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Oromos in Europe call for the safeguarding of human rights

Posted on by Elias Kifle

Press Release
OROMOS IN EUROPE CALL FOR THE SAFEGUARDING OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN ETHIOPIA

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM — On Monday 30 June 2008, over one hundred members of the Oromo diaspora from across Europe will gather in the Place Jean Rey of Brussels to protest the ongoing and systemic
degradation of human rights within Ethiopia under the regime of Meles Zenawi, Prime Minister of Ethiopia since 1991.

Oromo activists will then proceed to the European Commission Berlaymont Building. Over four hours, they to draw public attention to the human rights situation in Ethiopia and urge the European Commission to condemn the Ethiopian regime’s longstanding disdain for human rights and disregard for the international covenants which it has signed and which are intended to safeguard these rights.

The protests will also be used as an opportunity to present detailed dossiers of information regarding the abuses to key figures within the European Commission, European Council, European Parliament, and the African, Caribbean, Pacific Group of States. The dossiers will call upon the institutions to act in support of the people of Ethiopia and encourage the Ethiopian government to respect its human rights obligations.

This protest has been sparked by the most recent catalogue of abuses in the district of Oromia. In recent weeks, ethnic Oromos have been dealing with violence which has gone unaddressed by the Ethiopian government. With no protection, hundreds have been forced to leave their homes and seek refuge in makeshift camps without any meaningful aid from the Ethiopian government. This is occurring at the same time as Ethiopia is enduring a major drought and resource scarcity has become a tool of regime maintenance.

The protest will take place between 9.00 am – 3.00 pm on Monday 30 June 2008, beginning in the Place Jean Rey between 9.00am – 10.00am before moving to the European Commission (Berlaymont Building) where activists will be present from 11.00am – 3.00pm.

EVENT SUMMARY

9.00am – 10.00am
Place Jean Rey, Brussels

11.00am – 3.00pm
European Commission (Berlaymont Building), Brussels

For media enquiries, contact Andrew Swan (UNPO Project Coordinator)
+32 (0) 472 577 518 / [email protected]

Union of Oromo Students in Europe
Flories de Cuyper Straat 31/3,
2640, Morstel, Belgium.
Tel/Fax: +32 (0)34 480459
E-mail: [email protected]

5 thoughts on “Oromos in Europe call for the safeguarding of human rights”

  1. if the oromo people unite with the rest of ethiopian people this problem would be solved .as we know and the truth the majority is oromo and stop denying you are ethiopian and focus on the main goal which is one ethiopia one people and GOD will help you because he is good.

  2. This is a legitimate protest that we should all join.
    Whatever religious, political or ethnic background, we should all make our voices of protest reverberate in the corridors power not just at E.C but elsewhere too.
    What is happening against the Oromos is also something that is happening against the rest of us. Oromo subjugation and oppression is our subjugation and oppression. Their pain and and suffering are ours too. Through this sense of solidarity with the Oromos,we have stronger power to fight against the regime in Addis. It may be truism to say it but its really true that on our own, we are weak. The Oromos can’t ‘go it alone’,either.The Regime’s machination of putting a wedge between the Oromos and the rest of us must be foiled. Its pet tactic of divide and rule particularly pitting the Amharas against the Oromos must be denied reason to exist.
    An acknowledgment of past historical grievances and durable ways of redressing those injustices and marginalization opens up the doors of dialogue.It also predicates the promise of a future pivotal role for the Oromos in building a united and democratic Ethiopia. This is the Oromo question.

    On the other hand, our Oromo brothers and sisters need to transcend their sense of despairing alienation that was born out of longstanding ill treatment and oppression in order to lovingly embrace their Ethiopianess.They need not see the future with the prism of the dreary past and gloomy present.Here is also a bright new generation of forward looking ally from the other ethnic groups including the Amharas who is imbued with a fair sense of justice whom the Oromo brothers and sisters can have faith and hope for building the common future.

    Despite the marginalization,there is no life in Ethiopia that is not animated without the Oromo.From the different kinds of food we eat to the many spiritual values embedded in our Ethiopian culture, the Oromo presence is overwhelming. Ethiopa is quintessentially the Oromo.It is indeed true to say that it is inconceivable to think of Ethiopia without the Oromo.

