“Such a Brutal Crackdown”

earrested or threatened with arrest when future protests occurred. Others had to report on
a daily or weekly basis to the local security office or police station in order to control their
movements. The agreements were typically in Afan Oromo or Amharic and no one received
a copy. 101
A number of students said that military, school administrators, or local government
officials told them that they were not permitted to be in public with more than one person.
This seemed particularly prevalent in East Hararghe zone. 102 Several said they were
released from detention on this condition and had to sign a document making this
commitment as a condition for their release. A 16-year-old said he was released from
detention on the condition that he not “participate in protests, go to the market, or attend
football matches or cultural events.” 103 Other students were told they had to report to the
police station daily, which effectively limited their movement to their communities.
101 Similar agreements have been documented in connection with past detentions and releases documented by Human
Rights Watch and other organizations. Amnesty International, “Because I am Oromo’, Sweeping Repression in the Oromia
Region of Ethiopia,” October 10, 2014. https://www.amnesty.org/download/Documents/4000/afr250062014en.pdf
(accessed May 19, 2016).
102 Human Rights Watch interview with #87, location withheld, April 2016.
103 Human Rights Watch interview with #112, location withheld, April 2016.
45 HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH | JUNE 2016