(Mogadishu, 10 December 2010) The Day marks the 62nd anniversary of
the UN General Assembly’s adoption of the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights in 1948.
Somali Government is committed to upholding the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights and to preventing abuses of human rights in areas
under its control. Somali Government, AMISOM and the International
Community work very hard on ensuring that all our forces receive
training in International Human Rights Law and International
Humanitarian Law. One of the top priorities in the government is
humanitarian aid and assistance to Somalis and activities to relieve
the humanitarian suffering of the population. It is paramount to
protect civilians, to provide healthcare facilities, hope and
prosperity to the people of Somalia. Local Administrations, including
the office of the Mayor of Mogadishu provide services that matter to
people, which include reopening markets, lighting streets, collecting
garbage, and provision of education etc. Somali government is striving
to provide the enabling environment to preventing abuses of human
rights in the country including the areas that currently control by
opposition groups.
Sadly the same cannot be said of the armed insurgent groups who use a
perverted form of Islam as a cover to rob the populace of their rights
and to commit the most heinous abuses. Islam is clear on kindness of
humans. Thousands have fled from the ‘reign of terror’, in the places
where al Shabaab still holds sway. A ‘reign of terror’ characterised
by the two teenage girls, one just 15, who last month were dragged out
into the street and executed accused of spying; and the 17 year old
Ismael Khalif whose hand and foot were cross amputated by al Shabaab
because he wanted to go to school rather than join them; and finally
the mothers forced on pain of death by al Shabaab recruiters to give
up their children to fight for a broken and deeply unpopular cause.
Al-Shabaab has also denied international humanitarian relief to the
populace. All these activities (reign of terror) are against Islam,
Human rights and the Sharia Law.
The TFG is determined to re-establish the rule of law which the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognises in its preamble as a
prerequisite for the protection of human rights.
H.E Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, the Prime Minister of Somalia said:
“The majority of the people have made the strategic choice to reject
the past of extremism and oppression and embrace a future of tolerance
and hope. A small minority, influenced by extremist ideologies and
increasingly led by foreigners, seeks to derail the peace process and
must not be allowed to succeed. At the same time we will seek to
engage with those who desire to participate in the peace process,
provided that they reject violence as a means to power.
I hope the international community will increase its support to the
Somalia Government in its endeavour to ensure the rights of all
Somalis in the entire country are respected and safeguarded.”
- END -
Office of the Prime Minister
Republic of Somalia
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