End to unlawful arrests or the end of Riyaale’s reign of tyranny by Yassin M. Ismail

As a Somaliland citizen in Diaspora, I and on behalf of my fellow Countrymen and women who care about Somaliland and hold precious to the virtues of democracy, justice, equality and the rule of Law, strongly condemn the recent arrests of 3 prominent members of the Qaran political party by the authorities in Hargeisa last week.

The three members, namely Dr. M. Gabose, Mr Mohamed Hashi and Mr. M Aideed were detained by the police in Mandhera prison without trial. We believe the arrests were unlawful and politically motivated and constitute to gross violations of both human rights and Constitutional rights of the individuals concerned.

The imprisonment of the three men was the latest in a series of arbitrary arrests in which number of innocent people have been detained without trial or due legal process. Earlier this year, three journalists working for Haatuf Media Network had been incarcerated for more than 100 days and turned blind in the eyes of the law.

We therefore, strongly condemn the capricious imprisonment of the three members of the Qaran party and any other unlawful jailing of similar nature whereby the constitutional and human rights of an individual has been violated and thus demand the immediate and unconditional release of the three Qaran party members.

We further demand the restoration of the dignity and freedom of the three men and urge the authorities in Somaliland, particularly the president to refrain from the use of repression, unlawful imprisonment and other high-handed tactics against his political opponents and without any due consideration to the Laws of the Land and individual Civil Liberties.

We also warn President Dahir Riyaale and his catspaws against the serious perils of his draconic practice and the potential that unlawful arrests of high profile citizens can trigger a major civilian unrest, which could undermine the peace and stability of the country and hinder Somaliland’s democratic process.

To the people of Somaliland as whole I have the following to say: It does not matter whether or not you support Qaran Party or have political allegiance to the individual detained.

The overriding truth is that any unlawful imprisonment of a citizen of Somaliland is unacceptable and must not be tolerated and hence the detention of Dr. M. Gabose, Mr. Mohamed Hashi and Mr M. Aided summons our morals with obligation that we must act in protest of such practices.

I therefore urge the civilian population of Somaliland to make their voices heard and stand for the defence of our citizens Constitutional Rights. Our silence and indifference to president Riyaale’s dreadful behaviour simply encourages his tyranny and taints our morals with guilt of not doing anything.

Yassin M. Ismail

Kent, UK

Email:foryassin19@hotmail.com