By Bito
Dear Blen Tamirat Layne,
I read your open letter to the ‘Government of Ethiopia’ requesting the release of your father Ato Tamirat Layne, who was the vice chairman of the ruling Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Party (EPRDF), prime minister and, later, deputy prime minister and minister of defense. I read your letter on Ben’s Ethiopiafirst web. First of all let me tell you that I lack words to express my sadness and sympathy to Ethiopian children like you and children elsewhere on our earth who miss their parents due to unjust and unlawful measures taken by bad and unpopular governments. Although I have no personal relationship or intimacy with your dad, I have some information about him. When EPRDF (the party your dad was co-leading as the second top man only to Meles Zenawi) came to power in 1991 through armed warfare against the then Ethiopian national armed forces I was living in Addis Ababa and have been there when your dad was in power. And I was there in Addis when your dad was arrested also.
Your letter really impressed me and took my heart when I read it. I understand how it feels to miss one’s dad, especially at your age. But your letter also motivated me to send you this short response to leave a message for you and other young Ethiopians, the new generation, who will take over the country. I want to leave you a message that you will carry on with you throughout your life.
Dear Blen, let me mention that you and your little sister are not the only kids who miss their dad or family member in that country, but you are only two of tens of thousands of Ethiopian children who lost their dads, moms or other family members in similar way as you did. The same brutal and unlawful system took the dads and moms of many children from homes and separated them from their beloved kids. Few of those dads and moms have been fortunate enough to be allowed to go back home after years of unjust and illegal languish in prison. The second group of victims is still in prison like your dad and their children are always looking forward to seeing them at home one day exactly like you do. No one knows what their final fate could be. It is in the hands of dictators. Still there are other third groups that are so unlucky and are missed forever. These unfortunate ones have been killed by the system in one way or the other (some were killed in intentional killing, others through brutal mishandling) and their children always ask for and about their dads or moms for ever. And all the family and friends remain sad with no hope of one day seeing each other.
Finally there is the fourth group of victims. These ones are simply taken from home or work place or anywhere in the street, thrown to some unknown corner (usually hidden underground facilities or remote rural military facilities, all of which are not official prisons but covert detention facilities), and are missed for indefinite terms. Their where abouts and howabout are not known. Their children ask about them, but no family member has the answer. They are dead or alive, no one knows. They will come back home or they will not, no one can tell. Is it not very sad?
Let me tell you one story here. My uncle is one of group four victims. Ever since he was taken from home in Wollega in June of 1992, when your dad was in command, I and my families have never heard about him. No one knows whether he is alive or killed. He is missing and missing for indefinite time. When he was abducted, he was only a year’s groom and his wife was pregnant. That child was borne after some three months and is now a 17 year old boy. Ever since he managed to ask questions, Gadisa has been asking about his dad. He asks who his dad is, where his dad is and when his dad will come home. He has never seen his dad and neither has his dad seen him. Additionally, I have a close friend and blood relative that falls in group three above. He was taken from field in rural farming neighborhood, detained in concentration camp for some days, and killed and thrown away about a year after we missed my uncle. The killers did not allow us to conduct respectful funeral although they reluctantly permitted us to take his body after two days. I have several friends who belong to groups one and two.
As a result of this fact your dad is not the only political prisoner in Ethiopia. As you know he is only one of tens of thousands of political prisoners who are suffering in various covert and overt prisons and detention centers in different parts of Ethiopia. Consequently, you and your sister are also not the children who miss their father, but you are only two on many such Ethiopian children. In the same way such kinds of unjustly detaining dads and moms, and leaving children sad is not something started by the current government of Ethiopia. Rather, it has been a common practice of governments in Ethiopia ever since governments started in Ethiopia and Ethiopia was established as a nation. People have always been suffering under every government in Ethiopia although the intensity and target group might vary. It is unfortunate that your dad is one target under this government. But I must say and, I hope, you would agree that you might be in a better situation than many other Ethiopian children who share similar fate with you in several ways. Many of the children whose dads or moms are missing do not get any or sufficient support for living and school. Many of the prisoners are in worse conditions than your dad is in being held in worse places under much worse situations. The manner in which most political prisoners are handled and treated in that country involves various agonies including torture and physical abuse. Furthermore, many children and family cannot visit their arrested family and still many others lost their families forever. Don’t you think you are fortunate some how?
