Guards bar university students from entering campus

Ethiomedia | December 12, 2007

Addis Ababa University students flash a “V” – as a show of solidarity with the opposition CUD-Kinijit during protests shortly after the 2005 elections were rigged by Meles Zenawi, whose virtual survival depends on a tight network of informants and ruthless security forces.(Ethiomedia)

ADDIS ABABA – Six Addis Ababa University students who returned to school following the end of Summer Vacation were barred from entering campus, a human rights group charged on Tuesday.

The Ethiopian Human Rights Council (Ehrco) said no official explanation was given by the University Administration why the students were dismissed, and those who already graduated in the last academic year denied to pick up their academic credentials. The statement said there are reportedly many other students dismissed in the same fashion but have not yet lodged their complaints with Ehrco.

The human rights watchdog said the University Administration failed to respond to its request for an explanation over the mysterious dismissals of students Tadesse Dinku, Sherefedin Oumar, Ahmed Mohammod Kadi, Abebaw Mohammod, Molla Philipos, and Abubeker Abdulaziz.
Following is the full text of Ehrco’s press release:

Introduction

Article 13(1) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights provides that everyone has the right to education. This article underscores
the agreement of the States Parties to see to it that education should be directed
to the full development of the human personality and the sense of its dignity and
should strengthen respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. Article
41(2) of the FDRE Constitution provides, “Every Ethiopian has the right to
choose his or her means of livelihood, occupation and profession.”

As people
should have adequate education to be able to fully exercise their rights, this
article of the Constitution also provides that the state has the obligation to
allocate ever increasing resources to provide education and other social services.
It is a fundamental element of the principle of the rule of law that no one should
be deprived of his or her rights without due process of law. In this regard,
elementary principles of justice dictate that anyone suspected of committing an
offence has the fundamental rights to be informed of the charges against them,
defend the charges and appeal to a competent tribunal. It is also clearly
stipulated in the Constitution that everyone is presumed innocent until proven
guilty in accordance with the law.

Nevertheless, in violation of these Constitutional and basic principles of the
international human rights instruments, some students of Addis Ababa
University (AAU) have been dismissed from school without being charged, and
without being told the reasons for their dismissal.

As some of the AAU students
reported to EHRCO, they were denied entry to the campus when they returned
from the summer vacation to continue their studies. Campus security guards
told the students that the guards had orders not to let them in the campus as they
were dismissed by the authorities of the University. Similarly, some AAU
students, who graduated in the last academic year, reported to EHRCO that they
were denied their academic testimonials for reasons that were not explained to
them.

In this 104th Special Report, EHRCO investigated the situation based on the
complaints of the students and the graduates and presents the details as follows.

EHRCO stands for democracy, the rule of law and the respect of human rights.

Details

1. Tadesse Dinku: He is a resident of Addis Ababa, Akaki Kality subcity, Kebele
   13, House No. 483. He is a 4th year Graphic Arts degree student in the regular
   program at the AAU. When he returned from the summer vacation to register for
   the 2000 E.C. academic year, University security guards told him that his name
   was on the list of those students who are dismissed from the University. He told
   EHRCO that his plea to the guards to get in to the campus and discuss the issue
   with University officials was not successful.

2. Sherefedin Oumar: He is a resident of Dire Dawa town, Kebele 06,House No.
   583. He is a 2nd year Biology degree program student in the University.

   University security guards took away his student ID card and told him that he
   could not get into the campus as he was one the students who were dismissed
   from the University. He told EHRCO that he did not know the reason why he
   was dismissed from the university, and now he is facing problems not knowing
   where to lodge his petition.

3. Ahmed Mohammod Kadi: He [is] a resident of Alemaya town, Kebele 01, House
   No. 01/08. He graduated in Geology from AAU in the last academic year (1999
   E.C.) When he went to the University to collect his academic testimonials,
   University security guards told him that he could not enter the campus after
   finding his name on a list they have. Ahmed told EHRCO that the guards told
   him to leave the area or they would call the federal police to arrest him. He did
   not know why he was denied his academic testimonials. He could not apply for
   jobs as he is unable to submit his academic testimonials.

4. Abebaw Mohammod : He is a resident of Amhara region state, South Wollo
   Administration, Jamma Woreda, Kebele 01. He graduated with B.Sc degree in
   Statistics from the University in 1999 E.C. When he went to the University to
   collect his academic testimonials, he was told by the guards that he could neither
   enter the campus nor could he collect his testimonials as his name was on the list
   of those who were prohibited from entering the campus. He was also told by the
   guards to leave the area. Abebaw told EHRCO that he did not know the reason
   of the prohibition. He could not apply for jobs as he is unable to submit his
   academic testimonials.

