Redwan Aman, Yusuf Beshir, and Misha Chiri: U.S. Citizens Unlawfully Imprisoned and Tortured in Ethiopia

By Iesha Amrula, OLLAA Communications Director

Aug 12th, 2020 – On June 29th of this year, Haacaaluu Hundeessaa, a popular Oromo artist and activist was assassinated. In the following days protests erupted, immediately followed by a series of arrests of many high profile Oromo leaders, activists, and individuals. Among those arrested were three Oromo American citizens; Redwan Aman, Yusuf Beshir, and Misha Chiri. All three men were arrested unlawfully and held in inhumane conditions, which violate principles set by the United Nations of which Ethiopia is a member and must abide by the principles set therein. Redwan Aman and Yusuf Beshir were arrested on June 30th without basis. Following their arrest, they were tortured and subjected to harsh treatment violating their basic human rights. At one point, family members were denied visit and any form of contact. In the early hours of July 11th, Misha Chiri was arrested in the capital city without warrant. Misha has been threatened, tortured, and treated without dignity, severely violating his human rights. Although Redwan and Yusuf have been released on bail, the legal process for all three men has been delayed by officials, adding increased risk to their health and well-being. 

The United Nations basic principles for the treatment of prisoners states that, “All prisoners shall be treated with respect due to their inherent dignity and value as human beings.” The Ethiopian government has violated this first principle on multiple accounts by their treatment of Oromo prisoners. During a time when the world has been emphasizing the necessity of social distancing in the midst of a global pandemic, Oromo prisoners have been forced into conditions that go against this, placing them at higher risk of contracting COVID-19. In addition, they have been denied proper food, clothing, and sanitary needs, being subjected to mistreatment and torture. The standard minimum rules for the treatment of prisoners set by the United Nations states that, “All accommodation provided for the use of prisoners and in particular all sleeping accommodation shall meet all requirements of health, due regard being paid to climatic conditions and particularly to cubic content of air, minimum floor space, lighting, heating and ventilation.” The conditions imposed on the prisoners do not meet the minimum standards mentioned for any of these categories. 

It is incumbent upon the international community to speak up against the severe human rights violations of the Ethiopian government and take a stance denouncing them. They must be held responsible as a member of the United Nations. As stated by article 6 in chapter II of the charter of the United Nations, “A member of the United Nations which has persistently violated the principles contained in the present charter may be expelled from the organization by the general assembly upon the recommendation of the security council.” Time and time again, we have witnessed the imprisonment, torture, and killing of Oromos in Ethiopia. OLLAA condemns the severe human rights violations in Ethiopia and calls upon the international community to do the same. Stand with us against injustice on the path towards justice.