adminBased on a Department for International Development document seen by The Guardian, the £13 million to £15 million funding for training the militia in the Somali region of Ogaden, which lies within Ethiopia, is excused by the British government as a “peace-building” plan.
The Ethiopian government is leading a counter-insurgency campaign in Ogaden by its “special police” or the “Liyu police.”
The force was deployed to the area after federal security institutions halted operations there due to protests to the Ethiopian army’s conduct by rights groups including the Human Rights Watch.
This comes as the disclosed document shows the British government is training the force in the knowledge of its record.
“Human rights abuses committed by the special police are believed to be more widespread and severe than those committed during the military campaign,” the document said.
In a report in May 2012, the Human Rights Watch revealed the “special police” have been behind at least ten summary executions.
This comes as another rights group Amnesty International has also raised serious concerns about Britain training the force.
“There have been repeated allegations against the Liyu police of extrajudicial killings, rape, torture and other violations including destruction of villages,” Amnesty International’s Ethiopia researcher, Claire Beston said.
Britain’s links to the force follows repeated reports of London’s assistance to foreign agencies, widely accused of major human rights abuses and torture, including in the Muammar Gaddafi-led Libya. — Presstv
Online Reporter