Ethiopia: The Government is accountable for the death of a political prisoner at an Ethiopian Jail

 HRLHA Statement

August 26, 2013

The Human Rights League of the Horn of Africa strongly condemns the atrocious torture and inhuman treatment by the Ethiopian government against its citizens and hold it accountable for the   death of a political prisoner and prisoner of conscience Engineer Tesfahun Chemeda on August 24, 2013 in Kaliti prison.

                                                                                                                                    Tesfahun Chemeda

HRLHA informants confirmed that Engineer Chemed died in Kaliti Penitentiary due to the severe torture inflicted on him while he was in different detentions centers from 2007 until the day he died. We also protest the fact that he was denied medical treatment by the government.

Engeener Tesfahun Chemeda, an Oromo national, was handed over by Kenyan authorities to Ethiopian Security agents in April 2007 from where he had granted a refugee status from UNHCR in Kenya after he had fled to Kenya to escape persecution by the EPRDF government of Ethiopia.

Engineer Tasfahun Chemeda was one of the 15 Oromo nationals   who was sentenced to life in prison in 2010 by the Ethiopian court  (http://humanrightsleague.com/2010/07/a-call-for-the-reversal-of-the-racial-politically-motivated-and-discriminatory-sentence-by-a-court-in-ethiopia/ for his activism and political beliefs that were different from the ruling EPRDF government of Ethiopia

The Ethiopian Government is accountable for

1. Torturing Mr. Chemeda in prison, thereby violating the 1984 Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, an agreement which Ethiopia signed and ratified in 1994

2. For denying Engineer Tesfahun medical treatment, violating the rights of prisoners which are clearly stated in international law and International covenants on civil and political rights article 10(1) “. All persons deprived of their liberty shall be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person”. and  Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the Rights of Persons Held in Custody and Convicted Prisoners article 21 (1) “All persons held in custody and persons imprisoned upon conviction and sentencing have the right to treatments respecting their human dignity”.

By handing over the Oromo refugees and others, the Kenyan Government is also breaching its obligations under international treaties as well as customary laws.

1. Under the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (1465 U.N.T.S. 185,) the Kenyan Government has the obligation not to return a person to a place where they will face torture or ill-treatment.
2.  Article 3 of the Convention against Torture provides: No state party shall expel, return (“refouler”) or extradite a person to another state where there are substantial grounds to believe that they would be in danger of being subjected to torture.

The Human Rights League of the Horn of Africa calls upon the Ethiopian authorities to immediately carry out an independent investigation into Engineer Tesfahun’s death, including whether torture played a part in his death, and disclose to the public anyone found responsible and bring that person to justice. The HRLHA also calls upon the Western political allies of the TPLF/EPRDF Government of Ethiopia to exert pressures so that it is forced to turn around and start working on the genuine democratization of the country, halting the systematic elimination of citizens who demand basic rights and fundamental freedoms,

Finally we extend our condolences to Tesfahun’s  family and friends in their time of grief as well as all Ethiopians who have been falsely accused, illegally detained or wrongly killed at the hands of a brutal and hypocritical regime. Engineer Tesfahun is just one of thousands of victims of the EPRDF government’s campaign of violence, repression and efforts to curtail basic freedoms and fundamental rights of Ethiopians at all costs.

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Ethiopia: The Justice System Becoming a Political Tool in Ethiopia

HRLHA - Calls for Reversal of Racially and Politically Motivated Sentences 
August 15, 2013

Press Release 

The Federal High Court of Ethiopia sentenced 21 Oromo Nationals (most of whom are university students) to as much as 2-8 years in prison on 7th August, 2013. The report HRLHA received indicates that all of them have spent about three years pending trials on alleged charges of collaborating with the opposition organization of Oromo Liberation Front with the intention of committing terrorist crimes. According to information obtained by HRLHA through its correspondents, most of the defendants were very young Oromo students picked up at different times from different universities and colleges in the regional state of Oromia and other parts of the country 

HAWAASTI OROMOO GOOTICHA OROMOO, INJ TASFAHUUN CAMADAA FI ILMAAN OROMOO WAYYAANEEN AJJEEFAMAN YAADATAN

(Madda Oduu ABO/MOA/ Melbourne, Fulbaana 2, 2013) Konyaan ABO Victoria gooticha Oromoo mana hidhaa Wayyaanee keessatti ajjeefame, Injinar Tasfaahuun Camadaa, ilaalchisuun sagantaa yaadannoo mata duree “Oromiyaaf Haa Dubbannu” jedhu jalatti qopheesse; hawaasa Oromoo magaalaa Melbourne  waliin marii gaggeeffate.

