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Prohibit gott and garee administrative units from
dispensing punishment without due process, from engaging in forced labor, and
from interfering with the freedoms of association, expression and movement. If
decisive action is not taken to end these abuses, disband the gott and garee
throughout Oromia.
Take all necessary action to ensure that the police, armed forces
and other security forces in Oromia abide by Ethiopia’s obligations under
international law, including respect for the rights to freedom from arbitrary
arrest and detention, and from torture and other mistreatment. In accordance
with the Ethiopian constitution, ensure that all persons taken into custody be
brought before a judge within forty-eight hours, and have the right of access to
family members and legal counsel, in addition to other due process rights.
Conduct an independent investigation into violations of human
rights committed in Oromia. Discipline or prosecute, as appropriate,
government officials and members of the security forces at all levels who are
implicated in abuses.
Provide appropriate training to police and other security forces
on human rights standards and the rule of law.
In accordance with Ethiopian law and international standards,
ensure that prosecutors do not initiate or continue prosecutions in cases where
an impartial investigation shows that criminal charges are unfounded.
Ensure, in accordance with international law, that persons whose
rights have been violated have recourse to effective remedies.
Prohibit local and regional officials from using members of the
security forces, school administrators and teachers to monitor students’ speech
and political opinions.
Permit free and full access to domestic and foreign
non-governmental organizations to monitor and report on the human rights
situation in Oromia.
Prepare comprehensive reports on the electoral environment that
take into account all aspects of the election process, including underlying
patterns of human rights abuse that affect the ability of voters to freely
express political opinions and determine who they want to govern them.
Recognizing that effective development programs depend on a
government that respects the human rights of its citizens, publicly urge
federal authorities in Ethiopia to conduct a thorough and independent
investigation into human rights violations committed by security and police
forces in Oromia and to make the findings public. Closely monitor the progress
of any government investigation and insist that its findings result in
appropriate action to hold responsible officials accountable and provide
adequate remedies to victims.
Demand that police officials and other members of the security
forces responsible for human rights violations be held accountable.
Publicly call for more robust and comprehensive training on human
rights standards for police and security forces and support such training.
Insist that the federal and Oromia regional governments immediately
act to end rights violations by the gott and garee structures or
urge that they be disbanded throughout the region.
Take steps to ensure that all forms of military assistance and
cooperation with the Ethiopian government do not, directly or indirectly, aid
or abet those responsible for human rights abuses committed in Oromia.
Urge regional and federal authorities in Ethiopia to ensure that development imperatives are not used as a pretext to justify
intimidation, harassment, forced labor and other human rights violations by the
gott and garee structures. Take action to monitor the human
rights impact of the gott and garee system in Oromia.
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