The Regional Court of Somaliland has set a hearing date and location for the accused Qaran political association leaders.

Translated by Malik Jeylani into English

The presiding Judge of the accused Qaran political association leaders has set a hearing date and location for the first time since their arrest on 28^th July, 2007. Released document from the office of the presiding judge in the Qaran leader’s case states that the detainees will be tried on a special court inside the Mandhera prison on Thursday 16^th August, 2007. It is reported that the defence lawyers had already been served with this released document in order for them to prepare their case before the court. When asked the defence team if the special courts inside the Mandhera Prison to be tried to their clients are valid and constitutional, the defence team left short to answer the question as the whole defence team was not present at the time to comment. The Somaliland Government sent to jail Qaran Political association Chairman Dr. Mohamed Abdi Gaboose and his deputies Eng. Mohamed Hashi Elmi and Mr. Jamal Aidiid Ibrahim after the government got an arrest warrant to arrest the accused and the court remand them for seven days on 28^th July, 2007 but are still in jail for more than two weeks now without coming before the court or without being charged.

On the other side, ‘Somaliland Human Rights Organizations Network (SHURO-Net) is a Network of organizations bound together by common responsibilities on the promotion and protection of the Universal ideals of Human rights and fundamental freedoms enshrined in Islamic Shari’a, Somaliland Bill of rights(http://www.somalilandlaw.com/Somaliland_Constitution/billofrisomaliland_constitution.htm ), UDHR and other International Human Rights Instruments. The member organisations aim to reach their main goal through exchange of information, develop a collective voice, amplify their actions, and develop new tools and strategies in pursuing action oriented initiatives to protect all human rights and fundamental freedom in Somaliland territory’ specially the illegal arrest of the Qaran political association leaders. At Shuro-Net we are deeply worried and concern about the continuously path and actions that the Somaliland Government takes lately which violates the constitutional rights and freedom of the Somaliland Citizens.

SHURO-Net have sent a fact finding team who visited the detainees for two hours in Mandhera Prison on Wednesday, this visit was been made possible by the efforts of the National Commission of Human Rights in Somaliland. The detained Qaran Leaders were deeply worried and concerned about the visionless leadership direction and the political turmoil that country is experiencing and the illegal arrests that government arrested them with. The detainees stated that their arrest is political motivated and it goes against the constitution of Somaliland and all International laws specially the human rights laws.

SHURO-Net is aware that the government committed a grave violation against the detainee’s basic rights which is guaranteed by the constitution of the land and the United Declaration of Human rights. These violation are been confirmed by Qaran leaders who stated that since their arrest they were not told the reason of their arrest or charges. The government further made tough rules for the visitations of the detained Qaran leaders which made them not to be able to be visited by their defence team and family members this made them incommunicado. These tough visitation rules directed to the detained Qaran leaders effected the general prison population who also became incommunicado as a result of the government actions.

SHURO-Net is concerned about the government’s treatment to the detainees as the detainees were treated as convicted criminal even though that the detainees are untried prisoner who were not also charged or convicted before the court. These types of treatment clearly violate constitution article 26(3) states that ‘An accused person is innocent until proven guilty in a court’. Qaran Political Association leaders confirmed to SHURO-Net that they always ready and make their first priority the interest of the general public of Somaliland while they protest the government actions and plans to destroy their dignity, reputation and use of force. These actions clearly violates the constitution article 24(3) States ‘Every person shall have the right to have his dignity, reputation and private life respected’.

SHURO-Net after long study on the detained Qaran leader’s case we acknowledge that the government extent several times the remand of the detainees without bringing the detainees before the court and did not explained the extension to the detainees. These actions clearly violates ICCPR 9(2) Anyone who is arrested shall be informed, at the time of arrest, of the reasons for his arrest and shall be promptly informed of any charges against him. The Detained Qaran Leaders showed a deep concern about the independence of the current Judiciary system in Somaliland, specially the presiding charge who is dealing with their case as they belief that the presiding judge is not an impartial judge.

