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PRESS
RELEASE
PUNTLAND:
PERSCUTES AND REPATRIATES REFUGEES FROM THE OGADEN
In 1991, after the collapse of Mohamed Siyad Barre’s
regime, in Somalia, some Somali warlords formed clan based autonomous
regional entities under the auspices of the EPRDF/TPLF government
in Ethiopia. These regional entities such as Puntland and Somaliland
are not independent from Ethiopian interference.
Ethiopia established an intelligence-gathering bureau
called “Ethiopian Interest Protection Office” to pursue members
of its opposition through its numerous agents in Hargeisa and
Garowe who have been given free license to detain, rape, torture
and kill any Somali from the Ogaden suspected of being an ONLF
supporter.
Due to the magnitude and scale of the oppression
and violations of the basic human rights in the Ogaden, a large
number of Somalis from the Ogaden region flee from their homeland
to neighbouring countries, including Puntland, seeking asylum,
shelter and safety.
Refugees from the Ogaden who escape from the Ethiopian
government’s unceasing infringement on their basic human rights
are being persecuted in Puntland as well as Somaliland and TFG
areas, where they are constantly imprisoned, tortured and then
handed over to the Ethiopian government in exchange for ammunition,
materials or simply to prove loyalty, cooperation and friendship
to Ethiopia.:
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RECOMMENDATIONS AND APPEALS
To: the United Nations, International Community , Ethiopia, Somaliland and Puntland :
- United Nations Security Council designate a safe heaven for the civilian population fleeing from Ethiopian armed forces’ onslaught and atrocities.
- United Nations High Commission for Refugees provide necessary shelter protection and maintenance to the Somali refugees from the Ogaden in neighboring countries.
- The international community publicly censure Ethiopia, Somaliland and Puntland over their human rights record.
- The United Nations appoint a Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in the Ogaden.
- The Ethiopian government should be held responsible for infamous mass killings, disappearances, arbitrary arrests, torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.
- The international community intervene to stop the forcible repatriation of Somalis to Ethiopia.
- The Ethiopian government, Somaliland and Puntland Administrations give ICRC and UNHCR free access to all detainees in Hargeisa, Bosaso and elsewhere.
- The international community refrain from aiding and supporting the Ethiopian government, Somaliland and Puntland Administrations as long as they violate human rights and fundamental freedoms of the Somali people in the Ogaden and in their respective regions.
Full
Press Release.
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