• 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.

  • Displaced women stand next to a board advertising an IDP camp on Dabka Road in Hodan district, Mogadishu. Hosting the displaced is a lucrative business in Mogadishu—similar advertisements are scattered throughout the capital.
    © 2011 Private
    Somalia: Protect Displaced People at Risk
    Members of state security forces and armed groups have raped, beaten, and otherwise abused displaced Somalis who have arrived in Somalia’s capital fleeing famine and armed conflict since 2011, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. The new Somali government should urgently improve the protection and security of Mogadishu’s internally displaced population.
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    World Report 2013: Somalia
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Somalia

  • 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.
  • Somalia's Displaced: The Reform Test
    Apr 11, 2013
    The harsh experience of Somalis driven to seek shelter in Mogadiushu 's unsafe camps should be an urgent priority for the country's new government and its foreign donors.
  • Somalia: Protect Displaced People at Risk
    Mar 26, 2013
    Members of state security forces and armed groups have raped, beaten, and otherwise abused displaced Somalis who have arrived in Somalia’s capital fleeing famine and armed conflict since 2011, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. The new Somali government should urgently improve the protection and security of Mogadishu’s internally displaced population.
  • UN Human Rights Council: General Debate on Somalia
    Mar 8, 2013
  • Somalia: Woman Alleging Rape Cleared, Journalist Convicted
    Mar 3, 2013
    An appeals court’s ruling to uphold the conviction of a journalist who interviewed a woman alleging rape by government forces is a major setback for freedom of the media in Somalia. The woman, who had also been convicted of “insulting the government” and other alleged crimes, was found not guilty.
  • The Netherlands: Halt Plan to Deport Somalis
    Feb 21, 2013

    The Dutch government should not deport Somalis to any part of south-central Somalia, including Mogadishu, until security improves substantially, and the UN refugee agency has issued new guidelines.

  • Somalia: Second Journalist Detained Without Charge
    Feb 11, 2013
    Somali authorities should immediately charge or release Daud Abdi Daud, a journalist who has been in custody since February 5, 2013. On February 11, he was transferred from police custody to Mogadishu Central Prison. Daud Abdi, who works for Kulmiye Radio, is secretary general of the Somali Media for Environment, Science, Health, and Agriculture.
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