Major Demonstrations against the Ethiopian Regime Took Place in Geneva

Major Demonstrations against the Ethiopian Regime Took Place in Geneva

Major demonstrations against the Ethiopian regime rocked the United Nations Head Quarters in Geneva. The Ogaden Somali demonstrators who were holding many signs highlighted the poor human rights record and the ongoing human rights tragedies perpetrated by the Ethiopian regime in the Ogaden.

Given the many different flags interspersed with the multicolored protest banners, it was evident that the demonstrators came from all over Europe including the United Kingdom, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Germany, Holland, Belgium and host Swiss.

The demonstrations took place at a critical time when many UN agencies meet. As a result, these demonstrations attracted a large contingent UN based reporters. The demonstration leaders had prepared and disseminated detailed, firsthand reports, about the human rights situation in the Ogaden. These leaders articulated the poor rights record of the regime in Addis Ababa.

The protesters also highlighted the new Ethiopian regime’s strategy to hunt and kidnap those who have fled the Ogaden including high ranking Ogaden National Liberation Front, ONLF, leaders who were recently abducted from the Kenyan capital of Nairobi.

The demonstrators reminded the UN delegates many of whom came out to meet some of the protesters that they have a responsibility to hold Ethiopia accountable to the genocidal policies it has pursued in the Ogaden.