Civilian in
Puntland State Suffer Atrocities
(Bay Centre for Conflict Prevention/All Africa Global
Media via COMTEX)
"Bay Centre for Conflict Prevention" (BCCP)
The BCCP
monitoring officials deeply deplore the circumstances of the arrest,
intimidation, killings and ethnic cleansings of Puntland intellectuals,
traditional clan elders, political activists and civilian populations in
Puntland State of Somalia.
The militiamen of Col. Abdullahi Yousuf have caused untold hardships,
killings and atrocities among civilian populations in Bossasso, Qardo,
Garowe and Galkaio Cities of Puntland State of Somalia. The evil actions of
Col. Abdullahi Yousuf and his militiamen bring into serious question his
contempt to internationally recognized standards of human rights.
There are disturbing reports that Col. Yousuf's militiamen used force to
break up a peaceful demonstration in Bossaso City in direct violation of the
right to peaceful assembly guaranteed by the Puntland constitution. The
participants were protesting killings, ethnic cleansing, intimidation,
imprisonment and hyperinflation caused by militiamen of Col Yousuf in
Puntland State of Somalia. Over 100 demonstrators were reportedly arrested,
and at least 70 are still in custody.
Since June 2nd, Puntland intellectuals, civilian populations and traditional
clan elders are more and more experiencing atrocities, brutal campaign of
repression, imprisonment and assisantions by the forces of Col. Abdulahi
Yousuf.
On 17th August 2002, Suldaan Ahmed Mohamed Hurre, a well-know traditional
clan elder in Puntland State of Somalia and Somalia was deliberately shot
and brutally killed in front of his mother's house in Kalabayr village
between Garowe and Galkaio by the militiamen of Col. Abdullahi Yousuf.
Suldan Said Irbad, a well-respected traditional leader in Puntland, is under
arrest by the forces of Col. Yousuf in Bossasso and his health condition is
deteriorating. He is not allowed to receive appropriate medical treatment.
Col. Farah Dhere, a well-known businessman, was deliberately shot and killed
in Garowe few months ago by the militiamen of Col. Yousuf.
On June 5th 2002, Mr. Yousuf Abdiasis, President of East African University
in Bossasso City, is brutally beaten and forcefully taken from his home in
Bossasso City by militiamen of Col. Yousuf. No one can confirm if he is
alive.
The cases of Suldan Hurre, Suldan Irbad, Col. Farah Dhere, and Mr. Yousuf
Abdiasis are unfortunate examples of Col. Yousuf's continued disregard for
internationally-recognized human rights and for peace.
The Centre sends clear message to warlord Abdullahi Yousuf and his
militiamen who are collectively committing crimes against humanity in the
Puntland State of Somalia. Each of them is not immune from prosecution now
or in the future.
The Centre urges international human rights organization and international
community to bring warlord Yousuf to International Court of Criminals in
accordance with international human rights standards to prevent any
recurrence of such criminal activities in Somalia. The BCCP urges that all
those arrested to be released unconditionally. The BCCP also urges warlord
Yousuf and his militiamen to respect the rights of civilian and desist from
willful targeting of Puntland intellectuals, clan elders and civilian
populations in Puntland regions, and to live up to international human
rights standards.
The Centre has raised its concern and is closely continuing to monitor evil
activities of Col. Yousuf in the Puntland State of Somalia and their
implication for the stability of region and Somalia at large.
Source: Copyright Bay Centre for Conflict Prevention. Distributed by All
Africa Global Media
Posted on
Friday 23rd August at 8:06:25
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