    This is a legitimate protest that we should all join.
    Whatever religious, political or ethnic background, we should all make our voices of protest reverberate in the corridors power not just at E.C but elsewhere too.
    What is happening against the Oromos is also something that is happening against the rest of us. Oromo subjugation and oppression is our subjugation and oppression. Their pain and and suffering are ours too. Through this sense of solidarity with the Oromos,we have stronger power to fight against the regime in Addis. It may be truism to say it but its really true that on our own, we are weak. The Oromos can’t ‘go it alone’,either.The Regime’s machination of putting a wedge between the Oromos and the rest of us must be foiled. Its pet tactic of divide and rule particularly pitting the Amharas against the Oromos must be denied reason to exist.
    An acknowledgment of past historical grievances and durable ways of redressing those injustices and marginalization opens up the doors of dialogue.It also predicates the promise of a future pivotal role for the Oromos in building a united and democratic Ethiopia. This is the Oromo question.

    On the other hand,our Oromo brothers and sisters need to transcend their sense of despairing alienation that was born out of longstanding ill treatment and oppression in order to lovingly embrace their Ethiopianess.They need not see the future with the prism of the dreary past and the gloomy present.Here is also a bright new generation of forward looking ally from the other ethnic groups including the Amharas who is imbued with a fair sense of justice whom the Oromo brothers and sisters can have faith and hope for building the common future.

    Despite the marginalization,there is no life in Ethiopia that is not animated without the Oromo.From the different kinds of food we eat to the many spiritual values embedded in our Ethiopian culture, the Oromo presence is overwhelming. Ethiopa is quintessentially the Oromo.
    It is indeed true to say that it is inconceivable to think of Ethiopia without the Oromo.

    ETHIOPIA SHALL BE FREE THROUGH THE STRUGGLE OF HER OROMO SONS AND DAUGHTERS!.

  3. There is no doubt that all nationalities and nations in Ethiopia LOVE their country. But, it is the political TRICKOLOGY which undermined this culturally,economically and naturally rich country. Even as we have seen it in the past,only embarking or snaching the power will not bring the suitable solution for our country ( people and economy ).Once Gandhi said,that he is Hindu, Muslim,Christian,Sikh and at the end,he is an Indian. So,i mean we Ethiopians we need an Ethiopian Gandhi who will be the father of all the ethnicks in that country.Why? Without all the ethnick groups in our country,we will never step forward as a strong nation.Be a true brother, be free of chaufnism,narrowsm and stand for this much suffering people.Trickology and CHEATOLOGY killed our country.Especially,i appeal to the Ethiopian educated groups.It is your responssiblity to look for the best way to bring our people to stand together as a strong nation .The Ethiopian population is today 80 millions,but because of our problems,we became the weakest country in the world.

  4. No any Oromo opposed or denied the exisitance of Ethiopia.The Oromos only opposed and will oppose the kind of Ethiopia which served only the interests of only a few group.In fact the Oromos like their country Ethiopia,but not at the cost of Oromos.Ethiopia is our home (HOUSE),Oromos and all the ethnick groups are the iron pillars which support it to stand high.Atacking and counter atacking will never take us any where rather than bringing the devastation.Unity and equality is the best way for Ethiopia and its people .IF WE REALLY LOVE ETHIOPIA,LET US WORK HONESTLY FOR IT.

  5. I am an Oromo and I love Ethiopia because Ethiopia was the name of Kush/Cush and his country, Cush/Kush was my grandgrand dad centuries ago in history and in Bible, who established and ruled Axum. The only thing I hate is theft of names and good cultural values that were being undertaken by previous and present rules of this country. Let us respect our dad’s name and change the bad perception of this country. Oromos please learn more about your name, please ignore the puroose and the line the name Ethiopia had been used and is bieng used. Ethiopia is our country not of Amharas or tigres. Their Country was and is called Abyssinia, but now ajioned to our fatherland Ethiopia. If they want to live with let’s let them to stay with us. But do not leave your country out . Read histry of Cush/Kush in on internet/Bible, and histry. Oromos please do not be overwhelmed by chaters or by lier or by looters of histry. Ethioopia is your land/my land our grand dad’s land. God bless Ethiopia- Land of my grandgrand dad cush

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