Somaliland Human Rights Center is demanding for the release of illegally imprisoned journalists and politicians in Mandheera who were arrested over 20 days ago during the protests called by the opposition to push the government to hold presidential elections in time.
The Human Rights Center said the continued incarceration of the journalists and politicians was an abuse to human rights and freedom of expression which is enshrined in the Somaliland constitution.
“The Human Rights Center unequivocally calls for the release of the journalists, opposition leaders, and members currently detained in Mandheera following the protests on June 9th, 2022,” the Human Rights Center said in a statement.
The Human Rights Center recognizes that actions such as these are in contradiction to the tradition of Somaliland’s culture, ethics, morals, and the rule of law of Somaliland.
“To gather opposing activists and journalists in this manner and judge them all for one issue lacks real depth, without a care for the rights of the individuals, and weakens democratic processes in Somaliland.”
” These individuals have been detained and transferred to Mandheera prison without a warrant, without due process, and some without medical care and attention granted.”
The jailed politicians who belong to the opposition parties WADDANI and UCID were arrested during a prodemocracy rally demanding the November 13, 2022 presidential election be held on time.
The Journalists were arrested while covering the street demonstrations.
“Human Rights Center can confirm that Hamze Geele of Saab TV and Muhaydin Adam Ismail have been detained and transferred for covering the protests for their prospective channels,” said the statement.
The Human Rights Center reports that journalist Hamze has fallen ill while in detention while another young protestor has been brutally tortured while in the police cells.
“Somaliland’s government and police force have become negligent in giving medical care to those detained.”
“While we recognize the political situation is presently rife with tension, we would like to remind the Somaliland government, Hargeisa regional court, and the Criminal Investigation Department of the prior cases of journalists covering the news in Somaliland. Mohammed Ilig and Abdijabbar Mohammed were handed harsh sentencing without legal procedure in place” said the center.
The heightening cases of human rights abuse and suppression of freedom of expression has increased political tension in Somaliland with the government hell bent to silence opposition activists pushing for more democratic space and respect to the rule of law.
The opposition has also been piling pressure on President Muse Bihi to commit to holding the presidential elections in November as per the constitutional requirement.
Somaliland’s international partners have also dug in expressing concern at the continued political tension in the country.
