with utmost distinction in his capacity as the leader of the students union. In this same capacity, he proudly represented African students in “Afro Asian Clubs Conference” and was also chosen to serve as a Editor in Chief of popular student magazine of ESUNA (Ethiopian Student Union in North America.)

The greatest and loftiest contributions of Obbo Bekele Nadhi’s were the ones that were intertwined with the history of Macha and Tulama movement.

Obbo Bekele Nadhi had led this association as Vice President and later as an Interim President, and in the process, he had become one of those iconic figures who attained a level of being considered as institutions in their own right.

A close look at the history of this association and the magnificent movement it led shows that every single Macha and Tulama Association leader has got one’s own unique niche area of contribution that each brought to the association, thus constituting an integral part in the making of the superb whole. Seen from this perspective, Obbo Bekele Nadhi’s niche area could be mentioned as the intellectual, diplomatic and the moderate face of an otherwise militant movement. To the association itself, he used to be the never ending source of financial capability, especially during those difficult days when the association was forced to go through during the mid 60’s.

Just to cite a single incident at which he distinguished himself with one of his many heroic deeds: it occurred in conjunction with the threat posed with respect to the legal status of the association. In what amount to public lynching, senior security advisors of the Emperor tried in futility to intimidate and force Obbo Bekele to publicly express the dissolution of the association right there and right then – in a much similar way other attendees had already expressed on the venue they prepared solely for this purpose. Obbo Bekele, who was fully aware of the fact that the whole drama was staged, aiming at his association and himself, boldly and heroically, expressed his unflinching position by stating; “I do not belong to the association that I can dissolve right here and right now in front of you. I belong to the association that is established by like minded members to whom I am primarily accountable to. I can communicate what you expect to be done by already existing associations to members. I believe the ultimate decision on the destiny of the association I am representing rests with members who established it.”

Though this statement, seen by any measurement, was correct, truthful and even legal, it was taken as an affront to the authority of the Emperor by opportunist elements in attendance. Some even angrily demanded for immediate reprimand of the speaker. All these barrage of accusations and threats did not sway this hero from sticking to his principled position.

Despite the fact that he was portrayed as a person defying the authority of the Emperor, he was believed to have been spared from incarceration due to the fact that the imperial regime was intent at minimizing the political fallout from the repressive measure it was taking against the leaders of this association. As a legal advisor to the Ministry of Finance and the then Bank of Agriculture and Industry, Ob. Bekele used to maintain close contact with the leaders of a number of bilateral and multilateral agencies operating in the country. The wide name recognition and respect he commanded in this circle seemed to have imposed a great deal of self restraint on the part of the Imperial regime from including Obbo Bekele Nadhi in the detainees list.

It is unfortunate to lose him by the time we are eagerly looking forward to once again hearing from founders like him in conjunction with theforthcoming 50^th anniversary of the establishment of this Association. Macha and Tulama Association did not have an office or legal personality starting from late 1960’s all the way to the beginning of 1990’s. The absence of these things did not deter this association from staging an impressive come back during the early 1990’s when situation so demanded. This phenomenon clearly shows that Macha Tulama needs favorable legal environment for the mere purpose of expediting its operations and not, at any rate, for the purpose of its existence. Leaders like Obbo Bekele has taught us and even made it possible for us for such things to happen. That is why we confidently assert that Macha Tulama Association will never be exiled, and hence the forthcoming 50^thanniversary will primarily be celebrated in the very place it was established. Wherever we are, it is proper and beneficial to reflect on the history of this association and its beloved and respected leaders like Obbo Bekele Nadhi during the forthcoming 50^th anniversary, hopefully and preferably on the forums of community associations.

Finally, my heart goes out to his family and all those Macha and Tulama community members who will undoubtedly be so much aggrieved at the loss of our hero.

February 16, 2014

gadaa

Sudan: gang rape victim found guilty of “indecent acts”

(KHARTOUM) – An 18-year-old Ethiopian woman who said she was gang raped by seven men in Sudan has been found guilty of committing indecent acts and is also facing a possible jail term for immigration offences.

Women’s advocates say existing legislation in Sudan severely limits the ability of victims of sexual violence to seek justice (ST)

According to a press statement issued by the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) on Thursday, the woman was sentenced to one month in prison, which has been suspended, and fined 5000 Sudanese pounds (about US$961).

The woman, who was three months pregnant at the time of the attack, had been facing a possible death sentence after beingcharged with adultery and prostitution.

However, the court accepted that the woman was divorced and thus the charges of adultery were not applied.

SIHA said the woman’s conviction of indecent acts sends a message that sexual violence is in part the fault of the victim.

“This verdict reflects the substantial challenges in enabling victims of sexual violence to pursue justice. It will also serve to prevent future victims from speaking out and seeking assistance and entrenches a culture of impunity for perpetrators,” Hala Elkarib, the SIHA Network’s regional director, said.

It’s alleged the attack took place in August 2013 when the woman was lured to an empty property while searching for a rental home in Omdurman, which neighbours the capital, Khartoum, where she was pinned down and raped by seven men.

