Resolution

The UNPO General Assembly,

 Expressing concern on the continuing violations of the Human rights of the Somali people in Ogaden by the Ethiopian government Army and associated local paramilitary group the Liyu-Police, including mass gang rape of women, arbitrary detentions of civilians, extra-judicial killings and extensive torture used to humiliate and break-down detainees in the many makeshift detention centres in Ogaden

 Underlining the deleterious and appalling consequences of the embargo of aid and trade on the livelihood of the Ogaden people and the deliberate curtailment of international NGO’s access to most of the needy people in Ogaden, while donors fail to make the Ethiopian government accountable for transgressing on the economic and humanitarian international conventions regarding the Ogaden

 Noting that the Ethiopian government has blocked unfettered international media access to the Ogaden, even to the extent of shooting, detaining and humiliated journalists from Sweden and USA, which is not only curtailing freedom of expression, but is also making hard unbiased verification of conditions in Ogaden and other parts of Ethiopia.

 Regretting the worsening of political and democratic space in Ethiopia and the use of anti-terrorism laws to harass media and curtail genuine opposition, which is unequivocally proven by the current 100% election victory of the ruling party

 Emphasising the importance of safeguarding the rights of minorities to exercise their universally accepted right of self-determination and respect of their land, culture, property and way of life in any modern democratic state

 Noting the positive move by both ONLF and the Ethiopian government to initiate talks through the Kenyan government good offices and stressing the importance of overcome current deadlocks and genuinely engage in serious principled talks in order to end the age-old conflict in the Ogaden

Therefore, we, the UNPO General Assembly:

 Solemnly affirms the principles of the right of peoples to self-determination and a democratic political order that respects the rights of all

 Requests both ONLF and the Ethiopian government to restart the peace talks without preconditions and other impediments

 Calls upon the Ethiopian government to lift unconditionally trade and aid embargo in Ogaden, allow aid agencies and organisations unfettered access in order to provide aid to the needy in all of the Ogaden, and lift embargo on international media.

 Condemns the collective punishment meted by the Ethiopian government against the civilian population in Ogaden and the use of paramilitary forces to commit Human rights abuses in an attempt to shun liability and accountability. Regardless what forces of organised groups are used the untimate responsibility lies with the Ethiopian government that organises, trains and funds such criminal groups.

 Deplores the silence of the international community, specifically the UN, AU, the EU and North American in regard to the rampant and documented human rights abuses committed by the Ethiopian government in Ogaden and Ethiopia.

Considers the result of the 24 May elections flawed and not commensurate with international accepted standards of democratic practices.

 Urges the Ethiopian government to respect and implement its own constitution in practice terms.

 Encourages the international community to address the looming crisis in Ethiopian and help all stakeholders reach a just, viable and last solution to all the conflicts that are creating instability in the Horn of African, particluar Ethiopia.

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