Falls Church, Virginia—Two mothers and their young children were arrested and detained in Ajjaa city, Ethiopia, breaching international law. The mothers, Zeenabba H/Adam, whose child is only 18 months old, and Aliimaa Abdrqaadir, whose two children are under five, were arrested in late November. OLLAA is saddened to learn that three weeks later, both mothers and children remain behind bars.
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According to extended family members who spoke confidentiality to OLLAA, Aliimaa and Zeenabba’s only crime was their affiliation to their husbands. Aliimaa’s husband, a doctor, was originally arrested following Hacaaluu’s killing and the resulting mass protests. Zenenabba’s husband was a member of the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) but resigned after the ENDF’s violent response to the mass protests. He was arrested following his resignation. Both of these individuals were later freed when protestors broke into the facility where they were held and released all prisoners. Following this incident, Aliimaa, Zeenabaa, and their children, ages one to five, were arrested due to their affiliation with their husbands or fathers.
Though unrelated to this incident, OLLAA is also saddened to learn that as reported by OMN, an elderly couple in their 70s, Diriba Messa and Gonfe Tollossa, was detained and assaulted on Christmas by Ethiopian security forces. This instance is in no way unique and has become all too common recently.
OLLAA condemns these actions and reminds the Government of Ethiopia that such measures constitute a direct violation of children’s rights. International law, specifically the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), clearly states that detaining a child for their parent’s alleged crimes is in breach of the rights of children.
OLLAA calls on Prime Minister Abiy to immediately intervene and release all children and mothers whose only crimes are their affiliation with their fathers or husbands. The Government of Ethiopia must strive to protect rather than punish mothers and children.
OLLAA is an umbrella organization that presents dozens of Oromo communities around the world.