Community News
Hard roads to freedom in Noble Park
FOR the Oromo people, Refugee Week in Australia stirs up powerful memories. “It is a time for us to reflect that we are not mentally settled in Australia but that we are physically settled here,” said Lensa Dinka, a Southern Health nurse. Speaking with two other Oromo friends she described how she came to Australia in 1999. “I was at university in Ethiopia and our graduation was due but the government would not let us finish our study,” she said. ‘It was hard to live there peacefully so I escaped and worked on the Sudanese border for some years, educating people as a teacher.” Student Ayantu Deme’s time in Australia has been short.
“I have been here 10 months but I am always worried about the people I have left at home and if they are safe,” she said. Mrs Deme came here with her daughter and wants to study at university after completing a course in English as a second language. Aliye Geleto, who was arrested with his activist father when he was a teenager, said: “We were beaten and harassed and my Dad was buried alive, but he survived.” He came to Australia under UNHCR conditions from Kenya and since arriving in Melbourne has completed two masters degrees, in IT and law, and is studying for his third in engineering. Ms Dinka runs the Oromo radio program on 3ZZZ. “We have to tell people we are the second largest indigenous population in Africa because nobody knows about us,” she said. “We are a new community fighting for our identity and we need to protect our community and our culture.” The three Oromo members were part of a recent delegation to Canberra to alert the Federal Government of their existence in Australia. Hard roads to freedom in Noble Park

African students get role models BY GRANT REYNOLDS,, 15 Jun, 2010
UNIVERSITY student Hamza Wariyo can see a day when an Australian of African descent will be a state or federal MP. Mr Wariyo, an Oromo who lives in Ascot Vale, migrated from Ethiopia about 10 years ago. Since then he's been a voice for up to 5000 Oromo people in Melbourne. About five weeks ago, he and four other students of African birth set up the Australian African Students Association at Victoria University in Footscray. "We need to see some African role models in Australia to help other
Africans integrate with mainstream society. We need to see more African doctors, professors. We need to see some African Australians in every sector." A club of sorts had existed, but it needed direction and purpose. With the help of university academic staff, Hamza and his colleagues drew up a charter and it now has 45 members. As the name of the association suggests, they want Australians to be part of it. "We want to teach Australians about Africa and develop academic links with African universities." The association encourages students to take leadership roles immediately, rather than wait until they finish university. Hamza calls it a communal responsibility.

"Different African families come from different backgrounds. Some people come from civil wars and if the parents didn't have opportunities for education their kids are affected. If some people educated themselves after arriving here, they need to help African kids, to educate them through supporting and mentoring them." African university students can get basic help with the language and writing skills needed at university, and the association can also point them in the right direction for help in other areas of life that throw up complications for Africans, such as seeing a doctor or getting legal advice. "They all say they have been wanting something like this. For many African background students, English isn't their second language, it's their fourth or fifth language." But can Hamza see a time soon when African-Australians will be leaders in the broader community? "Of course. That's my dream." African students get role models



Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia: The Most Repressive Dictator in Africa
The Oromo community members and Oromo friends will rally at the Parliament House on Friday 21 May 2010 at 11: 00 AM to condemn the brutal atrocities committed against the Oromo and other oppressed nations in Ethiopia by the tyrant Meles Zenawi regime. Since coming to power in 1991, the Ethiopian security forces of Meles Zenawi have been committing systematic and widespread abuses including massacre, extrajudicial executions, rape, torture and forced exile of ordinary people, students, journalists, artists, etc in Oromia and other regions. The current regime also encroaches on the media using sophisticated techniques to censor and block access to independent news outlets such as the Voice of America (VOA). Journalists are increasingly harassed, assaulted and murdered. These atrocities are well documented and reported by the international humanitarian organizations including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, State Department (US) and Oromia Support Group in their annual reports.

