Action on behalf of indigenous land rights leader in Ethiopia
Ethiopia’s kangaroo courts have repeatedly handed harsh sentences to innocent people, simply for raising their voices against injustice. There is little reason to believe that Mr. Okello’s case will be any different. His hope lies with the international community.
Mr. Okello Akway Ochalla is a Norwegian citizen who was kidnapped in South Sudan and renditioned to Ethiopia in March 2014. Charged as a terrorist—his crime is defending indigenous land rights—he has languished in jail for nearly two years. Mr. Okello is an Anuak leader from Gambella, which has been a key target for forced relocations and land grabbing by the Ethiopian Government.
Since 2009, the Ethiopian Government has systematically silenced its critics, ruthlessly arresting journalists, bloggers, students, opposition party members, land rights activists, and more via its notorious
For two years, Mr. Okello’s case was largely ignored by the international community, including Norway. But this month, his story is finally being heard.
On March 1st, a profile of Mr. Okello was included in an , sent by a group of congressional representatives, led by Congressman Keith Ellison (D-MN). The letter was accompanied by a made before the Ethiopian court.
Unfortunately, Mr. Okello’s verdict announcement was adjourned until April 6th, purportedly because the judges were busy with meetings and trainings. While the Ethiopian courts delay, Mr. Okello will start his third year in jail, without yet being convicted, for speaking out for human rights in Ethiopia.
Let us be clear: Ethiopia’s kangaroo courts have repeatedly handed harsh sentences to innocent people, simply for raising their voices against injustice. There is little reason to believe that Mr. Okello’s case will be any different.
The hope for Mr. Okello lies in the international community. Wealthy donor countries like the United States, UK, and Norway and multilateral institutions like the World Bank hand over billions of dollars in aid to Ethiopia’s repressive government annually. In the absence of rule of law and democracy in Ethiopia, these donor governments and institutions must intervene to ensure justice for the innocent, and to pave the way for freedom of expression and true democracy in Ethiopia.
At the Oakland Institute we have worked with Mr. Okello’s family and lawyers over the last two years to help secure his release. The fight for justice and land rights in Ethiopia continues.