Somali government, activists pledge to reverse grim human rights record

Somali singers wearing hats advocating "No Torture" line up before performing at a Human Rights Day event outside of Mogadishu Central Prison on December 10, 2013. [AU UN IST PHOTO / Tobin Jones]

By Shukri Mohamed

advertisements

MOGADISHU — Human rights conditions in Somalia remain grim, with assassinations, targeted bombings, harassment, rape and the mass displacement of people an ongoing problem in some parts of the country, according to Mogadishu-based Peace and Human Rights Network (PHRN).

"All those abuses are contrary to human rights, Islamic law and the good Somali culture," PHRN said in a statement released Wednesday (December 10th) in recognition of international Human Rights Day.

The report noted that human rights activists, journalists, religious leaders, politicians and women in particular are subjected to continuous intimidation and human rights abuses.

"Those abuses are happening to Somalis every day. Among the latest incidents was the [attack] in the town of Baidoa in Bay region, which killed numerous people including reporters," the report said. "There are also transgressions that occur in the capital city of Mogadishu where Somali civilians and people who are well-known within the society have been killed."

The report said the security situation in Mogadishu is largely unstable. "Recently it has seemed as though it is getting out of hand, which can result in a hopeless environment if things keep going the way they are," PHRN said.

PHRN chairperson Zahra Omar Malin stressed how important it is going forward to ensure the return of peace and the confidence of the Somali people.

"The people have been struggling for more than 20 years with war and situations of constant fear," she told Sabahi. "Discrimination and widespread lack of protection for human rights take place in Somalia, even though there is a central government that is recognised by the international community."

Malin urged the government to take steps to ensure security so that human rights abuses can be deterred.

"Also, there have to be complete investigations and accountability for those who commit these transgressions so that they can be prosecuted," she said. "A peaceful environment has to be created to instil confidence in the Somali public, which is living amid political, cultural, economic and security chaos."

Malin said PHRN would continue to work alongside government agencies and civil society groups to advance and safeguard human rights.

"In the coming year, we want to ensure that prisoners are not tortured, that they are visited regularly, and that the prison conditions are good so that gender-based and clan discrimination can be prevented," she said.

In the coming year, the organisation's core objectives will include engaging parliament to ensure it passes and implements the children's rights law, partnering with other Somali human rights organisations to improve results on shared goals, and launching a campaign to combat rampant rape, Malin said.

Journalists under attack

For his part, National Union of Somali Journalists Secretary General Mohamed Ibrahim said journalists continue to suffer human rights abuses in carrying out their work.

"We have recorded the killings of at least five journalists this year, while another six were wounded. Two were killed in Baidoa, two in Mogadishu and the fifth was killed in Galkayo," he told Sabahi. "Also, there have been about 30 cases in Mogadishu where journalists were arrested. Two of them are still in jail. In Somaliland, 45 journalists were arrested."

Ibrahim called on the Somali government to bring to court two journalists who were working for Sky FM and Shabelle Media Network, or to let them go free, since they have been held in custody since August without charges.

"We want the coming year to be a symbol for freedom. We have urged journalists and media houses to report incidents involving human rights abuses so that there can be a defence against it," he said.

"If an incident is not reported, [abuse] will increase. However, if it is reported and the people are informed, it will result in holding the security agencies accountable and prevent future incidents," he said.

Somali government 'committed to human rights'

Somali government officials did not respond to Sabahi's inquiries regarding what the administration is doing to address human rights abuses in Somalia.

Delivering remarks during the Human Rights Day event in Mogadishu Wednesday, Minister of Women and Human Rights Khadijo Mohamed Diriye said that while Somalia has participated in and is a signatory to historic agreements that have established international standards for the protection and promotion of human rights, it has not been able to live up to those standards.

"The reality that exists in our country today is that Somalia has become famous for its abuse of human rights, for being a country that does not hold those who transgress human rights to account, and for being the lowest ranking nation in terms of the protection of human rights," Diriye said.

Despite a myriad of challenges including insufficient public resources and capability, the government is committed to reverse that perception and ensure Somalia can uphold its commitment to human rights, she said.

For example, the ministry is working on a national action plan to end gender-based violence as well as the discrimination of minorities and vulnerable members of society, she said, adding that legislative bills on human rights and child protection have been drafted.

"The Somali federal government is standing for the protection of human rights, and that can be seen by the work the ministry is carrying out," she said.

Home
Email

Hiiraan Online