As the fake election of 2010 is fast approaching, the Ethiopian Government has escalated its attacks on human rights activists, students, journalists and ordinary citizens who appear to be opposing its policies and voting for the opposition parties. We fear the security forces may commit the same atrocities as committed during the 2005 Ethiopian Election. We are also concerned by the politically motivated death and long term sentences passed against 15 innocent Oromo men and women by the Wayane (Meles Zenawi’s militia) Kangaroo court. We strongly denounce and condemn this dictatorial action and call upon the Australian Government and public to urge the Ethiopian Government to reverse the decision and release these and all other political prisoners immediately.
Despite its appalling human rights records, the Ethiopian government tries to portray itself as an emerging democracy and continues to enjoy the support of Western Nations and their largess. Unless the donor countries listen to voice of the oppressed nations, carefully assess the cause behind the conflicts in Ethiopia and form a balanced view, they will continue to waste their resources and perpetuate the atrocities committed by tyrant like Meles Zenawi. We urge the donor countries to persuade the Ethiopian government to stop detaining, torturing and killing and to respect the rights of the Oromo and other oppressed peoples in Oromia and Ethiopia. How long do we have to wait for the killings to end and for freedom and democracy to fledge? Not another generation. For further information, please contact Mr. Aliye Geleto. On Mobile No 0432483510 www.oromocommunity.org.au

Oromo delegates convene in Canberra with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Oromo community leaders met on Thursday 15th of April 2010 in Canberra with representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). The meeting was arranged to discuss a vast number of issues regarding current level of persecution towards the Oromo people. The meeting was very fruitful and a number of issues relating to human rights violations and abuse by the current regime was tabled and discussed. DFAT representatives acknowledged that they were very aware of the plight and history of the Oromo people. Key statements made by DFAT representatives was a promise to inquire about the current level of inhumane treatment inflicted upon Oromo refugees in refugee camps, especially Kenya where the Australian embassy is based. The inquiry will be made available to the Oromo community in Australia upon completion. The objectives that the Oromo delegates from various states across Australia tabled to the representatives were received with empathy and sympathy. The warm hospitality provided by the department was very welcoming and reflected very much the welcoming manner in which the Oromo people received guests. The delegates were very satisfied with the outcome of the meeting and look forward to a long term relationship with the department.


Oromos contribute to Cultural Diversity week
Victoria has been enriched by people from all over the world and diversity has strengthened our state socially, culturally and economically. Many Oromos also contribute to these successes. In the 2010 Cultural Diversity week, the Oromo volunteers showcased a musical performance at the City of Greater Dandenong, City of Maribyrnong as well as attending the new & emerging communities’ reception organised by the City of Yarra and the Victoria Police.
The Australian Oromo Community Association in Victoria (AOCAV) was invited to the new & emerging communities reception by Victoria Police commander Ashley Dickinson.The event was held at Collingwood Town Hall on 15 March 2010. AOCAV committee (Aliye, Aisha, Awal, Karim & Toltu) were all there representing the Oromo community as part of the greater than 250 guests, providing Victoria Police with an opportunity to celebrate diversity with a wide range of cultural community representatives. The AOCAV will continue to develop closer relationship with Victoria Police.




Oromia at federation square, Melbourne Australia.
In the midst of the hustle and bustle at the heart of Melbourne’s city, Australian Oromos across the nation congregated on Sunday 20th December at Federation square to celebrate and commemorate the beauty of Oromo culture and raise awareness to plight of the Oromo nation.
It was a day in which Oromo flags flew proudly across Melbourne’s summer sun and everybody was welcome to attend the festival, free for the public. Shoppers, tourists, citizens and local residents alike witnessed hundreds upon hundreds of Oromo men, women and children decorated in traditional dress, listened to the song of joyful Oromo voices ring through the air, and enjoyed the taste of delicious Oromo foods whose aroma filtered along Melbourne’s famous Yarra River.
Organised by the Australian Oromo Community Association in Victoria (AOCAV) in conjunction with Melbourne Oromo Youth Association (MOYA), “Oromia at Federation Square” was a jam-packed cultural extravaganza showcased for eagerly awaiting crowds. From 2pm, there was a cultural exhibition and Oromo food for sale. The cultural show started from 3pm until the evening showcasing dove releasing ceremony for freedom and independence, traditional dance medleys, diverse wedding re enactments, Oromo conscious hip hop, a live band, documentary preshow s and a children’s performance which celebrated 25 years since the establishment of the Australian Oromo Community. Marcia Prinskier from the Victorian Multicultural Commission was the distinguished guest and the entire show was fabulously hosted by Karim Degal and Sinke Wesho who elegantly encouraged participation from the energetic crowd throughout the day.
The day was one of joy and commemoration not just for Oromos in Australia, but for Oromos across the globe: to remember the past, commemorate the present, and represent the future. Similarly, the celebration of “Oromia at Federation Square” marks the beginning of yet another exciting year of events that aim to bring the case of the Oromo cause to the forefront of Australian federal politicians. All the best to the Australian Oromos who will steam into 2010 with vigour and congratulations for commemorating 2009 by celebrating 25 years of continued Australian contribution to the global Oromo cause.

