Since 1995, the Ogaden Human Rights Committee has been closely monitoring the human rights situation in the Ogaden. The OHRC issued several reports, press releases and urgent appeals about the unacceptable gross human rights violations in the Ogaden Region by the Ethiopian government.

Since, OHRC’s last report, Ogaden: Downtrodden and Disenfranchised People, January 22^nd 2004, the human rights situation in the region did not improve but it has deteriorated dramatically as detailed in this report.

This Report is based on a painstaking field research carried out by Ogaden Human Rights Committee’s researchers throughout the Ogaden.

The report documents human rights violations in the Ogaden, including illegal imprisonment without charge or trial, enforced disappearances, torture, extrajudicial executions, abduction, forced labour, hostage-taking, abusive dismissals, ethnic discrimination and religious persecution carried out by the Ethiopian government. The OHRC has documented so far: 2036 extrajudicial killings; 2940 disappearance cases; 1870 rape and child molestation cases; 15332 cases of unlawful private property confiscation; and demolition of 9484 houses owned by innocent civilians. These violations took place between the years 1992 and 2005, in rural areas as well as urban areas. To the best of the Ogaden Human Rights Committee’s knowledge, no one has been charged for this horrendous crime.

Victims of human rights abuses and their relatives have been warned not to speak of their experiences to anyone, especially to the International Humanitarian Organisations, which operate in some parts of the region, or else they would be severely punished. So, the victims and their relatives are too afraid to tell their ordeal.

However, many victims and their families gave their testimonies on condition that their real names should not be used, while others who are not in danger accepted their real names to be used. Some of their graphic accounts of misery, fear and brutalities are included in this report.

The report begins with appeals and recommendations to the international community, donor countries and United Nations as well as individuals, local human rights and humanitarian organizations for urgent action to stop immediately human rights violations in the Ogaden by the Ethiopian government.

The report gives a historical background overview of mass killings, which have taken place in the Ogaden region since the Ethiopian occupation, more than a century ago. Those massacres have taken place in different localities at various times in urban areas as well as rural areas. The latest massacres and other atrocities took place in 2005, in Qabridaharre, Foolxeex, Farmadow, Gurdumi, Madax-Maroodi, Karin-Bilcille…etc

As the case is with all OHRC’s reports, this report provides a detailed documentation of the specific human rights violations that the Somali population in the Ogaden are subjected to on a daily basis.

The human suffering of the Somalis from the Ogaden in Hargeisa Central Jail, northwest Somalia (Somaliland) is also mentioned in the report.

Last year’s Ethiopian elections, which were marred by massive irregularities and the looming famine in the Ogaden are also included in the report.

The OHRC welcomes wholeheartedly, UK government’s decision to withhold direct budget support to the Ethiopian government, and calls upon the international community and donor countries to take similar actions in order to force the Ethiopian government to honour its commitments to internationally accepted human rights principles.

The international community should take note that the human rights violations presented in detail in this report and the previous reports are flagrant violations of rights and freedoms guaranteed by International Human Rights Treaties, acceded to or ratified by Ethiopia.

Finally, the report presents annexes of a detailed listing of the victims of human rights violations, which the Ogaden Human Rights Committee have been able to compile, along with the dates and names of the places where the violations took place.

MASS KILLINGS IN THE OGADEN:

DAILY ATROCITIES AGAINST CIVILIANS BY THE ETHIOPIAN ARMED FORCES

RECOMMENDATIONS AND APPEALS

Although prestigious international and national human rights organizations, have issued several reports about well-documented human rights violations in the Ogaden and elsewhere in Ethiopia by the current Ethiopian government, the international community has remained tight‑lipped about those violations for the last fourteen years. Nevertheless, the Ogaden Human Rights Committee has not given up hope of the international community's help to force Ethiopia to honour its commitments to internationally accepted human rights principles. Hence, the OHRC requests and recommends the following:

To: the International Community, Donor Countries and United Nations:

The international community publicly censure Ethiopia over its human rights record in the Ogaden.
United Nations Security Council form an independent inquiry commission to investigate recent massacres and atrocities in QABRIDAHARRE, FOOLXEEX, FARMADOW, GURDUMI …etc
The United Nations appoint a Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in the Ogaden.
The Ethiopian government should be held responsible for infamous mass killings; disappearances, rape, arbitrary arrests, torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and perpetrators of those atrocities should be brought before an international tribunal.
The international community intervene to stop human sufferings and senseless carnage in the Ogaden. The sooner the better.
United Nations Security Council freeze all foreign bank accounts belonging to Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and his entourage.
United Nations Security Council impose visa and travel restrictions on Ethiopian government officials.
The international community refrain from aiding and supporting the Ethiopian government as long as it violates human rights and fundamental freedoms of the Somali people in the Ogaden.
The Ethiopian government allow all humanitarian and relief organizations to operate in the Ogaden without restrictions as well as national and international human rights organizations and the international press.
The international donor community help the Somali people in the Ogaden generously and directly through international NGOs in order to assure the reach of the food aid to the victims of the famine.

TO: INDIVIDUALS, LOCAL HUMAN RIGHTS AND

HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATIONS

The Ogaden Human Rights Committee requests individuals, local human rights and humanitarian organizations to support its efforts to promote and improve the human rights cause in the Ogaden, and recommends the following:

Please write to your Foreign Ministry:

Asking that your government exerts pressure on Ethiopia to improve its human rights record in the Ogaden.
Urging that all political prisoners be either immediately and unconditionally released or charged with recognized criminal offences, and given fair trials; and be given unrestricted and regular access to their family members and to, representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (name some or all from those in this report or in other OHRC’s reports, which you can get in OHRC’s web site www.ogadenrights.org).
Expressing concern at the disappearance of a large number of suspected government opponents in the notorious military detention camps throughout the Ogaden and asking their whereabouts (name some or all from those in this report or in other OHRC’s reports, which you can get in OHRC’s web site www.ogadenrights.org).
Asking your government to support the Ogaden Human Rights Committee's efforts to appoint a UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights as well as sending a fact‑finding mission to the Ogaden in order to stop and prevent more human rights violations in that country.

