OLLAA has received a report from a credible source regarding the destruction of several homes in Corora, Gujicha Kebeli, Arsi zone, of the Oromia Region, including that of Negaso Hulufe. Negaso is a teacher at Shashamane Preparatory School. He is a husband to three wives and the father of fifteen children. Negaso is a graduate of Addis Ababa University and a well-respected man in his community.
Last year, he was imprisoned by Ethiopian security forces for about a year, during which time he reportedly suffered torture and other forms of inhumane treatment. The justification for his imprisonment was his opposition to government actions and policies. which has become an all too common theme for arbitrary arrests across Oromia for several years now.
August 11, 2022 was an unfortunate day for Negaso’s family and other 250 households living in Corora. It was on that dark day that about 250 houses, including Negaso’s, were burned down by members of the Oromia Special Forces, who accused the community of supporting the OLA Negaso was helpless as three of his houses and all the contents therein were burned. Many other members of the Corora community suffered similar fates. With their homes destroyed, his family was forced to flee their home in Corora and to take shelter under a tree.
The story of Negaso, and Corora at large, is but a symptom of the violence and destruction that Oromos are routinely subjected to across Oromia. A government that responds to dissent with imprisonment and routinely burns down the homes of civilians has led to innocent civilians facing constant, horrendous human rights violations.
International Law
The right to housing and property are well recognized human rights under international human rights instruments such as the UDHR, ICESCR and ACHPR. State parties to these treaties are obliged to respect, protect, and fulfill these rights. The FDRE constitution also recognizes them. As a party to ICESCR and ACHPR, Ethiopia is in clear violation of the right to housing and property. This has significant implications for other rights such as the right to life and health.
Under international law, forced displacement refers to a situation where a person is forced to leave their home, generally due to violence or human rights violations. When they do not cross international borders as a result of their forced displacement, they are referred to as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). The UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement recognize the right of an individual not to be arbitrarily displaced from their home or place of residence, and elaborates upon the rights of those who have been displaced. In particular, it sets out that the property of IDPs must be protected, including from “Being made the object of reprisal” and “Being destroyed or appropriated as a form of collective punishment”.