Oromo Community discussions day was successful
The Australian Oromo Community Association's in Victoria Inc new management committee and members of the association had a successful consultation day on 24-10-2009 at Multicultural Hub Melbourne exchanging their experiences and ideas to develop a three-year strategic plan. Each member of the management committee presented their role using metaphors to explain how their leadership will benefit the community. The team used pictures of the current Abba Bokkuu (Oromo leader), Odaa tree, cattles, a horse and a computer. All five pictures were finally linked together to show how the team intends to provide better community service, greater recognition and improved communication of community information.

Attending members were placed into small groups to brainstorm their ideas and provide input into the future direction of the association. Questions such as what will happen if we do not have a Community? what should be done to attract more people and increase participation? where do you see the Oromo Community in five years time? what would you do if you were in the management committee? were displayed on a large screen to assist in providing feedback. A follow-up meeting has been scheduled for Saturday 21 November 2009. In the mean time, the management committee will analyse member's feedback and produce a report documenting a three-year strategic plan. A hard copy of the plan will be provided to all current financial members of the association.


Ethiopia: Two Third of the Country Food Insecure Due to Failure to Govern,,,October 23, 2009 at 6:09 am (Gadaa)
In an article previously posted on Gadaa.com, Naatolii Gadaa argued that the root cause of the recurrent famine in Ethiopia was neither drought nor lack of rain nor the global financial crisis, but “famines occur as the result of bad government policies, lack of basic human rights protection, and lack of democracy. It has nothing to do with the lack of rain or drought.” Read more

Dr. Gebisa Ejeta – Journey from Welenkomi, Oromia, to Laurette of WFP (Video) (Gadaa)
The 2009 World Food Prize was awarded to Dr. Gebisa Ejeta of Ethiopia, whose sorghum hybrids resistant to drought and the devastating Striga weed have dramatically increased the production and availability of one of the worlds five principal grains and enhanced the food supply of hundreds of millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa. Read more

Award-Winning Article: Systematic repression and rampant human rights abuses against the Oromo People in Ethiopia
This article was presented at the 31st African Studies Association of Australia, Asia and the Pacific (AFSAAP) Annual Conference and won the AFSAAP 2008 Monash Postgraduate Essay Prize. The article details human rights and other abuses committed by the Ethiopian ruling elite against the Oromo people; these abuses, a human rights organization believes, amount to racism by the Ethiopian authorities against the majority Oromo people. Here’s the abstract of the paper, and the link to the entire article is found below.
By Tarekegn Chimdi,,, Systematic repression and rampant human rights abuses against the Oromo People in Ethiopia
From the time of colonization of Oromia at the end of 19th century, the Oromo people were faced with discrimination and marginalisation. Their egalitarian democratic institution of governance the Gada system; their cultural traditions and language were banned; their means of subsistence, land, was confiscated and, as a result, they were forced to slavery and servitude. The policy of successive regimes in Ethiopia, including the current regime, has been implementing similar tactics of furthering their subjugation and repression, be it under the guise of democracy or socialism. The current TPLF/ PRDF dominated regime is a political, economic and social powerhouse for nearly past two decades after ousting the Amhara hegemony in 1991. In contrast to the Tigrayans which constitute about 5% of the total population, the Oromo people encounter rampant human rights abuses, absurd relocation and eviction from their lands, experimented with unplanned resettlement schemes in hostile environments, face abysmal poverty and contamination of epidemic diseases. Read more

The Plight of Oromo Refugees in Sudan
By Jalene Gemeda ,Washington DC, 16/10/2009
Oromo are among the more than 230,000 refugees who have survived in 12 camps run by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in eastern Sudan. According to UNHCR, there are 180,000 Eritrean refugees in the country, and 17,000 Ethiopians. Some have lived there for 20 years, and some for more than 40 years. “Their future depends upon a third country,” UNCHR’s Theresa Ongaro told the Afan Oromo service recently. And the conditions under which they live is precarious, according to Oromo who live in these camps. Some refugees had complained to the UNHRC does not provide adequate shelter, food and medical attention to many living in Sudan. Some have taken jobs outside the camps to survive. Read more

