To read statement either read below or click here.  

The Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) condemns in the strongest possible terms the recent decision by the Ethiopian Federal Court to imprison 15 innocent Oromos in clear breaches of their human rights.

On Wednesday 31  March 2010, 15 innocent people were sentenced to death and long-term imprisonment without parole by the Ethiopian Federal Court. This decision is clearly an attempt to continue the harassment of the Oromo population in Ethiopia and to deny them fair and impartial treatment under the law. 

Unjust verdicts have been imposed on the following Oromos:
Mr. Mesfin Abebe - Death penalty
Mr. Tasfahuun Camada - Life Imprisonment
Mrs. Abarash Yadata (mother of four children) - 12 Years Imprisonment (without parole)
Mrs. Lalisee Wadajo (mother of three children) - 10 Years Imprisonment (without parole)
Kol. Olaanii Jabeesa - 12 Years Imprisonment (without parole
Mr. Roba Degefa - 10 Years Imprisonment (without parole)
Mr. Dejene Dhaba - 10 Years Imprisonment (without parole)
Mr. Bakele Negeri - 10 Years Imprisonment (without parole)
Mr. Bayisa Hussen - 10 Years Imprisonment (without parole)
Mr. Hailu Delessa - 10 Years Imprisonment (without parole)
Mr. Dejene Boranaa - 13 Years Imprisonment (without parole)
Mr. Bakele Jiraata - 13 Years Imprisonment (without parole)
Mr. Kabade Borana - 12 Years Imprisonment (without parole)
Mr. Isheetu Kitil - 12 Years Imprisonment (without parole)
Mr. Wabee Hajii - 12 Years Imprisonment (without parole)

The Oromo people have suffered systematic political oppression by the minority Tigreal regime in Ethiopia, brought to power in disputed elections in 2005. The decision taken by the court has violated the Ethiopian constitution that contains an enshrined commitment to safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. This decision is a clear attempt to continue the harassment of Oromo people in the country and to deny them fair treatment under the law.

The only crime these innocent individuals have committed is being Oromo and alleged association with the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF). UNPO recognize OLF as a genuine political organization which struggles to free the Oromo people from repression by this regime. President Zenawi has been rebutted by the European Union in recent times, but despite this continues to act with flagrant disrespect for the human rights of Ethiopian citizens.
UNPO General Secretary, Marino Busdachin called the sentences, “blatant examples of human rights breaches on the Oromo population in Ethiopia”.

UNPO therefore urges the Ethiopian government to revoke these unjustified sentences and international organizations to join with UNPO members in publicly voicing their concern over the regime systematically breaching the human rights of the Oromo population.