Bashir Makhtal

Bashir Ahmed Makhtal (b. 1977) is a Canadian citizen held in an Ethiopian prison where he is accused of terrorism and faces the death penalty.cite news
url=http://www.thestar.com/News/article/225237
title=Double standard for Canadians in trouble abroad
date=June 14, 2007
author=Thomas Walkom
publisher=Toronto Star] He is being held against international law, and without consular access from Canadian officials. The government's inaction on demanding his repatriation has galvanized the Somali community across Canada, and attracted the attention of Amnesty International. [cite news
url=http://www.amnesty.ca/resource_centre/news/view.php?load=arcview&article=4122&c=Resource+Centre+News
title=Call for action by Canada and Ethiopia on Canadian rendition case
publisher=Amnesty International
date=2007-11-22
accessdate=2007-11-29]

Life

Makhtal fled war-torn Somalia in 1972.cite web
url=http://www.ndp.ca/page/4794
title=MacKay must intervene in case of Canadian held abroad: Bashir Makhtal case echoes those of Arar, Celil
publisher=New Democratic Party
author=Jack Layton
date=Wednesday, January 24 2007
accessdate=2007-11-29] In 1991, he immigrated to Canada and studied Computer Science at the DeVry Institute of Technology while living in Riverdale, Toronto.Friends and Family of Bashir Makhtal, [http://makhtal.org/Bio.htm Biography of Bashir Makhtal] ] He then traveled to Texas to complete his bachelor's degree. In 1994 he was granted Canadian citizenship, and was employed as a computer programmer by the Bank of Montreal and CIBC.

In 2002, Makhtal began traveling, to the United Arab Emirates, and then across the Horn of Africa, selling clothing to support himself as he went across Djibouti, Kenya Eritrea and finally found himself back in Somalia.

When Ethiopia invaded in 2006, Canadian Foreign Affairs advised Canadians in the country to flee the impending war. Makhtal flew to neighbouring Kenya, but was arrested during the flight and, although granted access to attorney Haron Ndubi during three weeks of detention in Nairobi,cite news
url=http://416-777-7777.com/Unassigned/article/178088
title=Family fears for deported man's life: Kin queried as Somali-Canadian held in Ethiopia
publisher=Toronto Star
author=Debra Black
date=February 4, 2007
accessdate=2007-11-29] was illegally renditioned to the Ethiopian-backed government in Somalia, and from there directly to Ethiopia.CBC, " [http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2008/07/17/canadian-ethiopia.html Group worries execution close for Canadian held in Ethiopian jail] ", July 17 2008]

Imprisonment

While in prison, it is believed that Makhtal has faced torture from interrogators seeking a confession of involvement with terrorism.cite news
url=http://www.thestar.com/News/article/216039
title=Where is Bashir Makhtal?
date=May 21, 2007
author=Debra Black
publisher=Toronto Star] cite news
url=http://www.cbc.ca/thecurrent/2007/200704/20070411.html
title=Ethiopian Canadian – Lawyer
date=April 11 2007
publisher=CBC
accessdate=2007-06-13] In June 2007 he was able to have a letter delivered to his family.

He is accused of belonging to the Ogaden National Liberation Front, a secessionist group which Canada considers a legal entity, but is labeled as "terrorist" in Ethiopia.cite news
url=http://www.thestar.com/News/article/280891
title=Why is PM forgetting Makhtal?
publisher=Toronto Star
author=Thomas Walkom
date=November 29, 2007
accessdate=2007-11-29] His wife, Aziza Osman, has campaigned for the release of both Makhtal and her uncle who faced a similar renditioning. [cite news
url=http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/85278AF1-4DDD-4A6B-B5CB-56A1D60C1280.htm
title=Kenya deports Somalis without trial
publisher=Al Jazeera
date=Friday, February 16, 2007
accessdate=2007-11-29] Although he is represented by Canadian lawyer Lorne Waldman, Ethiopia has refused contact with Makhtal. [cite news
url=http://www.cbc.ca/radioshows/AS_IT_HAPPENS/20070504.shtml
title=Canadian Ethiopian
publisher=CBC Radio
author=Lorne Waldman
date=May 4 2007
accessdate=2007-11-29]

Political ramifications

The ruling Conservative Party has been criticised by the NDP and the Liberal party for continuing their policy of not intervening to aid Canadians imprisoned in foreign countries. [ Sgro, Judy, Liberal Party of Canada, [http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?DocId=3595466&Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=39&Ses=2 Hansard: 39: 2d Session] , June 19 2008]

References