{"id":16618,"date":"2020-09-17T17:20:31","date_gmt":"2020-09-17T17:20:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.humanrightsleague.org\/?p=16618"},"modified":"2020-09-17T17:20:41","modified_gmt":"2020-09-17T17:20:41","slug":"ethiopia-the-government-must-allow-an-independent-investigation-into-human-rights-abuses-committed-during-wolaitas-peaceful-protest-august-09-14-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.humanrightsleague.org\/?p=16618","title":{"rendered":"Ethiopia: The Government Must Allow an Independent Investigation into Human Rights Abuses Committed during Wolaita\u2019s Peaceful Protest (August 09- 14, 2020)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n

September 14, 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

\n \n \nIn\nthe late August 09, 2020, a protest was erupted in Sodo, capital of Wolaita\nZone and some neighboring towns such as Boditi following the arrest of the\nzonal officials, activists and community leaders. The protest continued for the\nnext few days almost covering the zone at large. According to HRLHA\u2019s source at\nSodo town, the protest was peaceful and the protesters had been predominantly\nurging the government to free arrested officials. A photograph of protesters\nholding a slogan demanding \u2018referendum for Wolaita\u2019 was also seen on social\nmedia. Immediately following arrest of the officials, large number of security\nforces overwhelmed Sodo town and other nearby district towns with a pretext to\nmaintain law and order. Some eyewitnesses, who want to remain anonymous, told\nHRLHA that the security forces comprises of the Zonal Police, Southern Nations,\nNationalities and Peoples (SNNP) Region Special Police and NDF. \n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Background<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n

\n \n \nOn\nAugust 09, 2020, the NDF arrested 26 men comprising officials of the Wolaita\nZone, community leaders and activists while conducting a meeting in Gutera\nConference Hall found at Sodo town. The assembly constitutes \u201cAdvisory Board of\nthe Secretariat Council of the Formation of Wolaita Region.\u201d The arrest of\nofficials was made allegedly for conducting a meeting in violation of the State\nof Emergency restrictions issued for the prevention of COVID- 19.  It has been reported<\/a>\nthat the meeting was meant to consult on the draft Constitution prepared\nsupposedly for the future \u201cWolaita Regional State.\u201d \n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the list of\nTop Officials of Wolaita Zone Administration and others Arbitrarily Arrested on\nAugust 09, 2020 and\nReleased on Bail on August 14, 2020<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n S\/N<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Full Name<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Sex<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Position <\/strong>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n  <\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Tibebu\n Yohannes \n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td>\n Woliata Zone Prosperity Party\n Head \n <\/td><\/tr>
\n  <\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Dagato\n Kumbe \n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td>\n Wolaita Zone Chief Administrator\n \n <\/td><\/tr>
\n  <\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Gobeze Godana\n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td>\n Woliata Zone Deputy\n Administrator \n <\/td><\/tr>
\n  <\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Tsehay\n Woldemichael \n <\/td>\n F\n <\/td>\n Wolaita Zone Prosperity Party Political\n Affairs and Ideology Head \n <\/td><\/tr>
\n  <\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Michael Saol\n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td>\n Woliata Zone Prosperity Party\n Organizer \n <\/td><\/tr>
\n  <\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Mebrehatu\n Phaulos \n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td>\n Woliata Zone High Court\n President \n <\/td><\/tr>
\n  <\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Ashenafi Kebede Ayide\n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td>\n Lecturer at Wolaita Sodo\n University and Human Rights Activist\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n  <\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Etenesh\n Elias \n <\/td>\n F\n <\/td>\n Wolaita Zone Council Member \n <\/td><\/tr>
\n  <\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Dr. Bisrat Elias \n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td>\n Woliata Peoples Democratic\n Front Executive Member \n <\/td><\/tr>
\n  <\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Betela\n Birhanu \n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td>\n Chairperson of Chamber of\n Commerce \n <\/td><\/tr>
\n  <\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Muluneh Woldetsadik \n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td>\n Woliata Zone Higher Court Judge\n  \n <\/td><\/tr>
\n  <\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Tesfaye\n Abebe \n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td>\n From Professional Association \n <\/td><\/tr>
\n  <\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Kidus Meskele\n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td>\n Lecturer at Wolaita Sodo\n University \n <\/td><\/tr>
\n  <\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Mihretu\n Kuke \n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td>\n Head\n of Wolaita Zone Justice Bureau \n <\/td><\/tr>
\n  <\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Teketel Labena \n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td>\n Faculty Dean and Law Lecturer\n at Wolaita Sodo University \n <\/td><\/tr>
\n  <\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Akililu\n Desta \n <\/td>\n F\n <\/td>\n –\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n  <\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Workineh Gebeyehu\n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td>\n Lecturer at Wolaita Sodo\n University and Human Rights Activist\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n  <\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Takele\n Samuel \n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td>\n Driver of Wolaita Zone Deputy\n Administrator \n <\/td><\/tr>
\n  <\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Gobeze Abera \n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td>\n Wolaita National Movement\n Executive Committee \n <\/td><\/tr>
\n  <\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Habtamu\n Timotios \n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td>\n Wolaita Development Association\n Executive Committee \n <\/td><\/tr>
\n  <\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Daniel Desalegn \n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td>\n Member of Elders Council \n <\/td><\/tr>
\n  <\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Seiyfu\n Leta \n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td>\n Chief of Wolaita Elders Council\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n  <\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Petros Mengistu \n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td>\n Gutera Photographer \n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n

