HRLHA Press Release
April 19, 2018
The Human Rights League of the Horn of Africa (HRLHA) condemns the mass murders of the Oromo people in the border town of Moyale, Boran zone by the TPLF Generals supported by the Somali militia, ” Liyu police” on April 17, 2018 where four Oromos were killed and over 60 others seriously wounded. According to the eyewitness, this planned attack by the “Liyu Police” started by shooting directly into the crowd at the Moyale bus station and continued with the throwing of hand grenades into the crowd.
The April 17, 2018 attack is the second round of mass massacres in Moyale in six weeks. On March 10, 2018 the defense force opened fire on peaceful Oromos killing 10 people, including a school director on the street of Moyale town on the Kenya border. Over 50,000 Oromos have been forced to cross into Kenya, and are still living in refugee camps.
The Oromo people’s suffering has escalated since Dr. Abiy Ahmed, a member of OPDO (an organization that claims representing Oromo people), was appointed as Prime Minister and commander in chief of the country on April 2, 2018. Dr. Abiy Ahmed, who became one of the top five OPDO members in the Federal government top positions and could not, stop the killings of Oromos by the TPLF/EPRDF killing squads. The president, Prime minister and commander in chief, foreign minister, speaker of the parliament, government spokesperson positions, including the council of Ministers and legislators, are held by the OPDO members.
Today, The Oromo people are under severe attack by the so- called command post deployed, killing squads which made the civil administration totally paralyzed. The command post which has been imposed on the country by the council of ministers has made the life of Oromos nightmare. No Oromo can walk freely on the street, go to work and return safely.
Under the present state of emergency imposed primarily on the Oromo nation, all Ethiopians have been denied one of the Non-Derogable rights and freedoms: the right to life. “Every human being has the inherent right to life. This right shall be protected by law. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life” (ICCPR article 6 (1)).
Arbitrary killings, forced disappearances and detentions are rampant, mostly in Oromia Regional state and all Ethiopians have no guarantee that their lives are safe as the command post issued the killing license to the TPLF/EPRDF killing squads.
On the other incident, beginning from last weekend, the conflict created between Oromos in Guji zone and Gede’o people, over 30 people have been reportedly killed and over 30 thousand have been displaced in Karcha District of several villages and different properties- including houses- have been destroyed. The report from the eyewitness around the incident shows that the two ethnic groups in conflict was instigated by government authorities among the people living friendly for several years.
The Human Rights League of the Horn of Africa (HRLHA) urges the new Ethiopian Prime Minster and commander in chief, Dr. Abiy Ahmed, to use his legitimate power stated in the 1995 Ethiopian constitution Article 74 (1) ” The Prime Minister is the Chief Executive, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, and the Commander-in-Chief of the national armed forces” and abide with the Article 74 (3), He shall follow up and ensure the implementation of laws, policies, directives and other decisions adopted by the House of Peoples’ Representatives” and international human rights standards to protect civilians from atrocities.
The HRLHA also urges the PM of Ethiopia:
- Abort this unlawful State of Emergency imposed on Ethiopians
- Immediately recall the military back to their camp deployed into villages, towns and communities who have committed killings, rapes, detentions
- Bring to justice Agazi force and National Military members who committed mass murder at:
- Moyale Town, Oromia, On March 10, 2018 and April 17, 2018: 18 deaths, over 70 wounded
- Ambo Town, Oromia Regional State 10 October 26, 2017- 15 deaths
- Chelenko Town, Oromia Regional State 15 December 10, 2017 – 13 deaths
- Woldia, Amhara Regional State 7 January 20, 2018- 7 deaths
- Hamaressa, Oromia Regional State 11 February 10, 2018- 11 deaths, including underage children
- Dissolve the Liyu Police and bring to justice the TPLF commanders and Liyu Police members committed crime against humanity against Oromos on Oromo-Somali border in the past seven years (2011 to present)
- Send investigators to the conflict area between Gede’o and Oromos and disclose to the public