5. Molla Philipos: He is a resident of Alaba town in the South Region. He is a 3rd
   year Physics degree student in the regular program at the AAU. When he
   returned from the summer vacation to continue his studies, the guards told him
   that he was dismissed from the University. He was also told to leave the area.
   Molla told EHRCO that he did not know why he was dismissed, and is now
   facing problems not knowing where to appeal his case.

6. Abubeker Abdulaziz: He is a resident of Oromia region, Merti zone, Negele
   Kebele 01. He is a 4th year regular Mathematics student at the University. When
   he returned from vacation to continue the 2000 E.C. academic year education, the
   guards told him that he was dismissed from the University after checking out his
   name from a list. As a result, he could not enter the campus. Abubeker told
   EHRCO that he did not know the reason for his dismissal, and is now facing
   problems, as did not know where to lodge his appeal.

In addition to the complainants stated above, EHRCO, although unable to verify
the details, has learnt that there are also other students of the AAU who were
dismissed from the University in similar situations.

When the students were expelled from the University and denied their academic
testimonials, they were not informed of their alleged wrongdoings let alone
given the chance to defend themselves or to appeal against the decision affecting
them. The students came to realize about the University’s decision only after
they were told by the campus guards. When asked about this, a University
official replied verbally to EHRCO that the University was unable to inform the
students about the decision because the decision was taken while the students
were on summer vacation. It is also learnt that representatives of the Students’
Union were not consulted when the decision was taken.

EHRCO requested the University to give it explanations on the matter in a letter
dated November 13, 2007 No.ER3-820/1/11/07. However, the University failed
to reply.

Conclusion

• As indicated above, when the University took the decision to dismiss the
  students and deny the graduates their academic testimonials, it neither
  informed them of their alleged wrongdoings nor it did give them a chance
  to a hearing.

• EHRCO strongly condemns this decision as it was made in utter disregard
  to the principles of the rule of law and due process enshrined in the
  Constitution of the country.

• Therefore, EHRCO urges the AAU to abide by the rule of law and readmit
  the expelled students to resume their studies, and also to give the
  graduates their academic testimonials.

In addition, EHRCO calls on citizens, national and international organizations,
representatives of governments and international groups who stand for the respect of
human rights and the rule of law, to exert pressure on Addis Ababa University to
respect the rights of the students, who were expelled without due process of law
and readmit them to continue their studies as well as to give the graduates their
academic testimonials.

CC.

• H.E. Ambassador Teshome Toga, Speaker, House of Peoples’
  Representatives, FDRE. P.O. Box: 80001, Fax: (251-11) 1 55 0900, Tel.
  (251-11) 124 10 13, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

• H.E. Ato Degife Bula, Speaker, House of Federation, FDRE. P.O.Box:
  80001, Fax: (251-11) 1 55 0722, Tel. (251-11) 551 88 50, Addis Ababa,
  Ethiopia.

• H.E. Ato Girma Woldegiorgis, President, FDRE. P.O.Box: 1031, Fax:
  (251-11) 1 55 2020, Tel. (251-11) 551 88 50, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

• H.E. Ato Meles Zenawi, Prime Minister, FDRE. P.O.Box: 1031, Fax:
  (251-1) 1 55 2020, Tel. (251-11) 122 67 67,Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

• H.E. Dr. Sintayehu Woldemikael, Minister of Education, FDRE.
  P.O.Box: 1367, Tel. (251-11) 155 30 33 E-mail: [email protected],
  Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

• Professor Andrias Eshete, President, Addis Ababa University
  P.O.Box: 1176, Fax: (251-11) 123 97 68, Tel. (251-11) 123 97 74 E-mail:
  [email protected], Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

• H.E. Ato Assefa Kesito, Minister of Justice, FDRE, P. O. Box: 1370,Fax
  (251-1) 15 52 0874, Tel. (251-11) 551 5099, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

• H.E. Ambassador Kassa G/Hiwot, Commissioner, Ethiopian Human
  Rights Commission, P.O.Box: 1165, Fax: (251-1) 6 45 9290, Tel. (251-11)
  645 9228, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

• H.E. Ato Abay Tekle, Chief Ombudsman, Office of the Ombudsman
  FDRE, P. O. Box: 2459, Fax: (251-11) 6 45 9229, Tel. (251-11) 663 5090,
  663 5363, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia