Center for Justice and Accountibilty's Statement on New Somali Government

Somalia’s Next Phase Should Include Accountability for War Criminals

 

San Francisco - On January 17, 2013, the U.S. government recognized a government of Somalia for the first time since 1991.  In his remarks to Secretary of State Clinton, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud spoke of Somalia emerging from a period of chaos to one of peace.  This new Somalia, he said, will make a “valuable contribution to the region and the world at large.”  If Somalia is to be a shining example, it should start by ending impunity for war criminals and giving victims justice. 

Somalia’s transition must reckon with its past.  The Somali state’s collapse in 1991 did not emerge from a vacuum: it was precipitated by years of brutal violence under the Mohamed Siad Barre dictatorship.  Under Barre’s 21-year regime, government forces tortured, summarily executed, raped, and even launched aerial bombing raids on civilian populations.  The armed groups that overthrew Barre in 1991, and the remnants of that regime, continued the cycle of violence. 

To date, no individual has been held to account for these crimes—in Somalia.  However, accountability efforts have been made against former Barre-regime officials living in the U.S.  The Center for Justice and Accountability has brought three cases in U.S. courts on behalf of Somali victims.  Last November, a U.S. federal court of appeals denied immunity to Mohamed Ali Samantar, former Somali Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, for crimes against humanity and torture.  That same month, a district court in Ohio ruled that Colonel Abdi Aden Magan, the former Chief of Somalia’s National Security Service was liable for torture.  Another torture suit is pending against Colonel Yusuf Abdi Ali (a.k.a “Tukeh”), a former Brigade Commander in the Somali National Army.”)   Each of these cases was filed under US universal jurisdiction laws that permit civil suits for human rights.

President Sheikh has made a commitment to restore faith in governance and the rule of law.  His first step should be to hold to account former officials and warlords who brought Somalia over the brink.  His second is to end impunity for human rights abuses committed in the wake of Somalia’s collapse.  To date, cases of gender based violence, child soldier recruitment, andattacks against journalist have gone unpunished.

Lessons can be learned from the cases in the U.S., but President Sheikh can look closer to home as well.  Local activists and government officials in the northern region of Somaliland have begun to excavate mass graves and document evidence of war crimes.  The Somali government should build on these efforts and end the impunity of suspected war criminals like General Mohammed Said Hersi Morgan or Maslah Mohamed Siad Barre.  Both have been accused of overseeing widespread and systematic abuses under Siad Barre.  And both currently split their time between Somalia and Kenya.

It will be difficult to restore confidence in government with such perpetrators still at large. After victory in his case against Samantar, Aziz Deria, whose father and brother were abducted by Somali officials and never seen again, observed that holding former officials “formally accountable for atrocities in Somalia’s civil war is the best way for Somalia to move forward.  Clan retribution can be set aside when people can be assured of justice through the legal system.”

The words of President Sheik speak of stability and hope.  But to achieve these goals, Somalia must begin transparent human rights investigations and provide redress to victims.

Abu Mansoor al-Amriki, American Jihadi In Somalia, Has Few Friends Left

Agence France Presse  |  By Peter Martell

Once his reputation was of a feared fighter, an American-born extremist who left small town Alabama to wage war alongside Al-Qaeda-linked Somali Islamists and who called on other foreigners to join.

Today, Omar Hamami -- better known as Abu Mansoor al-Amriki or "the American" -- has split from the insurgents, who want to kill him.

He cuts a forlorn figure: homesick, stuck somewhere in Somalia, and telling anyone who will listen about his apparently doomed career path.

"Amriki would like to accept the honour of most wanted list and thanks everyone," he said in a message on Twitter in November following his listing by the FBI on their Most Wanted Terrorists list.

He spends his days denouncing his former Shebab colleagues as corrupt. He refers to himself as the "former poster boy" of the group.

"War booty is eaten by the top dogs, but the guys who won it are jailed for touching it," Amriki says in one message on Twitter. It is a sharp turnaround for a man who once issued rap videos aimed at recruiting foreign fighters.

While the Twitter account claiming to be Amriki's cannot be verified as genuine, photographs posted on it show the 28-year-old posing with automatic rifles, his lank hair held back by a checked headscarf.
One image, shows him riding a cart pulled by a floppy eared donkey "More luxurious lives of the rich and fame-seeking," the title reads..

Another shows him holding a paper sign scrawled with the date as though a proof of life sign that neither drone strikes -- or more likely, Shebab he has fallen out with -- have managed to execute him.

He also chats with Western researchers on extremism and terrorism via Twitter, apparently jokingly asking if they may "ever consider switching sides?"

"I'd miss the music, bikinis and bacon too much," the reply comes from one.

