The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) has been informed by the Ethiopian Human Rights Council (EHRCO), member of FIDH, of the serious human rights violations which took place end of March 2002 in the Oromiya Region.
Students held demonstrations throughout March 2002 in Oromiya Region, starting on 20th March in Nekemte. While some students may have caused damage to public and private property, these demonstrations were mostly peaceful. On 27th March 2002, three students from Shambu Comprehensive high school were killed by armed security agents and the police in Shambu Town in East Wellega during peaceful protests. Following other student protests on 29th March 2002, two other students were killed by the police: one from Ambo Technical School, another from Gedo Senior High School. Ten students were seriously wounded by policemen. Fourteen students are still arbitrarily detained at the Nekemte and Police Station and Ambo Police Station.
Last week, several hundred students were arrested at the Addis Ababa University during a peaceful rally. Although over half have since been released, the rest should immediately be released.
The FIDH and EHRCO severely condemns the excessive use of force by the police. We urgently call upon the authorities of the Ethiopia to:
1. Immediately release all detainees
2. Bring to justice those responsible for the killings and injuries of the students, including those who gave orders for the excessive use of force
3. Give all students who sustained physical injuries urgent and free medical care
4. Give compensation to the families of those who lost their lives
5. Respect Article 30 (1) of the Ethiopian Constitution provides that "Every one has the right to assemble and to demonstrate together with others peaceably and unarmed, and to petition". In the future, the Government should avoid violence that violates the democratic and constitutional rights of citizens who try to express their demands peacefully.
6. Implement all international human rights instruments that Ethiopia has accepted and ratified, in particular article Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on the right to freedom of opinion and expression, and Article 20 on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and Article 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
It should be recalled that EHRCO has been reporting the human rights violations committed by Government security forces and police against students for some time. During 2001, violations were reported against the rights of students at Jimma and Bahir Dar Universities, Awassa Teachers’ College, Senior High Schools in Awassa, Addis Ababa University, and Ambo Agricultural College
Although EHRCO has repeatedly called on the Government to cease violations against the constitutional rights of students and bring those that are responsible for these violations before the law, there has not been any significant step taken in this regard.
We firmly believe that only once the measures stated above are taken can there be a true justice.
Yours sincerely,
Sidiki Kaba
President
International Federation for Human Rights
cc. FDRE President
Minister of Federal Affairs
The Minister of Justice
President of the Supreme Court
President of Oromiya Region
The Council of Peoples Representatives