Human\nRights Abuses <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n \n Dagim Tafese W\/Hanna<\/strong> (Left) – He\n was 10 years old boy and a resident of Gido Bodit kebele.\n \n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n \n Birkinesh Bala<\/strong>)\n – She was a 34 years old pregnant woman. Birkinesh was a resident of Dodo\n Holeta kebele.\n \n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n \n Akililu Wana<\/strong> (Left) – He\n was 14 years old and a resident of Gido kebele. Akililu was a junior\n member of Wolaita Dicha Football Club.\n \n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n

The security forces fired live bullet on the protesters causing dozens of brutal killings and physical assault on the first day alone. HRLHA\u2019s source at Christian Hospital in Sodo town testified that most of the protesters were shot in the head and chest, which made the causality fatal. Our source added that many died before getting into the Hospital and those survived were given medical treatment. Different international organizations including the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC)<\/a> has urged the government security forces to stop disproportionate use of force against the peaceful protesters. Mass arrest was also followed in a manner seriously exposing the protesters to COVID- 19. The government further blocked internet service (mobile data) in Sodo town making flow of information difficult. About sixty persons<\/strong> were extra judicially killed by a live bullet shot from security forces within the period of protest that has been continued up to Thursday August 14, 2020, HRLHA\u2019s source in Sodo town has confirmed. According to our source, the body of twenty-seven<\/strong> persons from the victims of the killings is still missing. Unconfirmed informants told that the police have gathered bodies of these persons from different places in Sodo town such as Wadu, Otona, Maremiya, Gola, Gutera, Merkato,<\/em> etc. and taken to places not yet known. Most of the victims were street children, people with mental health conditions on the street, bystanders, and daily laborers who had no participation in the protest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Freedom of Assembly, Demonstration\nand Petition is one the fundamental human rights and freedoms guaranteed under Article 30 of the Constitution of the Federal\nDemocratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) and other international human rights\ninstruments ratified by Ethiopia. Concerning the case under consideration, the\ntransgression of these rights by the government security forces has led to\nmultiple human rights atrocities such as killings, physical assault, mass\narrest, communication blackout etc. The State of Ethiopia is duty bound to\nrespect and protect the fundamental human rights and freedoms enshrined under the\nFDRE Constitution and international human rights covenants to which the country\nis a State Party. Therefore, there is no doubt that the Government of Ethiopia\n(GoE) is responsible for human rights atrocities committed by its security\nforces against Wolaita peaceful protesters from August 09 to 10, 2020. It has\nto be recalled that the GoE has been repeatedly taking measures of suppressing\npolitical dissents. In this regard, the HRLHA has frequently urged the\ngovernment to stop brutalities against peaceful protesters by security forces.\nSadly, no improvement has been shown to this end. These days, it is of a public\nknowledge that oppositions and several human rights organizations are accusing\nthe incumbent government of rampant politically motivated mass arrests,\nenforced disappearances and killings.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Partial List of Persons Extra judicially\nkilled during the Peaceful Protest<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n S\/N<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Full\n Name<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Sex<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n  <\/strong>\n <\/td>\n S\/N<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Full\n Name<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Sex<\/strong>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n 1<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Abayneh\n Seba \n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td>\n 17\n <\/td>\n Getahun\n Bedilu \n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n 2<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Abdulaziz\n Ahimed \n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td>\n 18\n <\/td>\n Habtamu\n Balta \n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n 