"I see your bikinis and raise your four wives in this life, 72 in next!" Amriki swiftly replied, as gambling in a poker game.

Another message, in reply as to whether he might go to Mali to support Islamist fighters there, Amriki ponders whether they "could use some new raps", like the songs he penned for Somalia.

The Shebab, who once controlled swathes of southern Somalia before losing a string of key towns to African Union troops and government forces in recent months, have good reason to want him dead.
Amriki, reportedly based in Somalia since late 2006, talks of factional infighting between those keen to follow an international Islamist agenda -- such as foreign fighters following Al-Qaeda ideologies -- and those following more Somali nationalist agendas.

He accuses Shebab commanders of betraying the former presumed chief of Al-Qaeda in east Africa, Fazul Abdullah Muhammad, leading to his killing in 2011 in Somalia.

Fazul is thought to have planned the massive US embassy truck bombings in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam in 1998 and had a $5 million bounty on his head.

In turn, the Shebab have accused Amriki of "spreading discord and disunity", accuse him of a "narcissistic pursuit of fame" and have threatened to kill him.

Certainly, Amriki appears gloomy on Twitter, grumbling that there was "still no real beneficial analysis from anyone" after the release of his rambling autobiography posted online titled "The Story of An American Jihadi".

Amriki, who grew up in the town of Daphne in Alabama, was raised by a southern Baptist mother with Irish roots and a Muslim father with a Syrian background.

His autobiography, written thousands of miles (kilometres) from his hometown, details how he came top in Bible school, misses his family, and craves Chinese takeaways, amongst other foods.

"What I would like though is to have a three day visit to see my mom, dad and sister... I often wonder what this whole experience has done to them," he writes in the book, adding he misses his daughter whom he abandoned in Egypt as a baby.

"After going through all the hugs and kisses, me and Dena (his sister) would probably go running around town laughing our heads off and talking about a billion things without ever finishing a conversation," he wrote.

"I'd like to make a round of the restaurants and get some Chinese food, some hot (chicken) wings, some Nestle ice cream, some gourmet coffee and a slew of other foods and beverages."

Amriki describes his arrival in Mogadishu airport and struggle to integrate with the fighters, and his joy at being given an automatic rifle -- which he admits he had at first "had no idea how to use".

Later, when he was still welcome in the Shebab, he receives hand grenades, his experience of which he admits was limited to that of "anyone who had previously watched a Rambo flick (film)".

Amriki, whose closing remarks in the book are that he can now "only pray that Allah grants me a righteous ending".

"I knew that I was going to become a fugitive for the rest of my life when I made that decision (to fight in Somalia), I was well into the post 9/11 era," he wrote.

"Someone seeking a thrill or a hippy's midsummer's night dream doesn't normally consciously burn his bridges like that."

Copyright (2013) AFP. All rights reserved.

Somaliland: Leading local Human Rights Body Recants Support of Jailed SMS Lady

Suleiman Ismail Bulaleh of HornWatch

"We have ascertained the magnitude of the massages sent by Nadra through her cell phone number to the various top Somaliland leaders including vice president, the presidency minister containing are serious personnel insults thus the retraction of our human rights support for her release" Mr. Bulale of Horn Africa Human Rights Watch Committee

The Horn Africa Human Rights Watch Committee better known widely as HornWatch says it has withdrawn its human rights campaign for Ms. Nadra Jama, after the HornWatch ascertained that she is not entitled from our organization human rights support because we believe that the massages she had sent to the others  are damaged their rights.

According to the Spokesperson of HornWatch Mr. Suleiman Ismail Bulale, the about-turn by his organization follows access to the SMS messages the lady sent to the several government officials including the vice president, the presidency minister and interior minister among others,  
the content of  the SMS massages sent by Nadra are against the Islamic faith, and individual rights.

"We have pulled back from our human rights support we have providing her as prisoner of consience" Says Bulaleh

As per the HornWatch which in partnership with a foreign Human rights body accessed (from Simcard provider) the messages send by Ms. Nadra to government top leaders and ministers, the campaign for her immediate release had to cease.

In a press statement the Horn Africa Human Rights Watch dog based in Hargeisa says that the SMS massage which Nadra M Jama sent to the minister stretch from late of December 2012 to early January 2013 are of an obscene nature apart from being anti-Islamic and uncultured.

The HornWatch which said it had embarked on the campaign for release of Ms. Nadra without relevant facts asked the government to see to it that officials are more cooperative with Human rights bodies thus deter continued maligning of the administration even when it is in the right.

Despite recanting support for Ms. Nadra's release, Mr. Bulale informs that his body shall continue to push for a fair hearing and access to visits by her (SMS lady) relatives and lawyers.