The court convicted three men of adultery, who were sentenced to 100 lashes, while a further two were convicted of indecent acts and sentenced to 40 lashes and ordered to pay fines. A sixth person was convicted of distributing indecent material, while another man was set free due to insufficient evidence.

Those subject to lashings had their sentences carried out immediately afterwards in a closed court session.

The court has also threatened to charge the victim, who is now nine months pregnant, for illegally entering Sudan, which carries a maximum jail sentence of two years. If convicted she would be deported to Ethiopia after serving her sentence.

The woman, along with the seven perpetrators, was arrested and charged in January after footage of the attack filmed by one of the men was circulated on social media sites. The charges related to Articles 153 and 154 of Sudan’s criminal code, pertaining to the making and distribution of indecent material and indecent behaviour.

However, the charges were upgraded earlier this month to include Articles 151 referring to scandalous acts, 154 relating to prostitution, and 146 which refers to adultery, which carries a possible sentence of death by stoning.

Following her arrest the woman was held in a bare police cell, with authorities denying requests for her to be transferred to a medical facility.

The attorney-general also blocked the woman from filing a complaint of rape as she was under investigation for other criminal offences and did not report the incident immediately.

However, it was later revealed a police officer who the woman spoke to following her attack, decided against pursuing her complaint because it was the Eid Al Fitr public holiday.

The women’s advocacy group said the case has raised multiple challenges regarding the treatment of rape victims and their capacity to pursue justice.

It says Sudanese legislation, in respect of Zina (adultery), effectively criminalises all sexual relationships outside of the marital bond, and is open to arbitrary interpretation, meaning even victims of sexual violence are liable to be charged.

The case has highlighted Sudan’s treatment of migrant women, who remain among the most marginalised sectors of society, vulnerable to violence, abuse and persecution.

“The Sudanese judiciary today has demonstrated its incapacity to protect the most vulnerable in society and instead attempt to delegitimise those that experience abuse at the hands of its citizens,” said Elkarib. The levelling of immigration charges against the victim further denies her protection by the state and protracts the punishment and emotional stress against her whilst she has been subjected to the most brutal of crimes,” she added.

=>sudantribune

Diddaa barattoota Oromoo irraa sodaa kan godhate mootummaan Wayyaanee seera doorsisaa haaraa baase.

Gabaasa Qeerroo Yuniversitii Jimmaa Gurraandala 20,2014

Mootummaan Abbaa Irree wayyaanee FDG Qeerroon Bilisummaa Oromoo akka guutummaa Oromiyaatti gaggeessaa jiru fi addaatti immoo Godina dhihaa Oromiyaa keessaatti sochii Qeerroon irraa jiru irraa sodaa fi naasuu keessa seenuun seeraa itti gootota baratoota Oromoo ittin sodachiisuu bulee bulee baasuun FDG’ gaggeeffama jiru irra uggura ka’a jiraachuun ittuma gootota baratoota Qeerroo Bilisummaa Oromoo FDGf kan kakasee malee dubbatti kan deebisaa hin jirre ta’uu qeerroon waliif labsee jira.

Haaluma kanan Ergamtootni Wayyaanee bulchitootni Yuunivarsiitii Jimmaa ergama ilmaan TPLF fi EPRDF irra itti darbee akkama jirutti of keessa dabarsuun FDG dura ittin dhaabbachuuf seera Wayyaaneen baase, kan mata dureen isa, ‘Namni seera mootummaa keenyaa baaseen mormee argame waggaa tokko oliif barnoota irra arii’atama’ jedhuu mooraa Yuunivarsiitii Jimmaa bakkoota hundaa fi bakka doormii baratoota hundatti maxxansuun, barruudhuma kana irratti xiqqoo gadi siquun namni seera mootummaa keenyaan mormuu kamuu fuldurattis Yuunivarsiitii fi kolleejjii mootummaatti barachuu hin danda’uu kan jedhuu ibsuun ta’ee jedhee mootummaan wayyaanee wan qabee gadhiisuu dhabuun baratoota shororkeessaa jiraachuun ibsamera.

FDG Qeerroon Bilisummaa Oromoo sududaan gaggeessa jiru, dura dhaabbachuuf toftaan inni biraa Wayyaaneen fudhachaa jirtu akkuma amala isaa afaan qawweetti waggaa 22 oliif dhimma itti bahaa ture, Ammas humna waraanaa of harkaa qabu mooraa dhabbilee barnootaa keessa qubsiisa jiraachuun saaxilame jira. haala kanaan guraandhala 17/2014 irra egalee qabatamaan Yuuniversiitii akka Jimmaa, fi Mattuu, mattuu keessa qubsisee jira. Hoggansii qeerroo bilisummaa Oromoo waraanaa Wayyaanee dhabbilee barnootaa keessa qubsiifama jiruuf waamichaa FDG taasisaa jiraachuu ibsee jira.

=>qeerroo