Press
Release by Getachew Jigi (Dr)
MP
of House of People’s Representatives of Ethiopia
To introduce my self, I am MP of the House
of People’s Representatives of Ethiopia, run and elected as candidate of the
Oromo Federal Democratic Movement (OFDM) from Mana Sibu-Kiltu Karra district of
Western Wallagga, Oromia region. I am one of the founders of this organization
and a member of its Executive Committee.
We, the founders of OFDM had high hopes and
aspiration that by participating in the legal political forum of Ethiopia we
would contribute to the democratization process and bring stability and
development. It was with strong belief that the Constitution of the land will
be respected and supremacy of law will prevail, that we decided to join the
legal political system. It was also our firm belief that democracy and working
federation would solve the problems of Ethiopia . Unfortunately all our
aspirations were dashed, hopes turned sour and our morale crashed within few
months after May 2005 elections. We learned in the hard way that there is no
democracy or supremacy of law in Ethiopia .
In this statement, I want to give my honest
and sincere testimony of the conditions currently prevailing in Ethiopia and
particularly since May 2005 elections. This testimony is in no way intended to
defame the ruling party and its cohorts. The main purpose is to expose the
hidden realities in Ethiopia
and in Oromia in particular.
Today, there is no peace and stability,
democracy, and rule of law in Ethiopia
. What really exists is dictatorship of one party and gross violations of
democratic and human rights. The regime carried out mass killing of civilians
in Gambela, Sidama, Shaka Mazengir, Oromia and CUD supporters in
Finfinne. In all of these incidents the perpetuators were not brought to
justice. The ruling party has two very contradicting political images that it
uses according to time, place and its audiences. In and around the capital city
-Finfinnee- the ruling party shows the image that it is democratic and respect
rule of law. This semblance is targeted to diplomats of donor countries to gain
their support to finance and strengthen its other hidden image. For any foreign
dignitary that visits Ethiopia
and discusses with the Prime Minister, Ethiopia is really a promising
democratic state. Elections are conducted periodically, there is ¨private¨
press, there are opposition parties with seats in the parliament, etc. These
are facades to attract and win the sympathy of donor countries. The reality on
the ground is completely to the contrary.
The other image of the EPRDF regime hidden
from the outside world is its true nature. EPRDF is simply a dictatorship. It
does not respect its own Constitution nor abide by the supremacy of the law.
Everything is done at the whim of EPRDF officials who can reverse court ruling
as they wish, kill, detain, torture, and harass innocent citizens without any
evidence or crime committed. Anybody that they suspect as a threat is
eliminated. The Oromo are in the forefront to be subjected to EPRDF’s
bad-governance.
Since May 2005 elections, gross violation
of democratic and human rights are being conducted in Ethiopia by the
ruling party. Citizens are being killed indiscriminately, thousands are
detained for long period without charges and tortured to sustain life long
injuries. Tens of thousands are forced to flee their country fearing harassment
and intimidation. Properties of innocent individuals are confiscated without
court order. In short today in Ethiopia
there prevails a total atmosphere of fear and terror.
Legally registered and operating
organizations like Oromo Federal Democratic Organizations are facing the severe
hand of the dictator ruling party. While top leaders of opposition
organizations are sitting in the parliament, meeting the Prime Minister,
attending consultation meetings with donor groups, invited to parties with
diplomatic dignitaries, there members are languishing in prisons, their offices
closed and properties confiscated in the regions. Opposition MPs are not
allowed to go back to their constituencies to hold meetings and gather public
opinions of their constituencies. Even if an opposition MP manages to go
back to his constituency, it is crime for the residents to greet and talk with
the person they elected to represent them. From my experience many Mana Sibu
-Kiltu Karra residents who greeted me were detained and heavily fined. This is
the bitter reality that is existing in Ethiopia outside of the capital
city.
The EPRDF regime is on a wide campaign of
detaining Oromo nationalists, students, farmers and merchants for no crime
committed. An Oromo individual who asks the democratic and human rights of the
people to be respected is automatically branded as OLF member and thrown
into prison to stay there for years without appearing before appropriate court.
Oromo students who voted for us are being killed, dismissed from schools
without any reasons. Dozens were refused their university certificates. These
are the vivid reality under which my people who voted for me to be MP are
living under.
I have been hoping things would get better
over time. But instead the situation in Oromia in particular and in Ethiopia in
general is getting worse daily. This has been giving me mental torture for the
last several months. Now it became so unbearable that I had to make my
decision. I have been receiving death threats for speaking up against the
wanton disregard for the rule of law by EPRDF.
Under the circumstances my conscience could not allow me to continue to
be a member of parliament when I cannot speak with and for the people who
elected me and cannot spare them from the daily harassment, intimidation,
repression, extra-judicial killing, torture and displacement. Hence I have
chosen to desist myself from the EPRDF regime and its rubber-stamp parliament.
To sum up, today in Ethiopia ,
democratic and human rights are grossly violated, the rule of law is trampled
upon by none other than the ruling party. The regime is doing everything
it can to stay in power that it lost in May 2005 elections, in which it was
totally defeated. The regime is purposely instigating and fanning religious and
inter ethnic conflicts. The situation in Ethiopia is very dangerous. There
is disaster looming over the country. Finally I call upon OFDM members
and supporters, the Oromo people in particular and the Ethiopian peoples in
general, opposition party members to stand up in unison to avert this looming
disaster. And remind the international community to play a constructive role expected
of them rather than continue to appease a tyrannical regime.
Dr. Getachew Jigi
November 11, 2006
