Somaliland Human Rights Centre Condemns Detention of Politicians and Journalists

Somaliland human rights centre has criticized the detention of opposition figures and journalists in the country, and asked the government to release them. The Center has urged the government to release Saleeban Awale Good, Wali Abdi Jama, and Mohammed Abdi Omar immediately, without conditions.

According to a HRC press release, Mohammed Abdi Omar, journalist from SBCTV, was arrested on 13/9/2021. Meanwhile the Deputy Governor of Maroodijex, Wali Abdi Jama, from the Wadani Party was arrested on 16/9/2021 and Saleeban Awale Good, the UCID Deputy Secretary of Information in Awdal region, was arrested on 28/8/2021.

HRC also requests that prosecutors and judges be mindful to respect and uphold the laws and that they work on behalf of the people and not the wishes of government officials.

According to the statement, The Human Rights Center is deeply disturbed with the arbitrary arrests of opposition members and leaders in Somaliland. The centre clarified that the common denominator of arresting these figures was expressing their opinions.

They said Arbitrary arrests have steadily been increasing in Somaliland in free speech and freedom of expression and the Human Rights Center is concerned that these violations are rapidly increasing and deteriorating the strength of democracy in the country.