Bashir Ahmed Makhtal (Somali: Bashiir Axmed Makhtal; born 1977) is a Canadian citizen formerly held in an Ethiopian prison, where he was accused of terrorism and faced the death penalty.[1][2] The Canadian government was criticized by several groups for its initial inaction on demanding Makhal's release, including Amnesty International.[3][4]
In 2002, Makhtal travelled to the United Arab Emirates, from which he travelled to Djibouti, Kenya, Eritrea, and Somalia, selling clothing to support himself.[6][7] In 2006, after Ethiopia's militarily intervention in Somalia, Canadian Foreign Affairs advised Canadians in Somalia to flee the impending conflict.[8] Makhtal flew to neighboring Kenya, but was arrested during the flight. After spending three weeks in Nairobi jail,[7] Makhtal was extraordinarily renditioned to the Ethiopian-backed government in Somalia, which extradited him to Ethiopia.[3] Makhtal was accused of being a member of the ONLF based on the prior membership of his grandfather,[9][8] as well as collaborating with the Somali terrorist group al-Shabab. The Ethiopian government denied Makhtal representation in court by his Canadian lawyer, saying that Makhtal was already being represented by an Ethiopian lawyer.[10][11] The Ethiopian court found Makhtal guilty of being a member of the ONLF and working with the Eritrean government to organize the financing, recruiting, and training of ONLF militants.[12] Several reports claimed that Makhtal was tortured by interrogators while in prison,[13][14] though the Ethiopian government denied this.[15] In June 2007 he was able to have a letter delivered to his family.[8]
Throughout Makhtal's imprisonment, many people in Canada, including Makhal's family, called for his release. Makhtal's wife, Aziza Osman, campaigned for both his release and that of her uncle, who faced a similar renditioning.[16] In August 2009, Makhtal's Canadian lawyer announced that he would sue the Canadian government to force it to halt aid to Ethiopia unless Makhtal was released.[17] In December 2009, after the Ethiopian Supreme Court rejected Makhtal's appeal, his relatives in Canada asked Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to directly intervene in the case.[18]
On April 18, 2018, Makhtal was released from prison, and returned to Canada on April 21.[19][20]
Reactionsedit
Canadaedit
At the time of Maktal's imprisonment, the ruling Conservative Party was accused by the NDP and the Liberal party of not aiding non-white Canadians imprisoned in foreign countries.[5][21] After being assured of Maktal's well-being in March 2008, the Canadian government sent Deepak Obhrai, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, to Ethiopia in June to inquire about Maktal's situation.[22][23] In February 2009, the Canadian government announced that it would seek Makhtal's release.[9]
Ethiopiaedit
Responding to accusations of human rights violations, the Ethiopian government accused Western countries of not condemning the attacks of the Ogaden National Liberation Front.[24][25][26]
^Thomas Walkom (June 14, 2007). "Double standard for Canadians in trouble abroad". Toronto Star. from the original on 2011-06-07. But if a Canadian is unlucky enough to run into trouble with a country that Ottawa does not wish to offend, it is a different story. In those cases, the government says little and does less. If the Canadian is unpopular or lacks media-savvy supporters, the government pays even less attention.
^Debra Black (2012-12-27). "Negotiations under way to bring imprisoned Bashir Makhtal back to Canada". Toronto Star. from the original on 2013-01-02.
^ abCBC, "Group worries execution close for Canadian held in Ethiopian jail 2008-07-30 at the Wayback Machine", July 17, 2008
^. Amnesty International. 2007-11-22. Archived from the original on 25 November 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-29.
^ abcFriends and Family of Bashir Makhtal, Biography of Bashir Makhtal 2008-07-05 at the Wayback Machine
^ abDebra Black (February 4, 2007). . Toronto Star. Archived from the original on 2011-07-07. Retrieved 2007-11-29.
^ abcThomas Walkom (November 29, 2007). "Why is PM forgetting Makhtal?". Toronto Star. from the original on 1 December 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-29.
^ abVancouver Sun, Conservatives pressure Ethiopia to free jailed Canadian March 18, 2009, at the Wayback Machine, February 23, 2009
^Lorne Waldman (May 4, 2007). . CBC Radio. Archived from the original on 2007-11-20. Retrieved 2007-11-29.
^"Bashir appears in Ethiopian court with lawyer". 19 March 2009. from the original on 2009-03-22. Retrieved 2009-05-13.
^"Canadian jailed for life". from the original on 2009-08-07. Retrieved 2009-08-06.
^Debra Black (May 21, 2007). "Where is Bashir Makhtal?". Toronto Star. from the original on 2012-10-10.