Please copy your letter to diplomatic representatives of Ethiopia accredited to your country as well as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. The address is:

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

Palais des Nations

1211 Geneva 10

BACKGROUND

Injustices and human rights abuses inflicted upon the Somali people in the Ogaden date back to the Ethiopian occupation of the first part of the Ogaden more than a century ago.

Successive Ethiopian governments including the current EPRDF government of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi treat the Somalis as a negligible minority, who have no rights whatsoever in their own country.

In the past Ethiopian governments transferred thousands of Ethiopian settlers into the Ogaden in an attempt to change the demographic nature of the region, eliminate the Somali national identity and to transform the Ogaden into a region of Ethiopia, in which indigenous Somalis will be an insignificant minority.

When the transformation and assimilation policies failed the Ethiopian governments adopted a policy of intimidation and physical elimination, which resulted in enormous human suffering which has no parallel in the world.

In 1948, when the British government ceded illegally a great part of the Ogaden to Ethiopia, the Ethiopian occupation forces killed in a cold-blood massacre more than one hundred people, who were protesting peacefully against the hand over of Jigjiga area to Ethiopia.

In 1960s, the Ethiopian Imperial Army razed to the ground many Somali towns, among them were, Aisha’a Dhagahbour, Qalaafo and Danood killing hundreds of defenceless civilians.

In 1974, when the military junta overthrew Emperor Haile Selassie's theocratic rule, the new Dergue communist military junta enforced more oppressive policies in the Ogaden. Summary executions, arbitrary detentions and dispossessing the people of their properties were commonplace.

On February 22^nd 1994, a cold-blood massacre took place in the town of Wardheer, where Ethiopian government forces killed more than 81 unarmed civilians.

In December 1997, the Ethiopian army razed to the ground the villages of Weerare, Laan-jaleelo, Xero-bilcir, Garaan, Lix-irdood, Samo and Masaarre, killing many defenceless civilians. The government troops looted at gunpoint, 6 000 head of camels and 20 000 head of sheep and cattle owned by innocent nomads.

Killing fields in the Ogaden are increasing by the day the latest atrocities took place in Qabridaharre, Farmadow, Shilaabo, Madax-Maroodi, Karin-Bilcille and Fooljeex.

The Ethiopian government has been violating the basic human rights of the Somali people in the Ogaden repeatedly and persistently. The Somalis are considered and treated as aliens in their own country. They have no constitutional rights whatsoever.

The Ethiopian Constitution provides that all sovereign power resides in the nations, nationalities and peoples of Ethiopia, and that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land (Articles 8‑9). Chapter 3 provides that fundamental rights and liberties expressed therein shall be interpreted in conformity with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, international human rights covenants, humanitarian conventions and with the principles of other relevant international instruments which Ethiopia has accepted or ratified.

Ethiopia under the TPLF/EPRDF government has accepted or ratified several international human rights treaties, including the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, Convention on the Prevention and the Punishment of the crime of Genocide, Convention on the Right of the Child, Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Slavery Convention of 1926 as amended, Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of Slavery, the Slave Trade, and Institutions and Practices Similar to Slavery, the 1977 Additional Protocols I and II of the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 and lately the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights. The Ethiopian Constitution states that ratified treaties automatically become national law (Article 9.4).

Nevertheless, the aforementioned, international human rights treaties were not translated into action by the Ethiopian government, which has no respect whatsoever for its international obligations and commitments.

The Ogaden Human Rights Committee (OHRC), which monitored closely the human rights situation in the Ogaden, for the last eleven years, confirms the deterioration of the human rights situation in the region on a daily basis.

Therefore, the OHRC believes that the Ethiopian government's accession to the treaties was merely intended to mislead the international community, in order to avoid international public censure over its human rights record, and also to get more aid from donor countries, which demand the improvement of human rights situation in the Third World Countries which receive their aid.

In the Ogaden, summary executions, torture of detainees to death, gang raping of women, child molestation, arbitrary detentions without charge or trial, looting and illegal confiscation of property are commonplace, and are daily practiced by Ethiopian armed and security forces with impunity.

To illustrate the above-mentioned assertions, some cases are detailed in the following pages, while other cases are listed and attached. For further details, please refer to the attached lists at the end of the report.

