Bashir Makhtal
{{Short description|Canadian terrorist (born 1977)}}
{{Infobox War on Terror detainee
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| birth_date = 1977
| birth_place = Ethiopia
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| status = Freed
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Bashir Ahmed Makhtal ({{langx|so|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.{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/opinion/columnists/2007/06/14/double_standard_for_canadians_in_trouble_abroad.html
| title=Double standard for Canadians in trouble abroad|date=June 14, 2007|author=Thomas Walkom|author-link=Thomas Walkom|publisher=Toronto Star|archivedate = 2011-06-07
| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20110607225557/http://www.thestar.com/News/article/225237|url-status=live|quote = 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.}}{{cite news |url= https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/1307475--negotiations-under-way-to-bring-imprisoned-bashir-makhtal-back-to-canada|title= Negotiations under way to bring imprisoned Bashir Makhtal back to Canada| publisher= Toronto Star| date= 2012-12-27| author= Debra Black| archivedate= 2013-01-02| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20130102160802/http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/1307475--negotiations-under-way-to-bring-imprisoned-bashir-makhtal-back-to-canada| url-status = live }} The Canadian government was criticized by several groups for its initial inaction on demanding Makhal's release, including 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 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071125234358/http://www.amnesty.ca/resource_centre/news/view.php?load=arcview&article=4122&c=Resource+Centre+News |archivedate=25 November 2007 |url-status=dead }}
Biography
Makhtal was born in Ethiopia to Somali parents, who had fled war-torn Somalia in 1972.{{cite web|url=https://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|author-link=Jack Layton|date=January 24, 2007|accessdate=2007-11-29 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071114150447/http://www.ndp.ca/page/4794 |archivedate=2007-11-14 |url-status=dead }} 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.Friends and Family of Bashir Makhtal, [http://makhtal.org/Bio.htm Biography of Bashir Makhtal] {{webarchive| url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705104108/http://makhtal.org/Bio.htm |date=2008-07-05}} In 1994 he was granted Canadian citizenship, and was employed as a computer programmer by the Bank of Montreal and CIBC.
In 2002, Makhtal travelled to the United Arab Emirates, from which he travelled to Djibouti, Kenya, Eritrea, and Somalia, selling clothing to support himself. In 2006, after Ethiopia's militarily intervention in Somalia, Canadian Foreign Affairs advised Canadians in Somalia to flee the impending conflict. Makhtal flew to neighboring Kenya, but was arrested during the flight. After spending three weeks in Nairobi jail,{{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| archivedate=2011-07-07| url-status=dead| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707064024/http://416-777-7777.com/Unassigned/article/178088}} Makhtal was extraordinarily renditioned to the Ethiopian-backed government in Somalia, which extradited him to Ethiopia.CBC, "[https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/group-worries-execution-close-for-canadian-held-in-ethiopian-jail-1.702040 Group worries execution close for Canadian held in Ethiopian jail] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080730054014/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/group-worries-execution-close-for-canadian-held-in-ethiopian-jail-1.702040 |date=2008-07-30 }}", July 17, 2008 Makhtal was accused of being a member of the ONLF based on the prior membership of his grandfather,{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/opinion/columnists/2007/11/29/why_is_pm_forgetting_makhtal.html|title=Why is PM forgetting Makhtal?|publisher=Toronto Star|author=Thomas Walkom|author-link=Thomas Walkom|date= November 29, 2007|accessdate=2007-11-29|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20071201060333/http://www.thestar.com/News/article/280891|archivedate= 1 December 2007 |url-status= live}} 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.{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/radioshows/AS_IT_HAPPENS/20070504.shtml |title=Canadian Ethiopian |publisher=CBC Radio |author=Lorne Waldman |author-link=Lorne Waldman |date=May 4, 2007 |accessdate=2007-11-29 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071120090743/http://www.cbc.ca/radioshows/AS_IT_HAPPENS/20070504.shtml |archivedate=2007-11-20 |url-status=dead
}}{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7952199.stm |title=Bashir appears in Ethiopian court with lawyer |date=19 March 2009 |access-date=2009-05-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090322104218/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7952199.stm |archive-date=2009-03-22 |url-status=live }} 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.{{Cite web |url=http://www.torontosun.com/news/canada/2009/08/04/10353946-sun.html |title=Canadian jailed for life |access-date=2009-08-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090807120808/http://www.torontosun.com/news/canada/2009/08/04/10353946-sun.html |archive-date=2009-08-07 |url-status=live }} Several reports claimed that Makhtal was tortured by interrogators while in prison,{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/2007/05/21/where_is_bashir_makhtal.html|title=Where is Bashir Makhtal?|date=May 21, 2007|author=Debra Black|publisher=Toronto Star|archivedate=2012-10-10|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010014411/http://www.thestar.com/News/article/216039}}{{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 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070602145251/http://www.cbc.ca/thecurrent/2007/200704/20070411.html |archivedate=2007-06-02 |url-status=dead }} though the Ethiopian government denied this.{{Cite web |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4176/is_20070412/ai_n19019166/ |title=8 terrorism suspects put on Ethiopian TV |access-date=2009-05-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090930102757/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4176/is_20070412/ai_n19019166/ |archive-date=2009-09-30 |url-status=live }} In June 2007 he was able to have a letter delivered to his family.
