Report on Human Rights Defenders at Risk in Somalia
Introduction: This report sheds light on the grave dangers faced by human rights defenders (HRDs) in Somalia, particularly those engaged in women’s rights, environmental protection, Indigenous rights, and LGBTQI+ activism. These HRDs operate under the constant threat of violence, predominantly from the terrorist group Al-Shabaab, as well as from state-backed militias and hostile community elements. This report focuses on several HRDs at high risk, including cases of enforced disappearances, and provides recommendations for state action.
HRDs at Risk:
1. Cabdi Siciid: A Women’s Rights Defender (WRD) advocating against female genital mutilation (FGM) and the forced marriage of girls, particularly in rural areas of Somalia. Her activism has placed her life in danger, with threats from militant groups who perceive her work as a challenge to traditional and religious practices.
2. Abdullahi Xasan Cabdi: An Indigenous and environmental rights defender, Abdullahi operated in both urban and rural areas of Somalia, championing the protection of natural resources and Indigenous rights. Tragically, he went missing in an enforced disappearance in early 2023. His disappearance highlights the increasing targeting of environmental activists in Somalia.
3. Adam H: is a dedicated and unwavering advocate for environmental, Indigenous, minority rights and vulnerable groups. His efforts span both rural and urban landscapes, championing the causes of marginalized communities often overlooked by mainstream society. However, his deep commitment to these causes has come at great personal cost.
He has become a target of violent threats, reprisals and persecution, particularly from the extremist group Al-Shabab, whose radical ideology starkly contrasts with his values. His steadfast defense of children, women, indigenous peoples and other vulnerable groups has also drawn the ire of local militias, making him a symbol of resistance against oppression and extremism.
Beyond his advocacy, he has spearheaded critical initiatives aimed at rehabilitating former child soldiers. Working tirelessly to support their reintegration into society, offering them a path to healing and normalcy after the traumas of conflict.
This vital work, grounded in empathy and human rights, has further escalated the threats he faces from extremist groups like Al-Shabaab and local militias, as his efforts challenge the entrenched cycles of violence they seek to maintain.
4. Havsa A.: A climate activist and defender of Indigenous rights, Havsa has been at the forefront of advocacy for the preservation of Indigenous lands and environmental sustainability. She faces severe threats due to her activism and is constantly under the risk of violence from militant groups.
5. Zainab Abdisalan Farah: A Women Human Rights Defender (WHRD) engaged in LGBTQI+ rights activism, Zainab has been one of the most vocal advocates for marginalized groups in Somalia. Her activism has drawn death threats from various factions, particularly Al-Shabaab, which views LGBTQI+ rights as antithetical to their ideology.
Threats and Challenges: These HRDs face the possibility of death or enforced disappearance as a result of their peaceful activism. The principal aggressors are Al-Shabaab, though threats also emanate from state-supported militias and clan-based entities. Many of these HRDs have reported threats communicated via telecommunications platforms, with perpetrators having access to their personal data and locations, raising concerns about the role of telecommunication companies in facilitating such threats.
Challenges Facing Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) in Somalia
Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) in Somalia face numerous challenges that impede their work and put their lives in jeopardy. These obstacles, which arise from both the local and international context, make it difficult for HRDs to operate effectively. The key challenges include:
1. Insecurity: Somalia’s ongoing conflict, coupled with the presence of militant groups like Al-Shabaab, creates an extremely dangerous environment for HRDs. These groups target activists for promoting rights that challenge their ideological control, especially around women’s rights, LGBTQI+ issues, and environmental advocacy. Constant violence, the presence of armed factions, and bombings make the daily work of HRDs perilous.
2. Threats: HRDs in Somalia receive death threats, intimidation, and harassment from multiple actors, including terrorist militias, clan militias, and sometimes even state-backed militias. These threats are often communicated through social media, phone calls, and face-to-face encounters, leaving activists in constant fear for their safety. The risk of being killed, kidnapped, or forcibly disappeared is ever-present, as evidenced by cases like that of Abdullahi Xasan Cabdi, who was forcibly disappeared on October 7th, 2024.
3. Funding Restrictions: HRDs face significant financial challenges, as funding for human rights work in Somalia is limited. Many international donors are hesitant to invest in Somalia due to the insecurity and difficulty in monitoring how funds are utilized in such a volatile environment. This financial constraint limits HRDs’ capacity to carry out their work effectively and respond to emerging threats.
4. Lack of Protection: Somalia lacks robust legal frameworks and mechanisms to protect HRDs. State institutions either lack the capacity or the will to ensure the safety of activists. In many cases, state security forces have failed to intervene or offer protection to HRDs when threats have been reported, exacerbating the vulnerability of these individuals.
5. International Organizations and Embassies Operating from Nairobi: Many international organizations, embassies, and human rights groups operate out of Nairobi, Kenya, rather than Somalia, due to the severe security risks. This absence creates a significant gap in direct international support, monitoring, and response. As a result, HRDs in Somalia are left to fend for themselves with little immediate access to international protection mechanisms or diplomatic interventions.
6. Impunity: One of the greatest challenges HRDs face in Somalia is the culture of impunity. Attacks, threats, and forced disappearances of HRDs often go unpunished. Perpetrators, whether state actors, militias, or terrorist groups, are rarely held accountable, further emboldening them to continue targeting activists. The lack of legal recourse and justice compounds the risks faced by HRDs, deterring others from engaging in human rights work.
Methodology: This report is based on a compilation of data from various credible sources, including direct interviews with witnesses, state security apparatus, and local civil society organizations (CSOs). The verification process involved monitoring threat channels, such as social media platforms and telecommunications networks, as well as interviews with affected communities and HRDs themselves.
Recommendations:
1. Protection of Personal Data: The Somali state must take urgent measures to ensure that telecommunications corporations do not leak or provide personal data of HRDs to terrorist militias. Any such actions must be met with accountability and penalties to ensure the safety of activists.
2. Enforced Disappearance Response: In cases of enforced disappearance, such as that of Abdullahi Xasan Cabdi, the state and telecom corporations must collaborate with civil society and international human rights bodies to launch or help with thorough investigations and facilitate the safe return of missing HRDs.
3. Security Collaboration: The state should enhance its cooperation with CSOs and HRD organizations to ensure the protection of activists working in high-risk areas. This includes establishing emergency response protocols for HRDs facing immediate threats and creating safe reporting mechanisms for activists under attack.
4. International Support: The international community should pressure the Somali government to uphold its obligations to protect HRDs and ensure that telecommunication companies are regulated in a way that safeguards HRDs’ data. Further, international human rights organizations must be involved in investigating and addressing enforced disappearances.
Conclusion: The safety and well-being of HRDs in Somalia remain precarious, particularly as extremist groups and hostile factions continue to wield power in many regions. Immediate action by the Somali government, alongside international cooperation, is necessary to ensure the survival of these brave individuals who champion human rights for all.
HRDs in Somalia work in a highly dangerous and restrictive environment where insecurity, constant threats, lack of resources, and limited international presence are major challenges. These obstacles not only hinder their activism but also place their lives in serious danger. There is an urgent need for both the Somali state and the international community to take concrete actions to address these challenges, ensure the protection of HRDs, and support their vital work in defending human rights.
CSHRD Advocacy & Research Team