STATEMENT OF HONORABLE SHARMA'ARKE MOHAMED HASHI GAANI
 The
office of Honorable Sharmarke Mohamed Hashi Gaani, refutes statements made by
the Ethiopian government on its report about a raid on the Al Hidya Mosque in
Mogadishu on 19 April 2008. In the attack, Ethiopian forces killed at least 21
people, including 11 unarmed civilians inside the mosque, and detained at least
40 children and youths, aged 9 to 18. At least 10 others were killed by
Ethiopian forces in the vicinity of the mosque.
Reports released by my office are based on several cross-checked, independent
sources such as family members of victims, testimonies gathered at the location,
including individuals present in the mosque while the killings took place, and
fellow countrymen/women contacts.
As everybody knows deliberately killing civilians is a war crime. "I call on
the International Community to ensure an independent investigation is carried
out into the raid on the mosque and the subsequent treatment of those detained
by its forces."
Seven of the 21 killed at the mosque were reported to have had their throats
cut, a form of illegal execution practised by Ethiopian troops in Somalia. I
have documented a pattern of these 'throat-slitting' executions, which often
occur in security sweeps after attacks on Ethiopian forces in Somalia.
Somali media today reported that forces of the Transitional Federal Government
(TFG) of Somalia have taken 18 of the children and youths detained by the
Ethiopian forces at the Al Hidya mosque into custody at the Criminal
Investigations Department of the Somali police (CID). An additional 32 children
and youths have been released, according to a TFG spokesperson. In line with
international standards on the rights of the child, detention should only be as
a last resort and for the minimum time possible. I call for the 18 who remain in
detention to be charged with a recognized offence and brought before a court, or
released.
The Office of Honorable Sharmarke Mohamed Hashi Gaani, again calls on the
International Community to commit to an independent investigation into the
killings carried out during and after the Al Hidya mosque raid. Once such an
investigation has been made, the findings should be made public and any
Ethiopian soldiers implicated in the investigation should be brought to justice
in line with international fair trial standards.
Best Regards!
Hon:Sharma'arke Gaani's Offices
Tel: (2521) 556-2862 Baidao,Somalia
Tel (2521) 557-2464 Cabudwaq,Somalia
Tel:(2525) 0472-619 Balanbale,Somalia
Tel:(2525) 0422-871 Dhabad,Somalia
Email: sgaani@gmail.com
Faafin: SomaliTalk.com | May 6, 2008
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C/Laahi Yuusuf oo Saxiixiisa ku biiriyey Shirkadaha
Gen. Cadde ugu Yeero Jirrida
Qoditaankii
Shidaalka Puntland oo dib loo dhigay (Muddo aan la cayimin)