Oromo resisted to the plan for many reasons among these; is the fear of repercussions of the identity, culture and livelihood of the Oromo. Violence erupted across Oromia regional state which involved students from the University to Primary schools.

According to the FDRE’c constitution of Article 43.2 Oromo people have constitutional rights to decide on the urban development programs through democratic, transparent, bottom-up and inclusive approaches of participation. We have the right to decide whether we opt to go for the ‘Integrated Master Plan’ or not. Our constitutional right is violated. We should be consulted and we have the right to say no.

The ‘Integrated Master Plan’ is anticipated to hinder our identity, culture and livelihood. AS a result of this we say no to the Master Plan.

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The current regime, with its wrongful and completely unpopular policy of ethnic cleansing, has recently been on a mission of unjustly forcing an entire population of 78,000 in the Southern Region. People are being forced to evacuate and leave their land and property. The affected region constitutes twenty two districts in Benchi Zone, Gurafarda Woreda.

The population has been strongly protesting against EPRDF’s unlawful acts and such atrocities. However, in spite of the legal requests and outcry from the opposition, the Zenawi government has chosen to go ahead with its ill-advised abuse of its authority and use of its military force against good and law abiding citizens.

The video, first aired by Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International (LBCI) last week, sparked outrage by showing a man abusing Alem Dechasa as she cried on a street outside the Ethiopian embassy in Beirut. Reports of domestic worker abuse are widespread, with many allegedly locked in employers’ homes.

Rola Abimourched, program coordinator at KAFA (Enough) Violence and Exploitation, told Al Jazeera that Dechasa's case may increase scrutiny into the problem.

"This case may indicate the larger issue of migrant domestic workers' vulnerability to abuse in Lebanon, which puts the whole system in question. Namely, the sponsorship system which ties the domestic worker to one employer and does not guarantee her basic human rights.

This petition is being circulated by the Horn Institute of Peace and Social Justice in St. Paul, Minnesota.

We are very disturbed about rumors and stories in Finfinne that Jimmaa Times has not been given license despite filing application for many months. The fact that the only Afaan Oromo newspaper in Ethiopia is still the government controlled “Bariisaa” newspaper once again shows how Oromo people CONTINUE to be marginalized and oppressed in the country!!

According to the habesha/Orthodox calendar, it was in the year 1999 that oppressed people of the country saw the Jimma Times website become a rare Ethiopia-based media that is independent, allowing diverse views and news. It would be another BIG mistake by the Ethiopian regime to ban the country’s first independent newspaper that would also distribute News in the ONLY language 35 million Oromo people understand.

Unlike some other newspapers in Ethiopia that are established by politicians, all friends of the newspaper know that the Jimma Times newspaper is owned by NON-Political businessmen and philanthropists. Despite the undemocratic and restrictive nature of the country’s “Press Law,” it is more depressing to witness even newspapers planning to obey the “Press Law” are being denied license by the government!

We, the undersigned, demand the regime to stop denying the Jimaa Times workers their basic rights and to grant them their license as soon as possible!

Please visit ogaden.com for more info.

The Europeans were released in Asmara 12 days later, the 9 Ethiopians are still held captive. Are they being ignored because they are expendable Ethiopians?