Additionally, please allow me to mention one fact. Your dad was ones a top political leader and the top executive officer of the Ethiopian government when he was part of the EPRDF-led government from 1991 to his arrest. With the capacity he held he was only second in command both in the ruling EPRDF party and the national government next to Meles Zenawi and he, by implication, was the second man in charge of every thing that happened in the country that time. Consequently, we must believe that during that time he was also doing the same thing that Ethiopian leaders do. I am going to open a can of worms.
When your dad was in government power with the second most powerful authority in Ethiopia, human right violations were the same at highest level as they are today. Unlawful detention of citizens merely on suspicious basis, missing and extrajudicial killings were common practices throughout the country especially in Oromia, Somali and the south. Genocide and crimes against humanity as a strategy to silence political dissent and abolish the people’s struggle for their right committed against the Ethiopian peoples and especially the Oromo were so extensive practice of his government and his party. All prison facilities in the country during his time were as full to their maximum capacities as they are today and your dad just joined some of his own prisoners later. But it is fortunate that he is in a better situation where there is fair treatment and handling, visitations by family, media and international institutions.
Coming back to my point, there is logical and credible conclusion that he was not only part of the brutal EPRDF regime, but also the top responsible person for things that happened in the country when he was in power. The problem is human being does not feel that he is doing wrong to the other until such time when he himself becomes a victim comes. I do not have sufficient evidence to comment on the issue of “Liking Sugar” and inappropriate use of power in which the Meles Zenawi group charged your dad. “Sugar Liking” was the term the Meles group used before it developed “MUSINA” as a standard term.
Please be informed that I am not intending to charge or incriminate your father because this is not the right place for that. I understand how it feels to be a direct victim or a family of victim especially victim’s child like you. I am writing this because I understand what that means. Let me ask you one question. I know you both were too young when your dad was in power. But can you now guess that there were people who were treated by your dad directly or indirectly in the same or worse manner he is being treated now by others? Yes or no?
Let me ask the last question and that brings me to my message. Do you think that such acts of arresting each other should continue or we should stop it some where and establish a free and democratic system where we do not arrest or attack each other for political reasons? Should we advance politics of fear and suspicion or we should compromise our political differences and work out to design equitable politico-economic system that benefits every one? Should we keep on attacking each other turn by turn and promote a politics of revenge or should we come to political reconciliation and create a system in which governments serve the people and are held accountable for their deeds. The choice is for you – the new generation.
You have made no mistake in asking for the release of your dad. Every body has to. But, as you understand, even if your dad is released there will still be other dads and moms remaining in prison. Would you still be concerned for other Ethiopian children and keep on asking for the release of their dads and moms? Further, will you intend to join thousands of other children who miss their parents or family in the same way and unite on this outstanding cause of the question for justice or you will be selfish enough to keep silent once you get your own answer? Even if your dad is released, what is the guarantee that he will not be taken back to prison or that your other family member will not get the same fate as far as the system is there in place? Moreover, don’t you think that you, one day when you grow up, may face similar chance and be arrested like your dad and your kids will miss you like you do now as far as the system doesn’t change. Let us work together to end this system that arrests dads, moms or uncles and ensure that it will never come back.
42 thoughts on “Response to Blen Tamirat Layne”
Elais: This is one of the most-mean spirited, distasteful and cruel opinions I have read on an Eth website in recent times. This child is talking about her father, not as political leader, but as her father. Layne may be a monster to the rest of the world, but to her, he is still her father. To use her as a “straw man” to criticize her father is not only insensitive but also obscene. You don’t need to take cheap shots and beat up on this despairing young woman to make some political points. You could have simply written an opinion piece on Layne and raked him over the coals. The sins of fathers should not be visited upon their children. Shame on you!
