24 April 2008
The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) strongly condemns the forced abduction,detention and extraordinary rendition of two ONLF Central Committee members by the Puntland regional administration in Somalia on 22nd of April 2008. This act constitutes a clear violation of the United Nations Convention Against Torture and other Forms of Cruel, Inhumane, or
Degrading Treatment as the two officials have a clear and well founded fear of persecution including torture in Ethiopia.
The two ONLF political prisoners were removed by force from their hotel in Garowe in central Somalia by security forces of the Puntland administration. After intense interrogation, they were then driven in the personal vehicle of the Puntland Minister of Finance Mohamed Ali Yusuf "Ga Gaab" to Ethiopian security forces waiting for them on the Ogaden side of the border with Somalia.
One of the ONLF officials was in Puntland to protest the deliberate killing of a citizen of Ogaden by Puntland security forces in a jail in the northern city of Bosaaso and to assist his family members. He was in regular contact with Puntland officials who never objected to his presence. The other ONLF official was in Puntland visiting his spouse and children. Both were unarmed political figures and posed no threat to the security of Puntland.
The ONLF considers this act to constitute a clear hostile intent on the part of the Puntland regional administration toward the people of Ogaden.
The consequences of this action shall be the sole responsibility of the Puntland regional administration.
Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) |
