Ethiopia Asked To Provide Human Rights Groups...

Ethiopia Asked To Provide Human Rights Groups Access To Somali Region Of Ogaden

By Kudzai Muza
Thursday, April 24, 2014

The voice Somalis from Ogaden region of Ethiopia has finally been heard by the international community. The United States, the United Kingdom as well as the EU Parliament have in the recent past openly expressed their concerns over alleged humanitarian crisis in the African country.

The U. S House of Representatives has asked Ethiopia to provide human rights and humanitarian organizations with free access to its Somali region of Ogaden.

The U. S. said Ethiopia must make sure that funds available for assistance of its military and police forces are not used unless the Secretary of State certifies to the Committees on Appropriations that Ethiopia's government is implementing policies to protect basic human rights like freedom of expression, assembly and religion.

The U. S. Congress declared, "That Funds . shall not be made available unless the Secretary of State certifies . Ethiopia is implementing policies to protect judicial independence; freedom of expression, association, assembly, and religion; the right of political opposition parties, civil society organizations."

The world power also asked Ethiopia to make sure that human rights and humanitarian organizations are provided free access to the Somali region of the country and journalists are allowed to operate without any harassment or interference.

Anna Gomes, the EU's head of International Unit Party, pointed out that Ethiopia is one of the largest humanitarian and development aid receiver but it is using donations improperly and dishonestly.

Human Rights Groups like Amnesty International and Genocide Watch have been accusing Ethiopia Government of committing brutal crimes against humanity in Ogaden region.

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