Sagantaa yaadannoo fi marii hawaasaa Fulbaana 1, 2013 waaree booda Galma Scientology magaalaa Melbourne keessatti gaggeeffame irratti gooticha Oromoo mana hidhaa wayyaanee keessatti ajjeefame, Inj.Tasfahuun Camadaa dabalatee, ilmaan Oromoo haala, yeroo fi bakkoota adda addaatti wareegaman yaadachiisuun ture.

Yaadannoo gaggeeffametti aansuun Ob. Bantii Oliiqaa Dura Taa’aan konyaa ABO kan VIC hirmaattota marichaa waamicha yeroo gabaabaa kana keessatti taasifame kabajanii miidhaan ummata keessanii isin quuqee asitti argamuu keessaniif hedduu galatoomaa erga jedhanii booda akeekni marichaa ibsaniiru.

Ob Bantiin akka ibsanitti akeekne sagantichaa ajjeefamuu goota Oromoo Injinar Tasfaahuun Camadaa, akkasumas Ummata Oromoo dhiyeenya kana Kofalee, Aniyyaa, Boorana, Karrayyuu, Walloo, Wallaga bahaa fi dhiyaatti, walumaagalatti guutuu Oromiyaa keessatti gahaa jiru balaaleffachuu dha.

“Kanuma waliin miidhaa, dararaa fi roorroo ummata keenya biyya keessaa fi kanneen  baqatanii biyyoota ollaatti bahan irra gahaa jiru attamiin akka falmachuu qabnu, nuti warri biyya nagaa fi bilisa keessa jirru maal gochuu dandeenya? Attamii fi yoom??  kan jedhu irratti marii gaggeeffannee sagnataa hojii fuula duraa waliin akeekkachuuf,” jedhaniiru.

Miidhaa fi roorroo ummata Oromoo irra gahaa jiru ilaalchisuun kanneen raga bahan keessaa mana hidhaa Wayyaanee keessa Injinar Tasfaahun Camadaa waliin turtee dhiyeenya kana kan baate, Addee Lalisoo Wadaajoo akka ibsitetti roorro fi dararaa Ummata Oromoo irra gahaa jiru hedduu ulfaataa fi hamaa dha. “Miidhaa gahaa jiru jechootan ittiin ibsu hin qabu, hedduu hamaa fi sukkaneessaa dha,” kan jette Ad Laliseen, “haata’uutii hidhamtooti Oromoo hundi isaanii jajjaboo, abjuu boru wareegama ilmaan Oromoon ni bilisoomna jedhu abjootu malee hidhamtoota laafanii haamlee wal laaffisan argee hin beeku,” jechuun jabina hidhaa fi dararaa keessatti illee qaban addeessitee jirti.

“Addatti ammoo Tasfaahuun Camaadaa nama hunda keenya jajjabeessu, haamlee keenya haaromsu,“ Jabaadhaa! Kanas Irraa aanna, ni moonaa!” jedhee carraa nu arge hundatti nu jajjabeessuu, haamlee keenya eeguuf jedhee  miidhaa fi dararaa isarra gahaa ture takkaa nama hin dubbanne, garuu ammoo amma mana murtii waliin nu geessaa turanitti dararaa irraa gahaa tureen miidhamni guddaan qaama isaa irraa akka mul’achaa ture, qobaatti baasanii kutaa dukkanaatti waan galchaniif galmee himannaa keenyaa Tasfaahun Camadaa waamamu illee nu waliin mana murtii akka hin dhaqne waan godhaniif haaromsa qalbiin keenya isa irraa argataa turre otoo dheebonnuu ani hiikamee ijoollee fi maatii koo dheebodhetti yommuun dabalamu gootichi Oromoo Iinjinar Tasfaahuun du’uu isaa yommuun dhagahu gadda guddaatu natti dhagahame jechuun raga baatee jirti.

“Gumaa gootota keenyaa kan baafnu, abdii fi hawwii wareegamtootaa fi hidhamtoota keenyaa kudhaammannee harka wal qabannee tokko ta’uun sirna wayyaanee cabsinee bilisummaa keenya yoo dhugoomse qofa,” kan jette Ad Laliseen, “sabni keenya maal gochuu akka qabuu fi danda’u waliin maryatee umurii sirna garboomsaa waan gabaabsu irratti bobba’uu qaba,” jechuun dhaamtee jirti.

