OGADEN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE       

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN       Dec 7, 2012

REFERENCE: KHADAR MOHAMED ISMAIL

The Ogaden Human Rights Committee (OHRC) is an independent, voluntary, non-political non-profit making organisation, founded on June 13th 1995, in Godey, Ogadenia, to monitor and promote the observance of internationally accepted human rights standards in the Ogaden. It investigates all allegations of human rights abuses, and when it is satisfied that the claim is authentic, documents it.

The Ogaden Human Rights Committee prepares reports, press releases and appeals to publicize human rights violations in the Ogaden by the Ethiopian government. It campaigns for the improvement and respect of basic human rights by educating the people and putting the spotlight on the Ethiopian human rights record in the Ogaden. Khadar Mohamed Ismail who was born in Dhagahbour town of Ogaden used to work in a transportation company owned by his father, when the government tried to force  him and his brother join the government packed militia called Liyu-police, they escaped to Puntland Somalia on Jan 1^st, 2010. 

Then, the Puntland administration raided the Khadar and his brother in their hotel on Jan 7^th, 2010, but fortunately, Khadar escaped and his brother was caught. That was the last time Khadar saw his brother and he has no idea of the whereabouts of him. There are a number of Ogaden Somalis that both Puntland and Somaliland kidnapped and handed them to Ethiopia. Khaddar escaped to Kenya where he now lives in hardship and misery and is worried for his safety.

One of the reasons that Ethiopian army is forcing him to join the militia is a retaliation from his uncle – Abdikadir Hassan Hirmoge who has been the Executive Committee of Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) for quite some time. 

There has been credible reports that, Ethiopian security has been hunting Somalis from Ogaden in Kenya and has killed a number of high profile people and people who are related to ONLF, Khadar has a well founded fear of being killed in Kenya or kidnapped from Kenya too.  Similarly, any attempt to force him return to Ethiopia will seriously put his life into jeopardy.

We appreciate any help given to Rage.

Regards,

Mahamud Ugas Muhumed, PhD

Co-founder of OHRC, Board Member and Researcher

E-mail: mahamud@ogadenrights.org, mmugas@gmail.com

Sous-Bellevue 33  P.O.Box 2159   2660 Southvale Crs              E-mail: ohrc@ogadenrights.org

2900 Porrentruy  5001 CD Tilburg  Unit 338               Website: www.ogadenrights.org 

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