SHURO-Net supports the Public statement of Amnesty international in this case and confirms they hold the same view of Amnesty International view that ‘there have been no demonstrations or violent incidents involving Qaran supporters’, all Qaran leaders did was to exercise their constitutional rights to form a political association which the current government it self exercised when they were preparing and forming their political association before they were registered as political association which turn into a political party.

SHURO-Net condemns the further illegal arrests of Mr. Mohamed Abdi Jibril and Chief Abdirahman Awale Ogle accused of setting up a meeting to discuss about the arrest of the Qaran leaders. The two men are detained in Mandhera prison, 70 kilometres east of Hargeisa. Security forces arrested these two detainees and sent them to Mandhera prison even though the security forces does not have a legal ground to send someone to prison without the assistance of the court. These two men were not brought before the courts yet and believed that they are incommunicado.

SHURO-Net is concerned about the Somaliland Government’s constant gross violation of human rights, lack of co-operation between the lower and upper houses, while on the same time there are huge political differences about the government budget, how it was Setup the National Election Commission and the arrests of the Qaran political association leaders shows the lack of leadership vision from the current Somaliland government as it is not in agreement with the newly born democracy of the Republic of Somaliland.

SHURO-Net strongly advices and calls the Somaliland Government for the immediate and unconditional release of three Qaran Leaders and the two elders who were further arrested by the security forces and if the detainees committed a chargeable crime must be brought before an independent and impartial court.

SHURO-Net advices the government to stop the policy of political prisoners and recommends to follow the good policies of the Republic of Somaliland which are based on compromise, negotiation, peace and mutual understanding, co-operation, and other democratic values. The government should listen to the will of the people both inside and outside and in this case it should listen to the request of the Somaliland people which seeks immediate and unconditional release of the three Qaran leaders and the two elders.

SHURO-Net calls for the Somaliland government to respect the basic human rights of the citizens. The government must stay away all illegal actions that it might plan such as political motivated convictions in order to make Qaran leaders ineligible to take part in local election or take part in the politics and the government of their country.

SHURO-Net calls the immediate implantation of the constitution article of the Judiacry and the courts and the implementation of an independent an impartial Judiacry committee. Finally we call the Somaliland citizens to support the government for all good and democratic action it takes, and rectify and correct all bad an undemocratic actions that the government commits, while respecting the democratic values, law and order that Republic of Somaliland bases it is existence from the start.

(Source: http://www.halganews.com//content/view/3375/1/)

Translated By Malik Jeylani into English from the original Somali version

Somaliland's Political Veterans must be released immediately.

Somaliland International Recognition Action Group(SIRAG)
London, UK
3rd/August/2007

Press Release

SIRAG demands from the government of the Republic of Somaliland for the immediate release of Dr. Mohamed Abdi Gaboose, Eng. Mohamed Hashi Elmi and Mr. Jamal Aideed Ibrahim the Executive Leaders of Qaran Political Association. The government of Somaliland has acted illegally by depriving and denying these citizens of their constitutional rights to appoint a Political Association that will represent their democratic rights as laid down in the constitution of Somaliland. The government of Somaliland should free these political veterans without further delay so that they can get on with their work and complete their milestones within the time frame work that is available for registering political associations. Delaying their
work will only affect the elections and can cause serious results towards the milestone set for Somaliland’s democratic achievements and recognition.

We would like to remind the government of Somaliland, the parliament, Guurtida and Opposition parties of Somaliland that depriving the citizens of Somaliland of their liberties and constitutional rights and jailing them on top of that without a due process of law will only further damage Somaliland’s democratic achievements and recognition. The illegal imprisonment of these politicians have been carried out by the unconstitutional so called Security Committees which should have been
abolished long ago time ago to safeguard the stability and security of the nation.

We stand in Solidarity with the Association of Somaliland Lawyers(SOLLA), SHURO Net Human Rights organizations Network, the Diaspora, members of Parliaments & Opposition Parties and Somaliland’s Political Veterans to free these political prisoners without any further delay.

