Intensifying Mass Arrest, Torture, and Killing Will Only Inflame Struggle of for Freedom

Sochii Dargaggoota Biyyoolessaa, National Youth Movement for Bilisummaa fi Dimokraasiif(SDBBD) Freedom and Democracy (NYMFD)

Intensifying Mass Arrest, Torture, and Killing will Only Inflame Struggle of for Freedom

Statement of Qeerroo Bilisummaa on Continued Arrest and Conviction of Oromo Students from Various Zones of Oromia

November 16, 2014 It is to be recalled that tens of thousands of Oromo nationals in general and Oromo students in particular have been arrested and severely tortured by the TPLF-led Ethiopian regime over the last few months in connection to a series of Oromo student protests which broke out in large scale and spread out throughout Oromia beginning the month of April, 2014. These protests, organized and led by the National Youth Movement for Freedom and Democracy (aka Qeerroo Bilisummaa), are just one incident in a series of continued struggle of the Oromo nation for freedom, democracy, and justice over the last 23 or so years. Hundreds have been gunned down by live bullets by the so called Agazi troops of the regime in the months of April and May, 2014. In addition to those who have been shot and killed during the protests, many have lost their lives in prison cells unable to stand the brutal torture. Many others have simply disappeared. Qeerroo Bilisummaa believes that those who disappeared have been killed and their bodies hidden - a practice repeatedly perpetrated on the Oromo prisoners by this regime.

On July 7, 2014 Qeerroo Bilisummaa has compiled a list of 61 Oromos killed and 903 others rounded up and thrown into jail during the April/May Oromo student protests of universities, colleges, high schools, middle schools and other educational institutions. Our evidence indicates that all those who have been arrested have undergone through intense interrogation which involved severe and brutal torture. Many have lost their lives due to the severe torture. For example, a 2nd year Computer Science Oromo student of Haromaya University, Aslan (Nuradin) Hasan, was killed as a result of extended torture in prison on June 04, 2014. On the same day a 10th grade student, Dawit Wakjira, was arrested and beaten to death in Anfillo district, Qellem Wollega zone. Again on the same day a young high school teacher, Magarsa Abdissa, was beaten and killed in Gulliso Prison, West Wollega zone. The fact that these three young Oromos are www.Qeerroo.org [email protected] known and reported to have been beaten to death on the same day, from different parts of Oromia, is a testimony that prisons in the empire are not safe places under this regime. It has to be noted that many other killings that occurred in the prison cells remained hidden as it is extremely difficult and risky to compile reports of such brutal killings under tight security machinery of the regime.

Aslan Hasan, student, killed in prison Magarsa Abdissa, teacher, killed in prison

The arrests and tortures have continued non-stop. More and more are being arrested before those who are in jail are released or brought to court. Many of those who survived the torture will remain incarcerated, without any charge, until they confess the accusations brought against them. On many other prisoners, concocted charges and false witnesses have been prepared and they are brought to the kangaroo court of the regime to pass a long time sentence on them so as to legitimize their prison term. Everybody who pays close attention to how the judicial system of the regime operates knows for sure that the so called “court” of the regime is just a place where a fictitious drama is performed. Qeerroo Bilisummaa believes no justice is expected from the so called “court” of the current Ethiopian regime at any level.

In this brief statement the data collection team of Qeerroo Bilisummaa has compiled a list of 183 Oromos, from 6 different zones of Oromia, mainly students, on which the regime has finalized its trumped up charges in order to pass a “guilty” verdict on these young innocent Oromo students and others and sentence them to several years of prison. The main content of the charges brought against them is “having connection with the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF)” and “participating on the public protest against the government”. These Oromo students and other Oromo individuals are in addition to several hundreds of prisoners Qeerroo has reported in the last few months and our reports indicate that they are going under severe torture and they are denied food, health care, closing and basic needs to sustain their lives.

Qeerroo Bilisummaa strongly demands that the Ethiopian regime drop all charges against these Oromo nationals and tens of thousands others and release them immediately and unconditionally. We would like to reiterate that we the Oromo youth Qeerroo will not sit and be silent when part www.Qeerroo.org [email protected] of our body is bleeding. The Ethiopian regime should realize that intensifying arrest, torture and killing will only inflame the struggle of the Oromo people for their right. More oppression doesn’t lead to submission. It rather breeds more dissenting voices. We are certain that eventually the Oromo and other oppressed nations and nationalities will bring down this criminal regime and justice and freedom will prevail.

