The Macha-Tulama Cooperative and Development Association (MTA), USA, Inc.

Press Release October 12, 2011

Illegal imprisonment of Macha-Tulama officials

As all its predecessors, the current dictatorial and terrorist regime of Ethiopia came to state power and managed to stay in office through brutal force for twenty years. Since it grabbed state power by force, the main target of its hidden war and terrorism is the Oromo people. This Tigrayan-led regime has been employing all means of violence, terrorism, intimidation, torture, harassment, throwing thousands of innocent people in prison camps by branding them with unsubstantiated labels. Furthermore, thousands of Oromo peasants, artists, intellectuals and students with any political dissent have been forced into exile. Independent political and civic associations were outlawed. Only those who bowed down to the will of the regime have been spared and they are used by the government as pawns.

The Macha-Tulama Self-help and Development Association are among many independent Oromo civic associations that have been surviving under the continuous attack by the brutal state machinery of Meles Zenawi. Sadly, the international community had been watching silently while the Ethiopian regime raided the Macha-Tulama office in Finfinnee (Addis Ababa) and confiscated its property and thrown the leaders into jail in 2004. Continuing its crimes against Oromo leaders, recently in September 2011, the Ethiopian dictatorial regime repeated with impunity the same fiasco once again. Regrettably, the international community has not raised its voice against this heinous crime against humanity.

The Macha-Tulama high officials Mr. Laggese Deti Dhaba, Mr. Mulugeta Riqitu and Sisay Sarbesa are all held incommunicado at the Maikelawi Torture Center in Finfinnee as of today. Mr. Dhaba was the Secretary General of Macha-Tulama Self-help Association for the year 2002- 2003. Mr. Dhaba has also served as the Chairman of History and Culture Committee of the association. He is a cultural expert of Oromo society, and hence imprisoning and attacking him is tantamount to destroying Oromo cultural resources and foundations. Similarly, his colleagues who have been imprisoned with him have deep interests in promoting Oromo history and culture. They are Mr. Mulugeta Rikitu, School Director and Board Member of MTA; and Mr. Sisay Serbesa, 3rd Year Student at Addis Ababa University.

These Oromo notables were detained on August 24 on their way home returning from a celebration of Gubaa Ceremony, one of the oldest Oromo original holidays celebrated in connection with the beginning of the New Year in early September. They are mainly targeted for showing respect and interest in Oromo cultural festivals and for showing mental independence in Oromo cultural renaissance. There is a serious concern as to the safety and well-being of these detainees. The Ethiopian regime has well documented history of using torture on detainees and extrajudicial execution in cold blood. The Macha-Tulama Cooperative and Development Association, USA, Inc. appeals to the US government, European governments, human rights groups, the UN, political leaders and the international community to urge the Ethiopian regime to release Mr. Legesse Deti Dhaba, Mr. Mulugeta Rikitu and Mr. Sisay Serbesa immediately and unconditionally, and to stop its ongoing war of intimidation and terror on the Oromo people.

Sincerely,

Board of Directors

Macha -Tulama Association, USA, INC.

Human Rights League of the Horn of Africa/HRLHA

 Press Release

Human Rights League of the Horn of Africa/HRLHA

 October 2011 - Somalia - Peoples’ Free Will; Not Coercions

The Human Rights League of the Horn of Africa strongly condemns the heinous and deadly terrorist attack carried out in the Somali Capital, Moqadisho  on the 4^th of October, 2011, in which 70 plus innocent civilians were killed, and more than one hundred others wounded. Among the dead were students who were waiting for scholarship application results at the office of the Ministry of Education. It is so saddening and so shameful to hear that a group who claims to have been fighting in the name of the Somalis targets innocent civilians in such an indiscriminate manner, and kills students (the younger generation) in the hands of whom is the future of the country and the people.

In today’s world of the 21^st century, when the maximum advancement, growth and maturity have been achieved in all aspects of human lives, and when all forms of communication, dialogue, negotiation, and peaceful resolution of conflicts are possible, it is difficult to find a reason as to why such deadly and destructive acts of terrorism are committed so indiscriminately. One of the reasons why Somalia has become an example of a failed state is because none of those groups who have been operating in the name of the Somalis has attempted to allow the ordinary Somalis to exercise their free will to make choices of their own, and be part of the decision making processes. The Somalis undoubtedly have a lot of socio-economic issues to be concerned and think about. Particularly at the present time, hard hit and taken up by severe drought and starvation, they are looking out into the hands of international communities for food - which they need to save as many lives threatened by the catastrophe as possible.

Any form of terrorist act is aimed at forcibly imposing one’s own wills and interests against the targeted group’s free will and/or consent. It would in no way bring a lasting solution to war torn countries and societies like Somalia. It is instead very likely that it would give rise to other different or similar forms of coercive systems.

HRLHA calls up on the Al-Shabab, the group that has claimed the responsibility of carrying out the deadly attack, to refrain from such terrorist acts against one’s own people, and engage in peaceful means of finding lasting solutions to the internal conflict of Somalia that has already caused enormous destructions.     

The HRLHA is a non-political and non-profit organization that attempts to challenge abuses of human rights of the people of various nations and nationalities in the Horn of Africa. It works on defending fundamental human rights including freedoms of thought, expression, movement and association. It also works on raising the awareness of individuals about their own fundamental human rights and that of others. It encourages the observances as well as due processes of law. It promotes the growth and development of free and vigorous civil societies.