Press Statement: The Quarterly Report of Human Right Centre Date: 8/09/2021
Human
Rights Centre is publishing its second quarterly report for the months
of May-August 2021. The report emphasizes human rights abuses occurred
for the past 4 months in Somaliland. These violations comprise of police
brutality, arbitrary detentions, issues related to freedom of
expression and gender-based violence. Gender-based violence cases has
seen an increasing numbers of violations.
Of cases related to police brutality, a police officer from Qudhac[dheer
police station shot a victim seven times in his legs on April 19, 2021.
The victim is Abdiassis Abdillahi who lives in the city of Hargeisa.
The police officer involved in the case was arrested for a month before
being released. Abdiassis is still in the hospital, as a result of
multiple injuries and damage done to his body.
Article 24(2) of the Somaliland constitution states "Every person shall have the right to the security of his person. Physical punishment and any other injury to the person are prohibited.”
Arbitrary
detention of political opposition leaders has also seen an increasing
trend. Saleeban Cawaale Good is the UCID Deputy National Information
Secretary. He was arrested on August 28, 2021 without warrant and held
without trial for holding a press conference in which he criticized the
governor of Awdal region. The arbitrary arrest of Saleeban Cawaale Good
is against Somaliland constitution, as mentioned in article 25(1), in
particular states that "No person shall be deprived of his liberty
except in accordance with the law.” On the other hand, article 32(1)
grants citizens the right to express opinions orally, visually,
artistically or any methods they so choose.
Human
Rights Center is concerned with the reoccurring violations and urges
for Somaliland government to accept these conditions:
1. Find better methods to implement and enforce laws and reform the police force
2. Hold the police accountable for infractions occurred on the job
3. Release Saleeban Cawaale Good without conditions.
4. Find better laws that are specific to gender and until parliament can find a better law, to enforce the 2018 Act.
Yaasmiin Omar H. Mohamoud
Chairperson of the Human Rights Center
Hargeisa Somaliland
Twitter: @hrcsomaliland
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