Resolution on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders in Somalia

We, the participants meeting at the NGO Forum preceding the 41st Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights at the Coconut Groove Hotel in Accra, Ghana on 12 -14 May 2007,

Considering that Somalia is party to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, has adopted all the international and regional instruments for the protection of human rights and humanitarian law which were ratified and domesticated by the Democratic Republic of Somalia.

Further considering Somalia’s obligations under the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognised Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders), particularly to ensure the rights of human rights defenders to assemble, associate, express themselves and participate in the government of the country and the conduct of public affairs;

Concerned by the recent events in which human rights defenders including journalists have been subjected to extra-judicial executions;

Deeply concerned by the continued human rights and humanitarian crisis caused by the invention of Ethiopian troops into Somalia without the authorization of UN and AU Peace and Security Council.

Noting that harassment and intimidation of Human Rights Defenders including the journalists and effects on the free flow of information from Somalia and complete silencing of the voices of the frontline human rights defenders thereto.

Hereby resolve to call upon the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to adopt a Resolution:

1. Condemning the increasing violence and human rights violations perpetrated against human rights defenders in Somali by the Transitional Federal Government and Ethiopian Occupying Forces;
2. Calling upon the Transitional Federal Government and Ethiopian Occupying Forces to desist from harassing, intimidating, assaulting, arresting, detaining and killing human rights defenders and members of Journalists groups who protect and promote the rights of human rights defenders;
3. Further calling the Transitional Federal Government to create a conducive environment for human rights defenders and journalists to conduct their work in Somalia.
4. Urging the Transitional Federal Government of Somali and Ethiopian Occupying Forces to comply with their obligations as contained in the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders and other international rights instruments.
5. Further urging the immediate withdrawal of the Ethiopian Occupying Forces from Somalia and the deployment of the remaining African Union Peace Keepers to avoid a security vacuum;
6. Reminding the African Union to encourage the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia to implement the recommendations of the African Commission.

Done in Accra, 14 May, 2007