List of Oromos Charged of Protesting Against the so called Finfinne (Addis Ababa) Master Plan and other Basic Rights. A. Summery

No. Court Number of Remark Defendents M F Total 1 Western Oromia Supreme court, Nekemtie 56 1 57 2 West Wollega Zone Gimbi District court, Gimbi 28 0 28 3 West Shoa Zone Higher court, Ambo 2 0 2 4 Oromia Supreme court, Finfine(Addis Ababa) 62 1 63 5 West Shoa Ambo District Court, Ambo 10 0 10 6 Midakegn District Court, Ballami 4 0 4 7 Kersa Malima District Court, Lemmen 8 0 8 8 Tokke Kutaye District Court, Guder 11 0 11 Total 183

www.Qeerroo.org [email protected]

Number of Oromos Charged by Court Name and Town

Western Oromia, 70 62 Nekemtie 56 West Wollega, 60 Gimbi West Shoa, Ambo 50

Supreme court, 40 Finfine 28 West Shoa, Ambo 30

Midakegn, Ballami 20 10 11 8 Kersa Malima, 10 2 4 Lemmen Tokke Kutaye, 0 Guder

B. List by Courts Over which they are charged

1. Western Oromia Supreme Court, Nekemtie

No Full Name Sex Ag Address Job Remark e 1 Abdu Husein Endris M 20 Self Employed 2 Abush Merga Segni M 19 Gimbi 03 Assistant Driver 3 Addisu Tadesse Tiruneh M 28 Gimbi 03 Driver 4 Addisu Teshome Getaneh M 18 Haru district, Jitu 01 5 Adiladin Seid Mohammed M 21 Gimbi 03 6 Ambawu Tesfaye Galu M 25 Gimbi 03 --- 7 Aregash Teshome Getaneh F 20 Haru district, Jitu 02 www.Qeerroo.org [email protected]

8 Ashenafi Diriba Ayyana M 25 Dembidolo 02 Assistant Driver 9 Ashenafi Kebede Aga M 32 Gimbi 02 Business person 10 Ayana Tamiru Birassa M 20 Haru district, Jitu 01 11 Belay Kebede Abdissa M 30 Haru district, Jitu 01 12 Bereket Tesfaye Abebe M 22 Gimbi 03 Business man 13 Bikila Esrael Gemeda M 23 Gimbi 03 14 Bikila Tekle Gichile M 29 Gimbi 03 Unemployed 15 Bikila Tekle Gichile M 20 Gimbi 03 16 Dagim Kumera M 18 Haru district, Jitu 01 17 Daniel Kebede Aga M 30 Haru district, Jitu 01 18 Debela Terfassa Wayima M 21 Gimbi 03 19 Dejene Getachew M 21 Gimbi 03 Mekonen 20 Dereje Bedassa Bulcha M 22 Haru district, Jitu 01 21 Desalegn Hayilu Merga M 22 Haru district, Kombolcha yange 22 Dubale Benti Ejigu M 19 Haru district, Jitu 01 23 Dula Teshome Asfaw M 28 Haru district, Jitu 01 24 Elias Fikadu Tefera M 18 Haru district, Jitu 01 25 Elias Kebede Aga M 18 Haru district, Jitu 01 26 Fikadu Kebede Rebi M 32 Haru district, Jitu 02 27 Gadissa Abate Duguma M 17 Gimbi 01 28 Gemechis Kumera M 23 Gimbi 03 Unemployed Lemessa 29 Gemechis Wondimu M 19 Gimbi 04 Student Wakjira 30 Gemechu Olana Gadissa M 19 Haru district, Jitu 01 31 Girma Wakjira Serda M 18 Haru district, Jitu 01 32 Hailu Terfassa Serda M 48 Haru district, Jitu 01 33 Jirata Saketa Amenta M 36 Gimbi 03 34 Kasim Mohammed M 17 Haru district, www.Qeerroo.org [email protected]

