123.
The Complainants cite the International PEN, Constitutional
Rights Project, Civil Liberties Organization and Interight on
behalf of Ken Saro-Wiwa Jnr.) v. Nigeria44 case, where it was found
that Nigeria violated Articles 9 and 11 of the Charter for targeting
individuals who had disseminated critical information and opinions
about the government during a public rally by using the criminal justice
system.
Alleged violation of Article 10 of the Charter (The right to Freedom of
Association)
124.
The Complainants claim that in 2014, Andargachew Tsege, a
member of the banned political group Ginbot 7, was abducted in Sana's
Airport, Yemen, by unidentified individuals and returned to Ethiopia.
They allege that he was subsequently sentenced to death for alleged
involvement in conspiring to commit acts of terror and violence in
Ethiopia and collaborating with Ginbot 7, a proscribed terrorist
organization, to overthrow the Ethiopian Government.
125.
The Complainants allege that in July 2014, 4 opposition party
members, namely, Abra Desta of the Arena Tigray Party, Habtamu
Ayalew and Daniel Shebeshi of the Blue Party, and Yeshewas Asefa of
the Unity for Democracy Party, were arrested and taken to the Federal
Police Detention Center in Addis Ababa on 8 July 2014. According to
the Complainants, Samuel Aweke, a candidate from the Blue Party, was
found dead in the streets of Dembre Markos on 15 June 2015, in what
they allege to be a politically motivated incident because it followed the
publication of an article that criticized the actions of local officials. They
add that on 19 June 2015, Berhanu Erabu, a member of the opposition
group Medrek, was also found dead near a river in Hadiya Zone, only
24 hours after being arrested by two police officers.
126.
The Complainants additionally allege that between May and July
2015, approximately 500 members of the EFDUF, consisting of
opposition parties such as the Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC), were
detained at polling stations in the Oromia region, resulting in injuries
to 46 individuals by security officers, with six sustaining gunshot
wounds and two death. The Complainants further claim that opposition
leaders of political parties were routinely arrested, even outside
Ethiopian territory, preventing Ethiopian citizens from engaging in
public affairs through debate and active dialogue and coercing them
into voting for the ruling party.
44 Communications 137/94-139/94-154/96-161/97 International PEN, Constitutional Rights Project,
Civil Liberties Organisation and Interights (on behalf of Ken Saro-Wiwa Jnr.) v. Nigeria (1998) ACHPR.
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