NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Human rights in Somalia

Although a transitional government was established in 2000 at the Djibouti Conference, Somalia has not had a central government since President Mohamed Siad Barre fled the country in 1991. De Facto power is held by the unrecognized entities of Somaliland and Puntland and various warlords. Due to the unstable political situation in the country, Human rights in Somalia are extremely poor and serious human rights violations are a problem. Information on politics by country is available for every country, including both de jure and de facto independent states, inhabited dependent territories, as well as areas of special sovereignty. ... This article is about the year 2000. ... This article or section may be confusing or unclear for some readers, and should be edited to rectify this. ... Mohamed Siad Barre (Somali: Maxamed Siyaad Bare) (1919/1921? - January 2, 1995) was the self-proclaimed socialist president of Somalia from 1969 to 1991. ... 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... De facto is a Latin expression that means in fact or in practice. It is commonly used as opposed to de jure (meaning by law) when referring to matters of law or governance or technique (such as standards), that are found in the common experience as created or developed without... It has been suggested that British Somaliland be merged into this article or section. ... Motto: None Anthem: Puntland Somalian National Anthem Capital Garowe Largest city Bosaso Official language(s) Somali and Arabic Government - President Mohamud Muse Hersi - Vice-President Hasan Dahir Independence From Somalia - Declared 1998 - Recognition none Area - Total ~250,000 kmÂ² (not ranked) (n/a sq mi) - Water (%) Negl. ...

Police Brutality

Justice is enforced by both police forces and factional militia, both of which have committed many human rights abuses in the past. Kidnappings by militia groups to obtain ransom money are common. Arbitrary arrests are a problem. Prison conditions are extremely poor and dangerous. Overcrowding, dangerous health conditions, and abuse by guards exist in Somali prisons. Reports exist of Puntland, Somaliland, and militia groups using torture against each other and civilians^[1]. The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view. ...

Restriction of Freedoms

Freedom of speech, press, assembly, association, religion, and movement are all restricted. Harassment and detention of journalists have occurred across the country. Somaliland has banned political demonstrations, and Puntland has outlawed opposition parties. Checkpoints around Somalia are manned by militia, who have at times extorted or killed civilians attempting to travel through the country. The right to privacy is also restricted. A public anti-war demonstration in Liverpool, England Freedom of speech is the concept of being able to speak freely without censorship. ... Privacy is the ability of an individual or group to keep their lives and personal affairs out of public view, or to stop information about themselves from becoming known to people other than those whom they choose to give the information. ...

Violence against Women

Violence and discrimination against women, including genital mutilation, is common. The rape of women by militia and bandits is a problem, and there are no laws against spousal rape. Image of a woman on the Pioneer plaque sent to outer space. ... Circumcision is the removal of some or all of the prepuce (foreskin). ...

Child Abuse

Child abuse, including child labor and human trafficking, remains a problem. The United Nations has listed Somalia as a country in which the use of child soldiers exists^[2]. Many youths join armed gangs and militia groups. Child labor or labour is the term for the employment of children. ... Trafficking in human beings (or human trafficking) involves the movement of people (mostly women and children) against their will by means of force for the purpose of sexual or labor exploitation. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The military use of children refers to children being placed in harms way in military actions, the desire being to protect a location or provide propaganda. ...

Persecution of Minorities

Discrimination against ethnic and religious minorities is a problem. In some areas gunmen have coerced minorities into forced labor. Intermarriage between minority groups and the ethnic Somali majority are outlawed, and they generally have restricted access to health care and education.

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External Links

Human rights in Africa

Human rights in: Algeria • Angola • Benin • Botswana • Burkina Faso • Burundi • Cameroon • Cape Verde • Central African Republic • Chad • Comoros • Democratic Republic of the Congo • Republic of the Congo • Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) • Djibouti • Egypt • Equatorial Guinea • Eritrea • Ethiopia • Gabon • The Gambia • Ghana • Guinea • Guinea-Bissau • Kenya • Lesotho • Liberia • Libya • Madagascar • Malawi • Mali • Mauritania • Mauritius • Morocco • Mozambique • Namibia • Niger • Nigeria • Rwanda • São Tomé and Príncipe • Senegal • Seychelles • Sierra Leone • Somalia • South Africa • Sudan • Swaziland • Tanzania • Togo • Tunisia • Uganda • Western Sahara (Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic) • Zambia • Zimbabwe The situation of human rights in Africa is generally reported to be highly mixed at best, and typically seen as an area of grave concern according to the UN, governmental, and non-governmental observers. ... The Western Sahara conflict has resulted in severe human rights abuses, most notably the displacement of around 200,000 Sahrawi civilians from the country. ...

Dependencies and other territories: British Indian Ocean Territory • Canary Islands • Ceuta • Melilla • Madeira Islands • Mayotte • Réunion • Saint Helena Dependent areas are territories that for some reason do not possess full political independence or sovereignty as states. ...

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