Somalia: Urgent Human Rights Message to the Peace Talks in Kenya
As the Somali National Reconciliation Conference in Mbagathi, Nairobi draws nearer to establishing a Transitional
Federal Government after 13 years of unique state collapse and horrific factional violence, Amnesty International is
calling for human rights to be made a high priority from the start of the five-year transitional period.
The peace and reconciliation process in Mbagathi, Nairobi is now in the final phase of discussions on "power-sharing"
and formation of an inclusive Transitional National Assembly, which will elect a President who will appoint a Prime
Minister to form a government. The delegates at the peace talks, who include the armed faction leaders, are currently
selecting the Transitional National Assembly.
The establishment of a new Transitional Federal Government very soon - if not by the latest deadline of 31 July - and
its international recognition must make a real and immediate difference. Somalis have suffered enormously since the
state disintegrated in 1991 after the overthrow of the Siad Barre dictatorship. There must now be a clear end to the
arbitrary killings of civilians, kidnappings, rape and looting, which are still being carried out with total impunity by
faction militias and gunmen. The resumption of statehood must guarantee human rights and personal security for all
citizens, as they regain a recognized citizenship and return from isolation to the world community of nations.
A new government will be under obligation to respect the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international and
regional human rights treaties and conventions, particularly those signed by previous governments of Somalia.
Somalia's new government must be committed to human rights and make a clean break with the gross abuses of the past 30
years, even though some of the perpetrators are still dominating the power-sharing. New human rights abuses must not be
tolerated and those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity, committed in the past, must be held
accountable.
Those entrusted with the responsibilities of government in the transitional period should make clear and public
commitments to promote and protect human rights. New conflicts between local communities, clans or regions must be
prevented. New violence and abuses must not be tolerated.
Despite humanitarian disaster, chronic clan-based warlordism, economic breakdown and destruction of most infrastructure,
there are signs of hope in what is one of the least-developed countries of the world. Through their own resources and
minimal international assistance, civil society groups including human rights organizations working under dangerous
conditions have supported a momentum towards reconstituting government structures and progress towards the rule of law
and justice for all. There is widespread public support for the creation of a strong and independent National Human
Rights Commission.
The role of human rights defenders must be recognized and respected by the new authorities. They are vital to build a
human rights culture to protect all citizens - particularly the vulnerable categories of women, minorities and children
- and support their rights and freedoms.
Amnesty International is appealing to the international community to give firm and generous support for human rights and
reconstruction in Somalia. Human rights must be prominent in donor assistance strategies, particularly to respond
rapidly to civil protection needs in the first few months of a new government. A UN human rights adviser for Somalia is
urgently needed. Measures should be taken to implement the frequently-violated UN arms embargo and disband faction
militias. Child soldiers should be demobilized and rehabilitated.
State collapse in Somalia led to serious international and regional insecurity and huge refugee flows and internal
displacement. Amnesty International calls for an immediate halt to the forced return of rejected asylum seekers to the
south. Two people forcibly returned to Mogadishu recently were reportedly killed. Conditions for safe return and
sustainable livelihood for refugees will require major improvements in security, safe humanitarian access and
substantial post-conflict reconstruction.
Background
These difficult peace talks - the 14th attempt, held by the regional Inter Governmental Authority for Development (IGAD)
- began in October 2002. A ceasefire declaration signed by the warring parties that month has been constantly violated.
A Transitional Charter for the Somali Republic was adopted in February 2004, aiming "to foster reconciliation, national
unity and good governance". It contains important provisions for human rights and the rule of law, guaranteeing
separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary. Chapter Five on "Protection of the Fundamental Rights and
Freedoms of the People" proclaims the equality of citizens before the law; the rights to life, personal liberty and
security; fair trial rights, including the right to be brought before a court within 48 hours of arrest; the right to
form political parties (except for any of "a military character or tribal character"), trade unions and social
organizations, including human rights organizations; the rights to assemble, demonstrate and strike; and the right to
freedom of opinion and expression, including the freedom of the press.
61 seats in the 275-seat interim parliament go to each of the four clans, to be divided out according to clan
sub-divisions. 31 seats (half of each clan allocation) go to the unarmed minorities.12% of all seats will be distributed
to women in each group. Although these allocations represent advances for the rights of women and minorities, much more
determined action is still needed to stop discrimination and violence against women and minorities.
Currently in the south there is a transitional government controlling only part of the capital of Mogadishu; rival armed
clan-based factions control other areas. There are few local administrative or judicial structures. The more stable
Puntland regional state government in the northeast is participating in the peace process. In the northwest the
self-proclaimed and well-established Somaliland government is boycotting the process and pursuing its demand for
recognition of its de facto independence.
View all documents on Somalia at http://amnesty-news.c.topica.com/maacur5aa8JQGbb0hPub/