4 May 2011

The denial of ICRC to go to Ogaden to fulfill its humanitarian obligations is clear demonstration of the Ethiopian regime’s policy of concealing the routine torture of inmates in numerous prisons in Ogaden and the collective punishment of our innocent civilian population. The regime is clearly hiding the war crimes it commits on a daily basis in Ogaden

Efforts by the ICRC to come back to Ogaden, after it has been expelled 4 years ago, were repeatedly rejected by the the dictatorial regime in Ethiopia. This new denial takes place at a time when Ogaden is under the grip of prolonged severe drought and infant mortality is rising at an alarming level as a result of the famine and related diseases.

The ONLF appealed to international community to intervene given that the regime in Ethiopia is engaged in a systematic campaign of violence against the civilian population of Ogaden. Denying ICRC free and unfettered access to Ogaden constitutes a blatant disregard for the lives of the people in Ogaden.

ONLF welcomes ICRC and all legitimate international humanitarian organizations who are willing to alleviate the suffering of our people in Ogaden. We further wish to make clear that we welcome and encourage human rights organisations and members of the international press to come to Ogaden and see the reality on the ground. ONLF will do its best to facilitate access for any willing international organization seeking to fulfill its humanitarian and human rights obligations in Ogaden.

Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF)

NB. Check the report below (and many more) to see the reason behind the restrictions

http://allafrica.com/stories/201102160712.html