Statement of Condemnation of Artist Hachalu Hundessa's Assassination
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Statement of condemnation of Artist Hachalu Hundessa’s assassination, an Ongoing Extrajudicial Killing and Mass Detention in Oromia and Appeal to Canadian Government and International Community July 3, 2020 We, the members of the Oromian Community in Northern Alberta (Edmonton and around) Canada, are extremely shocked and devastated by the assassination of Oromo icon, artist, song writer, performer and human rights activist Hachalu Hunddessa in Addis Ababa on 29 June 2020. We condemn in the strongest term possible the coldblooded killing of an Oromo star who had been mobilizing over 52 million Oromos and other Ethiopians to peaceful protest against the TPLF (Tigray People Liberation Front) dominated EPRDF (Ethiopian People Revolutionary Democratic Front) regime in Ethiopia through 2014-2018 when the regime was forced to relinquish power to the so-called reformist elements within the same party – the EPRDF. Hachalu was a voice of the voiceless Oromo mass until he was silenced at gun point four days ago. Hachalu passionately believed in a non-violent struggle and committed his entire life to promote respect for human rights and bringing social justice for the Oromo nation using his artistic talent. He committed no crime except expressing his opinion through his artistic works and media platforms. He stood solidly for justice and equality to prevail in Oromia and Ethiopia. We hold the Ethiopian regime fully accountable for the assassination of Hachalu Hundessa. Extra judicial killings of many other public figures have been taking place under the watch of Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed. We believe that the Oromo- phobia stance of the regime led by Abiy Ahmed is the prime cause for all the massacre and the unfolding political crises in the country. From Day One of his inauguration the prime minister embarked on praising and erecting statues for the past emperors and dictators disregarding the deep historical wounds, collective bad memories and anger of the people who suffered under those rulers. The rulers whom Abiy Ahmed made his role models are known to commit gross genocide against different ethnic groups of the country during their reigns. Moreover, in multinational Ethiopia, the disparaging and anti-Oromo discourse the Prime Minster of Ethiopia has been engaged in, coupled with his stance of undermining the national struggle of all nations and nationalities for self-rule and justice and instead of rebuilding a unitary state, is the major reason for hostilities and disharmony in the country. Such antithetical and back steps approach of the Abiy administration has proved not only the Prime Minister’s inefficiency in handling the country’s fragile politics but also signaling an ever-extraordinary genocide and civil war in the country of over 110 million people. The two year and plus rule of Abiy Ahmed has been typified with instability, conflicts, evictions, and undeclared state of emergency. Impunity has become a defining characteristic of Abiy’s administration as the world is aware of the killings of prominent figures such as the country’s national defense chief staff, a retired senior defense force member, Chief Executive of the Ethiopian Renascence Dam, top level officials of Amhara regional state, dozens of Oromo students in Amhara region universities, other Oromo intellectuals and the massacre of more than 400 mothers and children of Gumuz ethnic members among others. On top of such horrors Abiy’s regime is committing outrageous killings, burning of farmers’ houses, jailing of Oromo youth and parents across the Oromia region by imposing a Command Post. The military rule committing unspeakable atrocities against humanity across the Oromia region, a little portion of which was reported by the recent Amnesty International’s report on Ethiopia. The regime is specifically targeting Oromo, Oromia and senior Oromo oppositions parties such as Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) and Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC) which have mass support in the country, and committing genocide and gross human right violation against our people. The OLF higher officials such as Mr. Abdi Ragassa and others are still suffering and languishing in jail. Following assassination of the late rising star Hachalu Hundessa, the Ethiopian government detained the Prominent Oromo human right activist and former Oromia Media Network Executive Director Mr. Jawar Mohamed and the Oromo Federalist Congress Higher official and Oromo prominent politician, Mr, Bekele Gerba, killed over 100 innocent Oromo including Hachalu’s cousin and friend, injured hundreds, jailed thousands, and shutdown internet and phone lines. Having examined the human rights records of Abiy Ahmed and concerned about ensuing crises that could devastate Ethiopia, we, the Oromo Community in Edmonton and around in Alberta resolutely state that: ✓ We firmly condemn the shocking assassination of artist Hachaluu Hundessa for the mere reason that he expressed his opinion on current and past political issues, a week ago, on Oromia Media Network (OMN). ✓ We strongly urge the Ethiopian government to release Jawar Mohamed, Abdi Ragassa, Bekele Gerba and all other Oromo political prisoners, stop killing and jailing innocent civilians, burning of farmers’ houses, displacing and committing other atrocities against civilians. ✓ We earnestly appeal to the Canadian Government and the International Community to put maximum pressure on the Ethiopian Prime Minister, the abuser of the Nobel Peace Prize to stepdown immediately before the country plunges into civil war. ✓ We appeal to the Canadian Government and the International Community to put economic embargo on Abiy Ahmed until he reverses the unconstitutional extension of his office term. We fear that the world is going to witness a colossal crisis not only in Ethiopia but also in the eastern African region because of a potential civil war in the country. ✓ We plead to the Canadian Government to help establish immediately an independent inquiry commission at a UN level to examine gross human rights violations in Ethiopia, particularly in the Oromia region during the rule of Abiy Ahmed so that culprits and perpetrators face justice. ✓ We also appeal to the international human rights groups to undertake an independent research on human rights to help unseat Abiy Ahmed, who turned to be a liability to the international community by failing to live up to Nobel Peace Prize ideals. ✓ We appeal to the Canadian Government and the International Community to pressure Abiy’s regime to restore Internet and phone services immediately, withdraw his military command post from Oromia region and leave peacekeeping to the Oromo traditional Abbaa Gadaas. ✓ We appeal to the Canadian government and the International Community to pressure Abiy’s regime to form a transitional government, including all opposition political parties, community leaders, and traditional elders. ✓ We would like to remind the Canadian Government and the International Community to take clear stance against Abiy’s regime which is banking on instability, hostility, and bloodshed to stay in power despite the clear danger of looming civil war. ✓ In conclusion, we would like to express condolences and solidarity with Hachalu’s family, friends, and the Oromo society during this difficult time. Kind Regards, Oromian Community Association Of Northern Alberta (OCANA) .