Extrajudicial Executions

Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) proclaims the right to life, liberty and security of person. Under Geneva Conventions of August 1949 and Protocols additional to the Geneva Conventions, in case of armed conflict not of an international character, principles of humanity must be safeguarded in all situations. Acts prohibited in all circumstances include: murder, torture, corporal punishment, mutilation, outrages upon personal dignity, hostage-taking, collective punishment, executions without regular trial and cruel and degrading treatment. Furthermore, article 51 (1,2,6) of protocol 1, protocols additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 states that "The civilian population and individual civilians shall enjoy general protection against dangers arising from military operations. The civilian population as such, as well as individual civilians, shall not be the object of attack. Acts or threats of violence the primary purpose of which is to spread terror among the civilian population are prohibited. Attacks against the civilian population or civilians by way of reprisals are prohibited. "

Nevertheless, contrary to the spirit and the letter of the International Human Rights Instruments ratified by Ethiopia, the Ethiopian armed and security forces have carried out systematically extra-legal, arbitrary and summary executions throughout the Ogaden with impunity. These extrajudicial killings have been confirmed by adequate witnesses and documented by OHRC. The following cases are illustrative of the above assertions:

Qabridaharre Massacre

Principle 9 of the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms By Law Enforcement Officials specifies that, "Intentional lethal use of firearms may only be made when unavoidable in order to protect life". In Qabridaharre, on 15^th November 2005, members of Ethiopian armed forces, who were in pursuit of escaped ONLF and non-ONLF prisoners opened fire indiscriminately on innocent civilians who were not involved in the jailbreak. According to reliable sources and eyewitnesses’ accounts, inmates at Birgaydhka barracks detention camp, staged peaceful demonstrations in protest against prison conditions and to draw authorities’ attention to their other legitimate grievances. The protesters were suppressed brutally. The presumed leaders of the protesters had been tortured severely and denied medical treatment for their injuries while others were physically eliminated. The prisoners were demanding among other things, medical care, regular family visits, to be treated humanely and better living conditions.

An ex-inmate told OHRC, “Out of desperation we decided to escape from our jailers otherwise our fate would have been like that of our colleagues who were tortured and executed in front of us.”

Qabridaharre massacre claimed the lives of more than 20 people some of them bled to death when Ethiopian government troops fired upon rescuers who were trying to take them to safety in order to nurse their wounds. Their dead bodies were on display for two days and denied proper burial.45 other people were wounded and 12 others are missing. Among the people who died were: Abdullahi Ahmed Aqib, Abdullahi Gani Ali, Abdiaziz Muhumed, Abdullahi Ahmed Mohamed, Yusuf Mohamed Adan, Asad Mohamed Abdullahi, Bashi Mohamed Hassan, Mohamed Mohamed, Abdirahman Hared Alaki, Geesh Olad, Anwar Sheikh, Arab Garwah, Amin Mohamed Abdullahi, Siyad Irgah, Bashi Hassan, Rage Moalim, Abdi Wali.

Many people are nursing their wounded relatives clandestinely, while others did not declare their missing relatives to the Ethiopian Authorities in fear of retribution. So, the victims and their relatives are too afraid to tell their ordeal.

An elder, who spoke on condition of anonymity said,” Ethiopian forces reacted cruelly by using life ammunition and hand grenades against defenceless civilian population and their residences.”

As of this writing the Ethiopian government did not set up any inquiry commission to investigate into the massacre, which is not the first massacre committed by its forces since the arrival of the EPRDF government in Ethiopia 1991.

Farmadow Massacre

In Farmadow, Ethiopian armed forces carried out a cold-blooded massacre killing seven innocent civilians and wounding fifteen others On October 26^th 2005. The names of the dead are: Abide Aided Adair, Ahmed-Wail Mohamed Betel, Abide Hay be Ali, Mohamed Seabee, Wail Omar Gabled, Anise Abide Sofa Made and Burial Abide Rabbi. No reason was given for their brutal murder.

Shilaabo Massacre

On June 29^th 2005, in Shilaabo, Ethiopian armed forces killed six people and wounded many others when they opened fire on a group of civilians listening to BBC Somali Service in a teashop for no apparent reason except that they were listening to an interview with an ONLF member. Among killed were: Ali Adan dhorre, Hurre Ali Barre, Hassan Faqid Dhuhul and Sahardid Abdi Ali Horor. Ms Jamila Aden, the owner of the teashop was seriously wounded.

Madax-Maroodi Massacre

On March 15^th 2005, Ethiopian government forces killed Mohamed Bedel Gani, Mohamed Dahir and Abdirashid Abdullahi all pastoralists from Madax-Maroodi. No justification has been given for their murder.

Karin- Bilcille Massacre

On November 30^th 2004, in Karin-Bilcille, Qabridaharre district, Ethiopian armed forces killed a group of pastoralists tending their camels in the area. Karin-Bilcille massacre claimed the lives of the following innocent civilians: Ahmed Nur, Ali Gurey, Mahad Ali Abshir, Wa’adi Guhad Adan.

The Ogaden Human Rights Committee condemns the killing of innocent civilians in Qabridaharre, Farmadow, Shilaabo, Madax-Maroodi and Karin-Bilcille massacres and asks for independent, transparent and thorough investigation into the circumstances, which led to those human tragedies.

On April 07^th 2004, in Golhabreed, Dhuxun district, Ethiopian government forces killed Mahamad Hussein Jamac also known as Indhayare and Fadumo Arab Shaafi, who was a pregnant mother. Ahmed Mahamad Abdullahi a year-old baby boy was also wounded.

Ethiopian armed forces opened fire indiscriminately at a civilian truck, which was travelling between Wardheer and Qabridaharre killing10 civilians and wounding 17 others, on June 16^th 2004. No reason was given for the carnage.

Occasionally, ONLF vigilantes execute summarily individuals accused of being “Dabaqoodhis”, a term used by the ONLF frequently to designate collaborators with Ethiopian armed forces in the Ogaden.

In December 2004, in Qorraxay, members of ONLF fighters killed Shukri Makhtal Haybe. According to his family and friends he was an innocent civilian with no political affiliation. No reason was given for his murder.

In September 2004, Members of Ethiopian armed forces gunned down Abdirahman Sheikh Khalif, Mayor of Jeerin, in public. They claimed that members of ONLF fighters were seen in the area.

