Recommendations of Human Rights Centre annual report on human rights situation in Somaliland

To the government

·         Eliminate all barriers against women’s political participation;

·         End discrimination against women in all fields including employment and politics;

·         Provide the girls legal protection from Female Gentile Mutilation/Cutting, school drop outs, early and forced marriage;

·         Give women access to justice and eradicate obstacles that obstruct women access to justice;

·          Allocate quota for women at the council of ministers and senior government positions;

·         Criminalize female gentile mutilation/cutting;

·         Prepare draft family law that protects women;

·         Outlaw clan elders interference in prosecution of gender based violence including rape cases and domestic violence; and support victims of rape and prosecute the perpetrators in accordance with formal law;

·         Enact law that gives women legal protection from domestic violence;

·         End the crackdown of the independent media;

·         Lift the suspension from the banned newspapers of Haatuf, Hubaal, Somaliland Times and the Independent;

·          Permit independent radio stations to operate in Somaliland;

·         Ensure the safety and the liberty of journalists;

·           Permit demonstrations and end use of force against demonstrators;

·         Hold the upcoming 2015 elections and do not seek extension;

·         Make the state media open for all the political parties in egalitarian manner;

·         Refrain using state funds in election campaigns;  

·         Change the Penal Code and the Criminal Procedure code which predate the constitution;

·         Take all necessary measures to uphold the independence and the impartiality of the judiciary, and publicly affirm the independence of the judiciary from the Ministry of Justice;

·         Refrain from interfering in the judiciary. The judiciary shall have separate budget that it manages and controls;

·         The pre-trial rights enshrined in the constitution and the other laws of Somaliland shall be strictly followed. The Police shall be trained on human rights and supremacy of the law. Due process of law shall be duly applied. The government shall take necessary steps to stop Police corruption and shall investigate allegations of corruption. The Police shall be under the jurisdiction of the civilian law. The government shall establish independent committee that investigates the actions of Rapid Reaction Unit. The Unit shall be under the laws of Somaliland and shall respect the constitution. The Police particularly RRU shall stop invading the privacy of the people. The government shall set independent committee that investigates allegations of torture;

·         Withdraw the oppressive anti-terrorism law submitted to the parliament;

·         Review all the convictions of capital punishment and amend the Penal Code to reconsider the capital punishments;

·         Refrain from extraditing Somaliland citizens to another country, and return Abdilahi Sheikh Ibrahim who was extradited to Djibouti;

·         Do not deport persons to places that they may face persecution and human rights abuses;

·          Put an end the discrimination against minority clans and ensure that they are treated equally;

·         Take the responsibility of safeguarding the rights of children, and take necessary measures to protect the rights of children; stop child labor, and practice the best interest of the child;

·         Extend support and protection to the IDPs and refugees;

·         Establish ombudsman and anti-corruption commission;

·         End the discrimination and stigma against people living with HIV/AIDS.

   

To the House of Representatives:

·         Pass quota for women and minority clans;

·         Enact electoral laws for the elections of the House of Representatives and House of Elders;

·         Enact law that protects the people living with HIV/AIDS.

To the House of Elders

·         Refrain from postponing presidential and House of Representative elections;

·         Refrain extending your own term.

To the National Electoral Commission

·         Conduct fair and genuine voter registration;

·         Hold free and fair and genuine elections on time;

·         Carryout voter education program that is holistic and comprehensive so that all the citizens benefit from the awareness, particular attention shall be given to the rural and illiterate people who may not benefit from print media;

·         Electoral staff shall be trained as early as possible prior the election day so that they acquire the necessary skills and understanding.

To the political parties

·         Support quota for women and minority clans; 

·         Allocate more positions for women;

·         End the preference of male candidates over female candidates;

·         Enhance internal democracy within the political parties and develop culture of democracy based on non-discrimination.

To the civil society

·         Take active role in protecting, defending and promoting human rights;

·         Participate in the election observations to ascertain holding free and fair election;

·         Implement projects that are not entirely donor driven;

·         Be independent from the political contests and respect the neutrality of the nongovernmental organizations. 

To the donors 

·         Press Somaliland government to implement the recommendations stated in this report;

·         Avoid assisting law enforcement agencies that violate the rights of the people;

·         Ensure the government to uphold transparency and accountability. 

To the government of United Kingdom

·         Stop supporting Rapid Reaction Unit unless the unit respects the constitution and the other laws of the country;

·         Make sure your support to the law enforcement agencies does not harm.