Abdulkadir Jitu 01 35 Kenno debela Negeri M 26 Haru district, Jitu 01 36 Kinfu Asfaw Birihanu M 25 Haru district, Jitu 01 37 Korsa Tefera Ayana M 23 Haru district, Jitu 01 38 Mamush Zerihun Mekuria M 20 Gimbi 03 39 Mebratu Dereje M 18 Haru district, Jitu 01 40 Mekbeb Kebede Aga M 18 Haru district, Jitu 02 41 Mitiku Birihanu Kitila M 20 Gimbi 03 42 Moti Ayana Yadessa M 22 Gimbi 03 43 Mulugeta Kebede Abdissa M 24 Haru district, Jitu 01 44 Negera Gutema Gemta M 23 Gimbi 03 Self Employed 45 Olana Tefera Duguma M 23 Haru district, Jitu 01 46 Senbeto Teshome Getaneh M 22 Haru district, Jitu 01 47 Shimelis Antute Nejo M 35 Gimbi 01 Business person 48 Tadele Arega Mamo M 24 Gimbi 03 Daily labourer 49 Tamiru Terefe Desta M 20 Gimbi 03 50 Tarekegn Etana Amente M 29 Gimbi 03 Student 51 Tekle Kebede Rebi M 26 Haru district, Jitu 01 52 Teklu Bekele Feyissa M 20 Gimbi 03 53 Tilaye Bobo Tefera M 26 Haru district, Jitu 01 54 Tuli Fikadu Mengistu M 20 Gimbi 03 55 Wagari Tefera Meko M 18 Haru district, Jitu 01 56 Wondimu Bedassa M 20 Gimbi 03 Mengesha 57 Yesuf Kedir Usman M 18 Haru district, Jitu 01

2. West Wollega Zone Gimbi District Court, Gimbi

No Full Name Sex Age Job Remark 1 Addisu Teshome M 2 Asfaw Alemayehu M 3 Ayana Tamiru M 4 Belay Kebede M www.Qeerroo.org [email protected]

5 Benessa Wajira M 6 Chuchu Kebede M 7 Derejje Bedassa M 8 Dessalegn Hailu M 9 Dubale Benti M 10 Dula Teshome M 11 Eliyas Fikadu M 12 Eliyas Kebede M 13 Fikadu Kebede M 14 Gemeda Olana M 15 Gibo Kebede M 16 Hailu Terfassa M 17 Jirata Saketa M 18 Kasim Mohammed M 19 Kenno Debela M 20 Kinfu Asfawu M 21 Korsa Terefe M 22 Mebrate Dereje M 23 Mulugeta Kebede M 24 Olana Tefera M 25 Senbeto Teshome M 26 Tekle Kebede M 27 Wagari Tefera M 28 Yesufe Kedir, M

3. West Shoa Zone Higher Court, Ambo

No Full Name Se Age Address Job Remark x 1 Alemayehu Gidelo Diriba M 30 Ilu Gelan Farmer district, Refiso Kemino 2 Diriba Engila Bedada M 30 Ilu Gelan Farmer district, Ijaji 01

4. Oromia Supreme Court, Finfine(Addis Ababa)

No Full Name Se Age Address Job Remark x 1 Abate Gonfa Daba M --- West Shoa Zone, Ambo 02 2 Abdeta Batiri Bersissa M --- West Shoa Zone, Ambo 3 Abdi Bedassa M --- West Shoa Zone, Ambo 03 www.Qeerroo.org [email protected]

4 Abdissa Dadi Nega M --- Eest Shoa Zone, Liben Chukala District 5 Abdissa Faji Borena M --- West Shoa Zone, Ambo 02 6 Abdissa Gudissa M --- West Shoa Zone, Jibat,Bilo 7 Abi Habtamu Lema M --- West Shoa Zone, Ambo 02 8 Abiti Techane Alemu M --- West Shoa Zone, Ambo 02 9 Abush Teshale Bojia M --- West Shoa Zone, Ambo 03 10 Alemayehu Eressa Bona M --- West Shoa Zone, Ambo 01 11 Alemu Megersa Tolessa M --- West Shoa Zone, Ambo 02 12 Ararsa Milkessa Debela M --- West Shoa Zone, Ambo 02 13 Ayantu Megersa Yali F --- West Shoa Zone, Ambo 02 14 Babi Mulugeta M --- West Shoa Zone, Ambo 03 15 Bayissa Kebede Ifa M --- West Shoa Zone, Ambo 03 16 Bedada Damene Abesha M 21 West Shoa Zone Driver Jibat district, Molu Falle 17 Bedassa Soboka Dugassa M --- West Shoa Zone, Ambo 02 18 Bekera Wegi Gune M --- West Shoa Zone, Ambo 03 19 Chaina Gizaw M --- West Shoa Zone, Ambo 03 20 Chala Bayissa M --- West Shoa Zone, Ambo 01 21 Chala Menessa Neda M --- West Shoa Zone, Ambo 02 22 Dejene Tefera Feyissa M --- West Shoa Zone, Ambo 02 23 Dema Kabeta M --- West Shoa Zone, Guder 24 Derara Tamirat Lema M 18 West Shoa Zone Student Jibat district, Shenen 01 25 Dereje Bekele M ------www.Qeerroo.org [email protected]

