7/11 Crime requires the urgent attention and intervention of Human Rights defenders

[djibsomali]

Press Release: 7/11 Crime requires the urgent attention and intervention of Human Rights defenders

7/11 is a sad day for all peace-loving people. On July 11, 2009 four highly respected Awdalians who were traveling on the highway between Hargeisa and Borama were murdered and their bodies mutilated savagely. It was a terrible political misadventure that was intended to create tensions and unleash vicious animosity between two neighboring communities. It was a premeditated murder, with deliberate intent to disrupt and undermine the peace and stability of the region, the only two achievements that Somaliland sells to the international community. Indeed, this is a gross violation of human rights that requires the urgent attention and intervention of all Human Rights Defenders.

In essence, the perpetrators failed to achieve their primary goal of deadly civil strife because of the resiliency, political maturity, and peace-loving nature of the targeted communities. The perpetrators, however, succeeded in cutting short the promising lives of four innocent travelers, thus shattering the hopes, dreams and aspirations of victims’ families. The families of the victims are in bewilderment and still in shock. They are asking why their loved ones were murdered and why justice is not served to date. They just want justice and closure, not revenge.

For eight months, all sectors of the government including the law enforcement agencies are conspicuously silent about this heinous crime and business is as usual in Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland. The government is either unwilling to discharge its responsibility or too weak to execute its basic duties under the law of the state. They did not even bother to comment on recent reports about the arrest of two suspects in the 7/11 crime. The legislature is mired in division and inner power struggle that brought all their basic functions, and day to day work to a halt. The political parties are engaged in petty bickering and chose to use this unprecedented crime as a tool to advance their political agendas. This is, indeed, an abysmal failure on the part of all the three branches of Somaliland government.

In Awdal and Salal regions, emotions are high, questions are being raised, closure is being sought, community is upset, and the victims’ families are still being condoled their tragic loss; while in Gabiley the perpetrators of 7/11 crime are being protected and shielded from apprehensions by the law enforcement authorities, in the name of a clan.

We urge all Somaliladers, including the Gabiley community, to rise above the tribal arrogance that promotes internecine fighting and help not hinder the government in arresting the 7/11 criminals. Their cooperation with the authorities in this matter will certainly lead to good

citizenry, success, peace and tranquility in the region as well as sound neighborly relationship among the communities.

To our disappointment, the Human Rights Watch, which as we understand advocates, promotes and protects human rights did not heed to our earlier pleas for intervention and investigation of the 7/11 crime. We strongly believe that it is high time for all Human Rights organizations, both international and local, to give immediate attention to the plight of the victims’ families, and call for justice to be done without further delay.

In the meantime, we would like to renew our call to remember the victims of 7/11 and to:

1)

Appeal for all Human Rights Defenders to intervene in the 7/11 case and demand justice to be served without further delay.

2)

Demand in no uncertain terms that all the culprits of this heinous crime be brought to justice immediately.

3)

Ask opposition parties to help the government in apprehending the criminals of the 7/11 massacre.

4)

Urge all the three branches of Somaliland government to take the necessary precautionary measures that will prevent recurrence of similar violence in future anywhere in Somaliland.

Finally, in this moment of grieve, we remember and honor the lives of the four highly respected citizens whose lives were cut short by known criminals; and urge all peace- loving people to pray and pay their tribute to Ali Aw Omer Bare, Daud Hashi Jama, Mowlid Hassan Omer and Ali Mohamed Nur, the victims of 7/11 crime.

Adal Resources and Development Assistance Association (ARDAA)

Web: www.ardaa.org

Contact E-mail: info@ardaa.org

March 11, 2010

ARDAA is non-profit, community based umbrella organization established in 2007 in North America to support socio-economic development projects in the Adal regions, coordinate resources and efforts through fundraising, training, capacity building, leadership development, public relations and advocacy.

 

[ March 17, 2010, 12:19 AM: Message edited by: Libaax-Sankataabte ]

[xiinfaniin]

Ururka Xiddigo kama daalo inuu toosh afar qaada ku ifiyo nimankii ikhyaarta dilay ee Reer Gebiley

[Saalax]

Djibsomali, some of the killers have already been caught so give it a rest and stop stiring trouble between the people of somaliland.

[djibsomali]

Originally posted by Sacad *Ducaale:

Djibsomali, some of the killers have already been caught so give it a rest and stop stiring trouble between the people of somaliland.

unfortunatly Sacad the good people like you are getting rare in that land.

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

When wil this calacaal stop, get over it

[The Zack]

^why don't u get over with the calaacal of samatar?

[Qudhac]

djibsomali

 

you are right those that commited those cowardly murderers should be brought to book, some have been caught and others are as you say are hiding in their local tribes.

 

but you cannot use these horrible murders as political tool if you really cared about those victims you wouldnt use them this way to bash somaliland or certain tribes it just show your a hypocrite like all those others who use tragic incidents to bash others .

[RedSea]

You have to admit though this Djibouti guy is very persistent. I'm sure every Somalilander shares the same sentiments when I say criminals have no place in society. They need to face justice.

[RedSea]

Originally posted by The Zack:

^why don't u get over with the calaacal of samatar?

ONLF should also lay off the ocaden thingy and put down their arms and join the Federal government of Ethiopi, in the spirit of Forget and forgive right?

[The Zack]

^The ONLF are fighting against an occupation that is hapenning today, if SNM were doing the same I wouldn't blame them. The SNM shouldn't be worrying too much about the past. Like xaaji xunduf suggested, get over with it. and move on.

[Koora-Tuunshe]

The mastermind behind this dacwad thing is Ethiopia according to some family friends of Ali Samatar. Marka ma is oran karnaa Cali Samatar wuxuu usii ekaanayaa muwaadin dhab ah?

[Jacaylbaro]

Muwaadin dhab ah ,,,, looooooooooooooool

[Abtigiis]

The SNM was engaged in legitimate struggle although their accounts of the level of oppression and the number of people killed by Siyad's army is grossly exaggerated.

 

They also brutally killed two of my cousins whom they accused of being the "dangerous Shiish-wanaag", who were fiercly pro-government. Yet, I don't think it is right to indict their leaders, with the exception of Mohamed Kain and few others for crimes they commited while they were senior army officers in Siyaad's government against SSDF supporters.

[Kool_Kat]

Originally posted by The Zack:

^why don't u get over with the calaacal of samatar?

OMG!!! That nearly killed me...Waxaan maqli jiray 'qofkaa gambar jinkiis ah baa lagu fariisiyay'...

[The Zack]

KK, LOOOOOOOOOOL ninkaan sheeko caato ah buu noola imaaday, calaacalka dhaaf kulahaa when it is HE who always talks about 1988 iyo wax lasoo dhaafay.