Abdiaziz Abdinur Ibrahim controversy

Last updated
Location of Mogadishu. So-map.png
Location of Mogadishu.

The Abdiaziz Abdinur Ibrahim controversy began in February 2013 when journalist Abdiaziz Abdinur Ibrahim interviewed Lul Ali Osman, who claimed that she was raped by government security forces while living in an internally displaced peoples camp in Mogadishu, Somalia. The two were arrested, tried, and sentenced to a year in prison for having allegedly fabricated the story. The trial was described by some human rights groups as politically motivated. [1] Osman was later in the month acquitted following an appeal, and Ibrahim's sentence was reduced to six months. [2] It was concurrently announced that an Independent Task Force on Human Rights had been established, which would review his case to see if due process has been followed. [3] Ibrahim was released from detention the following month, on 17 March 2013. [4]

Contents

Incidents

In December 2012, Lul Ali Osman, a 27-year-old mother, claimed to have been gang-raped earlier that year by five security officers employed by the government. [5] [6] The police commissioner, General Sharif Shekuna Maye, stated that there was no evidence that Osman had been raped and dismissed the story as "propaganda". [7] On 6 January 2013, local reporter Abdiaziz Abdinur Ibrahim interviewed Osman regarding her story. [6]

On 10 January 2013, Colonel Abdullahi Hassan Bariise, the head of Somalia's Criminal Investigation Department (CID), detained Osman and used her phone to contact Ibrahim. Upon being interrogated at the CID, Ibrahim admitted to having interviewed Osman, and was detained. [5] A week later, Maye held a press conference in which he charged that Ibrahim had been involved with an Al Jazeera report on sexual violence in IDP camps in the capital. Human Rights Watch asserted that Ibrahim had no connection with Al Jazeera and had not published any of his findings, [6] [8] as did Al-Jazeera. [6]

Ibrahim was charged with "insulting state institutions", and Osman was charged with "insulting a political body". [9] The trial began on 2 February in a court in Mogadishu. The prosecution called upon a midwife who testified that Osman had not been raped. The defense was not permitted to present witnesses or medical evidence to the court. [10] On 5 February, the defendants were sentenced to a year in prison. [11] Osman's sentence was deferred until she had completed breastfeeding her child. [12]

After the sentencing, Kulmiye Radio journalist Daud Abdi Daud spoke out in court, arguing that reporters should have the right to interview other citizens. When he reportedly claimed that he would seek to interview the president's wife, he was arrested. [12] [13] Daud was released after a week in custody. [14]

Ibrahim and Osman appealed their conviction, and appeared in a court in Banaadir on 20 February. Judge Hassan Mohamed Ali heard evidence from their defense attorney, Mohamed Ibrahim, before adjourning the court for one week. [15] On 3 March, Judge Ali upheld Abdiaziz Ibrahim's conviction, stating that he "misled the alleged rape victim into the interview", [16] but reduced his sentence from one year to six months. [17] The court ruled that there was insufficient evidence to convict Osman, and declared her not guilty. [2]

Responses

The National Union of Somali Journalists protested the detention of Ibrahim, [18] and described his upheld conviction as "unjust". [16] Audrey Gaughran, Africa program director at Amnesty International, said that the manner in which the case was handled "risks discouraging victims of rape and other forms of sexual violence and the media from talking about this taboo subject". [8] Daniel Bekele, Africa director of Human Rights Watch, stated that the trial was "flawed by serious violations of due process" and that it suggested the Somali government was "more concerned with deflecting criticism than protecting ordinary citizens." [10] When Ibrahim's conviction was upheld, Bekele said that "the court of appeals missed a chance to right a terrible wrong". [16]

Navi Pillay, the United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights, said that it is "deeply disturbing that a woman alleging rape can be penalized for reporting such a crime, and a journalist jailed for investigating it." [19] UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon issued a statement expressing his disappointment regarding the sentences given to Ibrahim and Osman. [20]

Abdi Farah Shirdon, Somalia's Prime Minister, commented on the issue, saying that he would not intervene because the judiciary and the executive are independent branches of government. He described the work of journalists as "essential", and urged the courts to follow due process throughout the proceedings. [13] After the appeal verdict was announced and Osman was released, Shirdon praised the decision, remarking that "we are a step closer to justice being done." He also indicated that although Ibrahim's sentence was reduced to six months, he had ultimately hoped for the journalist's release since he believed that Ibrahim was simply reporting a story and since freedom of expression is guaranteed in the constitution. [21]