P.S. If you really believed in what you wrote, you would not have signed as “Bito”. You would have given your real name. Coward!!!
well said man. Thank you so much.
Dear Blen;
I do not have words to explain my feeling when I read your letter. Your feeling represent the feelings of millions of children world wide who are victimized by similar situations. I am sure one day you will meet your father alive and will have good time together. Be strong and have faith!
Bito
It is really amazing to get such a response for a young girl’s appeal to the Ethiopian government officials.
Either you are a Zenawi accomplice or a child-hater. Either way you are so pathetic.
Just to remind you – Blen didn’t write the letter to you but to the officials concerned. So who are you
to respond to her on behalf of Ethiopian kids. What do you know about Ethiopian kids and what they
are going thru? Did you write this article about kids in Ethiopia just to respond to Blen who happens to be
a daughter of Tamirat? Or are you really a child right defender? If you’re so you’d have stand for Blen
too who has done nothing but being penalized because of dirty games of politics.
I haven’t thought that an Ethiopian will think in such a way as you did and write this kind article.
By the way, I am not related to Blen in any way. For that matter I didn’t even know Tamirat has kids.
Dear Bito; are you a father? Do you have children? Did you grow up with a mother and a father? Do you really understand what it means to be a child for a father and a father for a child like this little Blen? Shame on you, man!Blen, ignore this heartless and mindless response and look forward for your Dad’s release with great hope. Girls, God bless you.
It was a real cruel comment.Am sure this was written by some sad individual who happen to hate children . no child deserves such kind of response, no matter who his father or her father is. am not here to condone what TAMRAT was up to but, i am just wondering what kind of massage r we passing to our young and innocent children .a child is innocent. and we as adults our head should not be ruled by our heart .
Smart and beautiful Blen. So many had been the victims of the dictatorial leadership in Ethiopia before and after the Ethiopian revolution (1974) and that brutality, of course, is still hanging on to the Ethiopian people.
Your father could do nothing during his term as a prime minister. He had no real power.
He had been sandwiched between the Tigray and the Eritrean Tribalist but as an individual he did his best to defeat the DERG regime by being the best player in the game.
If there were many Tamerat with him during his fight against DERG, Ethiopia would not be like this (land locked and tribalzed). “The Evils are in the details” and I am not going there.
I know better than anybody else where he came from and from what kind of family and what kind of hard ship he has passed through. I am always his supporter not as his political ideology, because he had no power and space to demonstrate his political ideology> I am the supporter of his personal strength. Let me tell you honestly. You have smart and brave father. Be proud! He is in prison, because we the rest of Ethiopian men are not as brave men as he your father is….I am happy that God give him you, Smart daughter
That’s the #1 reason she asked through “EthiopianFirst.com”. What I can say is have faith, be positive and strong. You will see your Dad.
Dear readers
As far as we knew Ato Melese will not respond , accord to her request,nevertheless Bito tried to tell her the fact what is going on the country.why we blame when people tell’s us the truth.
This kind of cruelty is expected from Elias and co.
Why wonder?
They are after all Killers…Dergoch!! Ye derg tirfrafi…whom the Brave Tamrat Lyne has defeated.
Ahhhhh. min waga alew
I do not see anything wrong on Bito’s response to Blen. He considers her father as a political prisoner and also tried to tell her that there other several million political prisoners in the country. I believe he was just trying to tell her that the Melese regime is unjustly imprisoning and killing the people of Ethiopia.
Also, he mentioned that Layne was part and parcel of the government of Ethiopia from 1991 to until he was thrown into prison. And, this is a fact. Several people (especially in Amhara’s in Oromia region) were executed between 1991 – 1995 due to ethnic conflicts that were instigated by her father.
The bottom line is I do not see issues with Bito’s response to Blen.
Cheers.
