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Mass
killings, torture and disappearances
in the Ogaden
Ref.:OHRC/08/96
Date:Sept.10th,
96
In
the Ogaden summary executions, mass killings, arbitrary detentions
without charges or trials, torture of detainees to death, confiscation
of property, gang raping of women and child molestation are
commonplace, and are daily practiced by the Ethiopian government
forces with impunity.
Since
7th June 1996, when Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF)
and Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) released their joint statement
to coordinate their actions against the Ethiopian government,
the human rights situation has systematically deteriorated,
both in the Ogaden and Oromia (See OHRC/06/96, July 17th 1996).
In
the wake of the ONLF-OLF statement, the Ethiopian government
forces stepped up its human rights violations in the Ogaden
and Oromia by committing unspeakable atrocities against the
civilian population in the two regions.
In
the last three months (June, July, August 1996), the main towns
in the Ogaden were a scene of many human rights abuses, where
many citizens were detained or killed without an apparent reason
by the Ethiopian Government security forces.
On
August 8th, 1996, the EPRDF militias rounded up a group of citizens
in Toon-Ceeley, Qorrahay region, and killed them in a cold-blood
massacre. Among them were:
1. Ahmed Sanay Farah
killed
Civilian
Toon-ceelay
2. Hassan Ahmed Sagal
killed
Civilian
Toon-ceelay
3. Ahmed Good Abdi
killed
Civilian
Toon-ceelay
4. Ahmed Sangaab
killed
Civilian
Toon-ceelay
Four
other civilians were also abducted by the Ethiopian government
militias, and their destiny is unknown up to now.
In
the same date, in Gabagabo, Qorrahay region, the Ethiopian government
troops committed an other massacre which claimed the lives of
four innocent civilians.
In
Nus-Dariiq, many civilians were detained illegally after confiscation
of their property, and are being held in incommunicado detention.
Few among them are:
5.Siyad Ahmed
detained
Civilian
Nus-Dariiq
6.Abdi-yare Mohamed
detained
Civilian
Nus-Dariiq
7.Buurane Ali
detained
Civilian
Nus-Dariiq
In
mid August 1996, the Ethiopian government troops massacred ten
civilians in Qabridaharre. Among them were Sareeya Seerar Mohamed
and her newly born child.
In
an other development, mass graves were discovered by the civilians
in close vicinity to the military detention camps in Qabridaharre
and Garbo.
In
April 1995, several civil servants and businessmen were detained
without charges or trial in Wardheer. Among them was 8. Mohamed
Abdullahi Ismail “Sandoon”, ex member of parliament. He was
extremely tortured and crippled, then was lately released.
On
August 29th 1996, Mr. Mohamed Abdullahi Ismail was assassinated
by Ethiopian government commandos in Galkacayo, central Somalia,
where he sought medical treatment.
Some
of the detainees are being held in incommunicado detention,
while other disappeared totally. Few among them are:
9.Farah Sheikh Bihi
detained
Businessman
Diri-dhabo
The
following detainees were detained in Diri-dhab, then transferred
to Jigjiga for unknown reason:
10.Sheikh Abdinasir Sh. Adan
detained
M. Parliament
Jigjiga
11.Nur Gooni Khalif
detained
M. Parliament
Jigjiga
12.Khadar Moalin Ali
detained
M. Parliament
Jigjiga
Other
members of the Regional Parliament held in incommunicado detention
are:
13.Ali Bashe Sh. Abdi
detained
M. Parliament
Jigjiga
14.Riyaale Haamud Ahmed
detained
M. Parliament
Jijiga
15.AhmedMakahil Hussien
detained
M. Parliament
Jigjiga
16.Ibrahim Adan “Doolaal”
detained
M. Parliament
Addia Ababa
17.Abdirashid Ahmed Khalif
detained
Ex-M. Parliament Jigjiga
(See
OHRC/06/96 - July 17th 1996, and OHRC/07/96 - August 7th 1996).
On
July 2nd, 1996, an Oromo trader was arrested by the Ethiopian
security forces in Diri-Dhabo (Dire-Dawa). He is:
18. Aboubakar Hamza
detained
Trader
Diri-dhabo
He
was transferred to an unknown destination. Since then, his relatives
are apprehensive for his safety.
On
July 31st 1996, three ONLF central committee members were detained
in Hargeisa, north-west Somalia militias loyal to Mr. Mohamed
Egal, while they were visiting their relatives in the area.
Since then, they are in solitary detention without charges,
and the Ethiopian government is seeking their repatriation against
their will in order execute them. The three detainees are:
19.Ahmed Mohamed
detained
CC of ONLF
Hargeisa
20.Abdullahi Qaji
detained
CC of ONLF
Hargeisa
21.Abdullahi Haliye
detained
CC of ONLF
Hargeisa
The
Ogaden Human Rights Committee fears the safety and well-being
of all detainees, particularly in view of recent reports of
extrajudicial killings, torture, disappearances and discovery
of mass graves.
Reports
of Ethiopian government delegation visiting frequently Hargeisa
to solicit Mr. Egal’s administration to hand over the above-mentioned
ONLF central committee members to Ethiopia have heightened fears
about the grave consequences which may result their hand over
to the Ethiopian government where they would face certain death.
Hence,
the Ogaden Human Rights Committee is concerned about the safety
and well-being of the three detainees, and urges Egal’s administration
their unconditional and immediate release.
Recommendations and
appeals
The
Ogaden Human Rights Committee appeals and recommends that:
1.
United Nation appoint Special Rapporteur for human rights in
the Ogaden.
2.
International community’s intervention to stop the human sufferings
and senseless carnages in the Ogaden, the sooner the better.
3.
The Ethiopian government release all detainees and close down
all notorious military detention camps in the Ogaden.
4. International community
send mine clearance teams and equipment to conduct comprehensive
country-wide demining program.
Ogaden
Human Rights Committee
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