The Ethiopian authorities arbitrarily arrested a number of peaceful protesters, journalists and opposition party leaders in the context of a brutal crackdown on ongoing protests in the Oromia Region which started in November. Those arrested are at risk of torture and other ill-treatment and should be immediately and unconditionally released.

URGENT ACTION

PEACEFUL OROMO PROTESTERS MUST BE RELEASED

The Ethiopian authorities arbitrarily arrested a number of peaceful protesters, journalists and opposition party leaders in the context of a brutal crackdown on ongoing protests in the Oromia Region which started in November. Those arrested are at risk of torture and other ill-treatment and should be immediately and unconditionally released.
Diribie Erga, age 60, was arbitrarily arrested at her home in Ambo Town, in Ethiopia’s Oromia Region, around 2 pm on 18 December by a group of plainclothes security officials and the Federal Police after they searched her home. Diribie Erga was Member of the Federal Parliament representing Jeldu District from 2005-2010. Diribie Erga resigned from her leadership position in the Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC) party in 2010.
Diribie Erga was not served with either a search or arrest warrant. She is currently being held at the Federal Police Central Investigation Centre (Maekelawi) in Addis Ababa without access to lawyers or family members. Her arrest has not yet been reviewed by a competent court. Diribie Erga requires medication for asthma, blood pressure and kidney problems. Family members have been prevented from providing her with the medication and food suitable for her conditions.
Diribie Erga has been the subject of arbitrary arrest by Ethiopian security officials and the police previously. In 2004, when she was a candidate with the OFC party for the Federal Parliament, she was arrested at the Palace in Ambo Town where she suffered beatings and injuries.
Diribie Erga’s current arrest has taken place in the context of an ongoing government crackdown on the Oromia protests that started in November against the government’s master plan to integrate parts of Oromia into the capital Addis Ababa. On 15 December, the Ethiopian government labelled the protesters as “terrorists” and escalated its response to the protests resulting in deaths, injuries, and mass arrest of protesters, opposition party leaders and journalists. Bekele Gerba (Deputy Chair, OFC), Getachew Shiferaw (Editor-in-Chief of the online newspaper Negere Ethiopia), Yonathan Teressa (an online activist) and Fikadu Mirkana (Oromia Radio and TV) are few of those arrested following the current protests.
Amnesty International considers them to be prisoners of conscience detained solely for peacefully exercising their right to peaceful assembly. They are at imminent risk of torture and other forms of ill-treatment.
Please write immediately in Amharic, English or your own language:
 Urging the Ethiopian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Diribie Erga and the peaceful protesters, journalists and opposition party leaders arrested in the recent crackdown against Oromia protesters, and to ensure that they are not subjected to torture or other ill-treatment;
 Calling on them to immediately cease the use of excessive force against protesters in accordance to the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials;
 Urging them to conduct a thorough, independent and impartial investigation into human rights violations committed in the context of the Oromia protests and provide effective remedies for the victims.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 17 FEBRUARY 2016 TO:
Prime Minister
Hailemariam Dessalegn
FDRE Prime Minister
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Fax: +251 11 122 6292
Salutation: Your Excellency
Minister
Amb. Kassa Teklebirhan
FDRE Ministry of Federal Affairs
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Fax: +251.11 551 1200/551 3926
Salutation: Your Excellency
And copies to:
Minister of Justice
Getachew Ambaye
FDRE Ministry of Justice
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Fax: +251 11 551 7775
Email: justabr@ethionet.et
Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please insert local diplomatic addresses below:
Name Address 1 Address 2 Address 3 Fax Fax number Email Email address Salutation Salutation
Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date.

PDF Document:AFR2531482016ENGLISH (1)