Oromo Youth Association of Norway Condemns the Murdering of Eng. Tasfaahuun Camadaa, the Massacre in Kofalee and the Ethnic Cleansing Conflict in Anniyyaa, Oromia

The following is a statement from the Oromo Youth Association of Norway. The Association coordinated the Oromo peaceful rally held in Oslo, Norway, on September 14, 2013, to condemn the human rights violations in Oromia, especially, the murdering of Eng. Tasfaahuun Camadaa in the Abyssinian/Ethiopian prison of Qaallittii, the massacre in Kofalee, and the ethnic cleansing in Anniyyaa, Oromia.

————————————-

Statement …
On September 14, 2013, the Oromo Youth in Norway protested against human rights violations and brutal killings by the dictatorial Ethiopian government. The main objective of the demonstration was to condemn the human rights violations in Ethiopia and the ethnic based abuses, as a result of which many Oromos are being arrested, tortured, killed, and thousands are disappearing. The trend of repression is increasing alarmingly and a huge number of Oromos have been jailed, tortured and exposed to inhuman conditions under fabricated charges. The TPLF/EPRDF leadership has a standing policy of protracted attacks against the Oromo people irrespective of age, sex, profession and occupation. To criminalize Oromo, being only Oromo is enough in Ethiopia.

Among the recent victims is Engineer Tesfahun Chemeda who died in Kaliti prison, the massacred Muslim Oromos in Kofale and the genocide against Oromos in Anniyyaa, Oromia.

According to Amnesty International, the Ethiopian regime stifled freedom of expression, severely restricting the activities of the independent media, political opposition parties and human rights organizations. Dissent was not tolerated in any sphere. The authorities imprisoned actual and perceived opponents of the government. Peaceful protests were suppressed. Arbitrary arrests and detention were common, and torture and other ill-treatment in detention centers were rife. Forced evictions were reported on a vast scale around the country.

Despite all these human rights violations, the Ethiopian government is getting huge amount of funds from Norwegian government, World Bank, European Union and the USA.

Meanwhile, the Oromo people are still dying to be heard regardless of the political and all sided suppression by the Ethiopian regime.

Therefore, we appeal to the Norwegian government, EU, USA and the international community:

• To stop funding the dictatorial Ethiopian government which uses the funds for suppressing, killing and torturing of the voiceless innocent Oromo people;

• To seek justice for Engineer Tesfahun Chemeda, who died in the Kaliti prison due to torture and ill-treatment by the Ethiopian government;

• To seek justice for all Oromo political prisoners, including the 21 Oromo students from different universities – who were sentenced to many years in prison under the so-called terrorism law by the TPLF kangaroo court;

• To seek justice for the twenty seven innocent Muslims, including 5 children, who were massacred in Kofalee, Arsi region of Oromia, by the Ethiopian government;

• Enforce the TPLF led Ethiopian government to stop the land grabbing and forced displacement in Oromia;

• Enforce the Ethiopian government to stop genocide and ethnic cleansing in Anniyyaa, Oromia;

• To support the Oromo and other victimized communities in Ethiopia to overcome injustice and help them to live in freedom, peace, and democracy, and achieve stability in the region.

Candlelight vigil was also held for Enginner Tesfahun Camada and victims of the Kofalee massacre.

Finally, all participants called upon all Oromo to come together, regardless of their religions and regions, to stand up together, hold hand in hand, and step the Oromo struggle forward.

Coordinators:
Oromo Youth Association Committee in Norway
- Email oromofirst.oromiya@gmail.com
- Facebook oromofirst@facebook.com