The Oldest Human Ancestor ,,,, 01/10/2009
The skeleton of an early human who lived 4.4 million years ago shows that humans did not evolve from chimpanzee-like ancestors, researchers said.

click here ,,,,, The Oldest Human Ancestor





Hear's to refugee health,, 7/09/2009
"AKKAM jirtu kabajamtoota dhaggeeffattoto kienya." ("Hello, how are you, my listeners.") This is how Lensa Dinka and Marama Kufi greet listeners in Oromo when they discuss health issues on 3ZZZ radio every second Sunday. The Noble Park couple, who were forced to flee the war-torn African Oromia region in Ethiopia, has teamed up with Southern Health to bridge the culture gap in the Oromo community. The health workers, who had to learn English quickly to educate themselves and get work, were keen to get the radio show up and running. Read more

The Oromo Australians marched with thousands on Harmony day in Australia
The Oromo Australian joined thousands of Victorians on Harmony day (12 July 2009) to celebrate multiculturalism, oppose racism and support diversity in Victoria, Australia. The Premier of Victoria Mr. John Brumby was at the forefront of the march. He delivered an unwavering speech in reaffirming shared values as a community and celebrating Australia's advancements as a multicultural society. He talked about inclusiveness and cultural, racial and religious intolerance. Harmony Day provided a unique occasion for community groups to celebrate cultural diversity and shows that everyone belongs. The Oromo community members were the largest contingent among the African communities took part in the march. They were holding the Oromo flag high in the sky and carried a distinct blue banner that read Oromo Community from Oromia. For further detail visit the Australian Oromo Community Association’s website. http://www.oromocommunity.org.au

While marching in the heart of Melbourne and celebrating multiculturalism in a free spirit the Oromo contingent didn’t forget to denounce tyrannical Wayyane regime and the atrocities committed by their securities forces against the innocent Oromo people in Oromia. Dressing in the traditional attire, chanting and dancing the Oromo traditional dance made the Oromo contingent more conspicuous in the crowd. Taking part in such Joyce event helps to promote the Oromo community profile and get media coverage. The key message for the Oromos in the Diaspora is to take actions and do something to promote the people’s cause at every possible opportunity. However, small it seems it will add up. A person can pray all day long for things to happen, but if they don't take some action, they will not see any results. We can reach our goals and dreams if we turn our focus and energy to pursue those goals and dreams. Get up and take some action. From our actions we learn and grow.


Oromo Australians Overwhelming Response to Bushfire Victims
The Black Saturday bushfires that claimed the lives of 210 individuals and destroyed more than 2,000 homes and 421,000 hectares of bushland attracted the attention of all Australian communities and in particular the residents of the state of Victoria where the unfortunate incidents occurred.

The members of the Australian Oromo Community Association in Victoria (AOCAV) have shown a great sense of commitment to help their fellow Australians who were affected by the bushfires by making financial contributions to the fund established to assist with the rehabilitations of the victims of the bushfires on Black Saturday. The current difficult economic circumstances and the burden of maintaining financially their families, relatives and friends in their homeland, Oromia and various refugee camps across the Horn of Africa could not deter the members of AOCAV from digging deep into their pockets and donate to this worthy cause.

It was also very interesting to witness the desire of the members of this community including the very young and new arrivals to stand with the bushfire victims and show that they are not only part of the mainstream Australia but also good citizens of this great nation. A number of the community members also volunteered and participated in various projects undertaken by the Red Cross and SES in the bushfires affected areas. The AOCAV is proud of its members and confident that its members will continue to show such a strong spirit of compassion during difficult times and to enjoy the freedom and opportunity afforded to them by Australia and its people.

Oromo: Mass Graves Uncovered in Ethiopia , Wednesday, 28 January 2009, Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO)
ADDIS ABABA - On Tuesday this week [January 2009], construction workers have accidentally discovered mass graves inside the notorious Central Investigation's (Maekelawi) detention center that is located behind the Addis Ababa Police Commission. The Addis Ababa Police Commission's headquarters is being torn down and rebuilt. According to Ethiopian Review Intelligence Unit's sources, the graves were discovered when the bulldozer that was leveling the ground accidentally damaged the foundation of the building where the mass graves are located. When the building came down, the construction workers and some passersby saw several fresh bodies, as well as skulls and bones in plastic bags. The Federal Police prison guards immediately chased away every one and sealed off the area. Read more