Somaliland: US Invites President Silanyo for Talks in Washington

By: Yusuf M Hasan

NAIROBI  – The recognition of the Somalia government has no bearing to prevalent relations between Washington and Somaliland.

The US government is to continue its dual track engagement policy as pertains to Somaliland and Somalia despite the recent recognition of the Mogadishu government by the USA.

This was revealed by the US envoy in Kenya Ambassador Ropert F. Godec during a meeting with President H.E Ahmed Mahmud Silanyo in Nairobi where the ambassador also extended an official invitation to the Somaliland head of state to bi-lateral talks in Wasahington DC.

President Silanyo who upon accepting the invitation for the forthcoming talks in Washington went on to thank the people and government of US for their continued assistance to various developments in the country.

In reference to the recent Travel alert issued by the US state department the head of state briefed on the prevalent and conducive security situation in Somaliland, which he termed as the most successful in the Horn of Africa as pertains to the fight on Terror and piracy.

"Somaliland is very secure for citizens and foreigners alike, due to the existing security cooperation between the government and its citizens" Said Dr Silanyo

Apart from the security factor the briefing by Dr Silanyo to the US diplomat responsible for somaliland/Somalia also touched on Somaliland's cooperation with other Horn Africa countries on issues pertinent to the war on terror and anti-piracy that have supplemented international efforts.

The head of state also briefed on the achievements attained by his administration as pertains to improvement of peace and reconciliation, Economy, Political maturity, Democratization process, among others.

While revealing Somaliland's commitment to resumption of the international sanctioned talks with its neighbour Somalia, the Somaliland president informed that his country's independence will not be an agenda as per the desires of 97% of citizens who remain adamant as to the irrevocability of their sovereignty.

"In view of this unanimous decision by citizens of my country, we shall continue with our relentless quest for international recognition even while holding talks with Somalia" Dr Silanyo

Stressing on the fact that the talks with Somalia relate to good neighbourliness between to couThe full US Somaliland talks team at the US embassy in nairobintries that share common boundaries President Silanyo urged all stakeholders to respect the wishes of Somalilanders thus refrain from enunciating that resumed talks will deal with reunion.

In conclusion president Silanyo who was accompanied by the foreign minister Dr Mohamed Abdilahi Omar, Planning Minister Dr Saad Shire and Somaliland ambassador to Kenya informed that his country is ready and prepared to continue assisting the international community stabilize the Horn Africa region through elimination of terrorism and piracy.

source: somalilandsun.com

New Year Message from the Somaliland Sun Editorial Team

It was only a year ago when the Somaliland Sun was launched. And from the very beginnen the start the response has been tremendous. Visitor numbers keep growing. Over 250,000 unique visitors visited the Somaliland Sun in 2012 and the number is ever increasing.

For 2013 we remain committed to providing the world with unbiased and independent news from within the heart of Somaliland. For the simple reason that such as great country is worth the attention of the world.
Thank you to all readers, authors, advertisers, commenters for all you did to make this happen. We look forward to a new great year ahead.We hope that 2013 will bring us all peace and stability in our country and the region. My our country and our people grow and prosper. And may the world know that Somaliland is a country to be reckoned with!

Somaliland Sun Editorial Team

Source: http://somalilandsun.com/index.php/opinion/editorial/2046-new-year-message-from-the-somaliland-sun-editorial-team

Beesha Caalamku waxa ay danaha dalka Somaliland kala xaajoon karaan kaliya Madaxwaynaha Shacbigu sida dimuquraadiga ah u doortay H.E. Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud 'Siilaanyo' iyo xukuumada uu hogaamiyo

Hargeysa - Ururrada madaxbannaan ee difaacayaasha xuquuqda aadamiga Somaliland oo ka kooban 27 urur waddani, ayaa beesha caalamka ugu baaqay inay ixtiraamaan jiritaanka Somaliland oo ay ka taliso dawlad uu hoggaamiyo madaxweyne si xor ah oo dimuquraadi ah shacabku u doorteen, kaas oo isagu si buuxda uga wakiil ah dhamaan danaha beesha caalamku ka leedahay dalka Somaliland.