Nowadays the question an Ethiopian school child often asks is not where Beirut or Argentina is located, but where his/her dad is. The lucky one, like Blen Tamirat layne, gets a quick and a reasonable response; however, thousands of Ethiopian school children may never know where their dads are located, so each one of them asks every passerby: “Have you seen my dad?” The day, however, may come when Meles Zenawi’s children will ask the same question the other Ethiopian children have been asking: “Have you seen our dad?” The tears of these fatherless Ethiopian children will be answered when a courageous man like the Prophet Samuel suddenly appears and tells Meles Zenawi: “As your sword has made women childless, so will your mother be childless among women” (1Samuel 15:33). After Samuel pronounced these terrifying words to Agag, he put Agag to death, so Agag’s fate will be the fate of Meles and his political cronies.
I must join those who condmned this cawrd, irrisponsible and inhumane attack on this innocent kid, Blen Tamrat. While our politicians are best known for politicising whatever they can politicise, the case in point has been extraordinary as it directly targets a child who is nothing to do with what her father (or for that matter his party)did or has been doing. Essentally he is threatening her with the fact that even if her fatehr is released from prison he may be back to prison–this really further breaks her already broken heart and kill further her hope. It is not only wrong to write this but also to publish it on the web. Oweful!
ujoleen haatii jalaa dootee fi bishaan waraabuu dhaqxelleen wal-qixee bootii jedha mammaksii Oromoo. I believe that Tamirat Layne and Meles Zenawi and theie accomplices will definately face justice someday, if they are alive. Now he is in prison for charges brought against him by Meles’s regime, not a true justice system. He was charged with corruption crimes but not for the worst crimes he committed with his fellow man slaughters, the genocide they committed against the Oromo people in the name of eliminating the outlawed OLF and its symaptherisers. He will face another justice even if he finishes his term under this regime or another government that will succeed the dictatorial regime of Meles Zenawi. There is no where on this planet where he can escape from that justice. He is in prison alive and breathing but thousands of oromos have been killed mercilessly by their uncivilized soldiers across the country including in the capital city in broad day light. He can not run away from justice even following the demise of the current regime. But, he will have the right to defend himself in the court of law by using the millions of dollars he stole from the poor people, the money on which may be his kids are living a comfortable life. Blen, you are right to demand release from the prison of your biological father. Because he is your father. But, I can not sympathize with you for I have seen the atrocities he committed. May be just may, the only people who can set him free are the very people whose torture his masterminded. He can be free if in the future these people choose to forgive him, if only genuine reconciliation and healing comes to that pathetic country. That does not seem to happen in the near future judging what tomorrow looks like by what is happening even today.
But, the good thing is though, in the future he will not be jail again and alone, if people like Meles Zenawi will be free to walk and live as a free man. He should not be the scapegoat of all the sins committed by Zenawi and his thugs. Pray freedom for all!!! try to be fair, who knows you can be a better person than your father!!!
Nagayaatti,
Mosissa Saba
Dear Mr. Elias,
Have we no boundaries left? Please remove this article from your website. As Ethiopians, no matter what our differences may be, or how divergent our views, I hope you will agree as a matter of humanity, we must protect all children. Is your duty as a reporter to give voice to the Bitos of the world? I don’t know if you have children, I hope you do and I hope you would want to protect every child as you would your own.
This is the most important subject to mention about their dad what kind of position he was and what he did for Oromo people, Amhara, tigray (Ethiopian)people. the main point is we don’t lie to the kids.
Does it matter if Tamirat Laine is saint or sinner to me. What matters is he is a loving father to Blen and her sister. Please let’s the kids ask for their dad.
Thank you.
