“Such a Brutal Crackdown”

Martu.” 71 The whereabouts of those six students are not known. 72 Several well-known
Oromo musicians have also been arrested.
An Ethiopian intelligence official confirmed to Human Rights Watch that targeting public
figures was deliberate government policy. He said, “It is important to target respected
Oromos. Anyone that has the ability to mobilize Oromos will be targeted, from the highest
level like Bekele, to teachers, respected students, and Oromo artists.” 73
A local woreda official told Human Rights Watch:
When the protests were happening in other parts of our [zone], we were told
to round up all those that might want to protest – our list included the best
students, those who were involved in any language or cultural clubs,
teachers who had not shown their loyalty to government, several wellknown
business owners, and past troublemakers. We were to stop this
protest but also to prevent future problems by arresting those who were not
close to us [government]. They were all arrested or ran away, but the
protests happened anyway. I was then blamed, and heard I was to be
arrested so I ran away too. 74
Even local government officials were fired or arrested in many locations and accused of
mobilizing protesters, being overly sympathetic, or failing to control the protesters. 75
Targeting of government officials increased in March and April of 2016. Six local
government officials told Human Rights Watch that they were already under suspicion
because of their perceived support for OFC and because some refused to join the OPDO.
71 Kadir Martu, was previously arrested based on his lyrics. While claiming asylum in Sudan, he was arrested for being in the
country illegally and deported back to Ethiopia. According to Amnesty International, they received information he was
rearrested on return and detained in Maekelawi. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwlBlJnpnq4 (last viewed May 19,
2016).
72 Human Rights Watch interview with #79, location withheld, April 2016.
73 Human Rights Watch interview with #27, location withheld, January 2016.
74 Human Rights Watch interview with #95, location withheld, April 2016.There were protests in this location but they were
minor in nature.
75 Walta Info, “Oromiya demotes, sacks 829 officials,” April 14, 2016,
http://www.waltainfo.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=23653&Itemid=134 (accessed May 19, 2016).
“SUCH A BRUTAL CRACKDOWN” 34