Suleiman Ismail Bolaleh National Speaker Somaliland Human Rights Defenders

Warsaxaafadeed uu soo saaray Afhayeenka ururrada madaxbannaan ee difaacayaasha xuquuqda aadamaha Somaliland Mr. Saleebaan Ismaaciil Bullaale oo lagu socodsiiyey madaxda dalalka reer galbeedka, gaar ahaan Xoghayaha Arrimaha Dibadda dawladda Ingiriiska Mr. William Hague, kuna wargeliyey Xoghayaha Guud ee Qaramada Midoobay iyo Xoghayaha Arimaha Dibada Dalka Maraykanka, waxa uu ku sheegay in Somaliland tahay dal ay ka jirto nabadgelyo buuxdaa oo shacabkiisu ku naaloonayo iyadoo amaanka dalkuna si buuxda gacanta ugu jiro dawladdiisa oo haysta taageerada shacabka, isla markaana digniintii khataraha amaandaro ee dhawaan dawladda Ingiriisku ku sheegtay in ay ka jirto dalka Somaliland ay u arkaan fariin aan waafaqsanayn xaqiiqda taal dalka balse tahay mid lagu rabo in ay faa'iido u noqoto kooxaha argagixisada caalamiga ah oo Somaliland nidaamkeeda dimuquraadiga ah dagaal kula jira.

Waxa kaloo ururradaasi soo saareen go’aan ay sheegeen kadib markay heleen caddaymo ay ku qanceen in ay kala noqdeen taageeradii dhinaca xuquuqda aadamiga ah ee ay u fidinayeen haweennay u xidhan dacwad uu ku soo oogay wasiir ka tirsan xukuumadda oo la sheegay inay farriimo meel-ka-dhac ah ugu dirtay telefoonkiisa. Warsaxaafadeedka maanta ay ku qabteen Difaacayaasha Madaxabanaan ee Xuquuqda Aadamiga Somaliland wuxuu u dhignaa sida tan:

Ugu horreyn, ururrada xuquuqda aadamuhu waxa baaqa ay direen beesha caalamka uu u qornaa sidan:

“Mudane Wasiir/Xoghaye, sidaad adiguba xogogaalka u tahay dimoqraadiyadda ka jirta dalkayaga Somaliland waxay tusaale fiican u tahay guud ahaan qaaradda Afrika iyo dunida Islaamka, waxaanna dalka Somaliland iyo dawladdiisa sida xorta ah uu u soo doortay shacbigu kaalin wax-ku-ool ah ka qaadataa la-dagaallanka argagixisada caalamiga ah, budhcad-badeedda iyo dambiyada xuduudaha dalalka isaga tallaaba, iyadoo wada-shaqayn dhow kala leh sugidda ammaanka manadaqadda Geeska Afrika dalalka dariska ah sida Ethiopia, Jabuuti iyo Yemen.

Afarta milyan iyo badhka (4.5 million) muwaaddin ee shacbiga Somaliland waxay diyaar u yihiin inay difaacaan oo ilaashadaan dastuurkooda dimqoraadiga ah iyo hay’adaha duwiliga ah ee ay sida xorta ah u doorteen, waxaanay meel uga soo wada jeedaan oo diideen inay qaataan afkaarta kuwa neceb dimoqraadiyadda iyo ku dhaqankeeda.

Mudane Wasiir iyo madaxda sare ee qoraalkan aannu la socodsiinayba, Difaacayaasha Xuquuqda Aadamiga iyo Dhaqdhaqaaqyada Rayidka ah ee Dimoqraadiyad-doonka Somaliland waxay la socodsiinayaan cidda danaha iyo masaaliixda dalka Somaliland lagala hadli karo ee go’aanka kama dambaysta ah iska lehi inay tahay keliya Madaxwaynaha aannu sida dimoqraadiga ah u dooranay Md. Axmed Maxamed Maxamuud (Siilaanyo) iyo dawladda uu hoggaamiyo.  Waxaannu bulashada caalamka la socodsiinaynaa in aayaha iyo masiirka dalka Somaliland iyo shacabkiisa aan marnaba lagala hadli karin xukuumadda dalka adduunka ugu liita ee Soomaaliya.

Dalkayagu waa mid madaxbannaan oo ay aqoonsadeen 36 dal oo xubno ka ah Qaramada Midoobay markii aannu madaxbannaanida ka qaadannay Boqortooyada Ingiriiska 26 June 1960kii, waxaanuna dib ula soo noqonay  madaxbanaanidii dalkayaga 18 May 1991-kii kadib midowgii aannu la galay dalka Somaliya 1 July 1960.

Difaacayaasha Xuquuqda Aadamiga iyo Dhaqdhaqaaqyada Rayidka ah ee Dimoqraadiyad-doonka Somaliland waxay aad uga xun yihiin dhawaaqa dhawaan ka soo yeedhay Wasaaradda Arimaha Dibadda Ingiriiska oo ka dayrinayey dhinaca ammaanka Somaliland, kaas oo dhab ahaan aannu u aragno mid aan xaqiiqda taal Somalilnad ku dhisnayn, balse aanu u aragno mid lagu rabo in uu faa'iido u noqdo kooxaha argagixisada caalamiga ah oo Somaliland nidaamkeeda dimuquraadiga ah dagaal kula jira, inkastoo xukuumada iyo shacabka Somaliland  dawladdayada uu dhawaaqa Ingiriisku u kordhiyay digniin iyo feejignaan dheeraad ah.