Mr. Elias,
I demand you take Mr. Bito’s response letter to Blen off of this site. I think, Mr. Bito, you are a cold person, typical of freaken Ethiopian politician be it that of Derg or EPRDF; you guys will allways jump at any thing that is deemed to score some political points. Have you no boundaries? I mean what ever happened to the Ethiopian manners? Mr. Bitto, if you really care for the children of Ehtiopia who have no idea where their parents are, the least you can do is to state your actual name. Blen was courageous enough to state her full name and that clearly shows that you can’t even come closer interms of morality to the innocent Blen. You can not even state your real name; that clearly shows that you are either an agent of the monster Derg, or the brutal EPRDF officail or a member of the countless useless political parties who are nothing but a disaster for Ethiopia and a pure night mare to my fellow Ethiopians. A true Ethiopian person free of political affiliation would not use a child’s missery for a political purpose. Ethiopian famiilies since the fall of Emperor Haile sellasie from 1974- have been the victim of all sorts of brute treatment ranging from extrajudical killings, to disappearances at nights, to kidnapings and to mass murder. God save Ethiopia from monsters who call themselves politcians who have no morality, religion and humanity.
This is a letter written by a child …PERIOD …END OF DISCUSION…Lets pray for the end of the misery and pain of all Ethiuopian children.
This innocent child wrote a letter to a person who might likely help her. And here you are giving her twisted `responce`. Sir she didnt ask you for help. Did she? In what capacity are you trying to respond to her? This is outright stupid! Ye hagere sew siterit “Siga kuter bilut tafiya and ale” alu. Sir obiviously your “responce” to this innocent kid make you feel so good! Like a vip! stupid!
For your information Blen is not a girl it’s a boy Blen is the son.
Now I like to say this I know at times the truth hurts but must be told, we can not protect our children by telling them lies and cover up the truth, we just have to go down to their level with the truth it might be painful but will make them strong and a better person in life. It will also give them a clear picture to their situation which will benefit them in their future.
I thought Bito’s response was fair and appropriate. Layne was part and parcel of the Woyane junta until the Woyanes kicked him out of office for something we don’t know. But they were able to use this thug and threw him out like a used condom. The guy is responsible for the hundreds and thousands of atrocities that the woyane juntas committed while he was on power from 1991-1995. I am sure he and other TPlf thugs including Siya Abraham will face justice for the innumerable crimes and atrocities that committed in the peoples of Ethiopia and Erithrea.
One thing that I want you to urge is please never use the word EPRDF when you refer the Zenawi tyrannical thuggish regime. Say it plain and clear Woyane.
People, accept the reality. Bito is right. He clearly said that Blen should continue asking for her father.At the same time, he adequately addressed his real message, to ignorant people like some of you,that there are thousands of children who are the victims of the dictator govenment. He also indicated the future fate of all of us. He indicated the need to jon hands in throughing away this government. What is wrong with this.
To the first comment (writen by an Ethiopian): You blammed Bito for not using his real name in his response. Let me ask you. Why didn’t you use your own name instead of saying ‘An Ethiopian’? The reason is because of the fear of the dictator government that Bito has clearly indicated. That is why all of us are using our nick name, including yourself. Shame on you for your comment. you must be one of those selfish guys who do not want to think about thousands of Oromo and other people which are in jail.
In developed countries kids never been told lies. Probably, hiding the truth may be the root cause for our political and economical failer. What is wrong if the kids are told the truth? Thanks Bito for taking the first step to break our rotten culture( bunches of lies for kids).
You do not write such a reply to children for the following reasons:
1. The only thing Belein concerned about is her father like any other child.
2. When you Bito look Tamrat Laine from the prospect of your political view she saw him only as a father.
3. Over all, Belein is not resposible for what ever her dad and the EPDRF has done before and present.
4.As Col. Mengistu Hailemariam is a beloved father to his children,so Tamrat Laine is a missed dad to Belein and her sister.
Finally, Do we have to see every issue politically?