3<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Akililu\n Wana \n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td>\n 19\n <\/td>\n Matusala\n Esrael \n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n 4<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Azmeraw\n Asfew\n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td>\n 20\n <\/td>\n Menase\n Mamiru\n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n 5<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Belay\n Bassa\n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td>\n 21\n <\/td>\n Mesfin\n Ayicha \n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n 6<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Belete\n Belachew \n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td>\n 22\n <\/td>\n Minalu\n Tadese \n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n 7<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Beniam\n Merid \n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td>\n 23\n <\/td>\n Minase\n Tamiru \n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n 8<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Bereket\n Mamo \n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td>\n 24\n <\/td>\n Petros\n Abebaw\n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n 9<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Birkinesh\n Bassa\n <\/td>\n F\n <\/td>\n 25\n <\/td>\n Tagay\n Taye \n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n 10<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Biyu\n Tesfaye \n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td>\n 26\n <\/td>\n Temesgen\n Estifanos \n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n 11<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Dagim\n Tafese \n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td>\n 27\n <\/td>\n Temesgen\n Ganta \n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n 12<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Desalegn\n Kassa \n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td>\n 28\n <\/td>\n Tesfaye\n Kassa \n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n 13<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Esrael\n Boto \n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td>\n 29\n <\/td>\n Tesfaye\n Tamirat \n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n 14<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Eyob\n Balcha \n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td>\n 30\n <\/td>\n Tesfaye\n Teferi\n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n 15<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Getahun\n Adisu \n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td>\n 31\n <\/td>\n Yonas\n Eskiel \n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n 16<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n Getahun\n Ashenafi\n <\/td>\n M\n <\/td>\n  \n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n

Current\nSituation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Government did not apologize the\nfamilies of the victims in particular and the public at large for brutalities\nof the security forces that resulted in, among others, loss of precious lives\nand severe bodily injury. Nor the government took a step towards ensuring\naccountability of those responsible for the atrocities. The Wolaita people\u2019s\nlongstanding quest for self-determination, which has been the central cause\nbehind the undergoing crisis in Wolaita zonal administration of the SNNP\nRegional State, is not yet settled. Even worse, the police kept on its\ninvestigation against the top officials of the zone who were released on bail\non August 14, 2020 and whose arbitrary arrest led to peaceful protest\nthroughout the zone resulting into grave human rights atrocities as indicated\nabove. Furthermore, HRLHA\u2019s source has confirmed that intimidation and\nharassment has been continued against activists and oppositions especially\nmembers and supporters of the Wolaita National Movement (WNM), an opposition political\nparty recognized by the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE). On the\nother hand, it is a good news<\/strong> that\nthe EHRC has recently announced deployment of its team of experts to the area\nin order to conduct an investigation into alleged atrocities committed by the\ngovernment security forces against peaceful protesters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recommendations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The HRLHA would like to kindly extend\nthe following recommendations to Federal Government of Ethiopia and the SNNP\nRegional State: <\/p>\n\n\n\n