Shuro-Net Wellcomes Release of all Political Prisoners Detained in Somaliland

Written by SHURO-Net
Dec 18, 2007
On Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at 12:30 a.m, the Somaliland Human Rights Organisations' Network (SHURO-Net) learned, with delight that the government of Somaliland released from Mandhera Prison the three political prisoners

Dr. Mohamed Abdi Gaboose, Eng. Mohamed Hashi Elmi and Jamal Aydiid Warsame the leaders of the newly formed but unregistered Political Party called Qaran, who were imprisoned on 28 August 2007 at 8 a.m. in Hargeisa after the Somaliland government accused them the engaging in an illegitimate political activities because they have established an unlawful political party.

It was December 10th 2007, on the occasion of celebration of international human rights day when SHURO-Net requested the president of republic H.E. Daahir Rayaale Kaahin, to release the three political prisoners detained in Somaliland. Therefore we acknowledge that our government have accept our the voices of Somaliland human rights defenders and other civil society who were calling the government to release the political prisoners detained in Somaliland immediately and without condition.

The SHURO-Net welcomes this recent act of the Government of Somaliland and acknowledges it as an important development that has the potential to promote genuine democracy. We have always held the view that the release of all political prisoners was indispensable to genuine democratic and peace-building, in a country afflicted by deep wounds created by more than one decade of a brutal, civil and liberation wars in 1980s and early 1990s. This view is shared by many other Somalilanders and the entire international community. By taking this recent decision to release all political prisoners, especially this coming on the eve of the Holy Eid Al-Adxa occasion and the current international level discussions of Somaliland's recognition issue, particularly the discussions going on inside the administration of President of Bush concerning the recognition of the republic of Somaliland as an independent state, we believe that the Government of Somaliland is beginning to create a positive environment for a serious dialogue about the future of the country.

President Rayaale has indicated that releasing the political prisoners was a demonstration of his commitment to the democracy and peace building, and SHURO-Net is welcome this spirit.

The member organisations of SHURO-Net are now calling on the President H.E . Daahir Rayaale Kaahin to comprehensively deal with the other issues that still stand in the way of a serious dialogue about the future of our country. Abolishing the extra-judicial activities of Somaliland Security Committee who carryout regular arbitrary arrests of citizens, ensuring the freedom of the press, including the freedom to publish newspapers and other materials at independent printing facilities, allowing independent radios license to broadcast and ending the culture of impunity are clearly issues that stand out as impediments to a serious national dialogue.

Finally, SHURO-Net thanks to the international community, particularly Amnesty International, East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network, the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party (ELDR), United States of America and the European Union, the member organisations of SHURO-Net and Somaliland independent media, Somaliland traditional elders and all other individuals and institutions whose actions contributed to the release of all political prisoners detained in Somaliland.

Suleiman Ismail Bolaleh

Secretary General

SHURO-Net