The Last Words of Mohammed Sifah, Documentary Australia Foundation
“..no speak! They threaten me with their boots, and the gun. They take away my voice, everything! No voice, then what do I have? You, Ferenji (foreigner), you have to send our message out to the world.” This is the story of a chance encounter between Australian filmmaker Amanda Walsh and Mohammed Sifah, an Oromo man living in Ethiopia, and its explosive consequences. Through his powerful words, we will witness political corruption at its most extreme. While human rights groups scream out for assistance, the Ethiopian Government receives a constant flow of funds in the form of foreign aid, the US its largest donor. Read more

Systematic repression and rampant human rights abuses against the Oromo People in Ethiopia ,Tarekegn Chimdi, Monash University, Clayton campus
Since this regime came to power in 1991, serious systematic repression and pervasive human rights abuses against the Oromo people has been reported. They encountered rampant human rights abuses, absurd relocation and eviction from their lands, experimented with unplanned resettlement schemes in hostile environments, face abysmal poverty and contamination of epidemic diseases. In general, people are being terrorized by federal police working-hand-in glove with local officials and militias. Such crackdown on citizens from all walks of life is a day to day activity in Oromia, including children as young as 11. The government routinely subjects its critics to harassment, extrajudicial killings, imprisonment and torture. A human rights group “ Society for Threatened Peoples” once described the situation as “If intellectuals, students, teachers, journalists, aid agency workers, artists, human rights activists and peasant farmers are subjected to human rights abuses solely on the basis of their origin, then the Ethiopian authorities are guilty of racism”. Read more

In The Driver’s Seat
In the Driver’s Seat documents a group of Oromo refugee women from Ethiopia, who live in Melbourne’s inner-city suburbs, as they undertake a driving program in order to get their licences. The women are filmed as they learn the rules of the road and jump behind the wheel to partake in driving lessons. In the Driver’s Seat follows the journey of these women, through the trials and tribulation - as they take to the road. The women are part of an indigenous group from the Oromo Nation, Ethiopia’s largest indigenous group. In Africa, the Oromo people have suffered under violent persecution from the Ethiopian Government for many years Read more

Ethiopia's Oromo Face Increased Repression
Matthew Stein | 10 Dec 2008, World Politics Review
Surrounded by unstable regimes and beset by national conflicts, the current Ethiopian government has long been preoccupied with containing any militant threat. In June, even as the country was gripped by its worst famine in 25 years, the government announced plans to increase its military budget by $50 million -- to $400 million -- just one week after appealing to the international community for assistance. As a result, in addition to deploying troops into Somalia for the past two years, and intermittently clashing with Eritrean troops along their northern border, Ethiopia's military has also fought several internal conflicts in the Ogaden and in the less known Oromia regions. Read more

Ethiopia again gripped by famine
AM - Tuesday, 25 November , 2008 08:12:00 Reporter: Andrew Geoghegan
Africa correspondent Andrew Geoghegan visited some of the worst affected areas of Ethiopia and met an Australian woman trying to help those in dire need.
ANDREW GEOGHEGAN: A three hour drive south of Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa is the town of Shashamane. Read more

After 10 years, a family split by war is reunited '
November 6, 2008 (theage)
Yesterday the abattoir worker from Collingwood said all he could do was "hug and kiss and hug and kiss and cry", when he was finally reunited at Melbourne Airport with his children, now aged between 11 and 17. "Today I see them, I'm very happy, they are very different," Mr Ambo said of the reunion, in which his five other children met their siblings for the first time. Mr Ambo, who is from the Oromo people, a large ethnic group in Ethiopia, walked more than 400 kilometres from his home in Agarfa to Kenya in 1998, after learning he was suspected of being a member of the anti-government Oromo Liberation Front. Read more

World hails Obama win'
The international community has welcomed the election of Barack Obama as US President-elect.
Mr Obama's victory is being celebrated throughout Africa, particularly in Kenya, where his father was born. The country has declared a public holiday today to celebrate the victory of man it regards as a son. Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki called Mr Obama's election win "a victory for all Kenyans". Mr Obama's father was Kenyan, although he abandoned his son when he was two years old. His paternal grandmother still lives in the east African country. African leaders are hoping the President-elect will include Africa in his agenda once he is sworn into office. Read more