Bulshada caalamka, gaar ahaan dalka Boqortooyada Ingiriiska waxaannu ku boorrinaynaa inuu sii wado taageeradii wax-ku-oolka ahayd ee uu dalkayaga Somaliland siinayey, waxaanuna u sheegaynaa in shacbiga Somaliland si buuxda ugu kalsoon yahay xukuumadda uu hoggaamiyo Madaxwaynahayga Md. Axamed Maxamed Maxamuud (Siilaanyo).” ayaa lagu yadhi shirkaasi jaraa'id

Geesta kale, war-murtiyeed ay ururrada madaxbannaan ee xuquuqda aadamaha Somaliland soo saareen ayey ku sheegeen inay joojiyeen gebi ahaanba taageeradii dhinaca xuquuqda aadamiga ee ay siinayeen haweenay lagu magacaabo Nadra Maxamed Jaamac oo ku eedaysan in farriimo cay ah in ay uga dirtay telefoonka gacanta Wasiirka Madaxtooyada Somaliland Mr. Xirsi Cali Xaaji Xasan, iyagoo sheegay inay markii hore ugu hiiliyeen xogo ay ka heleen iyada iyo ehelkeeda, balse baadhitaan ay sameeyeen kadib ku ogaadeen caddaymo ka duwan xogtaa hore, sidaa darteedna go’aansadeen inay joojiyaan taageeradii haweenaydaas.

“Nasiib-wanaag Difaacayaasha Xuquuqda Aadamiga oo kaashanaya codsiyo ay ka heleen hay’adaha caalamiga ah ee xuquuqda aadamiga oo fadhigoodu yahay magaalada London ayaa ka helay shirkadda Isgaadhsiinta telefoonka ee haweenaydaasi isticmaalaysay nuqullada qoraallo farriimo ah oo ay Nadra Maxamed Jaamac lambakra telefoonkeeda gacanta uga dirtay lambarrada telefoonada masuuliyiinta ugu sarraysa xukuumada Somaliland qaarkood.

Nuxurka farriimahaasi aannu helnay ayaa nagu khasbaya in Difaacayaasha Xuquuqda Aadamigu gebi ahaanba kala noqdaan Nadra Maxamed Jamac taageeradii dhinaca xuquuqda aadamaha ahayd ee aannu siinaynay, iyadoo markii aanu cadaymaha cusub helay aanu si madaxbannaan ugu booqannay Saldhigga Dhexe ee Booliska magaalada Hargeysa oo aannu ka warraysanay inay iyadu dirtay farriimahaas oo tiro badan, socdayna dabayaaqadii sannadkii hore ee 2012 ilaa bilowgii sannadkan cusub ee 2013 waxyar uun ka hor intii aan la xidhin iyadoo Nadra Maxamed Jaamac qirtay inay iyadu dirtay, iyadoo ka cadhootay shaqo ay siin waayeen KULMIYE oo ay ugu balanqaadeen iyo ninkeeda oo ay ka fureen sida sheegtay.

Fariimaha ay dirtay Nadra Maxamed Jaamac oo gebi ahaan lid ku ah diinta Islaamka, dhaqanka suubban iyo mabaadi’da xuquuqda aadamiga iyo xorriyadaha aasaasiga ah ee uu dammaanad qaaday dastuurka Somaliland, waxay Difaacayaasha Xuquuqda Aadamigu u aqoonsadeen farriimahaas qaar aan loo baahin karin shacbiga muslimka ah ee reer Somaliland.

Guddigu waxay ugu baaqayaan hay’adaha garsoorka Somaliland inay xaqiijiyaan in Nadra Maxamed Jaamac helayso garsoor dhex ah oo caddaalad ah iyo adeegyada qaanuun ee sharcigu u ogol yahay oo ay ku jirto booqashada ehelkeeda iyo la kulanka qareennadeeda, waxaanay guddigu si dhow ula soconayaan dacwada iyo geeddi-socodka dhagaysiga dacwadda Nadra Maxamed Jaamac si ay u hubiyaan inay helayso garsoor dhex ah oo caddaalad ku salaysan,” ayaa lagu yidhi qoraalkaas uu ku saxeexnaa Afhayeenka Ururrada madaxbannaan ee xuquuqda aadamaha Somaliland Mr. Saleebaan Ismaaciil Bullaale oo Hargeysa laga soo saaray xalay.

