PRESS RELEASE

The Ogaden National Liberation Front

Press Release

December 20, 2004

The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), Guided by the principles of Universal Declaration of Human Rights which in its preamble states:

Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,

Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights haveresulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,

Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion
against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,

Convinced that the Somali people of Ogaden have  been denied their human rights as set down in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in its entirety( all 30 articles) by the Ethiopian regime.

Convinced that Ethiopia has violated the Constitutive Act of the African Union article 4

m) respect for democratic principles, human rights,the rule of law and good governance;
(n) promotion of social justice to ensure balancedeconomic development;
(o) respect for the sanctity of human life,condemnation and rejection of impunity and political
assassination, acts of terrorism and subversive
activities  (Constitutive Act of the African Union, Lome, Togo 11 July 2000)

by will fully depriving the Somali people of Ogaden the minimum of human, political and social rights and committing crimes against humanity that have broughtinexpressible suffering to the people in that
territory.

Convinced that Ethiopia has not changed its ill intent and suppressive colonial policies against the Somali people of Ogaden and is not interested in allowing the people to elect legitimate representatives but rather wants to impose again individuals with no legitimacy who would facilitate its plunder and abuse and provide a smoke screen against international scrutiny.

Knowing that the current announcement by the Ethiopian regime for elections is a cosmetic exercise intended to convince the international community that a transparent, free and fair election will take place when the opposite will be hold true as in past elections.

Recalling that Ethiopia has habitually postponed so-called elections in the Ogaden every time on the pretext of draughts or lack of security in order to avoid the presence and inspection of the observers who may witness the lack of participation of the Somali masses in the so-called elections.

Reaffirming our commitments and determination to defend and seek the rights of the Somali people of Ogaden .

Hereby declares that it and the Somalis of Ogaden will not participate in the so-called Ethiopian elections scheduled for 2005

Conscious of the value of non-violent resolution of conflicts and committed to principles of peace, ONLF stresses that Ethiopia stop its current political games and start a meaningful and viable dialogue to end the long standing conflict in the Ogaden instead of replaying the same doomed policies that is killing hundreds daily through violence or degradation resulting from it suppressive policies.

Requests from the international community to go behind the Ethiopian façade and find out the extent of the crimes committed by Ethiopia against the maltreated people in the Ogaden


Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF)
Foreign Affairs Department
 

Information Bureau
Infobureau@onlf.org

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