Year 2007 has been a challenging one for Somaliland’s democracy including the latest imprisonment of Haatuf Journalists where such injustices were protested against both in Somaliland and in the Diaspora along with friends of Somaliland who have been very instrumental in making sure that Somaliland’s democracy goes from strength to strength. The history of
Somaliland will under no circumstances be dragged back to tyranny and the abuse of freedom of speech where ordinary people are subjected to a state where they keep their private thoughts to themselves for fear of disrupting peace. Such actions are the early signs of dictatorial regimes and should not be tolerated. The way forward for Somaliland is to maintain peace and respect of humanrights for all individuals as laid out in the Constitution of Somaliland.

Let us also not forget that these Political Veterans are the icons of Somaliland’s history, liberation, independence and their case of imprisonment should not be taken lightly. It is sad and unfortunate that such Veterans of high status to have been put to such a test where their imprisonment was rushed without balancing it with a common sense. 28th of July 2007 would be a day that will haunt the history of Somaliland for centuries to come. There was a time when these Political Veterans along with their veteran comrades dreamed of reaching the day that they will liberate Somaliland from the tyranny of Siad Barre’s regime persevering with patience against all odds. Somaliland has luckily become the Oasis of Success and Stability in the Horn of Africa as a result of their fruits. These leaders we believe would not sabotage their hard earned vision for a just and
democratic society.

For the record these Political Veterans have chosen to exercise their freedom of speech as free citizens of Somaliland. The Association of Lawyers of Somaliland(SOLLA), SHURO Net Human Rights Organisation, members of Opposition Parties and Parliament, the Diaspora and Somaliland’s Veteran Politicians have all declared their imprisonment as illegal. We believe that their imprisonment has been rushed which only highlights the weakness of the government’s leadership. Sadly such actions will also jeopardise the democratic achievements of Somaliland including our campaigns for the recognition of Somaliland.

We would like to remind the government of Somaliland that the citizens of Somaliland have chosen democracy over tyranny so that they can live in a free society where any one can state his/her own views wherever they may be in an office or open space without fear of any punishment whatsoever. Historically over the centuries Somaliland has enjoyed freedom of speech
through their pastoral culture which compliments the spirit of Democracy in Somaliland in a unique way in a nation where illiteracy is over 95%.

We would like to remind the citizens of Somaliland that the coming elections are the only means they can exercise their democratic rights peacefully. We advise the citizens of Somaliland to always safeguard their security and stability and never comprise their hard earned efforts and achievements towards democracy and peace over the last 16 years.

Somaliland is at a cross road and in order to safeguard the security and stability of the Republic of Somaliland the government of Somaliland must free the Political Veterans of Qaran Political Association without any further delay. The International Community will be watching the progress of this case very closely and turning a blind eye to freeing these politicians would only jeopardize the coming elections and delay the recognition of Somaliland.

God Bless Somaliland.

Marwo Lulu Farah
Chair of SIRAG
www.sirag.org.uk

The Forever And Ever Question

EDITORIAL

In the raging debate among Somalilanders about President Rayale’s decision to arrest and imprison QARAN Party leaders, the most frequently cited reasons for the President’s action are:

• The president believed that he needed to act to maintain peace and order, and was certain that he was legally justified in doing so.
• The president got bad advice.
• The president was testing the waters and plans to take more drastic steps against his adversaries to improve his chances of holding on to power.

But regardless of the reason behind his decision, it’s a bad decision. It’s a bad decision because it has heightened the atmosphere of discord in the country (the very thing that he was ostensibly trying to prevent). On a symbolic or emotional level, the president’s action goes against the Somalilanders view of their homeland as a free and democratic country with no political prisoners and where political differences are resolved through negotiation and compromise. As a matter of fact, one could go even further and say that the president’s decision is even bad for the president himself, since it can bring no benefit to him and only tarnishes his already battered image.

From a purely political standpoint, everyone knows that the president’s electoral fight will most probably be with KULMIYE, the party he narrowly defeated in the last election. Instead of preparing for that fight, the president has chosen to engage in a side-show with a young unregistered party, unnecessarily alienating potential supporters.

The fact that UCID party leaders sided with the president is not difficult to explain.

Being the weakest one of the three registered parties, UCID is afraid that it may be eliminated altogether if QARAN or any other new party is allowed to participate in the coming election, hence their vehement opposition to QARAN.

