Thursday, April 18, 2013
The Somali Government and international
community must continue their efforts to strengthen the East African
country's justice sector in spite of a series attacks on Sunday which
killed dozens of civilians including judges and lawyers and injured many
more, an independent United Nations human rights expert said today.
"In my various visits to Mogadishu, I have been always encouraged by
the commitment of the justice personnel and legal aid providers who
conduct their duties in a challenging security context," said the expert
on the situation of human rights in Somalia, Shamsul Bari.
On Sunday, armed men targeted an aid convoy close to the airport and
stormed the Banadir Regional Court in the Somali capital, Mogadishu. The
militant group Al Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
"In order to ensure the rule of law and the fight against impunity,
the judicial personnel have to be protected and allowed to do their job
in a war-torn country like Somalia," Mr. Bari said.
While the list of dead and injured is still being completed, local
non-governmental organizations have confirmed the deaths of Mohamed
Mohamud Afrah, head of the Somali Lawyers Association and his associate
Abdikarin Hassan Gorod. Both were working with the Somali Women's
Development Centre.
The two lawyers also provided legal assistance to countless Somalis
over the past years, including legal advice to the journalist Abdiasis
Abdinur Ibrahim and an alleged rape survivor he interviewed. The two
were convicted earlier this year of one year in prison, but the sentence
was later overturned.
"I offer my heartfelt condolences and prayers to the families and
loved ones of those killed and injured during the attacks," said Mr.
Bari. "Last Sunday was another terribly sad day for a country that has
already suffered so much for so long."
After decades of factional fighting and lawlessness, Somalia recently
took a series of landmark steps to end the country's eight-year
political transition period, including the adoption of a Provisional
Constitution, the establishment of a new Parliament and the appointment
of a new President and a new Prime Minister.