London, May 12, 2007 (SL Times) – Reports are circulating about a possible demonstration by some in the UK Somaliland Diaspora against the Governments' delegation led by the Vice President Ahmed Yusuf Yasin in London.

Even though the delegation received warm welcome earlier, there are reports about some people who were working on holding demonstrations against the delegation. The people who want to demonstrate have complaints about illegal arrests of their parents in Somaliland.

Abdirahman Ismail Abdi, who is coordinator of the demonstration, published his views on a number of Somali websites. He said, "Even though I believe in commemorating Mother’s day everyday, I will not participate in the world mother day celebrations on 13 May. On the contrary,

I prefer to express my feeling in a peaceful protest against human rights violations by Somaliland’s government."

Also Asma Ismail who is one of the children whose mothers are in custody said, "I am one of Somaliland's most extreme nationalists, but I can't tolerate the illegal arrest of my mother who is in her late 70s and sick by the so call Security Committee".

Asma Added that, "I heard some people say that Somaliland will be recognized without respecting human rights, but it is just a dream.

On the contrary, it is better for the authorities to practice the law and respect the rights of the citizens".

The families preparing the demonstration against the government delegation are supported by their friends who are black and white. The Families had planned to demonstrate inside the Somaliland's independent ceremony both in London and Bristol.

The complaints that kindled the fire of protests are families whose relatives/parents were sent to jail by the Security Committee (SC).

This includes Shun Hirsi Gele who has been sent to Gabiley jail by the SC on 08/04/2007, and is still in custody there.

SC is an unconstitutional institution run by Somaliland’s government, and they send people to jail without court trial.

The Somaliland House of representatives cancelled the SC in 1999, but Somaliland government still runs it.

Sources have told the Somaliland Times that a letter of complaint against the Security Committees has been already sent to Somaliland's President Dahir Rayale Kahin and other international and national human rights organizations, like Somaliland Democracy Watch, Amnesty International, Europe Human right, Human rights worldwide, African

Faith Justice, UK Foreign and commonwealth office, EU's Human Rights and democratization policy, Ambassador Bob Dewar, British Embassy in Addis Ababa, and Kerry McCarthy MP.

Home | Contact us | Links | Archives