Garbole and Jarro were born and raised in the Har-Weyu Kibele Yabalo districts of the Borena Zone of Oromia. Garbole is an eighth grade student while Jarro is a pastoralist. On May 1st, 2023, the two were detained by the local militants. The accusations against the boys cited reports of aid mismanagement in the face of a drought-induced famine that has been ravaging the Borena community. Staff from OLLAA organized their story of unlawful detention and mistreatment with the assistance of the media reports and one of their neighbors who witnessed their mistreatment.
According to credible reports, Gabrole and Jaro witnessed local administrators mishandling resources which were intended for the benefit of the community, provided by both national and international actors. Shockingly, as an act of revenge, the local administrators allegedly instructed local militias to apprehend them fearing they would expose the administrators. Consequently, these youth were arrested, subjected to physical assault, and cruelly restrained with their hands behind their backs, fastened to a pole. Although they were eventually released, it is important to highlight their detention was arbitrary, lacking any court order and the physical abuse they endured represented a severe violation of human rights.
It has been reported that authorities have taken action by apprehending the perpetrators. However, it should be noted that no final decision or verdict has been reached in the case at this time, as the matter is still under investigation.
International law
Right movement and protection against deprivation liberty are internationally protected rights. ICCPR prohibits the arbitrary detention of persons and inhumane treatments of those under legal protection. The national legislation including the FDRE constitution also recognizes these rights. Getting the remedies for rights violation is internationally recognized by its own right. In this case however, local militias were in violation of these rights.