Biyya Sudaan baqattummaan otuu jiraatuu ukkaamsamee mootummaa Wayyaaneetti dabarfamee kannamuun mana hidhaa maa’ikalaawwi keessatti dararamaa kan ture Ob. Fayisal Mahaammad gama isaatiin raga bahummaa kenne keessatti  hidhaa fi hiraarsaan ulfaataan biyya keessaa fi biyya ollaa keessatti gahaa akka jiru mirkaneesse.

“Biyyuma Sudaan keessatti ji’a afuriif erga nu hidhanii booda harka, miilla fi ija keenya nu hidhanii karaa Matammaa Mootummaa Itoophiyaatti nu darbatame ; sana boodan Tasfaahun Camadaa fa’aa Maa’ikalaawiitti arge,” kan jedhe Ob Fayisal, “dararaan mana hidhaatti ilmaan Oromoo irra gahu yaadachuunuu mata isaatiinuu waan nama dhukkubsuuf jechaan ibsuun natti ulfaata,,” jedhee jira.

“Haa ta’u malee hidhamtoonni Oromoo akkuma Obboleettiin koo Laliseen jettee takkaa hamlee kutatanii hin beekan,” kan jedhe Ob Fayisal, yeroo mana hidhaa san keessaa bilisaan isa gadhiisan dhaamsa Tasfaahuun isatti hime deebisee ummataaf ibsee jira.

“Warri har’a shororkeessitoota jedhanii hidhanii nu dararaa jiran kaleessa “Wanbadee” jedhamanii waamamaa akka turan haa yaadannu, Barri ni dabartii, Haqaa fi mirga keenya falmachuu irratti haa Jabaannu!” akka jedhe kan hime Ob Fayisal, gumaa gootowwan keenyaa baasuuf dhaamsa nuuf dhaamanii darban qalbeeffannee Wayyaanee qawween malee aangoo gadhiisuuf hin jirreef garaa laafuu dhiifnee tokkummaan dhaaba qabnu ABO fi WBO  haa jabeeffannu jechuun dhaamaniiru.

Qindeessaa Gurmuu Tumsa Oromoo kan Australia Ob. Maaramaa Quufii:  marii kana irratti dhiittaa mirga dhala namaa Ummata Oromoo irra gahaa turee fi jiru addunyaan akka beekee ummata Oromoof gurra kennu hojiilee jajjabduu hojjachaa akka jiru ibsan.

Ibsootaa fi odeeffannooleen OSGAn mootummoota Addunyaa fi “NGO” mootummaa Itophiyaa irratti dhiibbaa gochuu danda’an maraaf dabarsaa turee jiru hedduu ta’an illee har’a hunda kan caalu ragaa ijaa Addee Lalisee fi ob. Fayisal nuuf ibsan arganneerra. Miidhaa fi dararaa, roorroo fi Cunqursaa Ummata Oromoo irra gahaa turee fi jiru ibsuuf ragaan kana caala barbaadamu hin jiru.

Cunqursaa, gabrumma, dararaa fi rorroo ummata Oromoo irra gahaa jiru, hunduu miidhaadha. Akka sabaatti yoo ilaallu kan hunda caala nu dhukkubsu alagaan qee keenya irratti nutty roorrisuudha. Roorro kana hambisuuf Sabummaa keenya haa jabeeffannu, Oromummaa keenya ijaaruu irratti haa jabaannu! jechuun dhaamaniiru.

ABO bakka bu’uun marii kana irratti argamuun miidhaa fi dararaa, ajjeechaa fi roorroo Ummata Oromoo irra gahaa jiru kana qolachuuf hojiilee jajjaboo ABO hojjataa turee fi jiru kan ibsan MGS ABO fi gaafatamaan BBOA Ob. Gaashuu Lammeessaa turan.

Ibsa isaanii kana keessatti diddaa Ummatni Oromoo Habashoota irratti bara Minilikii kaasee agarsiisaa ture; Diddaa gaggeeffamaa turee fi jiru kana keessatti wareegamni gootowwanii fi hayyoota Oromoo hedduu akka ta’e yaadachiisan. Ficiloota Ummanno Oromoo bifa fi haala adda addaatiin gaggeessaa ture qindeessee Jaarmayaa Siyaasaa ititaatti kan jijjiire ABO, guyyaa hundeeffame irraa kaasee qabsoo hidhannoo, siyaasaa fi kan dipilomaasii qindeessee wareegama gurgurdaan injifannoolee cuccululuqoof duubatti deebi’uu hin dandeenye galmeesseera.

Qabsoon keenya jabaataa deemuu irraa diinni keenya Wayyaaneen yaaddoo guddaa waan qabduuf Ummata Oromoo Abdii kutachiisuuf miidhaan geessisaa jirtuus hedduu jabaachaa akka jirus ABO raga qabu irraa sirriitti hubata.

Akkuma fakkeenyaatti Wagguma tokkicha kana keessatti ABOtti hidhata qabdu sababa jedhu itti moggaafamee barattoonni Oromoo hidhaman kan galmeen dhaabaa beeku 497, Barsiiftonni 362, Qonnaan Bultoonni, hojjsttoonni, kanneen jiruu dhuunfaan jiraatan 1,757 akka ta’an ibsuun, lakkoofsi kun kan caasaan dhaabaa quba qabaatee gabaasee fi dhaabni ibsa itti baase qofa akka ta’e, baadiyyaalee Oromiyaa keessatti ajjeechaa, reebichaa fi hidhaa Ummata oromoo irra gahu ammoo lakkoofne akka bira gahuu hin dandeenye, kanneen hojii irraa har’aman, baruumsa irraa ari’amanis baayyina isaanii irraa as irratti akka hi ibsamne addeessan.

Kanuma waliin jedhan Ob. Gaashuun hordoftoonni Amantii Musiliimaa guyyaa guyyaan FF keessatti mirgi amantii isaanii akka kabajamuuf hiriira bahanii gaafachaa jiru, hoggantoota isaanii malee kan hidhame hin jiru, Habashoonni guutuu biyyaatti hiriira Mormii gaggeessaa jiru, kan isaan hidhu hin jiru.

Isilaamoonni Oromoo Asaasaa irratti, Kofalee irratti Wallo irratti, Anfilloo irratti hiriira bahu jedhamee waan yaadame qofaaf maaliif rasaasaan simataman? Yakki Ummata Oromoo Aniyyaa irra gahe, kan Karrayyuu irra gahe, kan Boorana irra gahe lakkofnee kan keessaa baanu hin ta’u.

ABO miidhaa fi dararaa kana hunda hambisuun kan danda’amu hojii fi qabsoodhaan jedhee qabsoo hidhannoo, siyaasaa fi kan dipilomaasii qindeessuun yeroo kamuu caala jabaatee hojjataa jira. Miidhaa Ummata keenya irra gahaa jiru raga guutuu waliin ibsoota adda akka dhaabaatti bahutti qabsiisee addunyaa fi Ummata Oromoo beeksisaa jira. Kun qofti gahaa miti. Mirtiin isaa Ummata Oromoo harka jira. Gabrummaa baadhee bara baraan hidhii xuuxuu ykn Sirna Wayyaanee hundeen buqqisuuf hojii ABO hojjataa jiru tumsee himneessuun galii QBO dhiyeessuu keessaa qooda fudhachuu fi dhiisuu kan jedhu murteeffachuun, kan Ummata Oromooti. Ummatni Oromoo of gaafachuu qaba jedhaniiru.

Marii kana irratti walaloon Qaallitti dubbadhu jedhu miidhaa fi dararaa akkasumas ajjeechaa mana hidhaa Qaallittii keessatti gaggeeffamaa turee fi jiru qalbeeffachiisu dargaggoo Aluulaa Moosisaan dhiyaate qalbii hawaasaa kan harkise ture.

Hirmaattota irraas yaadonni bilchaataa fi ijaaraan dhiyaatan ABO dhugumatti qabsootti akka jiru nu caala diinni raga bahaa jira. Qabsicha keessaa ala of baafnee ususuu dhiifnee ABO jabeessuu qabna. Hojiileen akka hawaasaatti hojjannu amma Jaarmayaa siyaasaa jabaa hin qabaannetti bilisummaan hawwinuun nu hin gahu.

