Students Kidnapped by Oromia Special Police in East Guji Zone
It is alleged that on August, 15, 2021 two students, Godaanaa Boru and Boruu Galagaloo, were kidnapped by Oromia special police in Nagelle Borana town of East Guji Zone. According to Mr. Dida Boru Dida, brother to Godaanaa Boru, who was spoken to by the writer of this report. These students were kidnapped by government agents on the evening of 15th August and their whereabouts are unknown. OLLAA has also received an unverified report that the families of the victims have allegedly visited all government prisons within the zone, but have not located their missing family members.
Enforced disappearance is the act of making someone disappear against their will, often suddenly. It refers to the arrest, detention, or abduction of a person, followed by a refusal to acknowledge the fate of that person.
Agents of the Ethiopian State often perpetrate this crime, which, with complete impunity, to get rid of Oromo people that it considers a ānuisance.ā There are no arrest warrants, no charges, and no prosecutions. Outside the protection of the law, the Oromo victims find themselves utterly vulnerable and are at risk of being tortured or executed with complete impunity.
The uncertainty inherent to enforced disappearance makes it a crime that is distinct from confinement or extrajudicial execution: the Oromo victims familiesā feelings swing between hope and disillusionment: psychological torture. Enforced disappearance is a violation of human rights that is systematically perpetrated against civilians. It is a crime against humanity and the Ethiopian government must stop it immediately.
The International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (2010) compels States to fight enforced disappearance on their respective territories. In particular, it affirms the right of individuals to know the fate of their disappeared relatives, and to obtain justice and reparation. Enforced disappearance is a violation not only of the rights of the direct victim, but also those of his or her relatives. That is why international law recognizes that, just like the disappeared persons, families are victims too. Sudden separation, a lack of news, uncertainty and fear of reprisal makes the mourning of a loss impossible and causes indelible suffering. Ethiopian authorities must account for Godaanaa Boru and Boruu Galagaloo.