26 Edossa Megersa Gelassa M --- West Shoa Zone, Ambo 01 27 Efa Lema Tullu M 23 West Shoa Zone Student Jibat district, Munyo Wittete 28 Getachew Kejela M --- West Shoa Zone, Ambo 02 29 Gezahign Edossa M --- West Shoa Zone, Ambo 02 30 Girma Echima Tadesse M 22 West Shoa Zone Business Jibat district, Person Shenen 01 31 Jigisa Techane Alemu M --- West Shoa Zone, Ambo 02 32 Kasahun Alemayehu M --- West Shoa Zone, Negassa Ambo 03 33 Kenea Chuche Balcha M -- West Shoa Zone, Ambo 03 34 Kenenissa Regassa M --- West Shoa Zone, Weyessa Ambo, Awaro 35 Lamikef Kaba Mideksa M 19 West Shoa Zone Student Jibat district, Molu Falle 36 Lata Beyene Mamo M --- Ambo University Student 37 Lelissa Bizuneh Hirpa M --- West Shoa Zone, Ambo 03 38 Lencho Cheru Baji M West Shoa Zone Business Jibat district, Person Shenen 01 39 Leta Saketa Gelalcha M --- West Shoa Zone, Guder 40 Manjo Milasa M --- West Shoa Zone, Guder 02 41 Melesse Kebede M --- West Shoa Zone, Ambo 02 42 Melkamu Assefa Feyera M --- West Shoa Zone, Ambo 43 Mesfin Faju Tasisa M --- West Shoa Zone, Guder 02 44 Misgana Zeleke Dida M --- West Shoa Zone, Ambo 03 45 Mitiku Gemeda M --- West Shoa Zone, Ambo District, Degele Gari 46 Moti Jebessa Fufa M --- West Shoa Zone, www.Qeerroo.org [email protected]

Ambo 02 47 Negassa Ararsa Feyissa M --- West Shoa Zone, Ambo 02 48 Raji Beksu Yadete M --- Akaki District, Abuser 49 Rebira Atomsa M --- West Shoa Zone, Ambo 03 50 Segni Chimdessa M --- West Shoa Zone, Ambo 02 51 Shambel Jola Bane M 22 West Shoa Zone Daily Jibat district, Labourer Shenen 01 52 Shelema Kebede Tujjo M 21 West Shoa Zone Student Jibat district, Munyo Wittete 53 Suud Jemal Husein M --- West Shoa Zone, Ambo 02 54 Tadele Tesfaye Legesse M --- West Shoa Zone, Ambo 01 55 Tamiru Chala Eresso M --- West Shoa Zone, Ambo 02 56 Tedi Debebe Demboba M --- West Shoa Zone, Ambo 57 Tolera Gudissa Regassa M 21 West Shoa Zone Barber Jibat district, Shenen 01 58 Tolessa Aliman Weyessa M --- West Shoa Zone, Ambo 03 59 Warqina Mullata Mijena M --- West Shoa Zone, Ambo 02 60 Weldeyesus Mengesha M --- West Shoa Zone, Gebreyohanis Ambo 02 61 Welebuma Debele Tadele M -- East Shoa Zone, Adama 62 Wendu Assefa Bedada M 19 West Shoa Zone Student Jibat district, Shenen 01 63 Zenebe Tefera Sinke M 29 West Shoa Zone Carpenter Jibat district, Shenen 01

5. Ambo District Court, Ambo

No Full Name Se Age Address Job Remark x 1 Barudin Sharif Ahmed M 23 East Hererge Student www.Qeerroo.org [email protected]

