Targeting Of Human Rights Organizations Network And Threats Against Its Director Mubarik Ibrahim Aar

Dr. Mubarik Ibrahim Aar

4 December 2007 - Front Line is deeply concerned following the targeting of the Somaliland Human Rights Organizations Network (SHURO-Net). SHURO-Net is an umbrella group of various human rights organizations, which operates in Somaliland. It has allegedly been taken over by government officials, compromising the independent work of SHURO-Net. Furthermore, threats have been made against the original members of SHURO-Net, particularly the Director Mubarik Ibrahim Aar.

Further Information

On 24 October 2007, an Extraordinary Assembly of SHURO-Net was held without a member of the elected Board of Directors present at the meeting. Abdillahi Aadan Cumar (Wayab), of SOLNA, the government news agency, was elected as the new Chairperson of the organization. The Deputy Minister of Justice, Minister and Director General of Family Affairs also attended the meeting and all three government officials made speeches at the Assembly. Also present were members of the SHURO organizations from the city of Borama, who stated that the city governor had threatened to close down their organizations if they did not attend.

On 31 October 2007, the Deputy Minister of Justice ordered the police to take over the offices of SHURO and recognized the administrative control of the illegally elected Board. On 3 November 2007, approximately 38 member organizations of SHURO-Net held a meeting, at which they recognized the Board elected in 2005, declared the assembly of 24 October illegal and condemned government interference in civil society organizations. The following day, SHURO-Net's Executive Director Mubarik Ibrahim Aar, was forcibly escorted to SHURO-Net's offices. The Deputy Minister of Justice, Chairman of the Human Rights Commission, the District Head of Police and other government officials were present at the offices and demanded that the director hand over control of the office and its contents.

On 8 November 2007, Mubarik Ibrahim Aar publicly resigned in protest at government interference in SHURO-Net. Since this time, his resignation has not been accepted. Apparently, he has been threatened on two separate occasions by the Deputy Minister of Justice that he will be punished if he does not cooperate with SHURO-Net. Threats have also been made against other against members of SHURO-Net, which have reportedly come both from the Ministry of Justice and the members of the 'new' SHURO Board.

Front Line is deeply concerned by governmental interference in the administration of SHURO-Net and threats made against Mubarik Ibrahim Aar. Front Line believes that the independence of civil society organizations and networks is integral to any democratic society, and fears that recent events in Somaliland are compromising the ability of SHURO-Net's member organizations to carry out their work in defense of human rights.

Take Action

Please take action on behalf of human rights defenders at risk in Somaliland.

Copy the letter enclosed and send it to the address provided.

Thank you for taking action on behalf of human rights defenders in Somaliland.

Target addresses:  

SOMALILAND MISSION
102 Cavel Street
London E1 2JA
UNITED KINGDOM

Letter:  

Your Excellency

I am deeply concerned following the targeting of the Somaliland Human Rights Organizations Network (SHURO-Net). SHURO-Net is an umbrella group of various human rights organizations, which operates in Somaliland. It has allegedly been taken over by government officials, compromising the independent work of SHURO-Net. Furthermore, threats have been made against the original members of SHURO-Net, particularly the Director Mubarik Ibrahim Aar.

On 24 October 2007, an Extraordinary Assembly of SHURO-Net was held without a member of the elected Board of Directors present at the meeting. Abdillahi Aadan Cumar (Wayab), of SOLNA, the government news agency, was elected as the new Chairperson of the organization. The Deputy Minister of Justice, Minister and Director General of Family Affairs also attended the meeting and all three government officials made speeches at the Assembly. Also present were members of the SHURO organizations from the city of Borama, who stated that the city governor had threatened to close down their organizations if they did not attend.

On 31 October 2007, the Deputy Minister of Justice ordered the police to take over the offices of SHURO and recognized the administrative control of the illegally elected Board. On 3 November 2007, approximately 38 member organizations of SHURO-Net held a meeting, at which they recognized the Board elected in 2005, declared the assembly of 24 October illegal and condemned government interference in civil society organizations. The following day, SHURO-Net's Executive Director Mubarik Ibrahim Aar, was forcibly escorted to SHURO-Net's offices. The Deputy Minister of Justice, Chairman of the Human Rights Commission, the District Head of Police and other government officials were present at the offices and demanded that the director hand over control of the office and its contents.

On 8 November 2007, Mubarik Ibrahim Aar publicly resigned in protest at government interference in SHURO-Net. Since this time, his resignation has not been accepted. Apparently, he has been threatened on two separate occasions by the Deputy Minister of Justice that he will be punished if he does not cooperate with SHURO-Net. Threats have also been made against other against members of SHURO-Net, which have reportedly come both from the Ministry of Justice and the members of the 'new' SHURO Board.

I am deeply concerned by governmental interference in the administration of SHURO-Net and threats made against Mubarik Ibrahim Aar. I believe that the independence of civil society organizations and networks is integral to any democratic society, and fear that recent events in Somaliland are compromising the ability of SHURO-Net's member organizations to carry out their work in defense of human rights.

I urge the Somaliland authorities to:

1. Cease all harassment of Mubarik Ibrahim Aar, as it is solely related to his legitimate and non-violent work in defense of human rights;

2. Immediately end their interference in the administration of SHURO-Net and recognize the legitimacy of the legally elected Board;

3.Desist from using threats to effect changes in civil society organizations such as SHURO-Net, and use their influence to ensure that there will be no further threats or intimidation against staff and member organizations of SHURO and the SHURO-Network of civil society movements and NGOs;

4. Ensure that all human rights defenders in Somaliland are free to carry out their legitimate and peaceful work in defense of human rights, without fear of intimidation or reprisal.

Yours sincerely

Source: Frontline Defenders