A report, prepared by Chris Mburu for the United Nations (OHCHR/UNDP-Somalia), sheds light on the shocking human rights violations that took place in Somaliland. This preliminary study is based on over 150 testimonies collected from various sources, including victims, families of victims, eyewitnesses, former soldiers, medical personnel, humanitarian workers, government officials, NGO leaders, human rights workers, internally displaced persons, refugees, and Somalilanders in the diaspora.
The consultant’s research uncovered a harrowing account of human rights abuses perpetrated by the Somalia government against the Isaaq people of Somaliland between May and July 1988. These violations violated international conventions and humanitarian law, suggesting that a genocide have taken place during this period. The report highlights the need for urgent action to address these atrocities.
The consultant recommends the creation of an international commission of inquiry to investigate past human rights abuses. This commission should be equipped with a strong forensic component and staffed by experienced human rights experts. It is crucial that this commission has adequate resources, mandate, and is gender-sensitive. To ensure justice and accountability, the United Nations is urged to take immediate action. This includes preserving existing evidence, undertaking short-term preliminary assessments, providing financial and training support for bodies within Somaliland, and increasing the monitoring capacity of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Somaliland.
The preliminary study’s revelations underscore the urgency for global intervention to address human rights atrocities. The Somalia government’s genocide against the Isaaq people must not be overlooked. Collective action is essential to support initiatives toward justice and accountability