Rather than seeing QARAN party as a threat as the president’s party (UDUB) and UCID have done, KULMIYE saw it as an opportunity and welcomed it. This was an astute political move that won KULMIYE a lot of goodwill among QARAN supporters without costing it anything.

As things stand now, QARAN has already done a great favor to Somaliland in that it forced open the issue of whether citizens can form new parties or only the three existing parties can operate in Somaliland forever and ever. This is what we call the forever and ever question or abad al-abidin question. What we mean by it is that if you ask Somalilanders should the country have three parties or more than three parties, most will reply that three parties are enough. But then if you ask them should the three registered parties (UDUB, KULMIYE and UCID) be the only ones that exist in Somaliland forever and ever, or should more parties be allowed to compete and then the three parties with the highest vote should become national parties, most Somalilanders would choose the latter scenario. In other words, most Somalilanders don’t want more than three parties, but they also don’t want UDUB, KULMIYE and UCID to have a monopoly over political life in Somaliland forever and ever.

The government’s complaint against QARAN, that it has engaged in political campaigning even though the campaigning season has not yet officially started, has merit, but this complaint is offset by the fact that the government has disbanded the committee that was supposed to register political parties and has been giving QARAN the run around.

QARAN has moved the debate about the configuration of party politics forward. But there are still important constitutional issues that have to be tackled. For example, if a new party is allowed to compete in the municipal elections and wins, thereby taking the place of one of the registered parties, what should be done with members of parliament who belong to the party that was eliminated? Are they going to be allowed to stay in parliament or would they have to give up their parliamentary seats? Is the new winning party going to have to wait until the parliamentary election to be represented in parliament?

One obvious answer is to move the parliamentary elections closer to the municipal elections, but there are many other constitutional questions that need to be answered. Somaliland will not be able to find answers for these thorny issues by throwing the people who raise them in jail. Instead of jailing QARAN leaders, they should be thanked for starting this debate and should be invited to contribute to finding a solution.

QARAN leaders must be immediately set free.

Source: Somaliland Times

http://www.somalilandtimes.net/sl/2007/289/16.shtml

Rayale And Reptiles: What Have They Got In Common

By Yassin M. Ismail, Kent, UK

Snakes, crocodiles and most reptiles are known and feared for their reputation of killing instinct and reactionary behavior. Most reptiles are said to be cold blooded, stealth and often strike when least expected. They do so in self-defense.

Unlike amphibians and mammals, particularly predators, reptiles do not choose their prey and often remain hidden most of their time awaiting for their prey to arrive within striking distance.

Snakes and reptiles in general are physically inferior and intellectually deficient compared to mammals and amphibians. They have neither legs to run with nor wings to help them fly and though some of them live in waters their bodies are not particularly designed for life in waters.

In addition, reptiles are intellectually subordinate to both mammals and to some extent amphibians.

Snakes are primitive animals intellectually under-developed due to the size of their brain and the fact that their cerebral cortex is very tiny.

In fact snakes only utilize their lower brain, the medulla oblongata, which is responsible for instinctive life decisions: i.e. defense, eating, reproduction etc.

Snakes are also half blind and do not see very well though they rely on their highly sensitive vibration sensors (their excellent ability to detect sound vibrations).

In other words they listen to the ground to find out if any threat is coming to their way and if there is, they automatically engage themselves in defensive mode once they realize the presence of a danger. Hence whoever crosses their protective lines is potential attacker and instinctively the snakes would automatically strike in self defense.

Scientists say, this reactionary behavior is normal for snakes whose reptilian brain is merely capable of making life decisions and as they are not capable of making consciously thought response their fear and vulnerability overrides their rationality. Furthermore, as cold blooded animals, snakes spend most of their time conserving their energy and sleeping.

But sleeping makes you even more vulnerable to attacks and snakes know that very well. Thus they developed the ability to remain alert even when sleeping.

