Baraawe Human Rights Protection has conducted a thorough investigation into the alarming case of Muna Ibrahim Abiikar, a former member of the Somali Federal Parliament, who has been unjustly imprisoned in Mogadishu’s central prison for over three years. This situation marks a severe violation of human rights that demands urgent international attention. Considering our communications with Muna’s family, who asked that the court allow this case to be publicly broadcasted, we regret to report that their requests were rejected without any details about the refusal of this unjust case against Muna.
Furthermore, Muna’s case was continued with and concluded in a closed courtroom, denying her fundamental right to a public hearing. Moreover, her lawyer confirmed to Baraawe Human Rights Protection investigators via WhatsApp on 14 August 2024 that this is the “worst unjust case. We have therefore concluded this report and are calling upon the Minister of Justice and Constitution of the Federal Government of Somalia to take immediate action to rectify this injustice. It is also important to mention that Muna’s case has been raised in the Somali lower house parliament meetings on several occasions by members of parliament, including MP Amine and MP Luul. Unfortunately, the issue was not given the necessary attention. After a thorough investigation by Baraawe Human Rights Protection, we found the following: The Speaker of the Somali Federal Parliament, Aden Mohamed Nor, is aware of the Muna Ibrahim Abiikar case through Dahir Sheikh Ahmed, who is currently the Speaker’s personal driver. The Parliament Speaker is a member of the Himilo Qaran party and is a friend of former President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, who is involved in Muna’s case. Amine Hassan Goyle, the Minister of State for the Ministry of Women and Human Rights Development, is the wife of the Somali Federal Parliament Speaker. Muna has been held in a arbitrary detention without any credible evidence presented against her, contravening her basic human rights and infringing upon the Somali constitution, particularly: – Article 34: Access to Courts- Every person is entitled to file a legal case before a capable court. Every individual has the right to a fair public hearing by an independent and impartial court.
The state shall provide free legal defence for those unable to afford it. Article 35: The Right of the Accused. The accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Every person arrested or detained shall be informed promptly of the reasons for their arrest. The accused has the right to legal counsel, a fair trial, and cannot be kept in illegal detention. Somalia’s provisional federal constitution explicitly prohibits arbitrary arrest and detention, yet Muna’s case exemplifies a troubling disregard for these fundamental rights. Her arbitrary detention is emblematic of authoritarian regimes, serving as a means of political intimidation. Such actions not only violate human rights but also erode public trust in the institutions essential for maintaining a safe and open society. Muna was beaten and tortured by the Somali CID securities, and she sustained injuries on her face to force her sign a document to accept her arrest and the case against her, but she declined to sign any documents as she was kept in the CID centre for some time before taken to Mogadishu central prison. Muna was illegally arrested in August 2021 Moreover, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, particularly Articles 1 to 11, has also been violated in Muna’s case, further highlighting the severity of this situation. In addition, Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights underscores the importance of a fair trial: 1. In the determination of her civil rights and obligations or of any criminal charge against anyone, everyone is entitled to a fair and public hearing within a reasonable time by an independent and impartial tribunal proved by law.
HOW MUNA CASE BEGAN
The troubling circumstances surrounding Muna’s imprisonment began when she lent Dahir Sheikh Ahmed $27,000. Reports show that Muna’s car was taken by men employed by Dahir, and her gold was also seized by security forces led by him. Furthermore, Dahir reportedly proposed marriage to Muna, which she declined. Following her refusal, she was forcibly taken from her home by Dahir, who falsely claims that he owes her $492,000. Complicating matters further, credible reports suggest that Amine Hassan Goyle, the Minister of State for the Ministry of Women and Human Rights Development, has intervened in this case due to political rivalry, as Muna was a competitor for the parliamentary seat in Afgooye. Dahir’s lack of substantiating evidence and the alleged familial connections between judges from the Banadir Regional Court and Dahir raise serious concerns about the integrity of the judicial process. Additionally, there have been threats against Muna’s family, indicating a sinister motive behind her continued detention. This political vendetta even implicates former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, who sought Muna’s support during his campaign. Following her refusal to help him, she was abruptly abducted and arrested. Despite having been sentenced to 2.5 years, that term has expired without any evidence being presented, leaving Muna still imprisoned a clear sign that her detention is politically motivated. We, the community of Afgoye and Muna Ibrahim Abiikar’s family, call on international human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, as well as the UK and US ambassadors in Mogadishu, to intervene and advocate for Muna’s release and the restoration of her rights. This ongoing oppression is intolerable and must be halted. We urge all Somali citizens, journalists, and media nationally and internationally to rally in support of Muna Ibrahim Abiikar and the pursuit of justice.
This report is shared local and international human rights Thank you for your attention and support. On behalf of the family of Muna Ibrahim Abiikar, Afgoye District Community Baraawe Human Rights Protection Legal Team A Nurain Executive Director-Baraawe Human Rights Protection legal team.
A Nurain Executive Director-Baraawe Human Rights Protection
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