On March 23^rd 2005, in Yucub, Ethiopian government forces killed Abdiwahab Moallim Ahmed and wounded seriously Osman Ali, on 30^th March 2005.

On May 18^th 2005, members of Ethiopian armed forces opened fire on a civilian convoy travelling between Shaygoosh and Birqod. A hail of bullets fired upon him, instantly killed Dr. Ahmed Gurey Abib and two other civilians were wounded. Dr.Ahmed was a well-known practitioner in Qabridaharre. No reason has been given for his murder.

In August 2005, in Dhagaxbuur, militia loyal to Ethiopian security forces killed Mohamed Nuur Abdi in broad daylight because his cousin was running against ruling party’s candidate in the elections.

On October 29^th 2005, in Barida, Dhuxun district, Ethiopian armed forces killed Bashir Abdi Abbi and his son. Bashir was a teashop owner in Barida who has refused to pay extortion money.

(See Mass Killings, Torture and Disappearances in the Ogaden ref: OHRC/08/96, Ogaden: No Rights, No Democracy ref: OHRC/08/97, Ogaden: An Endless Human Tragedy ref: OHRC/12/98, Ogaden: Graveyard of Rights ref: OHRC/10/99 and Ogaden: Down trodden and Disenfranchised People ref: OHRC/D15/04). For further details and names, please refer to the attached lists at the end of the report.

ii. Forced Disappearances

According to Principles on Detention or Imprisonment, principle 12 and 16 (1); SMR rules 7, 44(3) and 92; Declaration on Enforced Disappearance, Article 10(2 and 3); principles on Summary Executions, principle 6; a record of every arrest must be made and shall include: the reason for arrest; the time of the arrest; the transferred to place of custody; the time of appearance before a judicial authority; the identity of officers involved; precise information on the place of custody; and details of interrogation. Furthermore, the UN Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances requires the authorities to take effective action to prevent disappearances, including holding persons in officially recognized places of detention, and making information concerning the place of detention and all transfers known to families, lawyers ... (Article 10(1+2), and ensuring releases of detainees under circumstances that permit verification of their release and conditions (Article 11).

A large number of people have disappeared after being abducted by members of Ethiopian armed and security forces, while others disappeared from notorious military detention camps, or were transferred to secret detention centres in Harar or Addis Ababa. The fate and whereabouts of those people remain unknown to their relatives.

Many suspected ONLF sympathizers have been disappeared in detention without leaving a trace. In many cases they are presumed dead.

In Boodhley, Ethiopian armed forces detained illegally, Abdi Ibrahim, Jefad Farah Abdi, Mohamed Abdi Dahir, Siraje Abdi Shafe’a and Yusuf Mohamed, on January 17^th 2005. They were transferred to Shaygoosh military barracks, and have never been seen again.

On February 10^th 2005, in Barmiilka, members of Ethiopian government forces looted private properties, and then took with them at gunpoint Fathi Mohamed Khalif and Omar Moallim Sahardid. Since then their whereabouts are unknown to their families.

In Dusmo, Ahmed Dolal Duale, Dayin Ahmed Gabane, H. Farah Mursal and Nassir Adan Dhari were detained by Ethiopian armed forces on March5^th 2004. They were accused of supporting and sympathising with the ONLF and were transferred to Awaare military barracks, where they were subjected to extensive torture, and subsequently disappeared.

On May 1st 2004, in Ananu, Awaare district, Ethiopian armed forces abducted Arrablow Mohamed Hassan and Barre Mohamed Mohamoud two nomads who were watering their camels. Since their abduction their families and relatives have no knowledge about their whereabouts.

Militia loyal to Mr.Reyale Kahin detained Khalif Abdullahi Omar in Burao, Northwest Somalia, on June 10^th 2004. He was accused of being a member of the ONLF and was subjected to extensive torture. His whereabouts are unknown to his family.

iii. Crime of Rape

Women and children are the most vulnerable groups to suffer abuse and violence in the Ogaden. Many women were detained, tortured, raped, maltreated for being activists of the Ogaden Women’s Democratic Association or relatives of ONLF members. A number of children, were detained, tortured or molested by Ethiopian security forces as well.

Article 1 of the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women ( DEVW) states that: For the purposes of this Declaration, the term « violence against women » means any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.

In article 2 it states that : Violence against women shall be understood to encompass, but not limited to the following:

a) Physical, sexual and psychological violence ocurring in the family, including battering, sexual abuse of female children in the household, dowry related violence, marital rape, female genital mutilation and other traditional practices harmful to women, non-spousal violence and violence related to exploitation ;

b) phsical, sexual and psychological violence occurring within the general

community, including rape, sexual abuse, sexual harassment and intimid-

ation at work, in educational institutions and elsewhere, trafficking in

women and forced prostitution;

c) physical, sexual and psychological violence perpetrated or condoned by the

State, wherever it occurs.

The Declaration on the Protection of Women and Children in Emergency and Armed Conflict was proclaimed by the General Assembly in 1974. The Declaration states that all forms of repression and cruel and inhuman treatment of women and children — including imprisonment, torture, shooting, mass arrests, collective punishment and destruction of dwellings and forcible eviction — committed by belligerents in the course of military operations or in occupied territories are to be considered criminal.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child, in Sub‑article (l and 4) of Article 38 states that:” State Parties undertake to respect and ensure respect for rules of international humanitarian law applicable to them in armed conflicts, which are relevant to the child. In accordance with their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect the civilian population in armed conflicts, State Parties shall take all feasible measures to ensure protection and care of children who are affected by an armed conflict."

The Ogaden Human Rights Committee is alarmed at the massive rise in rape victims and the number of women who contracted HIV/AIDS virus after being raped by members of Ethiopian armed forces.