Imam Hamze Yusuf, an American Muslim scholar once compared the behavioral characteristics of snakes with that of brutal dictators. In a lecture titled the ‘Dangers of Heedlessness’ Imam Hamze said most of the known brutal dictators have one thing in common with reptiles. Their brains function from a reptilian level.

Imam Hamze’s argument is particularly true knowing that ‘fear’ and insecurity have often been the main driving force behind brutalities committed by many dictators and fuelled by folly and greed. Just the same way a snake would strike when felt threatened dictators tend to resort to the use of violence and repression in order to suppress their political opponents.

This analogy is particularly true considering President Dahir Rayale’s rather stubborn behavior in his judgments on number of politically sensitive issues. Such has been the recent unlawful arrests of three journalists working for the Haatuf Newspaper earlier this year. Without trial the three journalists spent more than 100 days in prison.

In addition, three prominent members of the Qaran Political Party were taken to prison without any charge or trial process and still remain incarcerated in Mandhera central prison.

Human Right organization condemned the unlawful imprisonment of Dr Gabose, Eng Mohamed Hashi Mr. M. Aideed.

Clearly Mr. Rayale’s tendency to resort to high handed tactics, including repression and illegal arrests of his political opponents is a display of all known characteristic behaviors of a reptilian creature.

The pattern of his recent actions also prove that President Rayale is coming out his shell and eventually showing his true colors as brutal dictators whose fear and insecurity override his sense of rationality. The question is will Rayale continue to grow into a fully fledged monster or he would be stopped before his ego hatches?

As the Somali saying goes, ‘Maska Madaxaa laga dilaa’ an indication that the snake’s reptilian brain is the source of his reactionary behavior.

Email: foryassin19@hotmail.com

Source Somaliland Times:

http://www.somalilandtimes.net/sl/2007/290/9.shtml

Today the justice of the Nation of Somaliland will prevail

We would like to remind the daughters and sons of Somaliland that Somaliland is here to stay and would not be hijacked by a tyrant leadership. Never it happened in the history of Somaliland for the noble daughters and sons of Somaliland to be imprisoned let alone sending them to the notorious prison of Mandheera where the ghost of Siad Barre still haunts its dark history.

Somaliland has been built by the sweat of its citizens including those living in the Diaspora. We would like to remind the daughters and sons of Somaliland that the current administration of Somaliland so far did not live up to their promises and neither have they constructed hospitals nor schools but all that Somaliland has achieved to date is built by the hard work and efforts of the Diaspora and the citizens of Somaliland. The daughters and sons of Somaliland must wake up from their deep dream and hear the wakeup call of justice before they too are drawn in the tide of injustice and tyranny.

The sons and daughters of Somaliland must start writing their history starting from today the 11th of August 2007 as justice will speak and pens will write the judgment to come and history will be a witness to that. Today the daughters and sons of Somaliland would see with their own eyes whether what they have worked so hard for the last 4 decades will stand on its own two feet or fall apart God forbid. Let us not forget that we have witnesses watching over us from heaven with keen eyes waiting in patience to see how we react to injustices judging our actions on whether we support tyranny which will cause Somaliland pain, destruction and disturbance or we will support ‘Justice’ and bring peace, order and harmony a spirit which we have supported for the last 16 years. In this age we live in a time where Truth is fought by using the tools of human rights, common sense and the majority blocking any injustices caused to them.

We would like to remind the leaders of Somaliland that the noble daughters and sons of Somaliland will keep a record of your history. A golden record will be kept of every tyranny that leaves a record in the history of Somaliland and such record will be like a monument written for the future generations of Somaliland to learn from and never forget. Equally just leaders always came out of the hardest choices in their lives and history has been a witness to that.

Today the idols of Pharaoh will either not come down and Tyranny will prevail or Somaliland will come out of the other end with the justice of Moses(as) and Harun/Aaron(as) saving the spirit of the true democracy that Somaliland has embraced for the last 16 years. Today the King of all Kings(swt) will be the Judge and the Jury and the noble sons and the daughters of Somaliland the witnesses.

May peace and blessings of Almighty God and Al Mustafa(as) be on the noble daughters and sons of Somaliland including those who have departed from us, Aamiin.