Dhinaca Kale Shirkan Jaraaid waxa lagu sheegay in xafiiska difaacayaasha xuquuqda aadamiga Somaliland ee HornWatch uu helay su'aalo uga yimi qaar ka tirsan safaaradaha reer galbeedka ee ku yaal dalalka jaarka kuwaasi oo ay lagu hubinayo wararka sheegaya nidaamka duwaliga ahaa in aanu ka shaqaynaynin xaafado ka mid ah caasimada Hargeysa kadib markii lagu dhawaaqay natiijadii doorashadii dawladaha hoose ee dalka ka qabsoontay. Waxana ay hoosta ka xariiqeen Difaacayaasha Xuquuqda Aadamiga Somaliland in fariimahani salka ku hayaan khilaafkii ka dhashay natiijadii doorashada caasimada oo ururo iyo dadka qaar aanay ku qancin, waxan ay sheegeen in khilaafkaasi doorashadu uu cadowga Somaliland u yahay waslad dahab ah iyadoo ay fursad fiicana ay u tahay kooxaha argagaixisada caalamiga ah.

Waxana ay ugu baaqeen Difaacayaasha Xuquuqda Aadamiga Somaliland ururada iyo dadka aan ku qancin natiijadaasi uu khilaafku ka dhashay ee doorashada in ay ka hor mariyaan danta iyo maslaxada guud ee qaranka iyadoo xiligan uu dalka Somaliland marayo wakhti aad u xaasaasi ah oo lagaga gudbi karo wadajir iyo isku duubnaan.

Gabogabadii Difaacayaasha Xuquuqda Aadamiga Somaliland waxay ugu baaqeen xukuumada Somaliland in ay dib u eegto siyaasadeeda ku wajahan socdaalka iyagoo ku taliyay in dadka boqolaalka kun ah ee ka soo qaxay dalka Soomaaliya ay khatar u keeni karaan nabadgalyada iyo amaanka Somaliland maadaama oo dadkani ka soo qaxeen dal dagaalada iyo dambiyada abaabulan ee kooxaha argagaxisada ahi ka wadaan ay ka mid yihiin nolol maalmeedka, iyadoo xukuumadooduna ay diidan tahay xaqa madaxbanaanida dal ahaaneed ee Qaranka Somaliland.

Afhayeenka Difaacayaasha Madaxabanaan ee Xuquuqda Aadamiga Somaliland Mr. Suleiman Ismail Bolaleh ayaa ugu baaqay Ururada Bulshada Rayidka ah ee Somaliland, Daladaha iyo Isku-xidhada heer qaran in ay u ku soo biiraan Ololaha Qadiyada Madaxbanaanida Somaliland, Difaacida Distoorka iyo Hayádaha Dimuquraadiga ah ee Somaliland, iyagoo bulshada caalamka u muujinaya sida ay ugu kalsoon yihiin ee ay u taageersan yihiin xukuumada ay Afarta iyo Badhka muwaadin ee Somaliland u doorteen hogaaminta dalka Somaliland.

HornWatch waxay u diyaarisay Petitions Online ah guud ahaan shacabka Somaliland kuwa ku sugan dalka iyo qurbajoogaba petitionadaasi oo ka ugu horeeyaa diyaar noqon doono bari 8 Feb. 2013 waxana uu bartilmaameedkiisu yahay Xoghayaha Arimaha Dibada Ingiriiska oo loogu muujinayo sida bulshada rayidka ah ee Somaliland iyo shacbiguba u taageersan yahay dawlada madaxwaynaha lagu doortay doorashada dimuquraadiga ah ee xorta ah.

Stay connected the updates in this regards

CIA Global Torture Network Revealed ! ! !

Dear Friends, Ghost flights, black sites, and stories of appalling abuse. Please take a minute to watch Amrit Singh of the Open Society Justice Initiative describe the grim realities of the CIA’s post-9/11 campaign of secret detention and torture. Take a step toward puncturing the layers of secrecy. Watch—and share—this video. She has compiled a first-of-its-kind report that tells the story of how the United States used its position to cajole, persuade, and strong-arm 54 other countries to take part in the CIA’s highly classified programs. From Australia to Iran, Canada to Sweden, Hong Kong to Indonesia. The list is shocking. Even though I—you—have heard many stories about what was done in the name of the war against terror, I found myself shocked again about what was done under the CIA’s secret programs after 9/11. These are not the practices of an open society. Only with a full reckoning can the United States hope to close the door on this shameful chapter in its history.

Globalizing Torture: CIA Secret Detention and Extraordinary Rendition

Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the Central Intelligence Agency embarked on a highly classified program of secret detention and extraordinary rendition of terrorist suspects.

The program was designed to place detainee interrogations beyond the reach of law. Suspected terrorists were seized and secretly flown across national borders to be interrogated by foreign governments that used torture, or by the CIA itself in clandestine “black sites” using torture techniques.