In Golhabreed, Dhuxun district, members of Ethiopian government forces beaten up and gang- raped Hafsa Takhal Hussein and Asili Ahmed Adan, on April 07^th 2004.

On June 06^th 2004, in Hadhaawe, Godey Region, members of Ethiopian armed forces gang-raped Wadiya Mohamed Aidid a teenage girl, who passed away after the crime.

In Fiiq, Ethiopian soldiers gang-raped Saredo Emar Ibrahim, a thirteen-years – old girl. Her genitals were severely damaged then she was transferred to Harar Hospital for treatment.

In September 2004, in Xamaro, an Ethiopian soldier attempted to rape Ubax Mohamed Khalif. When she managed to escape from him, he threw a hand-grenade at her. She suffered serious injuries caused by the bomb shrapnel.

A number of women are being held in the Ethiopian military barracks throughout the Ogaden as comfort women (sex slaves) against their will. Many cases of forced marriages have been reported as well.

Many women and young girls raped by Ethiopian armed forces in the Ogaden fled their homeland and took refuge in neighbouring countries, namely Kenya, Djibouti and Somalia. The victims can no longer lead a normal life in their country because of the rape stigma.

The victims and their families have been warned not to speak of their bitter experiences to anyone, or else they would be severely punished. To the best of the Ogaden Human Rights Committee’s knowledge, no one has been charged for this horrendous crime.

iv. Torture and ill- Treatment

Article 2 of the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment states that "Each State party shall take effective legislative, administrative, judicial or other measures to prevent acts of torture in any territory under its jurisdiction. No exceptional circumstances whatsoever, whether a state of war or a threat of war, internal political instability or any other public emergency, may be invoked as a justification of torture. An order from a superior officer or a public authority may not be invoked as a justification of torture."

Common article 3 of the Geneva Conventions of 1949 prohibits torture during internal armed conflict. States are also required to bring those responsible for torture to justice and to give redress and compensation to those who have been tortured.

In the Ogaden, there is neither arrest nor interrogation without torture. Usually, Ethiopian armed and security forces systematically torture suspected ONLF members to extract confessions or information about ONLF. A number of people were tortured to death. The OHRC has examined a large number of torture survivors; some of them were disabled, while others bore scars of torture on their bodies.

Ethiopian security forces detained Khalif .X.Y, a civilian without political affiliation, in Baabile, and then transferred to prison in Jigjiga, in 2005. He was accused of sympathizing with “anti-peace elements”, a term Ethiopian authorities frequently use to designate members of ONLF fighters. Every night he was taken out of his prison cell at gunpoint, blindfolded and tied up for interrogation under torture. During his detention he underwent severe physical and psychological torture in the form of indiscriminate beating with heavy sticks, electric wires, guns butts and threats of shooting him to death by charging guns in front of him and aiming at his head.

He was released after three months of detention without formal charge or trial after his family paid the requested extortion money.

" As I told you I was subjected to extensive torture. You can see badly healed scars covering all my body. Now I cannot lead a normal life because I lost one hand and one leg as a result of torture and lack of medical care,” he said to Ogaden Human Rights Committee’s researcher.

Abdi Dayib Abdi, a pastoralist, was detained, on 20^th September 2005, in Gurdumi. He was transferred to military barracks, where members of Ethiopian armed forces tied him upside-down and beat him indiscriminately by gun butts and heavy sticks. He was denied medical treatment.

On October 20^th 2005, Ethiopian armed forces detained and beaten up a group of nomads tending their camels, in Kuus-cawl, Fiiq district. When they released them they shot at them and gravely wounded, Hassan Sheikh Omar, Hussein Sheikh Bashir, Shafi Mohamed Wiyil and Halimo Abdi Hussein.

On December 09^th 2005, in Garbo, Ethiopian forces detained and severely tortured Addawe Ga’iye. He has been beaten indiscriminately by iron bar and scars are covered all over his body. Hassan Askar Muhumed was also detained and tortured. His two hands were broken as a result of the torture.

Persecution of Somalis from the Ogaden in Hargeisa

On November 30^th 2003, 75 Somalis from the Ogaden were arrested and their properties confiscated, in Hargeisa, Northwest Somalia. Several weeks later most of the detainees were released after they paid extortion money.

However, the remaining detainees were accused of ONLF sympathy and membership and were transferred to Hargeisa Central Jail. They were subjected to extensive torture and maltreatment in the jail during interrogation to extract confessions and information about the ONLF. Many of them are bearing scars of torture on their bodies.

On September 02^nd 2005, 28 detainees have been brought before the Hargeisa High Court, which examined their case and acquitted them ordering their immediate release for lack of evidence. However, the Police and the Public Prosecutor, in defiance of the court order, returned them to their prison cells. The following two detainees passed away in custody.

Hiis Muse Jama was subjected to extensive physical and psychological torture in Hargeisa Central Jail. He was denied medical treatment and passed away in his cell in September 2005.

On December 30^th2005, Ahmed Mohamoud Hussein died in Hargeisa Central Jail. The cause of his death was torture, maltreatment and lack of medical attention. Four other inmates are in a critical condition and are being denied medical treatment.

The OHRC, which called for them to be either charged with recognizable criminal offences and given fair trials or released unconditionally, welcomes Hargeisa High Court’s ruling and asks their unconditional and immediate release.

To the best of OHRC’s knowledge, the detainees were traders, labourers, residents and visitors, who were not, involved in any illegal activities, and have no political affiliation whatsoever.

