Oromo Prisoners Are Suffering In Ma’ikalawii and Karchelle Prisons

2006-07-28
Several Oromo nationalists incarcerated in the so called "karchelle prison" in Finfinnee are suffering from continuous beating and different forms of torture. Despite their appeals to various governmental and humanitarian organizations, their situation is deteriorating
It is known that several Oromo nationalists who have been arrested in connection to the popular uprising since November 09, 2005. Reliable sources from Oromia reported that many of the prisoners in the so called "karchelle prison" in Finfinnee are suffering from continuous beating and different forms of torture. Although these prisoners have appealed to various governmental and humanitarian organizations, their situation is deteriorating from time to time and their suffering (torture) by the government agents is intensified.A. Those whose are unable to hear form cruel beating in Karchelle 1. Assafaa Lataa, age 25, arrested from Ambo 2. Guddataa Shubee, age 24, arrested from Finfinnee (Addis Ababa) 3. Taammiruu Alamaayyoo, age 30, arrested from Geedo 4. Asfaw Waltajjii, age 25, arrested from HoplotaB. Those whose hands became out of use in Karchelle1. Daawit Urgaa, age 22, arrested from Ambo 2. Laaqo G/ tsaadiq, age 40, arrested from Meetta RoobiiMean while, several Oromo prisoners from Ma'ikalawii and karchelle prisons[…], who have been arrested from their work, their home and their life are appealing to the Oromo people, all concerned nationals, international organizations, and humanitarian organizations. The prisoners say that they have been arrested only because of their Oromoness and Wayyaanes and their instrument OPDO fear that they would incite the people to fight for their democratic right. The prisoners said that the Wayyaanee government agents are continuously engaged in a cruel torture that a human being would not do on another human being. They take our brothers and sisters away from us at any time they want and beat them, harass them, and return them back to us after making them physically disabled. Some are taken to court, but after the court gave them a verdict to be released by calling a guarantor, they refuse to release and keep them in prison. There are many others whose file is totally closed, but they subjected to remain in the prison for an indefinite period of time. The Oromo prisoners in Ma’ikalawii and Karchellee further said that the TPLF’s dream of trying to demoralize the Oromo people and make them hopeless by keeping the Oromo in prison is a very backward philosophy. The Oromo, they say, is born with their inalienable right. Keeping us in prison and torturing us will not and should not keep us from struggling for our right, they said. Mandela of South Africa was kept in the prison of the apartied regime for 27, but the truth came out finally and he was released. Similarly, keeping us in prison and the inhuman torture of the TPLF agents wouldn’t terrorize us, it will rather intensify the struggle for freedom, they said. Therefore, we prisoners in Ma’ikalawii and Karchelle ask all Oromos at home and around the world: 1. To intensify the popular uprising at home and put pressure on the Government by demanding for our unconditional release. 2. Those Oromos outside of the country and around the world should write a letter about our situation to various governmental and non governmental bodies, should stage a peaceful demonstration demanding for our release. 3. We ask all humanitarian organizations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and others to put pressure on the current regime by demanding our release. 4. We ask the ambassadors of various countries in Ethiopia to come and visit us and explain our situation to the world. 5. We ask all Oromos in the Wayyaanee parliament to appeal to the Government and to the world about our situation. […]
Source: UNPO