Globalizing Torture is the most comprehensive account yet assembled of the human rights abuses associated with CIA secret detention and extraordinary rendition operations. It details for the first time what was done to the 136 known victims, and lists the 54 foreign governments that participated in these operations. It shows that responsibility for the abuses lies not only with the United States but with dozens of foreign governments that were complicit.

More than 10 years after the 2001 attacks, Globalizing Torture makes it unequivocally clear that the time has come for the United States and its partners to definitively repudiate these illegal practices and secure accountability for the associated human rights abuses.

To read the complate report please click here: http://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/reports/globalizing-torture-cia-secret-detention-and-extraordinary-rendition?utm_source=justice_B&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text_link2&utm_campaign=justice_B_020513

<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the Central Intelligence Agency embarked on a highly classified program of secret detention and extraordinary rendition of terrorist suspects. The program was designed to place detainee interrogations beyond the reach of law. Suspected terrorists were seized and secretly flown across national borders to be interrogated by foreign governments that used torture, or by the CIA itself in clandestine “black sites” using torture techniques.</p>
<p><em>Globalizing Torture</em> is the most comprehensive account yet assembled of the human rights abuses associated with CIA secret detention and extraordinary rendition operations. It details for the first time what was done to the 136 known victims, and lists the 54 foreign governments that participated in these operations. It shows that responsibility for the abuses lies not only with the United States but with dozens of foreign governments that were complicit.</p>
<p>More than 10 years after the 2001 attacks, <em>Globalizing Torture</em> makes it unequivocally clear that the time has come for the United States and its partners to definitively repudiate these illegal practices and secure accountability for the associated human rights abuses.</p>
</div>

How’s That Government Working Out for Somalia?

Last year, Somalia came under the rule of the first internationally-recognized government in twenty years. Now it’s jailing women who accuse its security forces of rape. Via the AP:

A Mogadishu court on Tuesday handed down one-year prison sentences to a woman who said she was raped by security forces and a reporter who interviewed her. The judges decided the woman falsely claimed she was raped and had insulted the government…

Rights groups have decried the case as politically motivated because the woman had accused security forces of the assault. Rape is reported to be rampant in Mogadishu, where tens of thousands of people who fled last year’s famine live in poorly protected camps. Government troops are often blamed.

The woman’s sentence will apparently be delayed by a year, to let the woman care for her young child. Where would she be if not for government?

US Covert Drone War in Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia – Jan. Update (Woods et al.)

by Juan

Chris Woods, Jack Serle and Alice K Ross write at the Bureau of Investigative Journalism

Yemen was hit by the highest number of airstrikes in one month since June 2012, though none have been formally confirmed as US operations.

No US operations were reported in Somalia.

The United Nations also launched a major investigation into the legality and casualties of drone strikes by the United States, Britain and Israel.

Pakistan

January 2013 actions

Total CIA strikes in January: 6
Total killed in strikes in January: 27-54, of whom 0-2 were reportedly civilians . . .

The CIA began 2013 with six drone strikes in nine days – more in any single month since August 2012.

CIA drone strikes on Pakistan in January 2010, 2011, 2012 & 2013

With double the strikes hitting Pakistan this month compared with January last year, 2013 could see renewed intensity in the CIA drone programme.

The month’s first strike killed powerful Taliban commander Maulvi (or Mullah) Nazir, ‘perhaps the most prized feather in [the] cap’ of the drone programme to date, according to one commentator. Nazir co-ordinated attacks on Nato and Afghan forces in Afghanistan and had long been a target of the CIA.

However his group refrained from terrorist attacks within Pakistan, earning the label ’good’ Taliban. Brigadier Asad Munir, a retired commander of the ISI, told the Bureau his death could cause serious problems for Islamabad. He said peace with Nazir was essential since Pakistan’s army cannot simultaneously fight both Nazir’s militants and the TTP – the so-called ‘bad’ Taliban behind numerous lethal attacks in Pakistani cities.

Despite this, Pakistan’s response to the strikes in January was muted – notably so, according to Associated Press, as loud protestations had followed almost every strike in 2012.

This could indicate that relations between the allies have improved from their 2012 nadir. The CIA may also have tried to mollify Islamabad by killing senior TTP commander Wali Muhammad Mahsud and announcing that Maulana Fazlullah, commander of the Swat Taliban, is now high on its kill list. The Swat Taliban shot schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai and launches attacks on Pakistan from its bases in Afghanistan. Islamabad has repeatedly called on Nato and Afghan forces to crack down on the group.

