Ethiopia’s list of banned activities
By Briana Duggan, CNN (CNN)Ethiopia has imposed severe regulations under a new six-month "state of emergency" as it faces unprecedented levels of unrest across the country, a first in the government's 25-year rule. The government says the state of
By Briana Duggan, CNN
(CNN)Ethiopia has imposed severe regulations under a new six-month “state of emergency” as it faces unprecedented levels of unrest across the country, a first in the government’s 25-year rule.
The government says the state of emergency was put in place to prevent further loss of life and property, but many activists worry the new rules serve as a way to limit criticism and allow the government to use a heavy-handed approach to opposition.
The measures, announced October 16, cut across rights of communication and assembly, and have been criticized by human rights activists. Amnesty International said they “are so broad they threaten basic human rights that must not be curtailed.”
In the last month, 1,000 people have been arrested, said a mayor of a town close to Addis Ababa, according to state-affiliated media outlet FBC.
Unrest began in Ethiopia as two of the country’s largest ethnic groups, the Oromo and Amhara, demonstrated against sustained marginalization.
The tension hit a peak earlier this month, when at least 52 people were killed in a stampede at a religious festival in the Oromo-dominated area of Bishoftu. The government disputed opposition reports that police fired live rounds into the crowd, saying all deaths stemmed from a stampede caused by “troublemakers.”
These are some things that are now illegal in Ethiopia:
Posting on social media
The new rules ban the use of social media, mobile devices or any means of communication to send messages the government deems will “create chaos, suspicion or discord among people.”
While the Internet and social media have often been blocked across the country throughout the unrest, people within Oromia have used social media during the protests to share videos and coordinate activities, and discuss new information.
Crossing wrists above one’s head
In what has become a symbol of solidarity with the Oromo people, crossing wrists above one’s head as if in handcuffs is now banned in the country.
The symbol became internationally recognizable after Olympic silver medalist Feyisa Lilesa made the gesture while crossing the finish line at the Rio Olympics.
Diplomatic travel
Diplomats are prohibited from traveling more than 40 kilometers outside the capital Addis Ababa without authorization.
Addis Ababa is home to many international organizations, including the African Union, United Nations offices and embassies.
Curfew
After a series of attacks on foreign-owned firms, including a textile firm and a cement factory, the government has enforced a 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew around “economic pillars, infrastructural projects and investments.”
Ethiopia has touted itself as a site of foreign investment and boasted of double-digit economic growth, growth that advocates say has not spread equally across the population.
Watching ‘terrorist media’
Foreign-based television stations, Ethiopia Satellite Television and Oromia Media Network, were forbidden after being defined by the government as “terrorist organizations.”
Ethiopia ranks low on the World Press Freedom Index (at 142 out of 180 nations) for “using terrorism charges to silence the media.”
“Government continually uses the ‘terrorism’ narrative to stifle independent voices, as many of the dozens of journalists, opposition politicians, and activists convicted under the anti-terrorism law can attest to,” said Felix Horne Ethiopia, senior researcher at Human Rights Watch. “Too often those that are associated with the ‘opposition’ are labeled as ‘terrorists.'”
k.tewolde October 20, 2016
Ethiopia is slowly slipping into the the Eritrean syndrome because both leaders are of the same breed,fellow Ethiopian youth don’t let this happen,fight while you have life and the will to fight otherwise you looking at the current fate of your neighbor next door,the two are working to create a modern day dynasty that will rule for the next century.Don’t let them fool you with their hateful rhetoric at each other.
AHMED SALEH !!! October 20, 2016
K.Tewelde
” Ethiopia is slowly slipping into the Eritrean syndrome because of same breed leadership ” .
It might sound offensive to some but obviously they proved themselves when it comes
to protect their reigned kingdom dynasty . We observed dangerous hatred and unnecessary lost of innocent lives from sectarian violence based on ethnicity .
Weyane dominated ruling party should maintain productive efforts which is vital to prevent
further deterioration of their country stability . They must recognize clearly that increasing
polarization and worsening situations will cause vicious cycle of violence against interest
of their country . Issayas Afewerki entered Asmera with red carpet welcome ceremony but
his allies in Addis Abeba entered with guns and fear to silence the population . Recent development in Ethiopia shows every action we took primarily at early has an affect accordingly . We saw it our own state affairs politics .
I hope the Agazian sympathizers in this forum come with reasonable arguments than respond defensively irrelevant to the subject in discussion .
PH October 20, 2016
Of course they are seeking “via di uscita “but they are trapped badly. They don’t even blame SHAIBIA any more except to Egypt.