(See Ogaden: Downtrodden Disenfranchised People ref: OHRC/D15/04, Self-Republic of Somaliland: Seeks recognition and favour through detentions, torture, confiscation of property and forced repatriation of Somalis, Ref: OHRC/12/03 and Self -declared Republic of Somaliland: Persecution, intimidation, detentions and torture of Somalis from the Ogaden unabated ref: OHRC/2PR/05). For further details and names, please refer to the attached lists at the end of the report.

Torture Methods

Torture methods employed against detainees by the Ethiopian armed and security forces in the Ogaden are numerous, few among them are:

An indiscriminate beating with gun butts and barrels, heavy sticks or iron bars.
Gang raping of women and child molestation.
Beatings on the soles of the feet, joints, ankles, shinbone and the testicles.
Knocking detainee’s head into detention walls.
Victims are burned with cigarettes.
Deprivation of sleep and food.
Death threats, with charged guns pointed at the head.
Suffocation of detainees by burying them alive, which causes death in many cases.
Forcing detainees to drink urine or salty water.
Suspending from the roof upside‑down.
Denial of sanitary visits.
Victims are left for extended periods, in prostrate position under the burning sun with their hands and legs tied together behind the back.

(See Mass Killings, Torture and Disappearances in the Ogaden ref: OHRC/08/96, Ogaden: No Rights, No Democracy ref: OHRC/08/97, Ogaden: An Endless Human Tragedy ref: OHRC/12/98, Ogaden: Graveyard of Rights ref: OHRC/10/99 and Ogaden: Downtrodden Disenfranchised People ref: OHRC/D15/04 and Self -declared Republic of Somaliland: Persecution, intimidation, detentions and torture of Somalis from the Ogaden unabated ref: OHRC/2PR/05). For further details and names, please refer to the attached lists at the end of the report.

v. Illegal Imprisonment

Article 9 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) states, “No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.”

In article 10 it states, “"Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him."

Nevertheless, hundreds of children, women, businessmen, students, pastoralists, politicians and religious scholars have been detained, by Ethiopian armed forces, because of their ethnic, language, religion, or political opinion. No one was ever brought before a public hearing. These abuses took place unchecked in the towns as well as in the rural areas.

Ethiopian government’s policy of keeping political prisoners in detention indefinitely without charges or trial has not changed. However, Ethiopian armed and security forces periodically round up as many people as possible for ransom and when the extortion money is paid, the detainees are released. So, there are many individuals who were detained several times and then released.

On January 24^th 2006, in Jigjiga, Ethiopian security forces and the local police collected a number of citizens from their residences in the dead of night. And then they were transferred to Garabcase military barracks and Jigjiga Police Centre. They are being held in incommunicado. They were detained on suspected sympathy with ONLF. But no charges had been laid formally against them and no trial date has been set. They include: Abdi Mohamed Ahmed, Abdul Sh.Badri, Mohamed Hassan Ahmed, Mohamuud Somali, Mukhtar Olad, Nimo Ahmed Mohamed, Qadiri Sh.Badri, Mrs. Qasad Mohamed Nur, Tamman Abdi Moallim. Mrs. Qasad who was detained with her daughter Nimo is a prominent women’s rights activist. She had been detained several times before on suspicion of supporting the "anti‑peace elements", a term Ethiopian authorities frequently use to designate members of ONLF.

On January 30^th 2005, in Qoriile, Ethiopian armed forces detained illegally Afyare Qaraw Osman, Arab Moallim Bihi, Bashir Sugule Ali, Hassan Gahnug Yusuf, Khadar Haji Tahlil, Sayid Hudle Khalif, Sugule Abdi Abshir and Yoye Yusuf Aar all nomads. No reason was given for their arbitrary detention.

On 15^th –28^th February 2005, members of Ethiopian armed forces collected a number of civilians from their residences in Wardheer and environs, under the pretext of supporting ONLF. They were detained, beaten up and tortured. They include Abdi Farah Ga’od, Abdi Haybe Omar, Abdi Said Salad, Abdi-duh Sheikh Hirsi, Abdinassir Sheikh Mohamed, Ahmed Nur Sheikh Mohamoud, Ali Hussein Ahmed, Ali Kayd Abdirahman, Ali Kayd Ismail, Ali Shafad, Amina Osman Ege, Arab Matan Ali, Arrabey afi Ibrahim, Deq Hassan Yassin, Ege Ahmed Farey, Farah Dahir Ali Nur, Farhan Yusuf Abdi, Mohamed Ali Kilin, Sofe abdi Awl. No charges had been laid formally against them and no trial date has been set.

In Shaygoosh, on February 23^rd 2005, for no apparent reason Ethiopian armed forces detained illegally and tortured Abdi-Shun Mohamed, Abdulqadir Moalin Bashir, Ali Abdullahi Yare, Ardo Mohamoud Harago, Dakharre Faragod, Farah Ali, Farah Mohamoud, Fiqane Ali, Hirane Muhumed Yassin, Hussein Shankaron, Mohamed Dagaweyne Aw Ahmed, Shun Ibrahim Shuriye, Suber Ali, Taman Adan Arab andYarowe Mohamed Abdi all civilian with no political affiliation.

On February 27^th 2005, in Dhagaxbuur, Ethiopian security forces detained Ayan Mohamed Yusuf for suspected membership of Ogaden women’s Democratic Association.

On March 07^th 2005, in shilaabo, Ethiopian security forces detained illegally Shamis Mohamed Madle. No reason was given for her detention.

In Dhagaxbuur, Ethiopian security forces detained Sheikh Abdi Qalinle the Imam of Dhagaxbuur Mosque, on 20^th March 2005. No justification was given for his detention.

