Courageous and Encouraging Move for Political Freedom and Human Rights Cause

by T.Goshu, May 2013

I am not and should not be in some sort of illusion that an extraordinary change for political freedom and respect for human rights is happening or is going to happen in our country. My very intention is to reflect my observation about relatively smart and courageous political developments that are becoming visibly encouraging in the political arena of our country. When I say smart, it is to mean relatively wise/systematic/responsible and rightfully aggressive. They are wise / systematic/responsible in a sense that those political actors are trying to advance the very just cause they stand for in such a way that the tyrannical ruling circle could not have any ugly excuse to mess with their peaceful and legitimate struggle for the realization of genuine democracy, justice, civil rights and shared prosperity. They are rightfully or legitimately aggressive in a sense that they look very determined that respect for political freedom and all other fundamental human rights are not something to be given by a bunch of individuals or groups in a political power as privileges. Those freedoms and human dignities are inherently related with the rights of the people as enshrined in a constitution that governs the relationship between the people (the governed) and government (the governing political entity).

Unfortunately enough, there has never been and there is no a real meaning of constitutionalism in our country. The current constitution is not only just a document on the shelf but sadly enough, it is an instrument to attack the people who demand for making that document (the constitution) relevant to the very exercise of their political freedom and respect for all other civil liberties. These are the very critical and central objectives being pursued by opposition political parties and human rights activists. Having said this introductory reflection of mine, I want to make very brief and specific comment on some courageous if not exemplary moves being pursued by some opposition political actors and human rights activists.

1. I strongly and sincerely believe that the very peaceful, legitimate, persistent, well-determined and well—coordinated movement by our Muslim compatriots against the very ugly political intervention in their religious freedom for more than one year deserves very great appreciation as well as meaningful encouragement and visible support. Yes, this front of the struggle has nothing to with the demand for sharing political power let alone the intention of overthrowing the government unconstitutionally as the inner circle of the tyrannical ruling circle tries to play its senseless and dirty political propaganda. The very demand by our Muslim fathers/mothers/brother/sisters is very clear and simple: a) the right to elect their religious headship and make it responsible and accountable b) to administer or manage their educational institution (Awalia), and c) asking the government or the ruling party not to muddle in their religious affairs by sponsoring other uninvited elements and mess with their healthy worshiping that has co-existed with other religions for thousands of years. Sadly enough, the leaders of the very peaceful and legitimate demand for religious freedom (one of the most fundamental elements of human rights) have been accused of “terrorism” and are being treated inhumanely . Amazingly enough, the suffering of those leaders of the legitimate cause has made the struggle for freedom of religion more persistent and determined. There is no doubt that this remarkably peaceful and resolute struggle has been and continued to be the role model as far as the issue of building a country in which all her citizens live in a sustainable peace and shared prosperity is concerned. And it goes without saying that this very peaceful and legitimate fight for religious freedom is inseparably linked with the struggle either to force the ruling party to come to a serious negotiating table or get rid its deadly political game. Are we serious enough more than ever to move towards the right direction? I sincerely hope we are!!

2. We have witnessed another encouraging and rationally critical step taken by UDJ (Unity for Democracy and Justice –Andinet) concerning the weaknesses and strengths of Medirek which has recently transferred itself from loose cooperation to a more coordinated cooperation (front). The committee assigned by the party to conduct a critical review and come up with its recommendation has submitted a 19 – page report. As a genuinely concerned Ethiopian, I have gone through the document with great interest and I have found it very courageous as well as encouraging. Given our political culture of lacking rational and critical assessment within our own circle and those who we work with, I dare to say that the steps taken by Andinet to deal with problems within Medirek has to be taken as a very great start if we want to move forward in this 21st century. After its critical review (study) on the program and by-law of Medirek in relation to the program and by-law of Andinet , the committee has stated in in the section of its recommendation that “The committee believes that at this chapter of the struggle we found ourselves, it is appropriate to take a clear understanding that it is impossible for a unilateral struggle to achieve victory without working with other democratic forces .However, we have realized that it is seriously wrong to think that a coalition that is characterized by basic contradiction would be victorious.” This is a very great move as far as the political culture we desperately need to develop is concerned. And I sincerely and strongly believe that all members of Medirek both at a group and individual level will be and should be willing and able to take this desirably courageous and encouraging political trend as a way of political civility and deal with it accordingly.

3. Blue (Semayawi) Party which did not celebrate its first birth day has become a relatively vibrant force in the process of the struggle either to force the tyrannical ruling circle to come to the negotiating table or to get rid of it through civil disobedience. Comprising mainly the youth as its members and supporters, and being led by young and energetic people who are professionally trained in various fields of studies, the party has already launched its challenge against those members of the inner circle of the ruling party whose political agenda and program has made a serious damage not to the very future of this generation but also the generation to come. It is encouraging enough to witness Semayawi Party being born and joining the camp of opposition forces, and making a very great move towards the very center of the political struggle for the realization of genuine democracy, rule of law/justice, civil rights and shared prosperity. As one of millions of genuinely concerned Ethiopians, I have followed its move with deep interest and I am still closely following its courageous move in challenging the dictatorial ruling circle.

Its current effort to mobilize the people of Ethiopia to break their silence and to defeat the incredible level of fear imposed by the tyrannical regime sounds a very turning point as far as the political imperative of saying NO to an endless and senseless political game is concerned. It is a great and smart political gut to go straight to the offices of those who are in charge of taking care of demonstrations/protests, and knock at their doors and make clear that they cannot play a childish hide and seek game anymore when it comes to the very serious question of achieving the democratic and civil rights of the people. I strongly believe that although a call for a demonstration aimed at demanding for freedom and justice could not take place as scheduled (May 25/13) as a result of an excuse (be it convening or not) from the authorities, the change of the date (June 2/13) should not and cannot be taken as something with some kind of disappointment at all. Yes, as politics is not just always a straight-forward game but also a game of art (dealing with very difficult and complex human behavior), the decision taken by the leadership of Semayawi is very wise.

I have come across comments from some fellow Ethiopians reflecting a kind of disappointment because the demonstration did not take place as scheduled (5/2513). Well, I want to take those comments from concerned fellow men and women as genuinely expressed, not the other way round. There is nothing wrong to express what we feel and what we want to see. But, I strongly believe that as Semayawi and other opposition forces are operating not only in a very difficult but very dangerous political environment, the way Semayawi Party is trying to move its just cause is rationally and tactically impressive. I truly believe that the upcoming (rescheduled – 06/02/13) demonstration will be much more effective if not efficient as far as bringing the people together and making their messages echo nationally and internationally is concerned. How would it be possible, and who would make it possible? Needless to say that the demonstration can accomplish its purpose only through an unbreakable cooperation and coordination among all genuinely concerned opposition political parties and human rights activists ,and above all with a very meaningfully active participation of the people at large . Are we rationally and wisely fired up? I want to believe we are!! I am strongly convinced that there is no any convincing excuse not to make this peaceful, lawful and powerfully legitimate political move a great success, and an irreversible wave of political engagement until the very democratic demands of the people are met. Fellow Ethiopians, let’s use the next couple of days to exchange ideas about how to make the event a historic one; and how we have to be very watchful about the dirty /senseless political and security intrigue that may be played by the ruling party.

Let’s come together more than ever and shorten the unprecedented suffering and dehumanization we are experiencing!!!

May I borrow one of the great sayings of President Obama: YES, WE CAN!!