Tsega October 20, 2016
The Ethiopians are moving fast downwards, they will soon catch up to some reactionary Arab and Arab wanabe entities. The Ethiopians are only one step behind because they have not yet started burning and banning books in their own languages as was done by some gangs as they burned and banned Tigre language textbooks in Eritrea
AHMED SALEH !!! October 20, 2016
Mr. NEFAHITTO
Crossing wrists above your head is a sign of Ethiopian terrorists movement . If you think they joined with their Arab wannabe entities in their northern neighbor , okay right now bad boy what are going do about it . For too long you keep digging a hole for hatred and division inside Eritrea but at last you fell in it .
Incase Tigre language nobody can burn their language textbooks the same way shameless
accusations surfaced in Badme war to say ‘ they dug our martyrs cemeteries ” . Tigre people
didn’t mention such accusations but you know who .
Anybody born with lie will die with lie .
Debesay Abraham October 21, 2016
Some of the comments above are base less emanating out of Ignorance . Eritrea is on the grip of Devil, Tyrant or Monster like a deer in the Jaws of a crocodile, Despite the enormous potential Eritrea have had in 1991 all was blundered by the Ignorant, cruel and power greedy PFDJ, Why are Ethiopians youth being able to Demonstrate in their own country with some big smiles and Jocks while Eritreans exit their country in mass under the cover of darkness? the difference is that simple. Only the riot control security acted when some band infiltrators with in the Demo., start destroying property and so on. Actually the cause in the Ethiopian riot is excess democracy which was misinterpreted for weakness due to immaturity of the youth and exacerbated by foreign based social media owned by a collection of reactionaries who has been discarded in the process of forging the New Ethiopia. Will authorities will restore rule and order? no doubt very soon, do Ethiopians need strong democratic institutions such as divergent representation in parliament, strong and independent Judiciary, good governance,….no doubt about it. The good thing is Ethiopia has leaders that could listen to public grievances but in the case of Eritrea no such thing exists. Every thing depends on the sense and mood of Issayas Afeworki. He does not read to improve his knowledge, he does not listen to other Ideas and suggestions, he does not like decent and deals with it harshly…the way he handled the daughter of Ali Abdu. Eritrea bleeding of its youth is not a stable but in the mouth of a crocodile. Ethiopia filled with 70-millions of youth is with great potential to develop to an economic power house but needs a dynamic and constant adjustable policies with regards to democracy, good governance and Development projections. Eritrea with its deteriorating demography is destined to benefit a great deal of its giant neighbor in post Issayas era, and Certainly is not far from the vicinity.
AHMED SALEH !!! October 21, 2016
Do not blame the ordinary commentators who responded to given information about the situation in Ethiopia .
It isn’t the first or last time to see ignorant people serve the interest of higher ups at the expense of the weak .
Eritrean youth bled at the hands of authoritarian government and we are witnessing Ethiopian youth face
the same of fate . Your comment to defend Weyane authoritarian rule share common ground with counter
part HGDF puppets that prefer to close their eyes and their ears . For 20 years the dice they play had been
for the interest both ruling parties agenda at the expense of their people . Weyane -Shaebia war of words
become unending laughable episode in our region politics . Well we noticed how their means justify the end .
And it is sad to hear people say the cause of Ethiopian recent social unrest is from excessive right of freedom .
We can not defuse tension by fueling the burning fire to engulf . You sound Tigraian and I advice to give prior
attention for your country best interest than partisan politics .
Debesay Abraham October 21, 2016
Do not you see they look foot ball fans! Even some of them were Joking and laughing at the Ireecha Festivity, Just look at the rioters face and body language on the internet , do they look living under Authoritarian rule? I am absolutely for Western type of democracy, for the reason that, it is a means for avoiding violence– out of desperation people will keep on swinging between two or three devils(political parties). That is human nature and have to live with it. I hope we will all agree in that!
PH October 21, 2016
I think you missing the point. The above commentators have only best wishes for ethiopian people equally to eritreans too. The matter is, how to deal with the current situation whether in Eritrea and Ethiopia . The two ( hgdef and weyan ) once again mastering all out evil against way of leaving .for that, reaction and action is in motion. .
Alem October 21, 2016
Let’s Worry about our country and people.. Ethiopians still have and will continue to have more freedom., liberty And development.. In my opinion the article is misplaced..
