Somali Govt to deal with human rights violations in the country

Earlier, president Mohamud welcomed the Human Rights Watch report titled “Hostages of the Gatekeepers” detailing alleged abuses against Internally Displaced in Mogadishu, Somalia.

 

 

Authorities in Somalia have vowed to tackle human rights violations, two days after a report by Human Rights Watch revealed that internally displaced people in Somalia are suffering sexual violence and other forms of abuse.

 

The abuse takes place at the hands of armed groups, including government forces, it said.

In the report, women who fled famine and conflict describe being gang-raped in camps in the capital, Mogadishu.

The HRW report said managers of the camps – often allied to militias – siphon off food and other aid.

In a video message to the Public, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said he was saddened by the HRW report on human rights abuses in the country, saying that his government is now working on ambitious plans to tackle the issue.

He said they are investigation the allegations contained in the report accusing government soldiers of committing gross violations against the internally displaced people in Mogadishu.

The president stated that it is unacceptable for Somali women toget abused in their own land by people who were to protect them.

The president pointed a blame finger on top leaders of the armed forces saying that they will also be responsible of their juniors’ actions.

In its report, HRW said that even though the new Somali government which came to power in September last year has made some impressive statements, it has done very little to change the situation on the ground.

“Our findings suggested that the people in these camps are often basically kept captive in the camps,” said David Mepham, the UK director of Human Rights Watch.

Earlier, president Mohamud welcomed the Human Rights Watch report titled “Hostages of the Gatekeepers” detailing alleged abuses against Internally Displaced in Mogadishu, Somalia.

“I and The Federal Government of Somalia welcome the Human Rights Watch for their detailed and comprehensive report into the situation faced by IDP’s in Mogadishu in 2011/12. The personal testimonies are heartbreaking and deplorable and totally unacceptable to the values of the Somali people,” said the president in a statement on Wednesday.

“I have stated publicly and reiterate again now, my personal commitment to the restoration of civil security in Somalia and to holding to account any who are found abusing human rights,” he added.

The president said the challenges facing the country’s leadershipin rebuilding the nation remains immense, and their need for constructive partnerships cannot be overstated, adding that security, both civil and military remains their highest priority.

“Reform of our security institutions is underway; leadership is being renewed, training is being designed and implemented, and discipline and professionalism issues are being addressed. We are committed to rebuilding security forces in which the publics have trust and confidence,” reads the statement in part.

He however stated that the decision to establish the Independent Task Force on Human Rights, which was launched on 5 February, was taken to address concerns about the human rights abuses and to investigate violence against women.

Source: Suna Times