December 23, 2008

Somali Cause: In support of Human Rights watch Report

Washington DC, December 20, 2008 – After examining the last Human Rights Watch report on Somalia, “So Much to Fear” War Crimes and the Devastation of Somalia” and Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs denial of the facts, Somali Cause is compelled to strongly respond in support of the Human Rights Watch and highlight the egregious and gruesome human rights violations committed by the Ethiopians and its ally government.

Somali Cause is not surprised with the response of Ethiopian government to the report, denying the atrocities it committed against civilians. Similar reports of Ethiopian troops conducting war crimes in Mogadishu were previously released by independent human rights organizations such as Amnesty International, Refugee international and now by Human Rights Watch. Unfortunately, Ethiopia has always denied and continues to deny its belligerent attacks against innocent Somalis in violation of international human rights laws.

Somali Cause and its member organizations have been documenting atrocities and violations against civilians in the past.

Somali Cause;

Is pleased that other organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch are now corroborating Somali Cause findings of human rights violations

Reiterates that Ethiopia must withdraw immediately from Somalia.

Welcomes all the issues raised in the report with respect to rights violations by all the parties in the conflict, particularly the disproportionate bombardment of civilian neighbourhoods by the Ethiopian troops and their TFG cohorts that caused the mass exodus of civilians from their homes.

Concurs with the reports’ assessment of the external players’ involvement, all outsiders helped escalate the crises

The HRW Africa Director Mr. Georgette Gagnon stated unequivocally as quoted by VOA news “that outsiders, including the soon-to-take-office Obama administration, need to re-evaluate fundamental views about the Horn of Africa conflict in order to stop fuelling the war crimes and rights abuses that Human Rights Watch says are being committed by all sides in the conflict.” Somali Cause adds its voice and urges the United States to review its policy toward the Horn.

Supports and urges that the International Community to set up a tribunal court for Somalia to try individuals, parties and outside actors to stop impunity and future abuses.

Urge all the violators to heed and accept the Human Rights Watch’s report and act on its recommendations and immediately stop the endless violations against civilians.

Draws attention to the dire humanitarian needs of the internally displaced refugees in and around Mogadishu and Somali at large.

Lastly, regardless of the Addis Ababa regime’s dismissal and accusation of all the international human rights institutions, Somali Cause is convinced that the international community is fully aware of the atrocities and this regime’s attempts to hide its crimes is unacceptable.