https://face2faceafrica.com/article/ethiopian-protesters-shave-heads-solidarity-incarcerated-opposition-leaders
by Fredrick Ngugi, at 09:00 am, August 31, 2016, Politics
Ethiopian Protesters Shave Heads in Solidarity with Incarcerated
Opposition Leaders
#OromoProtests Ethiopians Shaving Their Heads in Solidarity Protesters
Killed. Youtube
As Ethiopian protesters continue to demand equality and inclusion in
the country’s economic and political processes, many have resorted to
shaving their heads in solidarity with the incarcerated opposition
leaders and civilians who have died in the protests, according to VOA.
The protesters, mainly from the Oromo and Amhara ethnic communities,
have been posting videos online of themselves shaving their heads,
which is a sign of mourning in many Ethiopian cultures.
This trend began after a letter was allegedly smuggled from prison by
Oromo opposition leader and former university lecturer Bekele Gerba
calling for mourning for those who have died in the protests, VOA has
reported.
According to Jawar Mohammed, the Executive Director of Oromia Media
Network – a dissident satellite TV channel based in Minnesota, USA,
that broadcasts into Ethiopia – Gerba and other detained opposition
leaders are calling for their supporters to mourn the martyrs and the
hospitalized, and to stand with the families of those who have died in
the struggle.
They have also pleaded with the Ethiopian government and the
international community to stop the alleged “mass murder” of the Oromo
and Amhara people.
Excessive Force by Police
Since the ongoing dissent in Ethiopia started in December 2015, about
500 people have died, A majority of whom are said to have been killed
by the police, according to reports by Human Rights Watch.
Last month, the international human rights organization reported that
at least 100 Ethiopian protesters have died since the renewed protests
broke up in July.
The organization accuses Ethiopian police of using excessive force
when dealing with hundreds of protesters in Oromia and Amhara regions.
Detention and Abuse
Since December last year, hundreds of Ethiopian protesters and
opposition leaders have been arrested and detained for what the police
say is engaging in unlawful protests.
Among the detained is Bekele Gerba, a former lecturer at the
University of Addis Ababa, who is a great proponent of Oromo rights
and a staunch critic of land policies enforced by the Ethiopian
government.
The now-popular Oromo politician was arrested in December 2015 for
terror-related allegations and charged with supporting an Oromo armed
rebel group, allegations he has continuously denied.
He is reported to have gone on a hunger strike in July protesting
harsh treatment of Oromo opposition leaders at Kilinto prison.
“They are kept in a dark room. The windows are very small. They can’t
get fresh air and the doors aren’t opened for 24 hours,” Gerba’s
lawyer, Abduljebar Hussein, told VOA.
The Oromo and Amhara people in Ethiopia are protesting decades-long
oppression and isolation by their government.
Received on Wed Aug 31 2016 - 19:49:19 EDT