• Human Rights in Somalia

    Somalia’s long-running armed conflict continues to leave civilians dead, wounded, and displaced in large numbers, although the Islamist armed group al-Shabaab lost ground in 2012. Both al-Shabaab and the forces arrayed against it—a combination of Somali government security forces, troops with the African Union Mission in Somalia, Ethiopian government forces, and allied militias—committed abuses, including indiscriminate attacks harming civilians and arbitrary arrests and detentions. In areas under its control, al-Shabaab administered arbitrary justice and imposed harsh restrictions on basic rights. Improving security remains a serious challenge for Somalia’s new government, which came to power in August, at the end of the political transition period.

  • Somalia: Civilians Killed in Kismayo Clashes
    Rival clan militias fighting in Kismayo, Somalia, earlier this month caused an unknown number of civilian casualties in apparently indiscriminate attacks on civilian buildings.
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    World Report 2013: Somalia
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Somalia

  • Somalia: Civilians Killed in Kismayo Clashes
    Jun 25, 2013
    Rival clan militias fighting in Kismayo, Somalia, earlier this month caused an unknown number of civilian casualties in apparently indiscriminate attacks on civilian buildings.
  • Africa: Obama Visit Should Stress Media Freedoms
    Jun 25, 2013

    United States president Barack Obama should use his visit to Senegal, South Africa, and Tanzania, beginning June 26, 2013, to support besieged media outlets and independent groups across the African continent.

  • Indonesia: Children Seeking Refuge Find Abuse, Neglect
    Jun 24, 2013
    Indonesia detains and neglects migrant and asylum-seeking children. Each year, hundreds are detained in sordid conditions, without access to lawyers, and sometimes beaten. Others are left to fend for themselves, without any assistance with food or shelter.
  • Somalia: Strengthen Human Rights Law
    Jun 12, 2013
    The Somali parliament should revise the draft law establishing a national human rights commission to ensure a robust, independent body with a broad mandate and enforcement powers.
  • Comment to Somalia’s Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights, Women, and Humanitarian Affairs on Draft National Human Rights Commission Legislation
    Jun 11, 2013
    Given the devastating human rights abuses throughout the 20-year civil war and limited rights monitoring and reporting, the establishment of a robust and independent commission is an important opportunity for the new government to demonstrate a concrete commitment to break with the past and ensure the rights of all Somalis are a priority.
  • Kenya: Police Abuse Nairobi’s Refugees
    May 29, 2013

    Kenyan police in Nairobi tortured, raped, and otherwise abused and arbitrarily detained at least 1,000 refugees between mid-November 2012 and late January 2013.

  • Somalia: London Meeting Should Emphasize Rights
    May 5, 2013
    International donors meeting in London to discuss the new Somali government’s reform agenda should make accountability and women’s rights a priority, Human Rights Watch said in a briefing paper sent to conference participants. On May 7, 2013, over 50 countries will convene to discuss the government’s strategic plans for justice, police, and army reform, prevention of sexual violence, and financial management.
  • London Conference on Somalia
    May 5, 2013
    The 2013 London Conference is an important opportunity for the new Somali government to convert its positive public commitments into its security and justice reform agendas. The conference offers the government and international supporters the chance to identify and commit to concrete measures that will help to enhance human rights protection and accountability, particularly for the most vulnerable citizens including women, children and displaced people.
  • Will London Respond to Somalia's Needs?
    May 1, 2013
    50 Countries will meet in London on May 7 to support the nation-building project in Somalia. It is crucial that women, children and displaced people are at the forefront of the debate.
  • Somalia: New Al-Shabaab Attacks are War Crimes
    Apr 16, 2013
    The attacks claimed by the Islamist armed group al-Shabaab on the Mogadishu regional courthouse and on an aid workers’ convoy on April 14, 2013, were grave violations of the laws of war. At least four legal professionals were killed, including a judge and three lawyers.
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