April 2¸2002

The Ethiopian government bent on destroying the Oromo people’s aspiration to
self-determination is once again killing innocent high school Oromo
students. In Shambo, western Oromia, five students, three males and two
females were killed and twenty-one wounded. In Nekemte, the capital city of
Eastern Wollega, three students were gunned down. In Ambo, 60 miles from
the capital Finfinne (Addis Ababa), one student is killed and hundreds
detained. In Gimbi and Dembidollo, western Wollega, hundreds of students are
beaten up and herded into different prisons. As the protest against this
brutality spreads to all corners of Oromia, the regime is responding
violently with disproportionate force. It is to be remembered that this
student killer government, on April 18, 2001, opened fire on student
protesters and killed more than 41 students, injured 250 and detained more
than 2,200 in Finfinne alone. The same year security forces went on the
rampage selectively targeting and brutalizing Oromo students at Addis Ababa
University and imprisoning more than 80. Three Oromo students were killed in
Ambo, two in Dembidollo, and hundreds were arrested throughout Oromia.

The TPLF regime should be condemned for its naked brutality against students
for exercising their God-given right to stage peaceful demonstrations to air
the grievances of their people who are under cruel oppression. To date, the
Oromo student protest against tyranny and for betterment of the life of
their people is not only continuing unabated, but is expanding to different
sections of the Oromo people. The TPLF government, alarmed by this rising
fury of the Oromo population, is taking drastic measures and abducting,
torturing and imprisoning Oromos. The Oromo people live in terror in their
own land. Oromia has become a living hell for her children. The TPLF
believes that it can curb the popular uprising of the Oromo youth by sheer
use of force and state terrorism. The brute force exerted against the new
Oromo generation, rather than cowing them, is instead making them more
resolute. More and more are putting their lives on line for the liberty of
their people than ever before.

The Oromo Youth Association condemns the fascist measures taken by the
dictatorial regime headed by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia. We
extend our deep condolences to the families, friends and relatives of all
those who perished. May you rest in eternal peace, dear bright little stars
of the nation, in the assurance that the liberty fire you so bravely ignited
and sustained with your blood shall never be extinguished no matter what
desperate terrorist act the TPLF regime may choose to take. Even though we
regret that we are not with them at this trying time to struggle with them
shoulder to shoulder against the TPLF occupying force, we wholeheartedly
support our brothers and sisters’ cause. As we rededicate ourselves to the
unfinished task of freeing Oromia, we call upon all Oromos in Diaspora to
stand together and expose the brutal regime’s act to the whole world. We
also call upon the youth of the world to stand with Oromo students, as
repression anywhere is repression against all.