ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA (APA) – Ethiopian Woyanne Ministry of Justice officials on Sunday said 226 out of the 273 people arrested, have been charged with genocide committed during an ethnic clash in May.
The rest, 47 of them have also been charged with “serious crimes” they committed during an ethnic clash between Oromo and Guji tribes clashes.
Sources say those charged with genocide will possibly face a death penalty “since the crime is very serious.”
In May 2007, an ethnic clash were erupted between the Oromo and Guji over water sources and grazing land and during which a large but unspecified number of people were killed on both sides.
It it the first time that the Ethiopian Woyanne government has charged such a large number of people with genocide crime in the country’s history.
The trial is being held in the Oromia regional state where the incident took place.
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA — Ethiopian authorities arbitrarily arrested 94 opposition members and Oromo nationals in different towns of Oromiya region but mainly in the capital Addis Ababa, confirmed two oppositions parties today.
Recently the Oromo Parliamentarians Council in a joint statement said that Meles-led government has put under unlawful detention to more than 100 Oromo’s of different background using the pretext of supporting the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) as of October 30, 2008.
The council also said it has received the list of some of the arrested Oromos including university lecturers and opposition members who has been detained over twice in the past, and tortured to the level of disability.
Two Oromo opposition parties, The Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement (OFDM) and the Oromo Peoples Congress party confirmed the mass arrest of opposition members and Oromo nationals in different town of Ormiya region mainly in the capital, Addis Ababa.
“So far we have confirmed the illegal arrest of 94 Oromo nationals including our opposition members” Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement chairman Bulcha Demeksa told Sudan Tribune.
Bulcha says what going on now is an attempt to jeopardize Oroms people political movement in such away and close their legal political institutions by such means” he further said
“Few says ago our parties higher representative was illegal snatched by government agents from his friend’s car out side Addis in the highways of Nazeret ,south of Addis & kept in Jail for hours received threats as well” he Added
There are unconfirmed source putting the number of detained Oromos to at least 200
“Though we couldn’t confirm it at this point, medias are putting the figure to over 200” says Merarra Gudina, Oromo Peoples Congress party’s chairman but says the report is likely and has no surprise.
“It is very easy to illegal arrest any Oromo national” Merarra said adding “If you are an Oromo ethnic and you don’t support or oppose the ruling government in a way then you are considered as illegal and linked to “terrorists” like Oromo Liberation Front so you are always in the hunt list by government agents”
The Oromo Parliamentarians statement called on the international community to take action in no time.
“It is the high time for all the concerned body to interfere in the gross human right violation against the Oromos from all walks of life and secure their constitutional freedom,” it said
The opposition board urged a number of governments, international institutions and human rights organisations as: European Parliament, European Commission, USA, AU, UK and the human right groups Amnesty International, Human Right Watch, International Red Cross, UNPO, UNHCR “to speak up on the injustice carried against the Oromo people for being Oromo alone by the Meles Zenawi government.”
Recently, Ethiopian authorities warned of a possible terrorist attack and urged citizens to collaborate with security forces. The caution has led into the arrest of a number of suspects including opposition members.
– ST
By David Lim
As globalization brings countries closer together, the need to travel between countries for business, pleasure and family increases. However travel within many countries can be extremely dangerous for the novice traveler. Following are the top ten most dangerous places in the world.
10. Pakistan
Control Risks: High security and terrorism risk; extreme security and travel risk in tribal areas bordering Afghanistan
Domestic Islamic extremist groups, most of which are tied to al-Qaida, pose a serious risk to foreign companies and their workers. Car bombs, gun and grenade attacks and suicide bombings are aimed at Western targets, domestic politicians and local religious minorities and have frequently killed civilians. The capital, Islamabad, and tribal areas bordering Afghanistan are particularly dangerous.
9. Burundi
Control Risks: High security and travel risk; extreme security and travel risk in provinces of Cibitoke, Bubanza and Bujumbura Rural
Because of poor security, few foreign workers remain in Burundi. A civil war that began in 1993 is ongoing, with rebel factions engaging in intense fighting with government forces. The parties agreed to a September 2006 ceasefire, but many of its provisions have not been implemented, and the rebels remain able to attack the capital, Bujumbura.