College-educated immigrants lag in jobs'
1 out of 5 college-educated immigrants is unemployed or working in an unskilled job.
By N.C. Aizenman THE WASHINGTON POST Thursday, October 23, 2008
WASHINGTON — One out of every five college-educated immigrants in the United States is either unemployed or working in an unskilled job such as a dishwasher, fast food restaurant cashier or security guard, depriving the U.S. economy of the full potential of more than 1.3 million foreign-born workers, according to a study released Wednesday. The plight of such immigrants is familiar to anyone who has gotten a ride from a taxi driver with an engineering degree from Ethiopia or had their car parked by a garage attendant who used to practice law in El Salvador. But the report by the Washington-based Migration Policy Institute is the first to quantify the extent of the problem. Read more

Ethiopia risks £130 million of British aid by 'hiding famine'
By Damien McElroy in Addis Ababa 17 Oct 2008
Douglas Alexander, the international development secretary, told Meles Zenawi, Ethiopia's prime minister, that Britain would not guarantee future payments to the country. On a two-day visit, Mr Alexander toured a hospital in the town of Kebri Dehar, in the Somali region. Before his arrival, local officials forced starving infants out of the emergency ward and on to the street. "I put it to him [Mr Meles] that severely malnourished children had been removed from the hospital prior to my arrival," said Mr Alexander. "I made it clear that, if true, that was unconscionable and wholly wrong." Read more

Bleak scenes as Ethiopia puts war before famine'
By Damien McElroy 17 Oct 2008
On the front line of an invisible Ethiopian famine, government forces stand between the dying tribes scattered across a closed hinterland and outside aid.
School teacher Abdi Wahadi tried vainly to hide his embarrassment that his class size had been reduced to just six pupils, claiming that 70 were expected to enrol by the end of the week, even though the year started in September. At the hospital the reluctance to acknowledge the impact of the war was clear in the maternity ward. One lone woman sat with a baby. An aid worker shamefacedly explained that two other women with far more malnourished children had disappeared. "The others must be taken out," she said. "I'm not sure where they could have gone because the children are severely malnourished. I hope they are within the city limits." A UN official went further. "The people's movements are severely restricted by the government," the official said. "If they are starving they get past the roadblocks to get into town; if they have any goats left they don't go to the watering hole because the army targets these; if they are ill they can't get into the hospitals to be treated." Read more

Oromo Risking Lives to FleePersecutions at Home
SANAA, 8 October 2008 (IRIN) - Efto Ali, an Oromo woman aged 20, was among 61 African migrants to make the perilous journey to Yemen from the Somali port of Bossaso a week ago. She said she experienced unforgettable hardship during the three-day boat journey that cost her US$100. "I was hit by the smugglers when I vomited or moved slightly. They hit my arms with a cord. They killed three passengers for moving," she said. The smugglers dumped the passengers about 100 metres off Bir Ali, a southern Yemeni village, causing two children to drown. Read more

Ethiopia’s Largest Ethnicity Group Deprived of Linguistic and Cultural Sensitive Media Outlets
Ethnic tension has been part of Ethiopian reality for over one hundred years, however, pressure and harassment from the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) party on the Oromos has exacerbated since Prime Minister Meles Zenawi took office in 1991. “The current Ethiopian state can only be compared to apartheid South Africa, where similar unjust practices happened,” said a refugee Oromo journalist abroad, who wanted to remain anonymous, to RAP 21.The journalist spoke of the government as “a debilitating cancer for the Oromo media,” as evidenced with the closure of Wanchif and Seifa Nebelbal Urji newspapers, Tomar magazine and Oromo Television [among a number of other smaller and uncountable publications and broadcasts]. The employees of such media outlets have been forced into exile or have been put behind bars. “There are more Oromo journalists in the Diaspora than there are at home because of the exodus,” he said. Read more

NGOs fear for human rights defenders in Ethiopia
Jennifer Henrichsen/Human Rights Tribune - A new bill proposed by the government of Addis Ababa could limit human rights activities of foreign organizations in Ethiopia, as well as local organizations that receive more than ten percent of foreign funding. These organizations would not be allowed to carry out work on gender issues, children’s rights and the rights of disabled people, said Human Rights Watch (HRW) in a report published September 11. Foreign organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch could only work in these areas if they are granted written permission by the Ethiopian government, stated the report. Read more