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.{{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=February 16, 2007 |accessdate=2007-11-29 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070403114641/http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/85278AF1-4DDD-4A6B-B5CB-56A1D60C1280.htm |archivedate=April 3, 2007 }} 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.{{Cite web |url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090806/makhtal_090806/20090806?hub=Canada |title=Lawsuit aims to compel Ethiopia to release Canadian |access-date=2009-08-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090808140208/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090806/makhtal_090806/20090806?hub=Canada |archive-date=2009-08-08 |url-status=dead }} 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.{{Cite web |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/734850--ethiopia-strikes-down-appeal-by-imprisoned-canadian |title="Ethiopia strikes down appeal by imprisoned Canadian - Ottawa prepared to help after terror conviction, life sentence upheld" |website=Toronto Star |date=5 December 2009 |access-date=2017-08-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019092731/http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/734850--ethiopia-strikes-down-appeal-by-imprisoned-canadian |archive-date=2012-10-19 |url-status=live }}
On April 18, 2018, Makhtal was released from prison, and returned to Canada on April 21.{{cite news|title=Canadian citizen arrives back in Canada after 11 years in Ethiopian prison|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/04/21/canadian-citizen-arrives-back-in-canada-after-11-years-in-ethiopian-prison.html|accessdate=22 April 2018|publisher=Toronto Star|date=21 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180422042603/https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/04/21/canadian-citizen-arrives-back-in-canada-after-11-years-in-ethiopian-prison.html|archive-date=22 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|title=Amnesty International Welcomes Canadian Citizen Bashir Makhtal's Release from Ethiopian Prison and Return to Canada|url=http://www.amnesty.ca/news/amnesty-international-welcomes-canadian-citizen-bashir-makhtal%E2%80%99s-release-ethiopian-prison-and|website=amnesty.ca|accessdate=22 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423102007/http://www.amnesty.ca/news/amnesty-international-welcomes-canadian-citizen-bashir-makhtal%E2%80%99s-release-ethiopian-prison-and|archive-date=23 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
Reactions
=Canada=
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.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] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604101229/http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?DocId=3595466&Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=39&Ses=2 |date=2011-06-04 }}, June 19, 2008 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.
{{cite news|url=http://www.somaliherald.com/artman/publish/printer_1457.shtml |title=Canadian Held in Ethiopia Could Face Death Penalty |publisher=Somali Herald |date=2008-06-07 |accessdate=2008-07-29 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204122143/http://www.somaliherald.com/artman/publish/printer_1457.shtml |archivedate=2008-12-04 }} [https://web.archive.org/web/20081011062118/http://www.somaliherald.com/artman/publish/article_1457.shtml mirror]{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7952199.stm | work=BBC News | title=Canadian in Ethiopia terror case | date=March 19, 2009 | accessdate=April 26, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090322104218/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7952199.stm | archive-date=March 22, 2009 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }} In February 2009, the Canadian government announced that it would seek Makhtal's release.Vancouver Sun, [https://vancouversun.com/news/Conservatives+pressure+Ethiopia+free+jailed+Canadian/1319003/story.html Conservatives pressure Ethiopia to free jailed Canadian] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090318231925/http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Conservatives%2Bpressure%2BEthiopia%2Bfree%2Bjailed%2BCanadian/1319003/story.html |date=March 18, 2009 }}, February 23, 2009
=Ethiopia=
Responding to accusations of human rights violations, the Ethiopian government accused Western countries of not condemning the attacks of the Ogaden National Liberation Front.[http://www.mfa.gov.et/Press_Section/Week_Horn_Africa_November_21_2008.htm ONLF and "Terrorism double standards"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091230225445/http://www.mfa.gov.et/Press_Section/Week_Horn_Africa_November_21_2008.htm |date=December 30, 2009 }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.africanpath.com/p_blogEntry.cfm?blogID=75&blogEntryID=6941 |title=Concerns of double standards with Makhtal case |access-date=2009-05-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303191515/http://www.africanpath.com/p_blogEntry.cfm?blogID=75&blogEntryID=6941 |archive-date=2016-03-03 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.africanpath.com/p_blogEntry.cfm?blogID=75&blogEntryID=6941 |title=concerns of double standards with Makhtal case |access-date=2009-05-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303191515/http://www.africanpath.com/p_blogEntry.cfm?blogID=75&blogEntryID=6941 |archive-date=2016-03-03 |url-status=live }}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Makhtal, Bashir}}
Category:Canada–Ethiopia relations
Category:Canadian people imprisoned abroad
Category:Canadian torture victims
Category:Ethiopian torture victims
Category:People imprisoned on terrorism charges
Category:People subject to extraordinary rendition by the United States