For Immediate Release
The Human Rights League of the Horn of Africa (HRLHA) strongly condemns the heavy-handedness of the Ethiopian government that is causing the deaths of innocent civilians attempting to exercise some of their fundamental rights that are provided for in the country’s constitution and in international human rights instruments. According to reports obtained by the HRLHA through its correspondents, twenty- seven innocent civilians including five children (four in Kofele and one in the capital city, Addis Ababa) have been killed, hundreds have been injured and hospitalized, and thousands of others have been taken into custody in two separate incidents in the first week of August this year. In a clash between armed security forces and Muslim protestors that happened on the 3rd of August, 2013 in the Kofele region of Arsi Zone in Central Oromia, twenty- five were massacred and hundreds were injured and taken to Asela and Shashamane Hospitals.
In another incident on the 8th of August, 2013 (which was the Ed-Al-Fitir Holiday) in Addis
Ababa/Finfinne, a pregnant women and a six-year old boy were beaten to death by the police in
separate areas while thousands were reportedly taken to different concentration camps around the
city after being detained for hours at the national stadium where they were gathered early in the
morning for Id-Al-Fitir prayer that marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. The arrests
include two journalists – Mr. Darsemo Sori and Mr. Kalid Mohammed – who have been working
for a radio station known as “Radio Bilal”.
The HRLHA has also learnt that similar protests by Muslim communities and subsequent
clashes with security forces have resulted in arrests. These have occurred in different parts of the
country including Waldiya and Desse Towns in northern Ethiopia Wollo Zone, in Afar, and in Waliso
town in south-west Ethiopia.
Although similar protests have taken place at different times in the past two years by
Muslim worshippers in opposition to the government’s interference in the election of their
Source :-http://gadaa.com/oduu/21162/2013/08/11/ethiopia-extreme-brutality-against-civilians/
http://www.gadaa.com/HRLHA%20Appeal%20and%20UA%20,%20August%2010,%202013.pdf
teddyafro
Right to Equality 
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