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]