December 16, 2021
Member States,
United Nations Human Rights Council
We, the undersigned members of Oromo Scholars and Professional (OSP) and of Oromia Global
Forum (OGF), a global alliance of Oromo Civic, Professional and Faith-Based Organizations
residing in North America, Europe, Australia, Asia, and Africa, are deeply saddened and angered
over the reported cold-blooded murder of Oromo elders, civilians, and leaders of the Gada
Council in their own homesteads throughout Oromia. The Gada system is an indigenous
democratic socio-political structure of the Oromo people, inscribed by UNESCO as Intangible
Cultural Heritage. The Oromo constitute 40% of the population of Ethiopia.