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Why Feyisa Lilesa's gesture was such a brave - and important - moment
By Tim Chester
2016/08/22
5 hours ago
To most spectators of the Olympic men's marathon Sunday, it looked
like a standard gesture of jubilation from Ethiopia's Feyisa Lilesa as
he crossed the line to win silver.
But to anyone familiar with the political situation in Ethiopia, his
arms aloft pose meant something much more brave and important: a
defiant stance that could spell danger for him but has drawn
international attention to an important issue.
Lilesa made a cross over his head with his forearms as he clocked in
at 2 hours, 9 minutes and 54 seconds in front of the world's media,
and repeated it again during a press conference after the event. The
images were beamed across the globe, and to anyone watching in his
home country the message was clear.
It was a gesture of solidarity with the Oromo people, Ethiopia's
largest ethnic group numbering some 40 million souls, and a protest
against the recent government killing of hundreds of protesters.
Some 400 have been killed since November 2015 by security forces
during anti-government protests, Human Rights Watch (HRW) reports. The
gatherings, which started as a stand against now-abandoned plans to
expand Addis Ababa into neighboring Oromo regions, have been met with
an increasingly violent response.
Thousands have been injured and tens of thousands arrested in addition
to the deaths, HRW says, with many prisoners kicked and beaten. Forces
shot indiscriminately into crowds, too.
“Ethiopian security forces have fired on and killed hundreds of
students, farmers, and other peaceful protesters with blatant
disregard for human life,” Leslie Lefkow, deputy Africa director at
Human Rights Watch said. “The government should immediately free those
wrongfully detained, support a credible, independent investigation,
and hold security force members accountable for abuses.”
The agency has posted a graphic video portraying some of the scenes.
Feyisa's gesture was brave for a number of reasons.
Firstly, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) prohibits political
protests at the games (although they've often struggled to enforce
that rule). He could face sanctions once the organization investigates
the case and maybe even lose his medal. Americans Tommie Smith and
John Carlos, who were expelled from the 1968 summer games after giving
black power salutes on the podium, could tell him that.
More seriously, though, are the personal ramifications he could
experience from a government increasingly known for harsh retribution.
Feyisa is well aware of the dangers; he told reporters he thought he'd
likely be killed or imprisoned for his Olympic protest and would
probably move to another country.
The government has precedent when it comes to punishing people who
speak out. In 2012, anti-government blogger Eskinder Nega was
sentenced to 18 years behind bars while journalist Woubshet Taye
received 14 years. Both were convicted on terrorism charges.
Feyisa was undeterred, though, and decided to use his moment on the
world stage to draw wider attention to the issue. He explained his
rationale thusly:
"The Ethiopian government are killing the Oromo people and taking
their land and resources so the Oromo people are protesting and I
support the protest as I am Oromo. The Ethiopian government is killing
my people so I stand with all protests anywhere as Oromo is my tribe.
My relatives are in prison and if they talk about democratic rights
they are killed. I raised my hands to support with the Oromo protest."
The crossed wrists gesture has been widely used by anti-government
protesters as a sign of peaceful resistance, the Associated Press
reports, and before that by the Muslim community when it revolted
against the government. It's meant to symbolize being handcuffed by
security forces.
An Ethiopian government spokesman has insisted that Feyisa will be
warmly received back in his home country, telling the state-affiliated
Fana Broadcasting Corporate that he'll have a "heroic welcome." He
"will not face any problems for his political stance," Getachew Reda
added.
However, the country's state broadcaster EBC didn't re-broadcast
images of his gesture and some people watching it live and cheering
quickly hushed when they saw the gesture, the AP reports.
A history of frustration and an increasingly firm response
Feyisa's gesture draws international attention to an issue that has
been brewing in Ethiopia for some time and follows several years of
frustration with the government from several minority groups. Both the
Oromo people, which make up some 34 percent of the population and the
Amhara, who comprise 27 percent, have demonstrated in recent years.
The Oromos feel excluded from the political process and the country's
economic development — and opposed the proposed expansion of the
transformed capital — while the Amhara have also been engaged in a
regional land dispute.
However, it's been the government's response to these issues that have
prompted concern. The ruling government is a close ally of the West,
exerts complete control over security forces and faces no opposition
in parliament.
Its reaction to any kind of unrest has been swift and arguably
disproportionate. In addition to the violent crackdowns, it shut down
the internet across the country for two days in early August to try
and disrupt the organization of demonstrations.
Silver medalist Feyisa Lilesa of Ethiopia stands on the podium during
the medal ceremony.
Image: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Lilesa has said he might stay in Brazil or perhaps go to Kenya or the
U.S., depending on where he can get a visa. A fundraising page to help
him has raised $54,000 already.
Human Rights Watch has said that the international response has been
"severely muted." While acknowledging a resolution from the European
Parliament and another from the U.S. Senate, the agency says more
needs to be done by the international community.
Lilesa's brave, bold and selfless gesture might just be the catalyst.
Received on Mon Aug 22 2016 - 21:10:14 EDT