
Today on the 13th February 2021. After my calculation the Oromo Political Prisoners are on their 17th day of hunger strike in Kaliti Prison. There has already been reported of several of the Oromo Political Leaders in critical conditions and very weak as well. That is not shocking, considering how long this hunger strike has lasted and the body can only carry so long before it gives way.
The Oromo Political Prisoners Defence Team have followed the conditions and the treatment the Oromo political prisoners have gotten. They are working on their release, but the state is keeping them behind bars.
They stated this yesterday: “Jails and prisons are full of Oromos, more than any other group in the country. Currently there are more than 50,000 Oromo political prisoners in Ethiopia. In Kaliti alone there are more than 5,000 Oromo political prisoners, constituting 90% of the nation’s entire prisoners” (Oromo Political Prisoners Defence Team, 12.02.2021).
These numbers should shock anyone and be a warning about what the state does to dissidents in the region. When they can arrest and detain such vast numbers. At this scale there is injustice and impunity towards the political active who is not part of the Prosperity Party. These are the ones challenging PP in Oromia and therefore behind bars.
What is even worse is the “Superior Orders” which is blocking their freedom, liberty and ability assemble. The state is also now restricting medical treatment… that should send shock-waves and outrage, as that is a dire need after days of hunger strike.
“Medical Update From Kaliti Prison:
Jawar Mohammed et al. doctors have announced today on Oromia Media Network (OMN) that they have halted providing health services to the political prisoners. They explained their decision was because they were not able to treat the prisoners at a private hospital as needed. Per court order, they were given permission to see their private doctor and hospital, yet the prison administration has not honored the court order. The prison administration said a superior order has restricted Mr. Bekele Gerba today from receiving urgent treatment at the hospital of his option. Since the prison administration is not complying with the court order, Jawar Mohammed et al. told their doctors not to come anymore. Dr. Ilili Jemal, one of the private doctors of the prisoners told OMN that from today onwards they are obliged to stop rendering health services to the political prisoners” (Oromo Political Prisoners Defence Team, 12.02.2021).
This shows how far the Federal Government goes. They don’t value the lives of the political prisoners. The enemies of the state. The ones charged and behind bars. Just because they are dissidents and in opposition to the central government in Addis Ababa. That is all it takes and your rights as a citizen is revoked over night. This is why these ones are suffering and not getting the health care they need.
The state even uses a “superior order” to restrict and block doctors from helping the prisoners. That is breaches of human rights and its inhumane. This shouldn’t happen to anyone, but the Prosperity Party clearly have no issues to violate people for their political gains. Peace.












