Oromo Political prisoners Constitute 85% of Qallitti Inmates

Three Ethiopian journalists recently freed from Qaliitti prison have escaped to Nairobi, Kenya where they gave interviews to the Washington Post Foreign Service (WP). According to WP:

“The journalists estimated that perhaps 85 percent of the inmates were political prisoners from Oromia.”

"There was a 90-year-old man and an 86-year-old man," said one journalist. "One had been there for 12 years, the other for eight years, and they were still waiting for a trial. The 86-year-old had scars all over his body from being beaten. If you heard their story, you would not think you are living in the 21st century." (Read WP report HERE.)

Writing about the prisoner population at Maa’ikalawii prison in Finfinnee, in his book "Ya Natsaannat Gohi Sii Qaddi" Berhanu Nagga also said:

“What shocked me and subjected me to many sleepless nights, even more than our detention, was the kind of individuals in detention, the reasons for which they were detained, and their opinions about their detention and the [Ethiopian] government. Most detainees were Oromo nationals suspected of supporting the OLF. They ranged from youth to seventy years of age.” (Read HERE.)

In its Aug. 15, 2007 program, VOA reports on what is going on in Horoo Guduru where our people are being herded in to concentration camps under the pretext of supporting and aiding the OLF and ONC.

Faantaanesh Tasfaa‘s husband, Fiqaaduu Gaaddisaa a business man from Harato town, Jimmaa Gennetii district, is one such victim of the TPLF regime.

Fantaanesh describes the circumstance of her husband’s arrest as follows.

“Three police men arrived. They searched the house. After searching the house, they took him to the police station telling him he was wanted there for questioning. After arriving at the police station, he was informed that he would be remaining there [under arrest.] They accused him of having communications devices used to communicate with those in the jungle [armed opposition.] It was under such pretext that they took many individuals to the police station and kept them there [under arrest.] There are about ten people from here including those who are still in detention here in Harato and those transferred to Shaambuu. They are all made to suffer greatly. We fear for the lives of these individuals given that they [the authorities] beat them up almost to death. Visitation with the detainees is not allowed. We are suffering immensely. We are hoping for a solution from higher places [higher authorities.]”

Asked if she had an opportunity to visit her husband since he was detained, and if her husband is a member of an opposition group, Faantaanesh says:

“I have not seen him since his detention. One day, I went to visit him. I was refused access to him but they offered to deliver to him the food I had brought with me. It has been a while since I saw him. This is his third week in detention. … During the 2005 election, he represented ONC (Oromia National Congress) as a vote counter. Apart from that, he did nothing [political.]”

A government employee who lives around Shaambuu town but does not want to be identified for fear of repercussions says: what is happening in Jimmaa Genetii district is not an isolated incident. Similar incidents are taking place in most of the Horro Guduruu zone of Wallaga.

“Our people from districts of Aabee Dongoroo, Jimmaa Gennetii, Shaambuu, Guduru, Fincaa’aa, Jarteega Jaartee in Horro Guduruu, are being herded in to Horo Guduruu police stations under pretext of supporting the OLF (Oromo Liberation Front) and ONC (Oromo National Congress.). Once there, the authorities are beating them up, hurting them and making them suffer. They pull their testicles, crushing their jaws, and hurt other parts of their bodies. These are business men, government employees, teachers, university students and other students from schools in the surrounding areas. These people are accused of collaboration with this organization [the OLF.] For instance, Taddasaa Dhiinsaa a healthcare professional from Aabee Dongoroo area, Katamaa Bulchaa from Machi, Dastaa Jalduu from Aabee Dongoroo, Xanna Tarraqany – a teacher, … and the list goes on.”

Listen to that segment of the VOA interview HERE.

Cry my beloved Oromia! Rise, my beloved Oromia to undo this injustice that the minority is inflictiing on your sons and daughters!