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WardheerNews Calls for the Immediate Release of Political Prisoners
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The WardheerNews Editorial Board noted with serious concern and indignation the arrest of the top leaders of the emerging political organization “Qaran” on 28 July, 2007.
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By order of the Minister of Interior, the Somaliland police arrested and imprisoned the chairman of Qaran, Dr. Mohamed Abdi Gabose and his two deputies Eng. Mohamed Hashi Elmi and Jamal Aideed Ibrahim who were charged with the formation of an illegal organization and engaging in acts endangering public order and security. The three accused leaders who are currently under detention at the Mandera central prison will appear before the regional court for trial in the next few days.
The WardheerNews editorial board strongly and unreservedly condemns the arrest and detention of Qaran leaders and calls for their immediate and unconditional release. We believe that their imprisonment is wrong and a dangerous move on the part of Rayaale’s Administration as it jeopardizes the democratic process and political stability, which Somaliland has, enjoyed in recent years. Above all the arbitrary detention is clearly an unwarranted and blatant abuse of political power and a flagrant violation of the citizens’ fundamental rights of freedom of expression and association as provided in the constitution of Somaliland.
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Article 23 (3) of the Somaliland Constitution unmistakably states: "All citizens shall have the right to form, in accordance with the law, political, educational, cultural, social, occupational or employees' associations". Indeed, the Somaliland Lawyers Association (SOLA) and other like minded Groups and Organizations have issued a forceful Statement on the subject emphasizing the illegality of the measures taken against the accused individuals while they also declared and reaffirmed in no uncertain terms the legitimacy of Qaran as a political Organization which is entitled to be registered and accorded full recognition in conformity with the relevant provisions of the Somaliland Constitution which is the supreme Law of the land. Any different interpretation of the constitutional provisions on the matter would be untenable and a mockery of the basic norms of justice and accepted human rights principles.
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It has come to the notice of WardheerNews that the Rayaale administration on the, 4th August, 2007 extended the period of detention by an additional week. This is a delaying tactic, which is politically motivated; it is unjustified and most regrettable “justice delayed is justice denied”.
It is time for the leadership of the House of Representatives to convene a joint Emergency Session of Parliament to address the issue of the prolonged detention of the leaders of Qaran and stop the administration from imposing arbitrary restrictions which would infringe on any individuals democratic rights to freedom & justice before the situation gets out of hand.