Australia donates $10m to Ethiopia
September 23, 2008 - 6:30AM (theage)
Australia is lobbying African nations to support Canberra's bid for a temporary seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), showing its commitment to the continent with a $10 million donation to help the starving in Ethiopia. Foreign Minister Stephen Smith announced the additional funding to provide Ethiopia with emergency food aid to help some of the 7.5 million people in need of assistance due to the nation's severe drought. Read more

Famine in Oromia


Ethiopia shuts down Oromo TV, fires, arrests several journalists and staff
Qeerransoo Biyyaa September 19, 2008
Ethiopia selectively removed the only Oromo language television broadcast off air on September 12, 2008. Sources from Finfinne (Addis Ababa), speaking on conditions of anonymity for fear of reprisal, said that police barred several dozens of journalists and staff from entering Read more


Bekele Geleta, Secretary General, International Federation of Red Cross/Red Crescent Societies (IFRC),
The Ottawa Citizen, Canada, Louisa Taylor, Saturday, July 19, 2008
‘God, give my children … The courage to help’ After his arrival in Ottawa as a refugee in 1992, Bekele Geleta lived the classic story of the educated, middle-aged immigrant: despite impressive credentials, fluent English and even a few connections, no Canadian employers would take a chance on him. So he found a ’survival’ job, training in this Quickie mart on Richmond Road with an eye to one day opening his own store. He never got that far. Two years into his life in Canada, he got a job that sent him back to Africa, and his new career was born.
His mother’s simple daily prayer has guided Bekele Geleta through a life marked by stellar ascents and crushing setbacks, from Ethiopian executive to political prisoner, from humanitarian to refugee and Ottawa gas-bar clerk, and now secretary general of the International Federation of the Red Cross. Read more


Most Prolific Authors in Computer Science
The 2008 DBLP list of "Most Prolific Authors in Computer Science" in the world has recently been released. One of these top Scientists in the world is our own Prof. Jemal Hussein Abawajy of Deakin University in Australia. Prof. Abawajy has made the DBLP Most Prolific Authors list for the past three consecutive years. We are proud of him and on behalf of the Oromo community in Australia, we say congratulations to him for such outstanding accomplishment. Read more

Australia to sign up to anti-torture treaty
The Federal Government is moving to ratify an optional protocol to the United Nations Convention Against Torture and is also considering bringing in legislation to formally outlaw it in Australia. Read more

Tanner wants support for African migrants
Posted Thu Jul 31, 2008 6:29am AEST (abc>
Minister for Finance Lindsay Tanner is calling on Australia's business community to support African migrants with workplace mentoring and work experience. Mr Tanner, whose Melbourne electorate has a large population of African-Australians, made the comments in Melbourne last night. Read more
Is Australia on the path to becoming an open nation? ,,,by The Hon Lindsay Tanner MP

Around 4.6 million people in immediate need of humanitarian aid
The situation is most critical in the drought-affected eastern regions of Oromiya, Somalia and Southern Nations Nationalities and People’s Region. Read more

Australia balances refugee priorities
Friday 20 June 2008
Australia’s refugee and humanitarian intake for 2008-09 will help provide a new life for 13 500 people who have fled their troubled homelands in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Announcing the regional allocations for Australia’s Humanitarian Program on World Refugee Day, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans said that Africa, the Middle East and Asia will each be allocated a 33 percent intake, with the remaining one percent allocated for contingencies. Read more

Refugee program to expand by 500
Jewel Topsfield, Canberra May 13, 2008 (theage)
AUSTRALIA'S annual refugee intake will be increased by 500 in today's federal budget, with more focus on Iraq and the persecuted Karen people, a Burmese ethnic minority. Read more

Death rally ends talks
Rick Edwards 13 May 08 (Maribyrnong leader)
UP to 60 protesters from the Oromo community forced a meeting involving Ethiopian government officials to be cancelled last Tuesday in Footscray. Read more

Australian Oromo Community Staged a Peaceful Rally
Members of Australian Oromo Community Association in Victoria staged a peaceful rally against ‘Tigrean’ Delegation who are currently visiting some Australian cities. The rally was held at Maribyrnong Council on 06 May, 2008 where they were expected to address some members of Ethiopian community.

