Ethiopia: HRLHA’s Concerns about the Mass Arrests in the Capital and the Soundings after Wartime Nationwide Emergency Decree
Press Release
Nov 12, 2021
The Human Rights League of the Horn of Africa (HRLHA) is seriously concerned about the arbitrary arrests committed by the Ethiopian security forces since a nationwide state of emergency has been declared on November 02, 2021, that lasts for six months. This nationwide state of emergency would undoubtedly exacerbate the hitherto worst human rights situation in the country. It gives excessive power to the law enforcement bodies posing a chilling impact upon the fundamental rights and freedoms of the citizens.
HRLHA has been receiving dozens of reports of arbitrary arrest and harassment by police since the declaration of the decree. The victims were suspected of allegedly having an affiliation or being a supporter of the rebels namely the Tigray Defence Force (TDF)/Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) whom the government categorized as terrorist groups in May 2021. As such, members of Tigray and Oromo ethnic groups were targeted especially in Addis Ababa city and its surrounding. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission reported on this situation in a statement released on November 07, 2021. Nevertheless, the human rights situation in other areas outside the capital is getting worse too. The following are some of the human rights abuses reported since the decree of a nationwide state of emergency.
· On the evening of November 02, 2021, the Oromia Special Police conducted a mass arrest of youths in Burayu and other towns of Oromia Special Zone surrounding Addis Ababa city. The fate and whereabouts of the arrested youth are yet unknown and there is a growing fear that they might have been taken to military camps, according to some families whom HRLHA Reporters managed to access
· On November 05, 2021, a pro-government rally was conducted in Adama town, about 100Km away from Addis Ababa in the East. However, this rally was eventually turned into a protest (Video) against the government. The protesters were chanting, “Down…Down Abiy…free Jawar…” The government security officials who were enraged by this incident arrested hundreds of youths whom they suspected were behind the protest. For instance, eight students including two female students of Nejash Elementary and Secondary School (located in Adama town) were arrested along with two higher officials of the school namely Mohammed Ahmed (Director for 6-7th Grade) and Aman Umar (Director for 9th and 10th Grade). They were neither brought before the court nor charged to date.
· The HRLHA reporter from Sodo Wolayita confirmed that nine (9) youths in Wolaita Sodo Zone of Southern Regional State (SNNP) were arrested in the last three days. According to his report, these youths were peaceful and known for their activism in the area. Among others, they were known for their pioneer role in leading the public protest conducted last year, which was meant to quest for a referendum for the self-rule (Regional status/federating state) of the Wolayita Zone. Unfortunately, they were also victims of a government crackdown following the protest. This time around, these youths were arbitrarily arrested for mere suspicion of their connection with the TPLF. The government is suspicious of the TPLF plotting mass protest in the area.
· The mass arrest of members of Tigirean ethnic groups throughout the country especially in Addis Ababa city is very alarming. The Reporters of HRLHA have talked to two family members of arrested persons and confirmed that most of the arrestees were taken to unknown places (outside the city). The arrest was arbitrary in that the victims were targeted merely for being a Tigrean, according to the family members
AS of November 10,
2021, government security men arbitrarily arrested two members of Adoye Oromo
Women Organization (Adoye) in Addis Ababa city. Both of the arrestees are women
named Ms. Bilisumma Mengasha and Ms. Chaltu Asfaw, assuming the position
of Deputy Director and Accountant of the organization respectively. Adoye is
legally operating CSOs registered with the FDRE Agency for CSOs. The HRLHA
reporters have confirmed the arrest of the two members of the organization
through the Executive Director of the Organization Mrs. Ayantu Melaku. The
whereabouts of the two are not yet known. It seems the SoE is also beginning to
target CSOs