Fatima Ali
somaliland_diaspora_women@yahoo.com

Source: Somaliland Patriots

http://somalilandpatriots.com/news-3597.html

Riyalism Dictatorship Has No Place in Somaliland

August 02, 2007

Awdal diaspora community in North America is demanding the immediate release of the leaders of Qaran political movements, Dr Gaboose, Mohamed Haashi and Jamaal Caydiid. The current administration has the duty to protect the rights of the people of Somaliland. The people of Somaliland have the rights to organize, and participate any political movements of their choice. This is the 21st century and Riyalism Dictatorship Has No Place in Somaliland.

The following Awdaleits signed the petition for Qaran leaders to demand their immediate release. The Human rights of the people of Somaliland must be protected under any administration and the rights that they have to organize and participate any political movements of their choice must be honored as well. The petition was signed by more than 500 people, but requested not to release the entire list at the moment.

• Mohamad Hashi
• Idiriss Badar Yonis
• Abdirahman Hadi
• Ibrahim Mohamed Cali
• Abdiqani Mohamed Badar
• Mohamud Mohamed badar
• Barkhad Ahmed dheere
• Ali barkhadle (Ali Baba)
• Jamac Ali Ahmed
• Hussein Mead
• Cali nur Ismail
• Ibrahim Hussein
• Kayd Askar Diriye
• Mursal Ali Askar
• Mohamed Dugsiye
• Abdiwahab Elmi Boqore
• Suleiman Barre
• Maryan Dahir
• Rashid Omar Diriye
• Dayib Cumar
• Abiib Hamud Jibril
• Hassan Hamud Jibril
• Yasmin Muse cumar
• Nuuh Omar Sulthan
• Mahamed Cabdi Omar
• Cabdisalan Egeh Amin (Cige Bilig)
• Haamud Khayre
• Bashir Hamud
• Cusman Farah Qaabil
• Mahamed Farah Aden
• Hussein Guled
• Abdirahman Omar timojilic
• Shill Mahir
• Yasin Judhiyaan
• Hussein Ahmed Yusuf
• Hassan Ali Ibrahim
• Mohamed Ali Ibrahim
• Elmi Ahmed
• Suleiman Geedi
• Dahir Muse Sheikh Cabdilahi (Codwayne)
• Abdi Ali Adeeryo
• Muse Ali Askar
• Dahir Hashi
• Samatar Ali Abdillahi
• Sahal Ali
• Mukhtar Amin (Cige Bilig)
• Mohamed H. Ibrahim
• Abdulkadir Hussein Egeh
• Hassan Hussein Egeh
• Mohamed Mohamoud Warsame
• Mahamed Elmi Boqore
• Abdirashid Barkhad
• Mustafe Barkhad Abdillahi
• Mahamed Elmi Farah
• Hassan Mumin Dhinbiil
• Mustafe Muse
• Yusuf Ahmed Aynaan
• Siciid Dahir
• Abdi Nur Wacays (Dubeeco)
• Mohamed Hassan jamac
• Mahamed Abdi
• Abdirahim H. Ibrahim
• Abdirisaq Yusuf Wayrax
• Faysal Hamud
• Abdi Harun
• Ahmed Qayaad
• Omar Qawdhan
• Osman Idriss
• Abdiqadir Ali Warsame
• Ilyaas Barkhad Abdillahi
• Abaadir Barkhad Abdillahi
• Nuuh Suleiman Sh. Muxumed
• Abdillahi Obsiye
• Awo Obsiye
• Sa'ada Mohamed Ibrahim
• Abdi Farah Budhe
• Ali Abdillahi Abib
• Hussein Guled
• Bashir Muse
• Hassan Mohamed Hassan
• Mohamed Ali Garoodhshe
• Mustafe Mohamed Hassan
• Yasin ali Garoodshe
• Amran Osman
• Shamsan Ismail Nuur
• Abdifatax Mubarak Osman
• Abdillahi Muse Hufane
• Weli Muse Hufane
• Ali barkhad (Ali Diig)
• Abdoo Ibrahim Aw-dahir
• Abdirahman Hussein Samale
• Rahma Abubakar Sh. Abdillahi (Codwayne)
• Nimco Ahmed
• Rashid Nur
• Abdirizaq Mohamed Madar
• Qaasim Dahir Elmi
• Hassan Yusuf Wadad
• Muse Ali Wacays