On September 23^rd 2005, Ethiopian security forces detained Ms Ibado Dahir Weyd, in Qabridaharre for suspected sympathy for ONLF. She came from Australia to visit her family.

On December 18^th 2005, in Waafduug, Ethiopian armed forces detained Abdullahi Abdi Omar and confiscated his lorry. Abdi-yare Sirad was also detained with him.

vi. Other Human Rights Abuses

Article 17(2) of the UDHR prohibits arbitrary deprivation of private property. Article 17 of the ICCPR calls for the prohibition of arbitrary or unlawful interference with an individual’s privacy, family, home or correspondence, and unlawful attacks on his honour and reputation. That no one is to be held in slavery; that slavery and slave trade are to be prohibited; and that no one is to be held in servitude or required to perform forced or compulsory labour (art.8). It lays down measures to protect the rights of children (art.24). It provides that all persons are equal before the law and are entitled to equal protection of the law (art.26). It also calls for protection of the rights of ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities (art.27)

On March 27^th 2005, in Yucub, Ethiopian troops confiscated two lorries carrying 200 head of sheep owned by traders, from Yucub area.

On March 29^th 2005, Ethiopian troops confiscated 80 head of oxen owned by businessmen from Arrabey, in Doollo area.

In March 2005, in Caado, Ethiopian forces looted 90 head of oxen, which were on their way to market for sale. In Yucub, they confiscated all properties belonging to Makhtal Adan Hirsi, who is a businessman. They looted cash belonging to Abdi Hukun Mohamoud, Ali Sa’a, Shire Bihi and Ibrahim Abdi Bihi as well. They also detained Omar Saleban Amin, an eighty-year- old, clan elder.

DISPLACING AND STARVING OUT OF THE CIVILIAN POPULATION

Article 54 -Protection of objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population -of the protocols additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 states that "Starvation of civilians as a method of warfare is prohibited. It is prohibited to attack, destroy, remove or render useless objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population, such as foodstuffs, agricultural areas for the production of foodstuffs, crops, livestock, drinking water installations and supplies and irrigation works, for the specific purpose of denying them for their sustenance value to the civilian population or to the adverse party, whatever the motive, whether in order to starve out civilians, to cause them to move away, or for any other motives."

However, Ethiopian armed forces closed the border between the Ogaden and Somalia, confiscated lorries and foodstuffs and indiscriminately mined areas which civilians frequent, particularly around water wells and caravan routes, which lead to neighbouring countries, in order to stop trade movements and starve out the civilian population. They also depopulated and razed entirely to the ground many villages and hamlets.

On November 20^th 2005, Ethiopian armed forces razed to the ground the village of Fooljeex, which situates 44km east of Qabridaharre. Before torching the residences they looted personal properties and burned all what they could not take with them including village’s barns, which contained more than 6000 Quintals of sorghum and maize.

The homeless and helpless residents of Fooljeex took refuge in Qabridaharre town and other surrounding villages.

Ex-Fooljeex resident who preferred not to be named told OHRC, “ We are destitute. We lost all our belongings in Fooljeex and have no where to go.” “There is no crime parallel to what Ethiopian armed forces did to us,” he concluded.

As of this writing the motives behind the torching of Fooljeex and displacing of its residents are unknown.

On November 29^th 2005, Ethiopian government forces evacuated all residents of Barraajisle. Displaced residents take refuge in Qabridaharre and environs. Ethiopian commander in Qabridaharre declared his government’s intention to torch the following villages: Galadiid, Farmadow, Geerigo’an, Gabagabo, Dalaad and Jiica.

On February 25^th 2005, in Yucub, Ethiopian forces forcibly evicted residents from their homes in a quarter nearby their barracks. No compensation was given to the individuals who lost their homes.

The practice of taking family members or close relatives of government political opponents as hostages, and holding them under torture until the suspected activist reports himself to the security forces is widely employed by the Ethiopian security forces in the Ogaden.

The Ogaden Human Rights Committee has evidence that family members and relatives of political prisoners have been harassed and intimidated constantly by the Ethiopian security forces.

The Ethiopian government uses forced labour to build its military in the Ogaden. Many teenagers were abducted to work in military construction projects or transport ammunition and provisions on their backs in the rainy season or when there is fear of landmines.

Article 23 of the UDHR provides, inter alia, that:"Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment. Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work. Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection."

Nevertheless, there is a clear pattern of discrimination and segregation against Somalis, in terms of education, health care, employment and economic development.

Public posts in the Ogaden have been purged of anyone whose views were judged critical or hostile to the government policies, and replaced by pro-government elements. Such a policy of targeting one group for their political opinion, and depriving others of their basic rights, has obviously caused widespread and deep resentment throughout the region.

In October 2003, 150 teachers were dismissed for their political views, ethnic and tribal background.

On March 25^th 2005, a number of regional officials and employees were abusively dismissed.

Between 20.09.2003 and 30.11.2004, the Ethiopian government abusively dismissed more than 2896 civil servants in the Somali Region to be replaced by non-Somalis.

On November 29^th 2004, names of 1300 individuals, who may be dismissed, were appeared on an official notice board in Jigjiga, and later on they were dismissed without justification.

a. August 2005 Elections

Article 25 of the International Covenant On Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) states that: “Every citizen shall have the right and the opportunity, without any of the distinctions mentioned in article 2 and without unreasonable restrictions:

a) To take part in the conduct of public affairs, directly or through freely chosen representatives;

b) To vote and be elected at genuine periodic elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret ballot, guaranteeing the free expression of the will of the electors;

c) To have access, on general terms of equality, to public service in his country.”

