up to sixteen hours; chaining in uncomfortable positions for prolonged periods; slapping and beating; food and sleep deprivation; pulling out of hair and beard; solitary confinement in cold and dark rooms; serving food during the day and depriving of it after dawn during the fasting month of Ramadan; and prevention of prayers. 8. The Complainants allege that the Victims have also been forced to make specific preconceived statements of being terrorists while being recorded amid threats of torture and mistreatment if they recant their' confessions'. The Complainants further allege that that the Victims have been prevented from seeing their families, lawyers or medical professionals during detention and their homes were ransacked and their families mistreated by police. Additionally, Muslim owned media outlets including those owned by one of the Victims have been shut down. 9. The Complainants allege that the Victims were formally charged on 29th October 2012, three (3) months after their arrest, with the offence of terrorism under the AntiTerrorism Proclamation No. 652/2009 (Anti-Terrorism Law or Anti-terror Statute). The Complainants further allege that on 5th February 2013,the Respondent State released a documentary film on national television alleging that the Victims and other protestors were working with global jihadi organisations before the Victims trial commenced. In addition, the Respondent State's media has also broadcasted several shows and interviews that implied the guilt of the detained Victims and other protestors. 10. The Complainants allege that since the trials are conducted in camera information is scanty. The Complainants further allege that the Victims' attorneys have been denied the opportunity to adequately prepare for their cases because the Court made a decision to allow the prosecutor to withhold the identities of his witnesses and the subject matter of their testimony. 11. The Complainants allege that the Respondent State, through an Elders Committee, has also approached the Victims to admit guilt and apologise in exchange for pardon. 12. The Complainants allege that peaceful protests persist in Ethiopia. Illustratively, on 3rd August 2013, 1,500 protestors were arrested and 25 other killed. On 9th August 2013, hundreds of protestors were beaten, and an unknown number arrested including the Victims represented in this Communication. 13. The Complainants allege that the Victims have appealed to the judiciary but that local remedies have proved to be unavailable, ineffective and insufficient. Articles alleged to have been violated 14. The Complainants allege violation of Articles 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 16 of the African Charter. Prayers 15. The Complainants request the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (the Commission) to: ~ ;: a. .... ,0" ~ I "0 ~ . Find the laws, policies and actions challenged above as violating th~~ights of the ~":r' Victims as well as all Ethiopians; and I ~~.... o () '. j u ~ .. ~ . <.J "\ :i:.'" ""~ r..~ 6 ,t .\) .~., : . Q"'" 9. ...~Ij ~ IV A~"RI(.~\~ ()fOMM£ ~ v «oS ./ E' ~~: ..... ,