Somalia: Crimes against humanity

[miles-militis]

The issue of crimes against humanity and “war criminals” in the case of Somalia has been so frequently raised, passionately debated, regularly approached and then shied away though it will have to be studied objectively sometime in the very near future all things being equal.

 

The question is whom do we (Somalis) consider a “war criminal”? Is there a definition in existence of what constitutes a war criminal in the Somali culture? Is this a new phenomenon, or had it existed before, what were the traditional and cultural modes of resolving such issues?

 

Are we to adopt the UN definition of crimes against humanity, or is a Somali definition needed? Who are the war criminals in the Somalis context? Before we get to the names of known individuals, could we objectively define what makes one a war criminal in relation to one’s deeds, attributes, nature of the felony in relation to the injured party, and most of all do we really have to have a criminal tribunal?

 

Cheers

[baazuuke]

i would consider all the leaders of armed factions whether in mogadishu, kismayo hargeisa, galkacyo or burco.

 

anything less would be unacceptable.

[miles-militis]

To push the discussion forward, let us look at the following definitions derived from the Control Council Law No. 10, Punishment of Persons Guilty of War Crimes, and Against Humanity, December 20, 1945 in relation to the present day situation in Somalia:

 

i) War Crimes. Atrocities or offences against persons or property, constituting violations of the laws or customs of war, including but not limited to, murder, ill treatment or deportation to slave labour or for any other purpose of civilian population from occupied territory, murder or ill treatment of prisoners of war or persons on the seas, killing of hostages, plunder of public or private property, wanton destruction of cities, towns or villages, or devastation not justified by military necessity.

 

ii) Crimes against Humanity. Atrocities and offences, including but not limited to murder, extermination, enslavement, deportation, imprisonment, torture, rape, or other inhumane acts committed against any civilian population, or persecutions on political, racial or religious grounds whether or not in violation of the domestic laws of the country where perpetrated … ”

 

Now based on the above definitions, who in the whole region of Somalia from Zaylac to RasHafun to RasCamboni committed acts of criminal nature, thus qualify to be called a war criminal including both the living and the dead?

 

Let us set up a scenario where we list possible names of people who might have committed acts of criminal nature, or are suspected of having committed such acts by region, and by era beginning after the Ethiopian/Somali war of 1977. Since the persons concerned have not been found guilty of any crime(s), perhaps we could refrain from branding them criminals until proven guilty of the said crimes(s). Suspects of criminal acts might suit better in the interim. And perhaps you could tell us why you believe one is a suspect of criminal acts.

 

Somaliland -

Puntland -

Southwest -

Banadir and its environs -

Juba -

 

So long!

[RaMpAgE]

I think the best solution is not too bring up this issue, the reason begin is that it wil creat more dilema, confusion and bad blood.

Almost everyone was involved in this genoiced by supporting a warlord.

Best solution would be too forgive and forget.

 

even tho i don't mind the internation crimanl court too bring those warlords too justice.

[miles-militis]

RaMpAgE – if we do not discuss, debate and analyse issues of concern such as crimes against humanity on a healthy discourse, in other words air our grievances in public forums not just for entertainment but for creating public awareness, do you suggest we simply slide it under the carpet as it were, and bring it all out in 10 years time for the mud to break loose all over again? I think not my old chap. Speaking of issues of this nature in public, objectively of course, is not only healthy but also a remedy of some sort.

 

Any person of position of power believed with supporting evidence permissible in a court room, and not assumed, to have abused authority entrusted with him/her ought to be named including generals in uniform who ordered the poisoning of the swamps and water wells in Mudug in the late 70s during the SSDF armed struggle, burning of entire villages, slaughtering, torturing, raping, confiscating properties, and mortifying civilians for their political beliefs and associations. Included also would be similar atrocities in Hargeysa and Burco during the SMN insurrections in the late 80s. Additional to the said crimes against humanity would be the resulting slaying of civilians in the early 90s in Banadir and its environs. Killings by the USC, and SNM loyalists and forces of civilians in Kismayo, Baydhabo and Mogadishu; Borama, Erigabo, Hargeysa, and Burco ought to be taken into account.

 

Forgive one another on a large scale for life to stay on course preferably yes, but never should we forget the atrocities and the genocide acts that had ravaged throughout the country as early as the mid 70s and as late as to the present.

 

I say names ought to be recorded for historical purposes if nothing else.

 

So long.