Article 1 of the Ethiopian Constitution states that:

1. "Every citizen has the right and the opportunity, without any discrimination based on race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion:

d) To take part in the conduct of public affairs directly or through freely chosen representatives.

e) To vote and to be elected to any office at all levels of government. Elections shall be universal suffrage and secret ballot in order to ensure the free expression of the will of the electorate.

f) Any Ethiopian citizen who has reached the age of eighteen shall have the legal right to vote.

g) Participation in political parties, labour unions, trade organizations, employer and professional associations shall be free and accessible to those who meet the general and special requirements of the organization.

h) Elections to positions of responsibility within the organizations referred to under sub-article 2 of this article shall be conducted in accordance with free and democratic procedures. The provisions of sub-articles 2 and 3 of this article shall apply to civic organizations which significantly affect the public interest.”

Normally, in a democratic process, candidates enjoy major support from their constituencies. In the Ogaden, usually, a committee composed of EPRDF officials, military and security officers select candidates of Somali People’s Democratic Party (SPDP), which is a pro-government party in the region. Other candidates face serious problems. Any one who does not enjoy the backing of the security forces in his constituency might be refused to present himself as an independent candidate.

Ethiopians cast their votes on May 15^th 2005, to elect their representatives for the House of the People’s representatives and Regional Parliaments. But elections were postponed in the Ogaden until August 21^st 2005, because of logistical and security problems as usual.

On the Election Day, August 21^st 2005, the Ethiopian government used its military barracks as polling centres. There were neither independent observers nor appropriate electoral system. Independent candidates reported widespread vote rigging and irregularities in all levels. No elections took place in the rural areas.

An ex-independent candidate in Jigjiga, summed up election irregularities in the following points:

“

a) Ballot papers were on sale in the market before and during the Election Day.

b) Voters were registered several times in some areas while there was not any voter registration in many areas.

c) The ballot boxes were stuffed by prepared ballot papers.

d) Our representatives were intimidated, beaten up and arrested to make easier the election rigging.”

“ The worst of all was the ballot paper itself which was written in Amharic, a language which is not spoken in our country. The elections were neither free nor fair in all standards,” he concluded.

According to the international observers’ report last year’s Ethiopian elections including the Ogaden did not meet internationally recognized standards.

In November 2005, Ethiopian Police and Security Forces killed at least 46 people in post-election political unrest, in Addis Ababa.

(See Mass Killings, Torture and Disappearances in the Ogaden ref: OHRC/08/96, Ogaden: No Rights, No Democracy ref: OHRC/08/97, Ogaden: An Endless Human Tragedy ref: OHRC/12/98, Ogaden: Graveyard of Rights ref: OHRC/10/99, Ogaden: Down trodden and Disenfranchised People ref: OHRC/D15/04 and Ogaden: Traditional Leaders’ Peace Initiative and the upcoming Elections ref: OHRC/1PR/05). For further details and names, please refer to the attached lists at the end of the report.

b. Drought and Food Shortage

For the last twelve years, the rainy seasons failed or there was not enough rainfall in the Ogaden. Water is scarce and dear. Whenever there is scarcity of water, the pastoralists move with their animals in search for pasture and water beside water holes, ponds and reservoirs. Many water reservoirs and tankers owned by individuals were confiscated by the Ethiopian armed forces. The owners of these reservoirs and tankers were denied the use of their water and property for their families and thirsty animals.

In 2000, the Ogaden region was hit by the worst drought in a decade. The prolonged drought caused a mass starvation and breakout of epidemics related to malnutrition and bad sanitation. In the worst drought-stricken areas, thousands of people and hundreds of thousands of animals starved to death. The Ethiopian government, which was in war with Eritrea, did nothing to save the lives of the drought victims and their animals, which are the main source of the livelihood for millions of the Ogaden people. (See Press Release: Ogaden: Dozens of People and Thousands of Animals Starve to Death on a Daily Basis Amid International Lack of Attention ref: OHRC/05/00).

Once again the Somali people in the Ogaden are on the brink of starvation. According to international NGOs reports and eyewitness accounts more than 1.5 million people are facing severe food shortages.

In the most drought-affected areas such as Afdheer, Godey, Liibaan and parts of Qorraxey the people are running out of food and their animals are getting weaker by the day as well. The outbreak of measles and other epidemics related to malnutrition and bad sanitation were also reported.

In 2000, the international donor community has helped the victims of the drought generously. But as is usual with Ethiopian government, the aid donated by the international community to the victims of the drought through the Ethiopian Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (ERRC), renamed as the Disaster Prevention and preparedness Commission (DPPC), which is in effect run by the Tigray Relief Society (TRS), never reached its intended beneficiaries in the Ogaden, because the Ethiopian government has misused it by diverting it to the army.

Therefore, the Ogaden Human Rights Committee appeals to the international community to help the Ogaden people directly through international NGOs in order to assure the reach of the food aid to the victims of the famine; otherwise the relief will end up in military barracks as usual.

(See Mass Killings, Torture and Disappearances in the Ogaden ref: OHRC/08/96, Ogaden: No Rights, No Democracy ref: OHRC/08/97, Ogaden: An Endless Human Tragedy ref: OHRC/12/98, Ogaden: Graveyard of Rights ref: OHRC/10/99, Ogaden: Down trodden and Disenfranchised People ref: OHRC/D15/04 and Ogaden: Traditional Leaders’ Peace Initiative and the upcoming Elections ref: OHRC/1PR/05). For further details and names, please refer to the attached lists at the end of the report.