20/02/2025
๐๐ซ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐จ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ฅ๐ข ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ฌ๐จ๐ง๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐ข๐ซ๐ ๐๐๐ฐ๐, ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐
Background
Reports from Somali community members in Dire Dawa indicate that two Somali men have been detained in Dire Dawa prison for an extended period without due process. The detainees, identified as:
1. Aydaruus Aw Ibrahim
2. Abdullahi Deeq Omar
Both men belong to the Ogaden clan, sub-clan Amar and were arrested in Hawi-Gudiina, Kabale Qorke-Mudo, Oromia region, in 2018.
Violation of Legal and Human Rights
Since their arrest, the detainees have been subjected to prolonged detention without trial, a violation of Ethiopian law and international human rights standards. According to sources, the two men:
Have been brought before the court 34 times, yet no evidence has been presented to support the charges against them.
Are accused of involvement in Oromo-Somali clashes, despite the absence of credible evidence linking them to the violence.
Have not been granted bail due to the lack of family representation, further exacerbating their indefinite detention.
The Ethiopian judicial systemโs failure to either prosecute or release the detainees constitutes a grave miscarriage of justice and violates their fundamental right to due process.
Systemic Issues in Ethiopiaโs Legal System
The detention of these individuals highlights broader systemic issues within Ethiopiaโs law enforcement and judicial processes, including:
Arbitrary arrests without clear documentation of charges or identification of the arresting officers.
Failure of courts to act independently, leading to prolonged and unjust detentions.
Lack of communication with detaineesโ families, denying them their right to legal representation and support.
Additionally, the prolonged detention of these individuals contravenes international legal frameworks, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) Article 9, which states that โNo one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention, or exile.โ
Call for Immediate Action
In light of these concerns, we urge:
1. The Ethiopian government and judiciary to conduct an independent review of these cases and either release the detainees immediately or ensure a fair trial.
2. International human rights organizations and legal advocacy groups to investigate and intervene in cases of prolonged arbitrary detention in Ethiopia.
3. Ethiopian law enforcement agencies to ensure transparency in the arrest and detention processes, respecting the rights of all detainees, regardless of ethnic or political affiliation.
Conclusion
The ongoing arbitrary detention of Aydaruus Aw Ibrahim and Abdullahi Deeq Omar underscores serious human rights violations in Ethiopiaโs legal system. If no credible evidence exists against them, they must be immediately released and provided with access to their families and legal representation. The Ethiopian government must uphold the rule of law and protect all citizens from unjust imprisonment.