Task Force

Concurrent with the Ibrahim affair, Prime Minister Shirdon launched an Independent Task Force on Human Rights in February 2013 in order to firm up on the protection of individual rights. [3] [13] The 13-member committee of volunteers was formed after extensive consultations with civil society groups and the Speaker of Parliament, Mohamed Osman Jawari. Chaired by prominent human rights attorney Maryam Yusuf Sheikh Ali, one of four women on the panel, the Task Force includes an educator, a peace activist, leaders of Somali women's organizations, senior police officers, a humanitarian campaigner, a religious leader, and a media representative. It is tasked with investigating allegations of human rights abuses and journalist intimidation, including the Ibrahim case in Mogadishu, which it will review to see if due process has been followed. At the end of its three-month mandate, the committee is scheduled to publish a report on its findings and recommended courses of action. The Task Force will eventually give way to a permanent parliamentary Human Rights Commission, which will have the capacity to investigate allegations over a longer period. [3]

Release

On 17 March 2013, Somalia's apex court released Ibrahim from prison and dropped all charges against him. Judge Aydeed Abdulahi Ilkahanaf cited lack of evidence as the reason for the acquittal. Upon his release, Ibrahim stated "I am happy that I got my freedom back and I thank all those who took part in the effort to bring a just end to this case particularly my lawyers and colleagues." [4]

In 2014, Ibrahim was one of three winners of the Oxfam Novib/PEN Award. The prize is annually presented to recognize writers who have been persecuted for their work and continue working despite the consequences. [22]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South West State of Somalia</span> Federal member state of Somalia

The South-West State of Somalia, is a Federal Member State in southwestern Somalia. It was founded by Hasan Muhammad Nur Shatigadud, leader of the Somalia RRA on 1 April 2002. It was the third autonomous region to be established.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Human rights in Somalia</span> Overview of human rights in Somalia

Human rights in Somalia throughout the late 20th-century and early 21st-century were considered dire, but have gradually improved over the following years. Human rights are guaranteed in the Federal Constitution, which was adopted in August 2012. They fall under the Ministry of Human Rights established in August 2013. The central authorities concurrently inaugurated a National Human Rights Day, endorsed an official Human Rights Roadmap, and completed Somalia's first National Gender Policy.

The AIRE Centre is an English registered charity, with offices located in London. It provides free legal advice on human rights and EU law issues in Europe, and seeks to promote the dissemination of information about international human rights law throughout Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mass media in Somalia</span> Somalia mass media

Mass media in Somalia includes various radio, television, print and internet outlets. The federal government operates two official radio and TV networks, which exist alongside a number of private and foreign stations. Print media in the country is progressively giving way to news radio stations and online portals, as internet connectivity and access increases. In February 2013, the Ministry of Information, Posts and Telecommunication also launched a broad-based consultative process for the reformation of media legislation.

The 2008 Battle of Mogadishu began when Ethiopian soldiers started entering insurgent-held parts of the city which sparked heavy street fighting. Between 126 and 142 people died in the fighting. The battle usually includes the date, when referenced, in order to distinguish it amongst the nine major Battles of Mogadishu during the decades long Somali Civil War.

Mustafa Haji Abdinur is a Somali journalist and radio correspondent. He was awarded a CPJ International Press Freedom Award by the Committee to Protect Journalists in 2009.

The Muna Hotel in the Somali capital of Mogadishu was attacked by al-Shabaab fighters on 24 August 2010. The hotel was known to host government officials and other politicians. More fighting in the city began on 23 August.

The Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) is the internationally recognised government of Somalia, and the first attempt to create a central government in Somalia since the collapse of the Somali Democratic Republic. It replaced the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia on 20 August 2012 with the adoption of the Constitution of Somalia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hassan Sheikh Mohamud</span> President of Somalia 2012–2017, since 2022

Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is a Somali politician who has served as the president of Somalia since May 2022. He is the founder and current chairman of the Union for Peace and Development Party. He was indirectly elected as President of the Federal Republic of Somalia on 15 May 2022, defeating the incumbent president Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmajo. He previously served in the same position as the 8th president of Somalia from 2012 to 2017. A civil and political rights activist, Hassan was previously a university professor and dean at SIMAD University, which he co-founded.

Oxfam Novib/PEN Award for Freedom of Expression is a literary award made in collaboration with PEN International Writers in Prison Committee, the PEN Emergency Fund, and Oxfam Novib. The award is to recognize writers who have been persecuted for their work and continue working despite the consequences. Honorees receive €2,500.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abdi Farah Shirdon</span>

Abdi Farah Shirdon is a Somali businessman, economist and politician. He served as the Prime Minister of Somalia between October 2012 and December 2013. Shirdon is credited with having overseen significant development in social services and the national budget, as well as improving local security.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stoning of Aisha Ibrahim Duhulow</span> Public execution of a Somali girl

The stoning of Aisha Ibrahim Duhulow was a public execution carried out by the Al-Shabaab militant group on 27 October 2008 in the southern port town of Kismayo, Somalia. Duhulow's father and aunt stated that she was a 13-year-old girl and that she had been arrested and stoned to death after trying to report that she had been raped. Initial reports had stated that Duhulow was a 23-year-old woman found guilty of adultery; she was, however, under the age of marriage eligibility. The execution took place in a public stadium attended by about 1,000 bystanders, several of whom attempted to intervene but were shot by the militants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015 timeline of the Somali Civil War</span>