A third high-value target death in January was of senior al Qaeda paramilitary commander Sheikh Yaseen al Kuwaiti, reportedly killed at home with his wife and daughter by eight missiles.

Yemen

January 2013 actions
Confirmed US drone strikes: 0
Further reported/possible US strike events: 8
Total reported killed in US operations: 0-38
Civilians reported killed in US strikes: 0-7
Children reported killed in US strikes . . . 0-2

* All but one of these actions have taken place during Obama’s presidency. Reports of incidents in Yemen often conflate individual strikes. The range in the total strikes and total drone strikes we have recorded reflects this.

Eight strikes hit Yemen in January, the most in a month since June 2012 when US attacks on al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) began to slow from their May peak.

News reports named 12 alleged militants killed in the strikes. Up to two children also reportedly died when a wayward airstrike missed its intended target, hitting Abdu Mohammed al-Jarrah‘s house. This is the first credible report of child casualties since a US strike killed 12 civilians, three of them children, on September 2, 2012.

It remains unclear who is behind the recent strikes. September was the last time the Bureau noted a confirmed US operation in Yemen, although Yemen’s state media appears to have stopped claiming that the ‘barely functional‘ Yemen Air Force is responsible for every strike. Attacks are now officially described simply as airstrikes.

There were more allegations that the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) is striking AQAP. A report claimed the RSAF targeted an AQAP training camp on January 22, right on the Saudi-Yemeni border. But it was also reported that US drones launched the strike, with help from Saudi intelligence.

An anonymous US intelligence official told the Times that Saudi jets have been striking other targets in Yemen in support of US operations – an allegation promptly denied by the Saudis. The paper reported that Saudi jets may have carried out a botched strike on May 15 2012 that killed 12-26 civilians. There were also questions raised regarding a September 2 strike by an unidentified aircraft that killed 12 civilians – three of them children. However, it emerged on Christmas Day that US drones or jets had carried out that attack.

In a rare display of opposition to the drone programme, Yemeni human rights minister Hooria Mashhour told Reuters the country should change its counter-terrorism strategy. Without directly mentioning drones, she advocated moving away from air strikes to ground operations to target AQAP ‘without harming civilians and without leading to human rights violations’.

On January 28 Sanaa sent up to 7,000 troops with tanks to drive AQAP-linked militants out of the central province of al Bayda and to free hostages including two Finnish and one Austrian. AQAP countered, sending ‘several hundred’ reinforcements to the province. At least 2,500 civilians have reportedly been displaced.

Somalia
January 2013 actions

Total reported US operations: 0

All actions 2007 – January 31 2013Total US operations: 10-23
Total US drone strikes: 3-9
Total reported killed: 58-170
Civilians reported killed: 11-57
Children reported killed: 1-3
Click here for the Bureau’s full data on Somalia.

January was the fifth consecutive month without a reported US strike. But al Shabaab showed it remains a threat to Mogadishu, launching a suicide attack on the presidential palace. The bomber was reportedly ‘an al Shabaab defector‘ with a gate pass and a National Security Force identity card. He detonated his suicide vest, killing two soldiers, after it was uncovered in a routine search.

The US provided ‘limited technical support‘ to a failed French attempt to rescue a spy held hostage by al Shabaab since 2009. Five French helicopters carried 50 commandos into Somalia. US Air Force jets entered Somali airspace in support, although they did not fire their weapons. The French operation was reportedly timed to coincide with the French air and ground offensive in northern Mali, though Paris denied the two operations were linked.

France said militants executed the captured secret service officer, known by his alias Denis Allex, during the assault. Seventeen alleged militants, including their commander Sheikh Ahmed were reportedly killed.

But in the course of the night assault, French commandos also reportedly killed eight civilians, including a child and both his parents. One French commando was also killed and another wounded. Al Shabaab said the injured soldier subsequently died of his wounds in their custody, and posted pictures on Twitter of the dead commando as proof.

After al Shabaab also tweeted an image of the dead French spy, and threatened to kill two Kenyan hostages its account was suspended.

UN investigation

UN special rapporteur Ben Emmerson QC announced that the UN will investigate covert CIA and Pentagon strikes in Yemen, Pakistan and Somalia. He will also look at strikes by the UK and US in Afghanistan, and by Israel in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Emmerson has assembled a team of experts to scrutinise some 25 strikes, examining the legal framework for targeted killings and claims of civilian deaths. One area they are expected to explore is the deliberate targeting of rescuers and funeral-goers by the CIA in Pakistan, a tactic revealed in an investigation by the Bureau for the Sunday Times.

The UN’s Human Rights Council asked its special rapporteurs to investigate drone strikes after nations including Russia, China and Pakistan called for action last June. Emmerson will present his recommendations to the General Assembly in October.