HRC finds rights violations, abuse in Chinese Company

ESAT News  August 16, 2013

The former Ethiopian Human Rights Congress (EHRC) now the Human Rights Council (HRC), in its 127^th Special press release said that it has found harsh human rights violation in a Chinese road construction company, CGCOC’s project in Ethiopia.  The Council said the members and leadership of the Dandi Derartu Arsi Trade Union of the CGCOC employed in the construction of the Dira Magna Mechara Project are being abused by their employers.

HRC said these human rights violations have been going on for a long time but this press release has been delayed for the sake of the safety of the victims of the abuse.

According to the HRC the staff and leaders of the Trade Union have been made to endure various administrative mistreatments, harassments, intimidations and threats, rape and attempts to murder just “for asking for the respect of various employee rights”.  The life and security of some of the employees is still in danger.

Some of the abuse cases included: throwing of a heavy machine on Mr. Aregahgne Tefri who has sustained huge physical damage, torture and spraying of chemicals on the testicles of Mr. Gashaw Tasew, causing him a enormous health complications, denial of medical help to Mr. Dagne Dejenu who lost his right hand and leg at work, loading of mud on Mr. Tura Smadi and threatening, tracking and attempting to kill the Chairman of the Union, Kurabachew Fikeru. The whereabouts of Awegechew Bekele, Ermias Tlaye and Haile Gadisa,  after they were threatened, tracked and escaped a murder attempt, is unknown.  The whereabouts of Genet Worku, who sustained sexual harassment, rape and threats, has also been unknown.

Chinese employers have sexually harassed and raped around seven female Ethiopian employees of the Company. The women irately told the HRC that when they complained to the responsible organ they were told to “keep quiet” and that it was “impossible to sue the Chinese”.

The HRC has presented detailed evidences supporting them with photographs. It has also called Federal and regional governments to work for the respect of human rights and also provide appropriate legal and institutional protection to rights.