Hiiraan Online

Hiiraan Online
EDITORIAL
Monday, May 19, 2008

According to the Somali Constitution of 1960 (and this Constitution supersedes all the makeshift charters "used" in Somalia today), every Somali whose mother and father are Somalis – whether these Somalis reside in the Somali region of Ethiopia, or in Kenya, or in Ethiopia or in Canada or any corner of the world - are automatic citizens of the Somali Republic. These citizens therefore have rights, inalienable rights that no one could take away - including politician and subservient not "security" services personnel in Bosaso and Hargeysa.

The Somali Constitution, which is the same document that proclaims our flag as sky blue with a white star in the middle, states in Article 2 that, "No person may be denied citizenship or deprived thereof for political reasons". Puntland and Somaliland security personnel do not have the right to invalidate the citizenship or the Somali-ness of any Somali, particularly the current victims most of whom are from the Somali region of Ethiopia.

Article 11, Paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Constitution further spells out the fundamental rights of the Somali citizens and it states that, "Every citizen shall have the right to reside and travel freely in any part of the territory of the State and shall not be subjected to deportation."
 
The very raison d'être of why governments exists is to protect its citizens. Contrary to this universal role of States, one will find rather astonishing the shameful citizen-smuggling operations in Puntland and Somaliland. Dreadful abuse, torture and death are the expected fate of abducted Somali citizens turned over to the Ethiopian security forces.

Outlining the state of human rights in Ethiopia, the US Department of State reports in its Annual Human Rights Practices in Ethiopia that there are:
limitation on citizens' right to change their government during the most recent elections; unlawful killings, and beating, abuse, and mistreatment of detainees and opposition supporters by security forces… arbitrary arrest and detention …detention of thousands without charge and lengthy pretrial detention ….
use of excessive force by security services in an internal conflict and counter- insurgency operations; restrictions on freedom of the press; arrest… limitations on freedom of association; … government interference in union activities, including killing and harassment of union leaders.
http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2007/100481.htm

If the horrific picture painted above by the State Department report is the daily reality faced by Ethiopian citizens, then one can safely assume that abducted Somali citizens will suffer in the hands of Ethiopia security apparatus. Somaliland and Puntland officials must halt this illegal practice shipping Somali citizens to Ethiopian dungeons.

We commend the heroic efforts by the people of Puntland and Somaliland, including the media, for sounding the alarm bells when Puntland and Somaliland officials engage in their un-Somali crimes of seizing and shipping Somali citizens.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights forbids the seizure and shipping of citizens to torture camps. It states, in articles 3 and 5 that "Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person" and "No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment."

This International principle as well as the Constitution of Somalia will undoubtedly catch up with, politicians and security personnel aiding and abetting human rights abuses against Somali citizens.

Anyone accused of crime in Somalia should be tried in Somalia. Puntalnd and Somalland officials must seize and desist, the illegal seizing and inhumane shipping of Somali citizens to Ethiopia.