Tewelde said they are same breed. Iseyas said weyane have paid their life with us” that is shaebia” unlike u ” That is eritrean people” the only difference is that weyane did not get a chance to control Ethiopians because it was not accepted as liberators by ethiopians. No matter what u do if people do not accept u, it is hard to survive. Under this circumstance ur only guarantee is to have strong constitution that is fair to all groups. This is contrary to eritrean case where the constitution can be trashed by one man at his will spitting on our face and still tries shamelessly to empty our pockets where ever we are and strips us of our citizenship.
koubrom October 24, 2016
Look at those ethiopian puppet ,the criminal tplf regime apologist, some wishing good recovery and blaming woyane by linking to our country, somehow woyane and shabia are the same, hypocrite, you guys should apologize to eritrea for your failure, history will juge you by lying and backstabbing our people and country may God judge you
Afeworki Ze-Ethiopian October 22, 2016
The so called “HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH” is a replica or even worst of the ICC. It is a New York based supposedly monitoring human right violations around the glob. But in America(HRW home town) about 1000 young people are being killed yearly by Police gun shot and never said a hint about it. Beyond America, look at what the US government has done to the Moslem and Arab world. Iraq is destroyed with invasion of America. tens of thousands of children and women perished. Syria is destroyed with the involvement of America. Tens of thousands of children and women have already perished. Libya is destroyed with the involvement of America and thousands of women and children already perished, Afghanistan is destroyed with the involvement of America and tens of thousands of children and women perished and now a proxy war through Saudi in Yemen that is killing thousands of children and women the tragedy in all the above countries is an on going and very active. This so called “HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH” remained a closed eye and never care about the Genocide committed by direct invasions and proxies of US around the globe but wakes up suddenly up on the unfortunate stamped death of 55 Ethiopians at the Oromo Ireecha festivity. Here what I’m highlighting is the evil disguise of assuming a formal NGO name while its real mission has nothing to do with HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUE, because if it was, it would have engaged the US government fully for all the hundreds of thousands of children and women causalities in the Moslem world. So why is HRW exaggerating and misinforming the West because its mission is to create instability in Africa, Middle east and Asia. Seeing Ethiopia developing which would serve black Africans as a roll model is what ‘HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH’ is tasked to abort. Seeing the Ethiopia-Djibouti modern electric rail way train project inauguration has drove its emotions even worst. China has financed 70% of the project, and that is what they hate to see. There are other similar Mega projects accelerating so the west knows that Ethiopia is in the right course to develop it means it will exploit its natural resource by it self. What the west want is to ship African raw materials(natural resource) to the west to feed their industries and create jobs in the West. There fore Ethiopia’s development which would be followed by black Africans stands against the strategic interest of the West and that is why the west is harboring hate preachers Like ESAT, OMN, VOA Amharic, Ginbot-7, , Almariam, Getachew, Tsion Girma, Neamen, and others who are serving their west interest against the interest of the Ethiopian people. The intention of HRW and the west is to abstract the development progress of Ethiopia by breaking the bonds between Ethiopia and china by inflaming riots and public disobedience and luckily, the Ethiopian government have declared state of emergency, to restore peace and order. and the incompetent, Jobless and Cafeteria talkative cyber heroes have already evaporated to the thin air. Corruption and bad governance will be dealt and democratic space broadened while development project is maintained on track. That is big blow to HRW, PFDJ, G-7 Extremist, and other anti Black Africa evils in the west.
long live China-Ethiopia cooperation!
UNCLE SYE October 22, 2016
Dear Afeworki Ze-Ethiopian,
let me wish the Ethiopian people and government a wisdom based solution ,as everybody knows I am termed as the “Eritrean woyane” by specially ex Jebha shefatus who are rejoicing to see that Weyane is sliping towards ShaIbiya’s total totalitarianism..as the interest of many ex jebha shefatus is based on the 1970s & 80s civil war revenge ,not on the Eritrean peoples solution.
Leaving that brilliant explanation there EPRDF has a situation on his hand that the govt. has decided to twist the question of the opposition (now unfortunately the people) in the Amhara and Oromia kilils.
The Amhara and Oromo opposition is (whether legitimate or not) ,…
1)” That EPRDFs letting kilils decide their own destiny is bullcrap..ie. EPRDF tactfully & at times agressively imposes Leadership for the kilils,thus there is no real decision making by the kilils themselves..
2) The Amhara kilil feels being singled out for revenge and tactful displacement and also EPRDF invented enemity with it’s Oromia neighbours.
3)Oromos & Amharas are not buying the EPRDFs ” Ethiopias number 1 enemy is Poverty.. They(Oromos & Amhara opposition/ppl) are saying that their number 1 enemy is the indirect control by overwhelmingly Tigrian elites..they care less about the progress and elimination of poverty ,as they have shown in burnning the buses and industries established in their kilils…etc.
4) The Amhara & Oromos point out That almost all of the generals and key posts are dominated by Tigray elites ,including the Prime mInister is a condom of TPLF.
