The following is a speech by Ato Guled Kassim representing the Ogaden Ethiopian community at a rally that was held on Sept. 12 in front of the U.S. Congress. The rally urged members of Congress to pass H.R. 2003.
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Thank you all for being here today.
As we stand here in front of the U.S. Congress petitioning our government to address our needs. I want to tell you that the Ogaden Community stands with you shoulder to shoulder in denouncing this regime.
Today, we are here to say that we can no longer allow the destructive regime of Melez Zenawi continue to stay in power.
• His regime violated the human rights of the people in Ethiopia
• Detained and tortured thousands
• Committed genocides in Ogaden, Gambela, Sidamo and many other regions
• Slaughtered civilians in the streets of Addis Ababa for exercising their right to vote.
• Has violated the sacred trust of the people of Ethiopia given to him by the Constitution
• Has Violated international law as it relates to open war fare on civilians
• Has destabilizing the entire Horn of Africa with his inhuman policies.
US State Department Human Rights report details that this regime has:
• Arbitrary or Unlawful Deprivation of Life
• Disappearance
• Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
• Arbitrary Arrest or Detention
• Prison and Detention center – below standards
• Police detention of journalists
• Denial of Fair Public Trial
• Arbitrary Interference with Privacy, Family, Home, or Correspondence
• Detention of the press – press not free to report
Since the press isn’t allowed to report, you here today are giving a voice to the many million that are voiceless. So give yourselves a big round of applause.
As American Tax payers – we ask our government not to allow the use of our tax dollars to kill, maim and abuse the lives of innocent civilians.
We have Con. Honda and Payne here today and we, as a community need to thank them for their leadership and continue to challenge and pressure them so that they will continue their good work.
To borrow a phrase from a great man — Dr. Martin Luther King — I would like you all here in attendance to repeat after me:
I have a dream – where one day I can go peacefully to the land of my father’s birth and walk the streets in peace.
I have a dream – where one day the Horn of Africa will be rid of this tyrant who has no respect for the Rights of Humans.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak today.
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