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Feb 16, 2008
This article is a continuation of my
previous article "The horrendous
circumstances of Oromo refugees in East
Africa". This one is more of a translation
of a press release by Oromo Liberation Front
about the heart-wrenching act of genocide
against Oromo refugees in Puntland, Bossasso.
The statement was written in Oromo language,
Afan Oromo. The translation is to help
English readers understand the situation and
help rescue Oromo refugees from future
similar attacks.
Beginning of translation. The heinous crime
committed against Oromo refugees in
Puntaland's Bosasso city on February 5, 2008
at 8:00 pm, has been an act that has shocked
all humanity. Two grenades were thrown at
two 'tea-houses' where Oromo refugees were
watching videos in Oromo language, leaving
65 people dead , and 90 people injured . The
'tea-houses', equivalent of cafes, were the
regular meeting and socialising palaces for
Oromo refugees. Armed men opened fire,
killing the ones who survived the deadly
bomb blasts. The killers transported the
bodies of the dead away from the site of the
blast in two convoys to conceal the tragedy.
In addition to the scores killed, residences
of 250 Oromo refugees were set on fire with
all their property. Some survivors of the
attack were denied hospitalisation, beaten
and chased away. This shows Oromo refugees
were denied human dignity and respect that
everyone deserves. Therefore, we condemn the
force that has caused these cruel and
inhuman acts.
It is a well known fact that for decades
many refugees have been leaving Ethiopia to
escape political persecutions. The majority
of refugees fleeing Ethiopia belong to the
Oromo people. Persecutions against the Oromo
have reached a record high during the rule
of the current TPLF-led Ethiopian
government…End of translation.
By deduction, the statement translated above
indicates how the conspiracy between the
Ethiopian government and neighbouring
countries have led to following refugees in
exile and carrying out ethnic cleansing.
Concerned organisations such as the UN,
UNHCR, the African Union, genocide watch and
human rights watch groups should be aware
that the free mobility the Ethiopian Army
has in and out of its neighbouring countries
is sure to cause ethnic cleansing such as
the one translated above. It is extremely
important to put international legal
restriction on the free movement of the
Ethiopian Army into its neighbouring
countries in search of refugees.
Qeerransoo Biyyaa
The author is based inside Ethiopia he can
be reached at meettaa@gmail.com
http://www.oromoindex.com/News/6450.html
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Open Letter to UNHCR
http://www.oromoindex.com/News/6456.html
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