The rally highlighted life under current Prime Minister Zenawi and why thousands of people keep fleeing the country to end up as refugees in the neighbouring countries. The rally was joined by many other groups like Ogadinians, Somalis, Members of Ethiopian Opposition Groups and members of Eritrean community. Oromo community would like to thank those who joined them on the occasion and showed solidarity with Oromo people said the community Spokes Person. Further he thanked the locals who in some way contributed to this peaceful rally and members of Victorian Police force who made sure that every thing went peacefully and eventually decided to cancel the meeting. And finally he thanked members of Oromo community who took part and showed constraints in undertaking messages in a responsible manner. Read more

Australia maintains a commitment to African refugees
Community concerns African community leaders in Australia have raised concerns that the African component of the resettlement program has been suspended. The community can be assured that applications from the African region continue to be considered and successful applicants will be resettled through the course of this program year. Read more

Fostering a sense of community for Oromo Muslims
Moonee Valley Community News - May 6, '08
AFRICAN youth face numerous barriers in Australia, particularly if they are young Muslim women. Speaking at a recent Oromo youth forum in Footscray, Aisha Ali said becoming involved in community radio and events had helped involve her in the Australian Oromo community. "I personally think as a young, female, Oromo Muslim, that it is a great start and involving us will help us as youth gain skills that will help bring the independence of our people. "We are working side by side, receiving mentoring from influential people in our community. It's thanks to them that I have learnt more about Oromia's history." Read More

The first Oromo Youth Forum held on April 27, 2008 in Melbourne successfully completed
The first Oromo Youth Forum held on April 27, 2008 in Melbourne successfully completed. The forum was attended by a good number of Oromo youth representatives, invited guests from Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Community Liaison officer, Multicultural Affairs.

The forum is an avenue for young Oromo people to come together and voice their ideas, passions and interests, in a safe and supportive environment. The ultimate goal of the forum is to bring Oromo youth and the broader community together, promote a sense of pride in being young Oromo Australian as well as solidarity among Oromo youth by supporting each other and contributing to the development of a healthy Oromo community in Australia.

The forum was marked by keynote speeches delivered by Prof. Jemal Abawajy and Mr. Tarekegn Chimdi. Prof. Abawajy informed the youth that they should be prepare to be future leaders. He stated that educational qualifications, in an increasingly professional society, to be an important part of defining them. He urged the youth to stay in school and through graphs and charts, Prof. Jemal showed how education and training increases their chances of getting better jobs in the future. Mr. Chimdi discussed the gross human rights violations and incalculable material destruction inflicted by the Ethiopian government against the Oromo people. He told the youth that, as we speak, many Oromo youth and elderly are being killed, forced to quite schools simply for being Oromo.

The youth were asked to identify the problems that they face, and the ensuing discussion yielded many issues and challenges confronting the Oromo youth in Australia. Some youth were unhappy with school and may have problems learning, low self-esteem, or issues at home that make it hard for them to feel connected to school. Young Oromos who left school have trouble making the transition towards secure employment. Some were not in study and were either working part-time, unemployed, or not in the labour force at all. They continue to be disadvantaged in many ways, both financial and social. The problems that the newly arriving young Oromo face including homelessness issues were also discussed. Another area explored was how to involve and provide a voice to government and community on issues of importance to them.

Practical approaches to alleviate these problems were also discussed. To make Oromo youth aware of the opportunities that are available to them and the need for a positive role models and support to youth to realize their independence were discussed. The attendees agreed to furnish positive role model to the youth and expand social activities of the Oromo youth through education, sports etc... They also agreed to work with the Australian Oromo Community to help new arrivals of Oromo youth to Australia to build their skills and capacity through programs designed to render language education, vocational training, immigration support and social service. The youth agreed to involve in developing their knowledge about local youth support services, the law and police and criminal justice procedures.
Last but not least, to strengthen the communication and thereby share different ideas regarding their identity, culture and history of Oromo people, they agreed to maintain regular contact with each other via phone and/or e-mail.


African plea for action
BY GOYA BENNETT
Moonee Valley Community News 8/04/2008 8:59:16 AM
AUSTRALIA'S Oromo community is urging Moonee Valley residents to sign an online petition in response to the reported massacre of 65 refugees in Somalia. Oromos are the largest ethnic group in Ethiopia, with many community members in Melbourne's western and northern suburbs. Head of the Footscray-based Australian Oromo Community Association in Victoria, Aliye Geleto Anota, made an impassioned plea at a public forum in Moonee Ponds last week. Read more