^. CBC. April 11, 2007. Archived from the original on 2007-06-02. Retrieved 2007-06-13.
^"8 terrorism suspects put on Ethiopian TV". from the original on 2009-09-30. Retrieved 2009-05-13.
^. Al Jazeera. February 16, 2007. Archived from the original on April 3, 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-29.
^. Archived from the original on 2009-08-08. Retrieved 2009-08-06.
^""Ethiopia strikes down appeal by imprisoned Canadian - Ottawa prepared to help after terror conviction, life sentence upheld"". Toronto Star. 5 December 2009. from the original on 2012-10-19. Retrieved 2017-08-24.
^"Canadian citizen arrives back in Canada after 11 years in Ethiopian prison". Toronto Star. 21 April 2018. from the original on 22 April 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
^"Amnesty International Welcomes Canadian Citizen Bashir Makhtal's Release from Ethiopian Prison and Return to Canada". amnesty.ca. from the original on 23 April 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
^ . Somali Herald. 2008-06-07. Archived from the original on 2008-12-04. Retrieved 2008-07-29.
^"Canadian in Ethiopia terror case". BBC News. March 19, 2009. from the original on March 22, 2009. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
^ONLF and "Terrorism double standards" December 30, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
^"Concerns of double standards with Makhtal case". from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2009-05-14.
^"concerns of double standards with Makhtal case". from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2009-05-14.
April 11, 2024
bashir, makhtal, bashir, ahmed, makhtal, somali, bashiir, axmed, makhtal, born, 1977, canadian, citizen, formerly, held, ethiopian, prison, where, accused, terrorism, faced, death, penalty, canadian, government, criticized, several, groups, initial, inaction, . Bashir Ahmed Makhtal Somali Bashiir Axmed Makhtal born 1977 is a Canadian citizen formerly held in an Ethiopian prison where he was accused of terrorism and faced the death penalty 1 2 The Canadian government was criticized by several groups for its initial inaction on demanding Makhal s release including Amnesty International 3 4 Bashir MakhtalBorn1977EthiopiaStatusFreed Contents 1 Biography 2 Reactions 2 1 Canada 2 2 Ethiopia 3 See also 4 ReferencesBiography editMakhtal was born in Ethiopia to Somali parents who had fled war torn Somalia in 1972 5 His grandfather was a founder of the rebel group Ogaden National Liberation Front ONLF which is classified as a terrorist organization by Ethiopia In 1991 Bashir immigrated to Toronto Canada where he studied computer science at the DeVry Institute of Technology later completing his bachelor s degree in Texas 6 In 1994 he was granted Canadian citizenship and was employed as a computer programmer by the Bank of Montreal and CIBC 6 In 2002 Makhtal travelled to the United Arab Emirates from which he travelled to Djibouti Kenya Eritrea and Somalia selling clothing to support himself 6 7 In 2006 after Ethiopia s militarily intervention in Somalia Canadian Foreign Affairs advised Canadians in Somalia to flee the impending conflict 8 Makhtal flew to neighboring Kenya but was arrested during the flight After spending three weeks in Nairobi jail 7 Makhtal was extraordinarily renditioned to the Ethiopian backed government in Somalia which extradited him to Ethiopia 3 Makhtal was accused of being a member of the ONLF based on the prior membership of his grandfather 9 8 as well as collaborating with the Somali terrorist group al Shabab The Ethiopian government denied Makhtal representation in court by his Canadian lawyer saying that Makhtal was already being represented by an Ethiopian lawyer 10 11 The Ethiopian court found Makhtal guilty of being a member of the ONLF and working with the Eritrean government to organize the financing recruiting and training of ONLF militants 12 Several reports claimed that Makhtal was tortured by interrogators while in prison 13 14 though the Ethiopian government denied this 15 In June 2007 he was able to have a letter delivered to his family 8 Throughout Makhtal s imprisonment many people in Canada including Makhal s family called for his release Makhtal s wife Aziza Osman campaigned for both his release and that of her uncle who faced a similar renditioning 16 In August 2009 Makhtal s Canadian lawyer announced that he would sue the Canadian government to force it to halt aid to Ethiopia unless Makhtal was released 17 In December 2009 after the Ethiopian Supreme Court rejected Makhtal s appeal his relatives in Canada asked Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to directly intervene in the case 18 On April 18 2018 Makhtal was released from prison and returned to