8. Haiti
Control Risks: High security and travel risk
There is no effective police force in Haiti, where the State Department calls the danger of kidnappings “chronic and growing.� General elections in February 2006 brought about some political stability, aided by the presence of 8,000 U.N. peacekeeping troops. But violence persists, says Control Risks, thanks in part to the proliferation of firearms, an inefficient judiciary and police corruption.
7. Chad
Control Risks: High risk in at least one category and region
Another new addition to our list, Chad is experiencing both tensions between the government and rebel groups, and interethnic fighting in the east, where the country borders the Darfur region of Sudan. The U.S. State Department reports an increase in the amount of highway banditry across the country and some harassment of American citizens at government roadway checkpoints.
6. Iraq
Control Risks: Extreme security, terrorism and travel risk
No region of Iraq is safe for visitors, not even Baghdad’s well-fortified Green Zone. The U.S.-led occupation has not tamed the insurgency, which is most concentrated in the central region that stretches from Tikrit in the north to Hillah in the south. Various criminal gangs and international terrorists are also active in Iraq and civilians die daily in attacks.
5. Lebanon
Control Risks: High risk in at least one category and region
Hostilities with Israel ended last August, but political tensions within Lebanon have been on the rise. The armed Shiite group Hezbollah (also a political party in Lebanon) maintains a strong presence in many areas, and other extremist groups are active in Tripoli, Sidon and Palestinian refugee camps. In the south, the danger of encountering land mines and unexploded ordnance is significant.
4. Sudan
Control Risks: High risk in at least one category and region
The western region of Darfur remains the most dangerous part of the country for locals and foreigners alike, with ongoing violence between government-backed militias, government troops and local insurgent groups. Large areas of the south, however, also see fighting between local militias. Sporadic terrorist attacks in Sudan have been aimed at U.S. and Western targets, and kidnappings are common.
3. Somalia
Control Risks: Extreme security and travel risk
The U.S. doesn’t have an embassy in Somalia, putting American citizens who travel there out of reach of U.S. assistance. Somalia’s federal government recently retook control of much of the country from the Union of Islamic Courts, but this could mean less stability ahead, not more. Interclan fighting and attacks on foreigners are frequent, as are abductions.
2. Afghanistan
Control Risks: Extreme security, terrorism and travel risk
Travelers face the ongoing threat of kidnapping and assassination in Afghanistan, especially outside of Kabul. Former Taliban and al-Qaida operatives remain at large, and attacks with improvised explosive devices are on the rise. Large areas of the country are heavily land-mined or strewn with unexploded ordnance.
1. Liberia
Control Risks: High risk in at least one category and region
In the summer of 2003, Liberia’s 14-year civil war was brought to a close with a peacekeeping agreement and the exile of Charles Taylor, the former president. But there are still some 15,000 U.N. peacekeepers stationed throughout the country. Crime is a major problem, with theft, sexual assault and murder common.
(Honorable Mention)
Ivory Coast
Control Risks: High security and travel risk; extreme security and travel risk in rebel-held north and near western border
Though a 2002 uprising supposedly ended in 2003, the north of the country remains under the control of armed rebels, and sporadic fighting has taken place in Abidjan, the commercial capital. The overall security situation remains potentially volatile, according to the State Department. Control Risks says that the rebellion exacerbated a rise in violent crime, including carjackings and armed robbery.
Democratic Republic of Congo
Control Risks: High security and travel risk; extreme security and travel risk in northeast
The civil war has ended and the country held presidential elections last year, but dangers persist. Crime levels are high in the main cities, and strife continues in certain regions, especially the northeastern Ituri district and the provinces of North and South Kivu. U.N. observer forces, located around the country, are unable to prevent pillaging, carjackings, murders, rapes and kidnappings.
Sri Lanka
Control Risks: Extreme security and travel risk and a high terrorism risk in Tamil-majority north and east; medium security, terrorism and travel risk in remainder of country
Lush tropical beauty once made Sri Lanka a popular holiday destination, but a ceasefire between the government and the separatist Tamil Tigers broke down last year, making the country a new addition to our danger list. While foreigners are not directly targeted, the risk of becoming collateral damage is rising in the north and northeast.
