• Keep Soldiers Out of Schools and Universities
    Nov 20, 2012
    Press release
    The use of schools and other education institutions for military purposes by armed forces and non-state armed groups during wartime endangers students and their education around the world, said the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack in a study released today.
  • Somalia: Investigate Killings of Journalists
    Sep 24, 2012
    Press release
    The new president of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, should promptly order an investigation into the killings of four journalists over a 24-hour period on September 20-21, 2012. The new government should adopt measures to provide better protections for journalists, 13 of whom have been killed this year.
  • Somaliland: Stop Deporting Ethiopian Refugees
    Sep 4, 2012
    Press release
    The Somaliland authorities should immediately stop deporting Ethiopian refugees and asylum seekers to Ethiopia. On August 31, 2012, dozens of Ethiopians, mostly women and children, were forcibly returned to Ethiopia in violation of international legal prohibitions against sending people to places where they might face persecution or threats to their lives.
  • Somalia/Kenya: Protect Civilians in Kismayo
    Aug 23, 2012
    Press release
    The Kenyan government should promptly investigate civilian casualties during fighting between a Kenyan naval ship and al-Shabaab forces in the Somali port town of Kismayo on August 11, 2012. Three civilians − boys aged 11 and 15, and a pregnant woman − are known to have died and two others were wounded, apparently from shells fired by the Kenyan vessel. The Kenyan military confirmed that a naval vessel fired four shells on August 11.
  • Ethiopia: ‘Special Police’ Execute 10
    May 27, 2012
    Press release
    An Ethiopian government-backed paramilitary force summarily executed 10 men during a March 2012 operation in Ethiopia’s eastern Somali region. Detailed information on the killings and other abuses by the force known as the “Liyu police” only came to light after a Human Rights Watch fact-finding mission to neighboring Somaliland in April.
  • Kenya: Investigate Security Force Abuses Against Ethnic Somalis
    May 4, 2012
    Press release
    The Kenyan security forces have committed widespread human rights abuses against ethnic Somalis with total impunity. Between November 2011 and March 2012, Kenyan police and soldiers arbitrarily arrested and mistreated Kenyan citizens and Somali refugees in North Eastern province in response to attacks by militants suspected of links to Somalia’s Islamist armed movement al-Shabaab.
  • Kenya: Somalia Unsafe for Refugees to Return
    Mar 30, 2012
    Press release
    Kenyan authorities should not return refugees to Somalia because of ongoing fighting and abuses against civilians in areas controlled by Kenyan forces and allied militias. Instead of claiming that “newly liberated areas” are safe for refugee return, Kenyan authorities should reopen the screening center at Liboi and resume registration of new refugees to ensure they receive assistance.
  • Somalia: Pro-Government Militias Executing Civilians
    Mar 28, 2012
    Press release
    Pro-government militias in Somalia have committed summary executions and torture in the towns of Beletweyne and Baidoa since occupying them with Ethiopian forces earlier in 2012.
  • Somalia: Investigate Attacks on Journalists
    Mar 1, 2012
    Press release
    The Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia should promptly investigate the killing of the Somali journalist Abukar Hassan Mohamoud by unknown gunmen.
  • Somalia: Warring Parties Put Children at Grave Risk
    Feb 21, 2012
    Press release
    Somalia’s warring parties have all failed to protect Somali children from the fighting or serving in their forces, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. The Islamist insurgent group al-Shabaab has increasingly targeted children for recruitment, forced marriage, and rape, and attacked teachers and schools.