Awdal Community in North America

Saylicipress Canada

admin@saylicipress.net

Liquid Team Leader

Abubakar Jibril

952-848-6662

Source: Somaliland Times

http://somalilandtimes.net/sl/2007/290/25.shtml

The Denial Of Bail To Qaran Leaders Is A Blow To The Constitution And International Laws

Press Statement

We can not understand how a judge with his right mind could possibly rule to remand a week and deny bail on 28/07/2007, and after the seven day remand is over on 04/08/2007 extend the remand to another week without any good cause; and the government did not bring the detainees before the court in order to receive the extension of remand.

The arrested are an outstanding and exemplary citizens and their arrest is illegal and unjustified as the government allegedly charges against these prominent politicians for preparing to form a political association which may lead into a political party. According to Qaran, the constitution allows them to organize and form a political association that may lead into a political party, but according to the government the constitution does not allow anyone to form or prepare a new political association that will lead into a political party. The government knows the fact that these citizens do not pose danger to the society, and were exercising their political rights in a peaceful manner and that they are not also at risk to flee. These untried prisoners are also being placed in jail with other prisoners who have been convicted of crimes and this is against United Nations declaration of Human Rights ‘85. (1) Untried prisoners shall be kept separate from convicted prisoners’.

Even though the government knows the facts and that the arrested are not a risk to flee the government still puts them in remand and denies bail to these prominent and respected politicians, who are Doctors, Businessmen and Politicians who contribute and contributed to the peace, security and stability of Somaliland and also run a Private Hospital to help people with Neurological problems as Dr. Mohamed Abdi Gabose is the only neurology specialist in Somaliland who also owns properties in the state, and this denial of justice is a blow to the justice of Somaliland and shows that the judiciary is not independent from the executive powers of the president. The arrested have a legal right to bail, defense, family visits, and medical visits which is protected under the Charter of UN Human Rights and Freedoms, and the Somaliland constitution.

An accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. And that presumption of innocence should, in principle, include freedom. The government denied for the defense team, the family and doctor’s to meet the Qaran leaders on 04/08/2007. The government interference to the judiciary is a ground to charge the government for contravention of the constitution and not abiding by the UN declaration of human rights. This interference is a blow to maintaining confidence in the administration of justice as the government is acting politically to charge its citizens. We also have received numerous reports that the government is trying to suppress the judicial system and imprison all political opponents.

Earlier on 03/08/2007, we received reports stating that the government verbally dismissed the Mandhera Prison Commanding Officers Mr. Muse Abokor Qoorsheel and his deputy Mr. Abdi Hassan Bakeyr from their posts, but after a lot of complaints from the local clan elders and citizens the government revised their verbal dismissal and threatened the Mandhera Prison Commanding Officer and his deputy that they should be Harsh and tough to the prisoners in their custody and these two Officers are also advised that they should not let any visitors to the Qaran Political Association Leaders without the prior permission of the Courts and Prior permission from the Minister of Interior himself.

The government also arrested two elders for organizing a meeting to discuss the arrest of the Qaran Leaders and their charge was organizing a meeting for an authorized political association interest.

All these facts show that the Somaliland government is violating the Somaliland constitution, United Declaration of Human Rights and the rights of prisoners specially the rights of the untried prisoners. The government charges against the Qaran Leaders are unjustified, unfair and politically motivated. It is time for the International community to send a clear message to the Somaliland government and advise the seriousness of their violation of their own constitution and international law, specially, the human rights law to the citizens and untried or tried prisoners. The international community should send a clear message and ask the government of Mr. Dahir Rayale to release the Qaran Political Association Leaders and other political prisoners without condition and let Qaran Political Association exercise its God given rights to choose and express its political opinion peacefully and according to the constitution.

Malik Jeylani

Source: Somaliland Times

http://somalilandtimes.net/sl/2007/290/22.shtml