Protect Oromo in Yemen

We the undersigned are demanding answers from UNHCR’s office in Yemen whom has decided not to protect Oromo

refugees. Since July 3rd, 2011 UNHCR has called out Yemen security to forcibly remove 600 Oromo refugees

protesting the inhumane conditions they face with UNHCR refusing to provide adequate protection. As a result,

on July 3rd, at least 35 refugees (many Oromo) were injured. Later, two died with at least one from bullet

wounds.

On August 9th, UNHCR called Yemen security resulting in at least six Oromo being put in prison by the Yemen

security.

Yemen UNHCR is implying they have provided Oromo refugees with adequate solutions including transfer to

refugee camps on the Saudi border. In a recent article on Yemen Post, UNHCR states
“Since resettlement is not a realistic option, the protesting refugees were instead advised to choose on the

immediately available options- transfer to a camp, a transit shelter on outskirts of Sana’a or financial

support to vulnerable families so they can afford to pay rent and put food on table.”
Oromo refugees informed UNHCR protection office that they were kicked out of apartments and their jobs due to

hostility towards Oromo. There language has been taken as dismissive by Oromo refugees as well as many in

Diaspora. Furthermore, it is in UNHCR’s mission to attempt resettlement. By publicly stating that it I is not

a realistic option, they have publicly distanced from UNHCR corporate objectives.

We Oromo in Diaspora are very much aware of the hostile conditions that Oromo refugee face in these border

camps. In Al Kharaz refugee camp, Oromo are faced with numerous human rights violations. Oromo refugees at Al

Kharaz pursued submitted their complaints to the National Tribunal court August 9th, 2010. It was reported

that the National Tribunal cited the UNHCR Yemen and government of Yemen for persecuting Oromo.

We urge UNHCR Geneva to find out why the office in Yemen is corroborating with human rights violators. By

remaining indifferent, we are only compounding the humanitarian crisis. If human rights violators are not held

accountable, then the problems only grow resulting in exponentially higher numbers of refugees.

Some of the allegations that need to be addressed include:
Sana’a, Yemen
1.      Many Oromo refugees complain about having to pay bribes to get assistance (confirmed by Iraqi and

Somali refugees) **
2.      Many complained about being intimidated by UNHCR’s use of violence to remove demonstrators
3.      Why no public outcry when UNHCR called Yemen Security to attack Oromo refugees outside of Protection

office resulting in 2 dead and 35 injured
4.      Why a person by the name of Alex from UNHCR has worked to forge hatred between Oromo refugees? Why he

continually intimidates Oromo refugees?
 
Al Kharaz Refugee Camp
1.      Why UNHCR in Al Kharaz refugee camp have violated Oromo rights by forcing them to say they are Somali?
a.      Oromo refugees at Al Kharaz submitted complaint to the National Tribunal Court on August 8, 2010. The

National Tribunal reviewed the complaint against UNHCR and Yemeni authorities and found both parties had

infringed and persecuted Oromo refugees over the last 15 years. Why is UNHCR not evaluating these findings?
2.      Allegations of threatening refugees with deportation, deprivation of access to food, shelter and

education if they do not change identity to Somali.
3.      Allegations of intimidation, torture, robbery, sexual violence and forcible deportation for those with

UNHCR mandates.
4.      Allegations of attempted murder through use of guns by armed gangs at the camp.
 
 
**http://www.yobserver.com/front-page/10020671.html
 
**http://www.yobserver.com/front-page/10020800.html