The Legal and Practical Protection of the Rights of Minorities in Self Administering Nations of Ethiopia: The Case of Oromia
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Date
2010-01
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This paper investigated the legal and practical protection of internal minorities in Oromia
Region. For this purpose, secondary sources such as relevant legal literatures, books,
laws, articles and journals were analyzed while interviews and field observations were
the primary sources employed.
Because of the nation-building policy, recognizing Orthodox Christianity as a state
religion, Amharic as an official /national language, and other political opportunities, most
of the members of Amhara people dominantly occupied in the urban centers of Oromia.
The then ethnic dissatisfaction caused the flourishing of ethnic based liberation fronts
which have ultimately overthrown the military junta in 1991.In the FDRE Constitution
ethnic groups which are territorially defined have become the bearers of sovereign power
and entitled to the right to self-determination. Oromia is one of the nine states though
none of the regions are homogenous as there are dispersed internal ethnic minorities
which either belongs to the majority nation in other region or double minority groups (
which are neither dominant at national level nor at regional level) which have got very
little attention in the constitution of both levels.
The Constitution of Oromia does not recognize the existence and the distinct identity of
ethnic minority groups in this region though the 2007 population census indicates that
there are almost all dispersed ethnic groups in this region. Numerically, each is below 1%
except the Amhara people which constitute 7.2%.In practice; primary education is
delivered either by Oromo language or Amharic depending on the preference of the
students. There are also Amharic broadcasting programs on Oromia TV and Radio. In
fact, no guaranteed representation for ethnic minority groups in this region at any
administrative level though the existence and representation of non Oromo-ethnic groups
are recognized in City council of 1st and 2nd grade cities. The Oromo and the Amhara
constitute around 89% and 10% of the total Civil servants of the region respectively. The
right to elect and to be elected is equally guaranteed to all Ethiopian citizens residing in
the region, and regard is not made to an ethnic background for a person to be nominated
and appointed in public offices.
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This paper investigated, the legal and practical protection, of internal minorities