Kanaaf dhaaba qabnu ABO, Waraana guddaa qabnu WBO jabeessuuf haa murteeffannu;

Hidhannoon keenya guddaan tokkummaa keenya. Hidhannoo keenya kana jabeeffachuun qaawwa diinni ittiin nu seenu hunda cufachuu qabna. Ijaaramuu, Oromummaan wal jaalachuu, wal guddisuu, wal jala deemuu, wal amantaa keenya haa gabbifannu,

Sagalee Ummata keenyaa haa dhageessifnu, sagalee Ummataa fi qabsoo keenyaa ol kaasuuf hawaasa Oromoo addunyaa guutuu keessa faffacaanee jiraannu qindoomina akka qabaannuuf akka irratti hojjatamu;

“Media” jabaa kan Oromoo fi Oromummaa irratti hojjatu haa horannu, hogeeyyonni hojii kana qindeessuu irratti, hawaasni Oromoo bal’aan ammoo waan danda’u gumaachuuf akka of qopheessinu

Kana booda laafina keenya irratti dhiifnee jabina keenya irratti akka xiyyeeffannu! Fi kkf dhimmoota jajjaboo QBO humneessan dhiyeessuun qaamota dhimmi ilaalutti akeekuun haamlee fi fuula xiiqii gumaa gootowwan keenyaa baasuuf gahee koo nan bahadha jedhu agarsiisuun milkiin goolabameera

Malkaa Caffee: Dubbadhu Qaallittii! (Oromo-Oromia) - Jaal Tasfahuun Camadaa

ETHIOPIAN REGIME KILLS 25 PEACEFUL PROTESTERS AND ARREST 1,500 CIVILIANS

ETHIOPIAN REGIME KILLS 25 PEACEFUL PROTESTERS AND ARREST 1,500 CIVILIANS

By 4589  |  Posted August 3, 2013  

 

CNN PRODUCER NOTE    

August 3, 2013 - Ethiopian government forces open fire on unarmed demonstrators throughout the country, killing 25 and injuring dozens more, according to Ethiopian activists who took part in the demonstrations.

One witness says at least one child was among the dead. He also stated government security forces arrested over 1,500 protesters on Friday.

For over a year, Ethiopian Muslims have been holding peaceful protests and mosque sit-ins over the regime's human rights abuses against their community and interference in their religion.

Diddaan Qeerroo Godina Wallagaa Aaanaa Anfilloo Itti Fufuu Irraan Mootummaan Wayyaanee Jeeqame

July 31, 2013 By Qeerroo in Oduu/News Leave a comment

Adoolessa 30, 2013 Anfilloo

Akkuma beekamu baatii hedduu kan hin turre mootummaan wayyaanee qabeenyaa uummata oromoo saamee fi saamsisuu irra darbee naannolee adda addaatti qabeenyaa saba oromoo qofa mancaasisee uummata harka-qallina jireenyaa fi hiyyummaaf saaxilaa jiraachuun isaa kan beekame tahee,yeroo dhiyoo asitti jiraattota qonnaan bulaa godina Qellem aanaa Anfilloo jedhamu irra jiraatan ajajamuu diduu irraan,qabiyyee uummataa qabeenyaa isaatti jijjiirrachuun yakka sababa hin taaneen uummata oromoo mana hidhaatti guuraa akka ture,qabeenyaa uummmata oromoo addatti qabeenyaa Bunaa jireenya uummata naannoo kanaaf hirkoo kan tahe bor qarshii miliyoona baasuu danda’u uummata kana waan godhu dhabuu irraan qabeenyaa Bunaa ciree balleessaa tureera,kunis doorsisa bittaa isaa tahullee uummata kana mana hidhaatti guuraa jirtu.

Haalli kun amma illee daran hammaachaa deemuu irraan ummatis diddaa isaa itti fufee jira.

Haala kanaan Qeerroon aanaa Qeellam Adoolessa 29-30,2013 barruulee warraaqsaa mormii sirna Wayyaanee fi gochaalee farraa mootummichaa kan muldhisu maxxansaa fi alaabaa ABO bakkoota adda addaatti fannisaa  jiru. Haalli kunis heddumminaan manneen barnootaa fi waajiraalee hojii mootummaa irratti waan baayyateef jecha mootummaan wayyaanee rifaatuu guddaa keessa galee jiraachuu qeerroon gabaasa.

Waraqaa maxxansuu ilaalchisee. Kun yeroodhaa yerootti maxxanfamaa ture jira. Waraqaa maxxansuu irratti baayinan tahullee hanga tokko yeroo darbe hidhamuu namootaa irratti magaalaa Muggii keessatti waraqaa dhaadannoowwan :

•  Hidhamuun Keenya Garbummaatti Nun Hambisu!
• Wayyaaneef Hin Jilbeenfannu!
•  Amantaan Garagara Tahuun Keenya Tokkummaa Keenya!
• Oromiyaan Ni Bilisoomti!
• WBOn Ni Injifata!

