The Diplomatic Community International Committee of the
Red Cross in
Ethiopia Humanitarian Organizations
Subject: Facts
about Student Arrests In Oromia Region
Dear Sir/Madam
Recently we have
received several letters and complaints from personalities and organizations
about arrests of
students in Oromia region.
Sir/Madam, we are
sure you are aware about the positive changes we are striving to bring about
in this
country. Although remarkable successes
have been registered during the last 10 years,
those successes
were not achieved without problems, which our party and government have
tried hard to deal
with, whenever they may be, from the government, the party hierarchy and
the society. As part of that drive for change we are
determined to push forward with the
democratization
process, ensuring the supremacy of the rule of law and the advancement of the
market economic
policy.
As we continue to
be fully engaged in such an endeavour over the last one year, certain groups,
believing that
this government has been weakened as a
result of the ongoing changes to
transform the
country politically and economically,
tried to use school children to achieve their
dream of overthrowing the government by force and
violent means. One such group is the
OLF
which is an
illegal terrorist organization which had recently infiltrated certain schools,
organized
few teachers and
students clandestinely and instigated them into engaging in violence and acts
of lawlessness.
The students went
into rampage, damaging schools, government buildings, small shops, cars,
police etc.
It was at this
juncture and after repeated calls for restraint from such wanton acts that the
local militia and
police acted to ensure law and order. We however admit that our local militia
and
police force are
not armed with riot gears, like water cannon, tear gas, etc the absence of
which
obviously and
regrettably have resulted in some casualty.
Sir/Madam, let us
now give you the latest casualty figures:
1. Neqamtee
Town
No deaths
Non wounded
102 students were arrested and all were released after two
days in detention. However after detail investigation, we
uncovered the OLF structures, subversive documents etc.
Which led to the arrests of 17 students. We assure you
that these students will be treated fairly and in accordance
with law. Let us also make it
clear to you that, no torture
or any other coercive measures what so ever will be
allowed in the land of Oromia! Sir/Madam, we were once
victims of torture and we will never allow that to happen
again! On any body.
2. Shambu Town
In our previous statement at the time of the incident, two
students who tried to disarm local militia were reported
dead. Five students were injured
then. Now among the
injured one more is
dead. The four injured have been
treated in Naqamte government hospital.
Elsewhere in East Wollega Four students, 3 militias members
Five policemen and 10 innocent people were injured. Five
persons and one police man were killed about 40 houses
were burnt by the mob, offices and residences were
destroyed and looted.
3. Ambo Town
One innocent student who was walking by was shot dead
by accident. The police who
killed him is in detention. The
family of the deceased has been formally consoled and
treated properly. Financial support was also immediately
given.
Eight students directly involved in violence and rampage
have been arrested. One student
has been injured and
treated in government hospital.
4. Gedo Town
One student was killed when four students tried to disarm
the police. Six were wounded and
treated properly in
government hospital.
5. Baako Town
Four students were detained with no casualty In Ambo,
Gedo, Baakko and Guder a total of Nine police men were
wounded seriously.
6. Gimib,
Najjo,
Dambidollo and
Guder
There were disturbances but no serious casualty except for
few arrests.
Having brought
those facts to your attention it has to be clear however that all illegal and
criminal acts
shall in the future too be dealt with properly! Please note that all of the
troubled
schools in west
Wallege are now open and peaceful.
Sir/Madam,
This is the true
picture of the reality of the events that took place in the areas where there
have been
disturbances in Oromia. It has become clear that those groups who rejected
peaceful
means of struggle
have opted for violence and anarchy in a country with such huge economic
and social
problems. It is obvious therefore that
we cannot tolerate violence, unrest and armed
conflict any
more. We want to focus on economic
development, democratization, peace and
stability. We are sure, that your country and you
personally will understand us. We are
also
sure that, the
world community and humanitarian organizations will understand us, help us and
give us a chance,
visit us and see for themselves the truth of our determination for real
democratic
meaningful change in the country.
Oromia State
Council
C.C
Ministry of
Foreign Affairs
H.E. Ato Seyoum
Mesfin
H.E Ato Abay
Tsehaye
Ministry of
Justice
H.E Ato Harka
Harroye
Addis
Ababa