Oromo: Event Addresses Democratic Growth
UNPO, Netherlands - April 10, 2007

During the past two decades, rebel leaders and regimes have taken control of several African countries promising positive change but have instead executed attacks on civilians.

Last Friday [06 April 2007], the University Law School, along with the Human Rights Center and several other supporting organizations, coordinated the daylong event "The 'New Breed' of African Leaders and the Future of Human Rights and Democracy in Africa."

Bringing together prominent policymakers, academics and leaders, the event focused on broad topics of African democracy and progress and drew about 150 attendees.

President of the Oromia Student Union Gada Beshir cosponsored the event. Beshir, who was born in an Oromia region of Ethiopia, said this "new breed" of African leaders have suppressed the will of the Oromo people and have participated in mass human rights abuses such as arbitrary detainment and torture ...