Friends,
I have no doubt that most of the above comments were written by Mr. Tamirat Layne’s clicks or surrogates who themselves fear of similar responsibilities having participated in the massive attack on humanity and human right they committed in Ethiopia. There is a proverb “ —— yizo zilay aychilum”. Those groups are useless for Ethiopia;s future. Bito has said the reality and “the truth shall set you free” as the Bible says. You want us to lie and lie forever. No, that is not the way we can bring change. May be that has been how we learned from the last generation and came all the way through today doing all the wrong things and walking all the wrong ways. May be you have been told it was alright and correct by your predecessors while they were killing and torturing and while their acts were really bad and ugly. So their children – you – kept on the same line. How can we bring change unless tell the truth and try to find solution? You guys are useless for the future of Ethiopia and cannot be part of the solution, you will always remain sources of the problem. Bito did not deny the sad situation, but he points to the sustainable and inclusive solution instead of narrow considerations like yours. You cannibals (Chirak) you have no sympathy for kids. If you had any, you would worry for the millions of Oromo kids rather than for only a single child who is injoying a luxurious life out side the country. If you had any, you would think of the real solution that would involve millions of kids and that would have lasting effect instead of trying to get one individual out of jail in one way or the other by writing fake letters in the name of Blen. Come to your mind and see the realility.
Blen has the right to hear who her father was and Mr. Layne also has the right and responsibility to hear what he was. Bito is right and did the right thing. We need brave writers like Bito. For my surprise, some of the writers here demand Bito’s real name and identity. The objective of that is clear, As some of those who comment on this web are still active members of the ruling party, they want to pursue and persecute him and his family back home. They mention that Blen gave her name as an example. Yes, she could because she with her family managed to be out of the country. But millions of the victims cannot do that. And Blen’s family may also have some protection from EPRDF internal factions, such as the ones who try to defend her and her father on this web and try to get Bito’s identity.
Blen is lucky her appeal appears everywhere. But for other poor Ethiopian children, they have no voice.
And for some of you, truth is always unacceptable! Why attack Bito for writing the truth? Wasn’t Tamirat Layne the one who was robbing and killing the Ethiopian people less than one year after his arrival? Now we can see the difference: even if he was such a monster man, he is still from the golden race and his daughters are also above the other Ethiopian children who have lost their parents to this terrorist government. After all, he was imprisoned because he was licking sugar and these children have millions of dollars in their name some where in the bank. What do the other children who lost their parents have?
Bito wow..it was so interesting and heart touching response. In addition to that the response addresses not only to blen but also to those who are in the same situation with blen and those whose families are part of this brutal but haven’t reached to the blen’s situation. You have explained it in a very detailed way so that blen would deeply understand it today, tomorrow and after several years as well, why justice is important in any nation especially in Ethiopia. She will understand why others are crying in the entire country to get what she dreaming to get now.. yes it is the question of justice, democracy and human rights that makes everyone anger in the entire country. May be, Blen used to think that most people had been crazy when they demand the above things that I mentioned earlier. Now she is one of those but in a better condition. Bito you have not only wake blen up, you have also waked those kids whose father is still part of this regime. But one thing I don’t understand why we Ethiopians only react when situations hurt directly us, while we should start condemn when unlawful actions are taking on others. We should say NEGE BENE (or you never know it may happen tomorrow on me) then we all can fight this tplf regime together, I’m not blaming Blen, but I would treat blen as I treat myself. If my father was a criminal that was part of the mass killing and arrest of so many civilians; Regardless of his father ness to me, I wouldn’t give him any priority just b/c he is my father, he should face justice. This is how we can save Ethiopia. Let’s get out from our selfish ness. Let’s not wait until the problem knocks our door, instead let’s oppose and condemn when we see in justice and disrespect of human rights on our neighbors. In general, i say this is a best lesson not only for a people like Blen but also for those families whose parents are part of this regime. They should start say enough is enough and say let stop dictatorship ness from our country by strengthen our unity. Do not wait until you are part of the victim, it is time to hold hand by hand to fight the TPLF regime. Again, thanks Bito.