… The government is deliberately analyzing the situation as an issue of corruption and technical bad governance which is angering the opposing people further, as the opposing Kilils believe it is not an issue of government corruption but rather the Tigray dominated totalirianism on their kilils .
Dear Afeworki Ze-Ethiopian,
You are absolutely right the so called Human rights and Amnesty international are bullcrap,but what does it do to change the situation in Ethiopia ??? It is not a matter of right and wrong ,it is a case of perception..eg. We Eritreans were owners of Ethiopian private economy ,yet our perception was we were exploited ,supressed and colonized. In the same token the Amharas and Oromos question could be such false perception ,I am not trying to make position for EPRDF or the opposition.What I know is Ethiopian government as a responsible parent should look in the mirrror and come up with a real solution ,not twist the question as a bad governance issue.
I wish the Ethiopian people and government to solve their serious situation wisely as it will affect the whole region.
Uncle SYE aka ተባዕ ድምበዛናይ
Afeworki Ze-Ethiopian October 23, 2016
dear Uncle SYE,
You are right, what the Ethiopian government should deliver is “wisdom based solution” that is, implement western style democracy( which is social pressure release valve), First, the Law makers must produce Legal rules of conducts for all Service activities that are sought by Citizens and strengthen vital institution that will support the democratic process such as the Judicial System, election board, Law enforcement institutions…etc..etc. this will curve corruption while empowering the democratic process. All Ethiopians will benefit out of strict “equality clause” in all spheres of life. when you want to find out the root cause of the current riots, the contributing factors are Corruption and bad governance, narrow democratic space for oppositions to compete, and excessive internal security relax. while the corrupt and bad service delivery created public grievance, the narrow democratic space including incompetent opposition parties opted to take advantage of public grievances to aggravate the riots and the excessive internal security relax has allowed extremist of the old regimes(who still adamantly reject Eritrean independence) and narrow nationalist to put fuel on the fire. Here you will have to question the roll or the Capacity of the local governments. It is an overlap of those three factor that has resulted the rioting drama. Now if you want to know who have corrupted the existing system, then you need to acquire the list of stuff and its senior managers in all Federal institutions and you would not find 0.05% Tigreans there nor the Oromos, so it is quite clear who have corrupted and exploited the existing system. There might be some Tigrean presence in the military senior position but you know War is not a luxury, PFDJ is there Egypt is there and Al-shabab is there, and the experience of top military commanders matters when it comes to the war theater. you know what happen at the Tsorena front previous not the last confrontation? who was commanding the previous engagement? The Ethiopian Somali Kilil president once said that “those who complain about the presence of Tigrean senior commanders in the military are those who wanted to reverse the Federal system”. Even the military leadership is being replaced with reasonable pace. Finally no country is poor, including Eritrea or Tigray if it utilizes its human brain properly. you can recall the state of Israel as an example. Eritrea or Tigray are much richer and better with rain, underground water and other natural resources than the state of Israel. But Israel is a bread basket because it has utilized the potential of human brain properly. To achieve that we need a capable and democratic leadership in Eritrea and Ethiopia. Tyranny and dictatorship is the killer of human capacity. At present the Tigrigna speaking people have put their instinct above politics, and have been emotionally affected seen their keens from north Mereb migrating south wards due to unfavorable circumstances there. They discard politics and embarrass the Law of genetic survival. because number or population size is interlinked with once genetic survival. It will be no difference if the people of south Mereb had migrated north all is about truth, that is the LAW OF NATURAL INSTINCT. PFDJ, Jebha and Neftegna extremist have sabotaged and stood against the Tigrigna speaking people for the last 130 years We should all learn from those indigenous people and work to enhance its population size. we must all settle for western democratic system(pressure release) be who we really are and prosper in peace and harmony!
Finally, Can any one calculate the ratio of the Tigrigna speaking people to that of world population and present to readers the probability of its survival? are we for Instinct or dirty politics?
Uncle sye October 23, 2016
Dearest afeworki ze Ethiopian,
Thank you for taking my comment at face value. I really worry about my tigrawot on both sides of the mereb and all others.
God bless us all
Afeworki Ze-Ethiopian October 23, 2016
do not you worry brother, the south Mereb Tigreans have all the necessary strength and determination to shatter those who may arrogantly transgress the Aga-eazan respect and patience, and the North mereb Tigreans have only roughly about 5-years left to free them self from cursed Issayas. in the last 130-years much damage has been done to this great people. from Now on no more dirty politics that contradicts the nourishment and flourishment of our people. People of sense on both sides should take a firm stance and work towards its realization. I for one is fully committed to advance this cause. I am quite sure also there are many people outside the PFDJ sphere of influence who strongly share my Idea Considering the over all world population, I consider it as a mission to rescue an endanger species. Thank you any way for sharing my vision and lets avance it together.