Canada on April 21 19 20 Reactions editCanada edit At the time of Maktal s imprisonment the ruling Conservative Party was accused by the NDP and the Liberal party of not aiding non white Canadians imprisoned in foreign countries 5 21 After being assured of Maktal s well being in March 2008 the Canadian government sent Deepak Obhrai Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs to Ethiopia in June to inquire about Maktal s situation 22 23 In February 2009 the Canadian government announced that it would seek Makhtal s release 9 Ethiopia edit Responding to accusations of human rights violations the Ethiopian government accused Western countries of not condemning the attacks of the Ogaden National Liberation Front 24 25 26 See also editHuman rights in Ethiopia Ogaden National Liberation FrontReferences edit Thomas Walkom June 14 2007 Double standard for Canadians in trouble abroad Toronto Star Archived from the original on 2011 06 07 But if a Canadian is unlucky enough to run into trouble with a country that Ottawa does not wish to offend it is a different story In those cases the government says little and does less If the Canadian is unpopular or lacks media savvy supporters the government pays even less attention Debra Black 2012 12 27 Negotiations under way to bring imprisoned Bashir Makhtal back to Canada Toronto Star Archived from the original on 2013 01 02 a b CBC Group worries execution close for Canadian held in Ethiopian jail Archived 2008 07 30 at the Wayback Machine July 17 2008 Call for action by Canada and Ethiopia on Canadian rendition case Amnesty International 2007 11 22 Archived from the original on 25 November 2007 Retrieved 2007 11 29 a b Jack Layton January 24 2007 MacKay must intervene in case of Canadian held abroad Bashir Makhtal case echoes those of Arar Celil New Democratic Party Archived from the original on 2007 11 14 Retrieved 2007 11 29 a b c Friends and Family of Bashir Makhtal Biography of Bashir Makhtal Archived 2008 07 05 at the Wayback Machine a b Debra Black February 4 2007 Family fears for deported man s life Kin queried as Somali Canadian held in Ethiopia Toronto Star Archived from the original on 2011 07 07 Retrieved 2007 11 29 a b c Thomas Walkom November 29 2007 Why is PM forgetting Makhtal Toronto Star Archived from the original on 1 December 2007 Retrieved 2007 11 29 a b Vancouver Sun Conservatives pressure Ethiopia to free jailed Canadian Archived March 18 2009 at the Wayback Machine February 23 2009 Lorne Waldman May 4 2007 Canadian Ethiopian CBC Radio Archived from the original on 2007 11 20 Retrieved 2007 11 29 Bashir appears in Ethiopian court with lawyer 19 March 2009 Archived from the original on 2009 03 22 Retrieved 2009 05 13 Canadian jailed for life Archived from the original on 2009 08 07 Retrieved 2009 08 06 Debra Black May 21 2007 Where is Bashir Makhtal Toronto Star Archived from the original on 2012 10 10 Ethiopian Canadian Lawyer CBC April 11 2007 Archived from the original on 2007 06 02 Retrieved 2007 06 13 8 terrorism suspects put on Ethiopian TV Archived from the original on 2009 09 30 Retrieved 2009 05 13 Kenya deports Somalis without trial Al Jazeera February 16 2007 Archived from the original on April 3 2007 Retrieved 2007 11 29 Lawsuit aims to compel Ethiopia to release Canadian Archived from the original on 2009 08 08 Retrieved 2009 08 06 Ethiopia strikes down appeal by imprisoned Canadian Ottawa prepared to help after terror conviction life sentence upheld Toronto Star 5 December 2009 Archived from the original on 2012 10 19 Retrieved 2017 08 24 Canadian citizen arrives back in Canada after 11 years in Ethiopian prison Toronto Star 21 April 2018 Archived from the original on 22 April 2018 Retrieved 22 April 2018 Amnesty International Welcomes Canadian Citizen Bashir Makhtal s Release from Ethiopian Prison and Return to Canada amnesty ca Archived from the original on 23 April 2018 Retrieved 22 April 2018 Sgro Judy Liberal Party of Canada Hansard 39 2d Session Archived 2011 06 04 at the Wayback Machine June 19 2008 Canadian Held in Ethiopia Could Face Death Penalty Somali Herald 2008 06 07 Archived from the original on 2008 12 04 Retrieved 2008 07 29 mirror Canadian in Ethiopia terror case BBC News March 19 2009 Archived from the original on March 22 2009 Retrieved April 26 2010 ONLF and Terrorism double standards Archived December 30 2009 at the Wayback Machine Concerns of double standards with Makhtal case Archived from the original on 2016 03 03 Retrieved 2009 05 14 concerns of double standards with Makhtal case Archived from the original on 2016 03 03 Retrieved 2009 05 14 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Bashir Makhtal amp oldid 1195333423, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