Dear friends,
Some of you who post your comments here try to argue that Blen’s letter was intended to PM Meles and Ethiopian government and, as a result, that Bito does not have the right to respond to it. Please do not fool your self and try to fool others. Both PM Meles and the Ethiopian government have their own respective addresses and designated channels to reach them. Their address is not on the web or public forum. The writers of that letter all know that and I guess you have been trying to reach them and negotiate through those channels for the last years. Some of you were/are also insiders to the TPLF – ruling party and as such know the ins and outs more than any body else. Now you are posting that letter on the web for public consumption only. It is your intention for one reason or the other to bring that issue to public attention to benefit from it. Once it is public information any body can say some thing on it. I guess, by publicize that letter written in Blen’s name. You intend to win the sympathy of Ethiopians and get support from the people. Other wise there is no need to publish a letter addressed to PM Meles on public forum when you can reach him through the front or back door as you know. Therefore, by any measurement the intention of that letter is political.
Bito is a brave writer here. He is not unkind as some writers here tried to say. He wrote as very politely and softly as possible but he had to tell the truth. Do you think to win a political game on behalf of a man like Ato Tamirat Layne, who was the second most powerful man in Ethiopia at a time when government – sponsored human right violations were at climax. Are you intending to break our hearts by sympathy and take us to march for and behind Tamirat Layne, who was commander of the butchers? Do want to gain public support for Ato Tamirat, the Chief Corruptologist and the head master of state corruption?
Some of his supporters here argue that he had not real authority. That is nonsense argument. In reality he was part and parcel of the Woyane regime when he was in power and he, equivalent to the position he held, is responsible by commission or omission for every thing that happened. For the ethnic cleansing against the Oromo with the pretext of avoiding the OLF, human right violations throughout the country, government- and party-orchestrated ethnic clashes, corruption, in appropriate use of power (including silly personal things I do not want to mention). He was designing and executing policies and strategies that counter the national interest of Ethiopia and the benefits of Ethiopians. What was the difference between him and Meles Zenawi? Do you think that he is now charged by Meles regime would automatically give him innocence status?
As Lensa nicely said it if you really are concerned for kids, you would be concerned for millions of Ethiopian kids who lost their parents due to brutal measures taken the Woyane regime in Ethiopia both during and after Ato Tamirat’s leadership. If you really are concerned for humanity, you will speak out for tens of thousands of victims who have been detained in various detention facilities in the country, most who are suffering torture and mistreatment instead of trying to get only one person out of jail. And that person, whom you are struggling for is in a safe and better situation. If you are really fair and just, you will have the courage to speak out the truth and tell brutal dictators like Ato Tamirat their brutality instead of trying to cover up and indulge cruel fascists. If you are really worried for the next generation, you will commit yourself for justice and truth, and peach justice and truth? If you are really concerned for the country’s future, you will not argue to defend a criminal whether that person is your friend or family member. But you are not, and consequently you do not have the moral ground to speak about the country.
I wish this kid were not involved in such public way. However, facts are facts. It is courageous of Bito to gently let her know. I understand the moral dilemma he may have faced. But I am certain that he wrote the piece not because he doesn’t care about kids, it is exasctly because he CARES about ALL kids…including those whose voice we will never hear, who don’t have the lexury of telling us about their parents murdered in front of their eyes or vanished forever. Get a grip guys! When confronted with reality, we have to be brave enough to face it.
When he came to Arsi some time in 1993, Ato Tamirat ordered his OPDO savage army to attack the Amhara people living in Arba Gugu and other Arsi districts. As a result of his instruction, the entire province was shocked due to extensive attacks comparable to conventional war, people were shot, houses burnt, cattle and other properties looted, etc etc. Later, after some weeks he made all the arrangements and agitation to motivate the other party for revenge. The same mess went on. The game was that Ato Tamirat was doing his homework to establish deep enmity and antagonism between Ethiopia’s major ethnic groups, the Oromo and the Amhara so that his group of political gangs who organized themselves from one corner of the country retain power fore ever. That policy is still in effect. Ato Tamirat, whose origin is from Sekota (Tigray) claimed to have an Amhara origin, but his deeds were against the Amhara.
