Waliin Waliif – Together for Each Other

Background

Since 1991 the TPLF have predominantly controlled government power in the country resulting in over 40,000 Oromo’s being unjustly detained and their lives destroyed. Retired Oromo elders, mothers, teenagers and children with their families are among the thousands of innocent Oromo civilians unlawfully imprisoned for long periods, with many losing their lives in prison as the result of a lack of adequate treatment and torture. Other Oromo civilians, counted in thousands, including farmers, business people, teachers, students and professionals have had their properties confiscated, lost their jobs and risked uncertain life in their homeland. On top of all these atrocious situations, the systematic complication of due legal process- such as high lawyer costs, prevent the Oromo detainees from accessing lawyers and bringing their case to hearing in the court system. Thousands of Oromo released from years of prison have fled to different countries and suffer in various refugee camps. By taking all these factors into account, and to support these victims as much as possible this “Waliin-Waliif” – literally ‘ Together for Each Other’ project has been established.

Goals:

1. Assist Oromo detainees forgotten in prison for many years and still unable to access lawyers due to financial difficulties.
2. Provide close and devoted support to Oromo children, those whose parents are in detention, through sending them to school as well as encouraging them in dealing with their daily hardship.
3. Follow up and provide the necessary and possible support to Oromo detainee families suffering in the country.
4. Support Oromo detainees released from prison that have fled the country and are sheltered in various refugee camps in neighbouring countries.
5. Support those who have been physically injured or suffer illness from detention due to poor treatment.
6. Support Oromo girls and women in need of special and additional support in detention.

Objectives:

1. Continuously report the ongoing suffering of the Oromo community in Ethiopia, to members of the Oromo diaspora around the world.
2. Designating and engaging individuals living in various countries for the succession of ‘ Waliin Waliif’ Together for Each Other objectives.

To empower Oromo who have been released from detention (particularly Oromo ladies), to be the achievers and leaders

Waliin Waliif
Together for Each Other