Ezana October 22, 2016
Both the people of Eritrea under EPLF and Ethiopia under TPLF ( mainly/more Tigrayans) have paid heavy price to liberate their countries, therefore they must have a strong say in what happens in their respective countries.
Neither of them should allow any hostile groups to come to power by the backdoor. Interestingly, both the people of Eritrea and Ethiopia especially Tigrayans have the same main enemies, Islam’s terrorist which still considers both countries as an unfinished business, and Derg supporters and the monarchists.
The ordinary people of Eritrea and Ethiopia must unite to defend their hard earned freedom from their common enemies of Islam Arabs and their paid mercenaries who are working day and night relentlessly to destabilize the two remaining Christian countries in the Horn of Africa with also the addition of Kenya.
AHMED SALEH !!! October 22, 2016
” the ordinary people of Eritrea and Ethiopia must unite to defend their hard earned freedom from their
common enemies , Islam Arabs “.
Do you mean Tigrayans are Arabs ?
What about the identity of the so called Agazi forces that are terrorizing Ethiopia ?
Incase excessive selfishness of minority ethnic group and repressions that led Ethiopian into dangerous
social unrrest lies on rigidity to follow TPLF manifesto politics .
Now why do you expect Eritreans get involved in Ethiopian internal affairs to support the strong against the
weak regardless race or religion ? You forgot we are at war with Weyane not with Ethiopia and sincerly
If you are true Christian , who is killing Habesha Christians in Ethiopia and Eritrea ? Arabs , you fool .
t
Afeworki Ze-Ethiopian October 23, 2016
Dear Ahmed Saleh, you look to have emotions that is over shadowed by hate and anger. It is possible you might have been used and abuse by some liberation political entities and lost your valuable age with out ever achieving your god given potential. So many of the last generations have suffered a similar fate, Now your views looked to be driven by many Cafeteria talkative face book and you tube Cyber heroes but you are outright wrong. you can not prey wild information on the fly and expect at right conclusion of events. So you need patience, composure and dig dip for actual facts on the ground. It is your state of Mentality rather than Weyane/Ethiopian government whose stability is questionable, naive social elements have confused democratic freedoms with a total weakness to govern, but rest assured I am against tyranny and dictatorship irrespective of ethnic background.
AHMED SALEH!!! October 23, 2016
Hey WEYANE lovers
Denial , lies and deceit had been the culture of your politics otherwise
we are not blind or deaf to see or hear the incidents that take place
surrounding our lives . Unprincipled people have not firm stand and
they are double face backstabbers .
Finally to see them follow HGDF lovers arrogant example to say ADI XUBUK ALO shows their common background of betrayal .
k.tewolde October 22, 2016
This very attitude is what keeps the tyrant as the absolute power in our homestead.’kab zeytfelto mela’aksi tfeto sheytan yihayish’,it may have been ok during the time when our homeland was ruled by CHIQATAT,now we are living in an era of DERBTAT,in other words we are engaged in class struggle-western style,an era of consumerism where Hgdef is the oppressive class and the vast masses are oppressed,let’s unmask it and give it its proper name instead masquerading it around town with religious banner.
UNCLE SYE October 22, 2016
Dearest Young Eritreans /Agazians,
When we oppose a mistake we should not have the attitude of my side’s mistake is better or sexier than your’s. A mistake is a mistake. Most third world leaders fall not because of their opposition ,but because of their supporters. Supporters should be critical of their side when a mistake is happenning. I am the brilliant person that openly believe that as an Eritrean kilil person my interest lies in what Ethiopia does than what EPLF/HIGDEF does. I really want Ethiopia to succeed and prosper ,but EPRDF needs to do self investigation as there seems to be many hidden issues that have come to explode at once.It is not going to help to use ቀምሽ ሻዕብያ ዓንቂፉና ፣ጀለብያ ግብጺ ደጊሙና approach does not only help but it makes ePRDF appear weak and a whiner,I say this as a well wisher of Ethiopian people and government and specially the safety of our ancestors the Tegaru of Tigray.
This is not a debate or argument with loser ex shefatu that have no conscience but like to see the demise of EPLF & TPLF as opposed to safety and well being of Eritrean people.
I argue the young Eritrean Agazian to have a principle ,a mistake is a mistake whether it is committed by EPRDF or SHAIBIYA crime.
God keep the Agazian people and all the rest Ethio-Eritreans blessed