When he visited the Somali region as a deputy prime minister of minister of defense, Tamirat gathered local elders and criticized their devotion to the Islam religion and the religion itself.
Yes, the objective of that letter is absolutely political and not humanitarian. You guys want to buy popular support for Mr Layne by writing and publishing that letter in the name of Blen Tamirat. You want to win our sympathy and put us into your trap, and push us to stand on your side to secure the release of a criminal, who is convicted by law. We will never forgive him even if the regime releases him. He will again face charge and taken to justice with his colleagues including Meles and they will not escape from that any time. How stupid are you guys when you defend criminal fascist, and Corrupt in Chief? He secured more than enough money for his family throughout their life. Please do not play a political game on them.
We should help the children of Layne in any way, but no mercy to him at all. What could we say to the children who lost their parents?
“A wild dog looks calm when chains are around his neck.”
Elias,
please do not listen to the requests of people who ask you to remov this response. They are misunderstanding his intentions. Sure, Blen is a little girl that deserves to be with her father. But she only received such attention because she is the daughter of a butcher. If Tamrat is ever released, it should be after the freedom of everyone who he put in prison is guaranteed- Those who went to prison innocently or resisting the woyanne dictatorship. Tamrat Layne went to prison because he and his criminal gang had a disagreement over the partition of the loot. So if you remove this article from the site, it should only be to make way for other children’s plea who have parents more deserving to be free.
I will be surprised and doubt thier credibility if the Elders Council (SHIMAGLEWOCH) immerse their hands into this very top criminal case. I bet they understand what this case is. Ato Tamirat committed grand crime against humanity, genocide, ethnic cleansing, inappropriate use of power against citizens, grand corruption and theft on national treasury. He has been convicted in some of these while few others are pending. In fact the day he was taken to prison, he himself has confessed to have committed some of these on his last confessions to Woyane Parliament. The rest and, in fact, the heaviest one have not been taken to court because the regime in power does not have the moral grounds to mention them. Regarding these, all of them (Ato Tamirat and the group in now power) will face the charge. Any body who tries to ask for pardon for these crimes (be it Shimagile or another) is commiting crime against Ethiopia and Ethiopians, against law and justice and against the international norm and order to punish criminal.
All who are concerned about the kids, how come you were not concerned about the derg people kids….everyone was discriminating them after Mengistu left and their parents went to jail. So don’t act innocent like you didn’t do it. That does not mean I agree with Elias, but be consistent. At the end of the day, there are many many kids who have not seen their parents due their parents being in prison. And most were fighting for freedom and for their country, while Tamrat was collecting his money. Was he at fault, of course, he was in the middle of corruption and he was taking it like drinking a gallon of water. Tamrat, Siye, any derg people are NO INNOCENT people. They all deserve to go to jail as they did it all at the expense of the Ethiopian people and the poor country.
Hi Blen
Me and my families are on the same boat as u. I do understand how it feels like to see a father in prison with out right justice.
I agree with the comment given above.What we as Ethiopians should do is try to end this genocide and evil system in our country.
Even Europe is becoming one, but we still are so backward that we can’t even have a proper election and democracy.
I live abroad and I have more rights as second citizen than in my own country.Anyway we can talk and talk about the problems. But we have to fight for this together.
What surprises me, above all is that the so called red cross and human right people not doing some thing about this when people are suffering and been killed every corner.
I do pray and hope that our dads will re unite with family and friends and lead a normal life.
KEEP HOPE ALIVE!
Bito tried to get his/her message across a lot of Ethiopians through a letter to Blen. This is really genius and it worked.
As far as the message by Bito is concerned, it’s all true and I don’t understand why people are crying about it. I feel sorry for Blen, but her dad did something bad and he needs to do his time.
Peace for Ethiopia!!
All ethiopians are narrow minded.Victim of ethnic mind.
I don’t know why we all are concerned only with our own ethnic.why not for others?Shame on me being Ethiopian.
Our rëdeemer is ‘Christ’, not men.