June 9, 2006
Mourning families to sue government
Families of people killed during last year's post-election violence in Ethiopia are to sue the government for compensation.
Relatives of 42 of the dead announced their plan during an emotional memorial event held in a house in the Bethel area of the capital Addis Ababa last night.
The event was organised by Wubalem Tadissa whose 15-year-old son was killed on his way home from school on June 8, 2005 when armed police clashed with protesters.
She said she found out he had been shot when his name was read out on television three days after he disappeared.
"I can’t express my sorrow about when I lost my son," she added "He was a decent, intelligent boy and his teachers and everyone who knew him loved him and I can’t really express my sorrow."
Mourning relatives held up pictures of the dead and lit candles in their memory. They said they plan to consult lawyers on Monday. They also called for the introduction of an annual day of peace in Ethiopia to remember everyone who died.
The government said it regretted the deaths that took place during protests over alleged irregularities during the May 15 general elections. But it blamed opposition supporters for starting the violence. An investigation into the events that led up to the deaths is due to publish its findings in July.
Mujabasi Raj was five months pregnant when her husband was killed on his way to work.
Her baby named Metasabia, which means memory, is now six months old.
"I lost my husband and his name was Fekada Nagash and he was 25 years old," she said.
"He was killed on the way to work which was far away from where we lived. We lived in a kebele or council house but now we have been forced to move out by the landlord.
"I don’t have anything to raise my son because her husband was the one with a job."
Posted by aheavens at June 9, 2006 3:23 PM
Comments
More power to them, but I doubt it will make any difference in finding someone accountable. A God fearing nation, full of hate, on all sides.
Posted by: weblogethiopia at June 9, 2006 7:59 PM
it is very sad and unaccepted to hear that the goverment haven't finished its investigation.we are living in dark part of world but i tell you this ,eprdf will be punishe for his blood job sooner or lster.eprdf are crminal and all will be charged .we will fight them and oust the out of ethiopia.may isay god bless to families and relatives of people who lost a lovely one.
Posted by: barcho at June 11, 2006 4:39 PM
It was a very disaster day for everyone who feels ethiopianism.I can't express my deep sarrow for those who lost thier lives and for their reminder family members.I liked that they have gathered to do something and I beleieve every one has to be on their side,especially most of the family members don't have enough income to continue their life.So we all have to support them by any means to be a part of their problems.So let's fund raise or let's do something to show them that our heart have been broken down since they lost their family memebers. finally I would like to ask the EPRDF gov't and its supporters to be once and again with the ethiopian people side to save the lives of the rest.
Posted by: yonas at June 15, 2006 11:09 PM
I am very sorry that we are living in a country where its government doesn't give any care for its citizen. let alone our poverty, but as ethiopian every one of us, especially the government officials, should think for one another. Being the people representative, they should worry more about their people than themselves, the reality, however, is the reverse....and that is realy a big shame.
Look, for example, the poor workers of flower farms. They are always doing their jop all day long in exposure of dengerous chemicals for 1US dolar/day, with no medical insurance, which seem a lot for the workers but funny for foreign investors. This is why these investors unplant their foctory from other African countries (like Kenya) and bring and plant it in Ethiopia....becauz there is no labour lows in Ethiopia. Every investor is like a feudal for his worker.....he can fire them any time he wants and when the worker is sick even due to exposure to chemicals.
Had it been good and strict labour lows, especially for forein investors, such disasterous events would have not been happened. But our government is not taking care of his citizen, they only think about themselves. This is the main reson and they are all responsible for the death of many citizens of ethiopians due to famine and diseases related to some dengerous jobs like flower farms.
Posted by: samuel at July 27, 2006 8:19 AM