Where are our lawyers and human rights advocates when we need them?
If Human Rights Watch can bring a case against the government of the Sudan, like they did yesterday, why can't we do the same?
I seriously believe that it is really about time that the Ethiopian opposition and all those who care for human rights in our country begin collecting well documented facts about the uncountable abuses, killings and atrocities like rape and torture of prisoners that have been committed by the current Ethiopian government since 1991. Fact finding teams should be set up in the US, Canada, Europe and East Africa. The UN, EU, the US, Red Cross, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch should be continuously pressured to send fact finding missions. Serious measures should also be taken to set up a legal FUND and a LEGAL TEAM to act as advisors and to build a case. If Human Rights Watch can bring a case against the government of the Sudan, like they did yesterday, why can't we do the same? See related article from NY Times of today by opening this link:
A good number of these officials and their subordinates are good candidates which qualify and deserve to be brought in front of a tribunal charged with crimes against humanity.
Starting from the acts of persecution of Amharas in Arussi and Harrar/Dire Dawa in the early 1990's, and later crimes against Amharas and Oromos in Wollega, state supported, ethnic conflicts in Gudgi, Derassa, Wollayta, massacre of over 400 in Gambella, and the current killings and atrocities of every Ethiopian that stands for freedom and democracy are more than sufficient charges.
The allegation that the Ethiopian government is habitually forcing political prisoners to shave each other's heads sharing the same razor blade amongst tens and hundreds of prisoners, ever since the Addis Ababa University disturbances a few years ago, is extremely worrying because it has been reported repeatedly by many observers and news services that this same crime is being perpetrated in Dedessa and other prison (concentration) camps even today.
Mind you, no disinfectant is provided to the prisoners and the Ethiopian government knows full well that HIV infection in some of these areas where the prisoners came from ranges from 1 in 8 to 1 in 12. Ladies and gentlemen, this is not negligence or lack of knowledge. It is one of the worst forms of psychological warfare and a very insidious and devilish way of committing murder or even genocide against supporters of Democracy in Ethiopia. The government and its henchmen may be doing this in vengeance, wishing a slow and tragic death for those who disagree with their policies. What is more scary is the possibility that the government may be doing this thinking they can get away with a genocide campaign for which it will be almost impossible to produce evidence. The government can claim that they never had such a motive and, more importantly, they can claim the victims must have gotten infected with HIV before their incarceration. The whole scenario is really tragic, but must be immediately looked into and stopped. We have to cry and plead with every major human right organization and the UN to investigate all such allegations. TG