Kan jedhu waajjiralee magaalaa fi manneen barnootaa jalatti maxxanfamee jiraachuun gabaafame.

Forced Returns to Ethiopia could end with a human rights disaster.

Wednesday, 17 July 2013

Norwegian authorities are now beginning to send Ethiopians out of the country by force. Norway is the only European country that has signed an agreement forcibly returned to Ethiopia, and everything should be ready to perform the initial mailings. For ten days ago, a Ethiopian linked to an illegal opposition party arrested to be deported. After it was presented new information in the case, he was released and Immigration Tribunal will now consider the matter.

Forced Returns to Ethiopia could end with a human rights disaster. For some Ethiopians will probably return visit quite good, while others will be exposed if they returned. There is reason to fear that political dissidents and government critics sent back to torture or other serious abuse.

Many Ethiopians have lived in Norway and has been politically active here. Several of them have been granted protection in Norway over the past year, because Norwegian authorities acknowledge that many dissidents Ethiopians risk persecution. However, there are some people associated with illegal opposition parties have been denied. NOAS fear that these people risk serious abuse if they are returned.

Ethiopia is a very authoritarian regime, and the government commits extensive human rights violations against its own people. The Ethiopian regime spends considerable resources on monitoring and imprison its critics, whether it is about opposition politicians, journalists and civil activists. Civil society gagged, and Ethiopian government prohibits foreign organizations working on democracy and human rights. There are no independent media left, and Ethiopia in recent years has been the African country most journalists have fled.

Norwegian authorities concluded nevertheless a return agreement with Ethiopia last year. The deal provoked strong reactions. For example, the United Nations expressed concern about the consequences of forced returns. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights questioned whether Norway could ensure that the Ethiopian authorities held the absolute prohibition of torture.

Since no country has so far sent back opposing Ethiopians, no one knows the consequences of the political activity will get. There are several indications that the opposition Ethiopians can face severe sanctions upon return.

When NOAS visited Ethiopia last year, we were told by a representative of the Ethiopian authorities that the activity of illegal opposition parties will have consequences. Several other sources believed that people who are active in illegal fundraising abroad, risking serious abuse if they are returned.

Ethiopian authorities have enacted anti-terror laws which, according to international human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch used to silence political opponents and journalists opinion. Ethiopian authorities have categorized several opposition parties as terrorist organizations. Assistance to, or mention of, these parties punished with years of jail.

Martin Schibbye and Johan Persson, the Swedish journalists arrested in Ethiopia in 2011, was sentenced to severe penalties for supporting terrorism, but was later pardoned. During a visit to Norway earlier this year said that many of their fellow prisoners imprisoned because of oppositional activity or criticism of the government. They stressed that the Ethiopians who were exposed to the same charges as those, meetings far more serious reactions.

Ethiopian authorities monitor dissidents Ethiopians in Norway extensively. The Ethiopian regime has thus a good overview of who has taken part in opposition activities or uttered his authority critical as they have lived in Norway.

The human rights situation in Ethiopia is worsened in recent years. Freedom of the press in the country is gradually tightened, and the persecution of political opponents intensified. Attacks on opposition's of actors at different levels and in different parts of the country. Ethiopia experts stressed that there is considerable arbitrariness both what it takes to be imprisoned, and the reactions of persons subjected to in prison. It is not possible to predict exactly what the reactions against government critics and opposition politicians will be, and the imprisonment and torture can not be excluded.

According return agreement between Norway and Ethiopia, the Ethiopian authorities responsible for the returned - the same government that persecutes its critics. No UN agencies or independent organization to oversee the repatriation and reintegration.

Return agreement contains no guarantees that returned Ethiopians will not be subjected to harassment and abuse. Return agreements with Afghanistan and Iraq commits authorities there to "take the necessary measures to ensure that Afghans / Iraqis can return without fear of harassment, intimidation, persecution, discrimination, prosecution or penalties of any kind." A similar formulation is not in return agreement with Ethiopia, despite the fact that many Ethiopian asylum seekers just fleeing government persecution, and not a difficult security situation, as is the case for most Afghans and Iraqis.

It is highly uncertain what will happen to the Ethiopians sent back, especially those who have been involved in illegal political opposition. The fact that Norway still returning such person is a dangerous experiment. If there is a real risk of torture or other serious offenses, the Norwegian authorities obliged under international law to provide protection. To return opposing Ethiopians is to gamble with human lives.