This is a 2015 timeline of events in the Somali Civil War (2009–present).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fahad Yasin Haji Dahir</span> Somali civil servant and journalist

Fahad Yasin Haji Dahir,, commonly known only as Fahad Yasin, is a Somali civil servant and politician, as well as a former journalist. He was also the campaign manager for Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed "Farmaajo" in the 2017 elections. After the elections, he was appointed Chief of Staff for Villa Somalia and then Director General of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA). Farmaajo subsequently appointed him as his national security advisor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">14 October 2017 Mogadishu bombings</span> Terrorist attacks in Somalia

On 14 October 2017, two truck bombings took place in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, killing at least 587 people and injuring 316 others. Almost all of the casualties were caused by one of the trucks, which detonated when the driver, while attempting to escape from security officials, crashed through a barrier and exploded in the Hodan District, destroying a hotel. The intended target of the attack is believed to have been a secure compound housing international agencies and troops. The second blast happened close by, killing two people. A third explosives-laden truck was captured by police.

In Somalia, freedom of speech and freedom of the media is guaranteed under the Somali Constitution established when the Federal Government was established in 2012. However, while there are swathes of blogs along with nearly 100 established media outlets, the culture of journalism has been violated with violence, arbitrary arrests, persecution, and suppression of the media.

Abdiaziz Mohamud Guled, also known Abdiaziz Afrika professionally as Thatjama, is a prominent Somali journalist. Born in Mogadishu, But Based in London, Guled was initially known for his work in private radio and television stations prior to joining Somali National Television and Radio around 2009. In November 2020, Guled was appointed director of the Somali federal state-run Radio Mogadishu, a position he held until his assassination in 20 November 2021.

References

  1. ↑ Guled, Abdi (6 February 2013). "Somali court gives jail sentences to rape victim, reporter". Boston Globe. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  2. 1 2 Ahmed, Abdalle & Smith, David (3 March 2013). "Somali woman wins appeal against sentence for claiming soldiers raped her". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 "Somali PM launches Human Rights Task Force". Xikmo. 6 February 2013. Archived from the original on 12 April 2013. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
  4. 1 2 "Somalia apex court frees jailed journalist". Zee News. 18 March 2013. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
  5. 1 2 Roble, Muhyadin Ahmed (22 February 2013). "A nation weeps for jailed 'rape victim'". Daily Nation. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Somalia: Journalist Arrested for Interviewing Reported Rape Victim". Nairobi: AllAfrica.com. 11 January 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  7. ↑ Greste, Peter (24 January 2013). "Somalia urged to free detained journalist". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  8. 1 2 "Somalia: Free Journalist, Others Unlawfully Detained". Human Rights Watch. 23 January 2013. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  9. ↑ "Somali journalist charged over rape report". Al Jazeera. 31 January 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  10. 1 2 "Somalia: Woman Alleging Rape, Journalist Convicted". Human Rights Watch. 5 February 2013. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  11. ↑ McKenzie, David & Karimi, Faith (6 February 2013). "Somali woman who alleged rape sentenced to one year". CNN. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  12. 1 2 "Somalia: Second Journalist Detained Without Charge". Nairobi: Human Rights Watch. 11 February 2013. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  13. 1 2 3 Guled, Abdi (6 February 2013). "Rights group: Somali journalist detained for speaking about imprisonment of a fellow journo". Associated Press. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
  14. ↑ "Somali journalist freed after a week in custody". Mogadishu: The Guardian. 13 February 2013. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  15. ↑ "Somalia: Court Hears 'Rape Case' Appeal, Adjourns Until Next Week". AllAfrica.com. 20 February 2013. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  16. 1 2 3 "Somalia court reduces journalist's sentence". Al Jazeera. 3 March 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  17. ↑ "Somalia: Woman Alleging Rape Cleared, Journalist Convicted". Human Rights Watch. 3 March 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  18. ↑ "Somalia: Journalists Union Protests Detention of Reporter After Rape Interview". AllAfrica.com. 11 January 2013. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  19. ↑ "UN rights chief calls on Somalia to re-open case of reporter and alleged rape victim". UN News Centre. 6 February 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  20. ↑ "Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on Somalia" (Press release). United Nations. 5 February 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  21. ↑ "Somalia: Appeals court clears woman convicted in rape case that drew widespread condemnation". Washington Post. 3 March 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2013.[ dead link ]
  22. ↑ "Oksana Chelysheva, Dina Meza and Abdiaziz Abdinur Ibrahim win the 2014 Oxfam Novib/PEN International Free Expression Award". PEN International. 16 January 2014. Retrieved May 29, 2014.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.