Oromo Federalist Congress says those who committed extrajudicial killings should be brought to justice
May 4, 2014

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WASHINGTON, DC (Ethiomedia) - The opposition Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC) on Friday called on the government in Addis Ababa to terminate the controversial "Master Plan" immediately, bring the perpetrators of the extrajudicial killings to justice, and release all political prisoners and journalists without any preconditions. Following is OFC's full text entitled: "Killing, Imprisonment, Harassment etc. cannot be a solution for the legal and constitutional demand of the Oromo people; rather civilized and responsible option is the way out." One of the best traditions that the Oromo people own is their hospitality and human integration of even the people they conquered without any harassment. But unfortunately, they have never been reciprocated. However, the Oromo continued tolerating all atrocities and inhuman acts of uprooting them since the 19th century spearheaded by Minilik II.
In 1991 when the TPLF-led EPRDF took power the Oromos dreamt of the dawn of a new era, the era of liberation and equality whereby their dignity every aspect will be respected. However, the sour historical developments were unfolding within a short period of time. The constitution of the land that was put in place and formed EPRDF started to be violated before its ink dried.
This was taking place by incorporating Oromo lands to neighboring regions to create animosity against Oromos. Seeing silence and the Oromo patience on what was going on in this regard the TPLF-led EPRDF last month declared subtle conspiracy against the Oromo. The Oromos today are uprooted from their land without any proper compensation and land substitution under the guise of investment and "Integrated Development and Addis Ababa Master Plan," but in reality to continue the grabbing of the Oromo land. Any human being with normal mind can judge this unconstitutional move from any direction has inhuman act that goes against globally accepted human rights. There is nothing that can be brought as evidence than seeing 40 land ownership certificates found in the house of an official of TPLF/EPRDF now in prison.
According to the constitution the federal state was formed by the consensus of the National Regional State that has their own constitutional and boundaries demarcated there in. Accordingly, the Oromia National Regional State has boundary demarcated by law. Finfinne, which is the seat of FDRE and Oromia is a metropolitan city and is under the Federal Government. This fact is taken for granted and respected by the Nation Regional State of Oromia too.
However, as of last month, a new move has been orchestrated and declared by the Federal government that incorporates the Oromia special zone (OSZ) to Finfinne under the guise of integrated development and Addis Ababa Master Plan."
As the result of the Oromo students in the universities have asked for peaceful rallies in the towns where the universities are located. Following their legal request and demonstration the FDRE government has deployed Federal police and army to crack down [on] the peaceful demonstrations and many students have been killed, wounded and arrested. We strongly believe that any conflict should be settled through dialogue and tolerance instead of harsh acts. The OFC therefore strongly demand that the EPRDF stop

1. Its killings, imprisonment, and all illegal acts of atrocities immediately,
2. Respect the constitution of the land (article 49/5) and terminate the so called "Integrated Development Addis Ababa Master Plan."
3. Respect the rule of law and bring those who committed extrajudicial killings to court
4. Release all political prisoners, journalists and prisoners of conscience without any prerequisite.

All concerned NGOs are also kindly requested to come to the assistance of the people that become victims of the current siution in the country.
02 May 2014
Addis Ababa