Zone, Babille District 2 Damana Girma Beyene M 21 South West Student 4th year Shoa Zone, University Becho District, Student Shenkor- Tereko 3 Daniel Olana Abdissa M 23 West Wollega Student Zone,Kitu Kara District, Dandi Gudi 4 Gada Samuel Tadesse M 24 West Wollega Student 4th year Zone,Menesib University u District, Student Mendi 02 5 Kedir Kemer Reshid M 24 East Hererge Student Zone, Deder District, Deder 01 6 Mezgebu Tekle Zewudie M 20 Kellem Student Wollega Zone,Gawo Kebe District, Wrra Jirru 7 Misganaw Teressa Tesgera M 22 East Wollega Student Zone,Guto Gida District, Nekemte 07 8 Refissa Wakshume M 21 Horro Guduru Student 4th year Deressa Wollega University Zone,Horo Student District, Lalo Egu 9 Wabi Tilaahun Tefera M 23 East Wollega Student 3rd year Zone,Haro University Limmu Student District,Gerba 10 Wakuma Daba Dema M 24 West Shoa Student Zone, Ambo District, Diki

6. Midakegn District Court, Ballami

No Full Name Se Age Address Job Remark x 1 Dereje Negeri Gejea M 20 West Shoa Student www.Qeerroo.org [email protected]

Zone Midakegn District, Gelan 2 Deressa Terfa Wagari M 19 West Shoa Student Zone Midakegn District Didiksa Amuma 3 Diribi Masho Negassa M 18 West Shoa Student Zone Midakegn District, Boko Niso 4 Teressa Kejella Negera M 22 West Shoa Student Zone Midakegn District,Gelan

7. Kersa Malima District Court, Lemmen

No Full Name Se Age Address Job Remark x 1 Ararso Gemeda Debele M 23 South West Business High School Shoa Zone Person Kersa Malima District, Lemmen 01 2 Bacha Kuma Cherana M 29 South West Government Shoa Zone Employee Kersa Malima District, Lemmen 01 3 Chalchissa Beshana Gonfa M 27 South West Government Shoa Zone Employee Kersa Malima District, Lemmen 01 4 Dejene Tesfaye Tola M` 28 South West Teacher Shoa Zone Kersa Malima District, Lemmen 01 5 Kebeki Tsige Bedassa M 23 South West Student High School Shoa Zone Kersa Malima www.Qeerroo.org [email protected]

District, Lemmen 01 6 Milkessa Chakka Daba M 20 Akaki District, Student High School Dodota Feri 7 Teferi Beyene Bedada M 24 South West Government Shoa Zone Employee Kersa Malima District, Lemmen 01 8 Tesfu Tadesse Korsa M 25 Sebeta Hawas Self- District, Employed Alemgena

8. Tokke Kutaye District Court, Guder

No Full Name Se Age Address Job Remark x 1 Abebe Fanta Agayo M 21 West Shoa Self Zone Tuke Employed Kutaye District, Emela Dawe Ajo 2 Abebe Tilahun Desta M 21 West Shoa Shoes Zone Toke Cleaning Kutaye District, Guder 02 3 Adugna Tesema Hunde M 18 West Shoa Student Zone, Guder 4 Asegid Abreham Amare M 18 West Shoa Un Zone Toke employed Kutaye District, Guder 02 5 Ashenafi Beka Guteta M 18 West Shoa Student Zone Toke Kutaye District, Guder 02 6 Fikadu Tefera Chimdi M 18 West Shoa Student Zone Toke Kutaye District, Guder 01

www.Qeerroo.org [email protected]

7 Kefyalew Derso Haile M 34 West Shoa Daily Zone Toke Labourer Kutaye District, Guder 02 8 Lemi Kebede Tujo M 21 West Shoa Shoes Zone Toke Cleaning Kutaye District, Toke Erenso 9 Motuma Wagari Dilgassu M 17 West Shoa Daily Zone Toke Labourer Kutaye District, Guder 01 10 Segni Gebissa Sirna M 17 West Shoa Daily Zone Toke Labourer Kutaye District, Guder 01 11 Tesfaye Bekele Kefeni M` 22 West Shoa Daily Zone Toke Labourer Kutaye District, Guder 01