United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders Globally (Mary Lawlor), has issued a public statement on 5th July, 2023 published on her official UN Social Media platforms (Twitter & Facebook Accounts of the UN), where she offered support and solidarity for the Somali HRDs at risk of deportation and other consequences resulting from the recent decision of the authority in Iceland, after their application for international protection was taken down.
The special rapporteur has sent a chilling message to the Icelandic mission to the UN in Geneva, and asked for further explanation of the protection denial to the HRDs at risk. The special rapporteur’s public statement was published on her social media pages and said in her message:
”Mary Lawlor UN Special Rapporteur HRDs on Twitter: “Receiving disturbing news that Somali WHRD Shaadiya Abdirahman may be at risk of deportation from Iceland, despite receiving threats in Somalia. Can the authorities provide info on her status& the steps taken to ensure respect for the principle of nonrefoulement? @IcelandinGeneva” / Twitter” And on her official Facebook account:
”Receiving disturbing news that Somali WHRD Shaadiya Abdirahman may be at risk of deportation from #Iceland, despite receiving threats in #Somalia. Can the authorities provide info on her status & the steps taken to ensure respect for the principle of nonrefoulement? Sendiráð / Fastanefnd Íslands í… – Mary Lawlor UN Special Rapporteur for human rights defenders | Facebook”
Visit the following links to read public statement on the UN special rapporteur on HRDs situation…
Receiving disturbing news that Somali WHRD Shaadiya Abdirahman may be at risk of deportation from Iceland, despite receiving threats in Somalia. Can the authorities provide info on her status& the steps taken to ensure respect for the principle of nonrefoulement?@IcelandinGeneva
— Mary Lawlor UN Special Rapporteur HRDs (@MaryLawlorhrds) July 5, 2023
https://www.facebook.com/MaryLawlorHRDs/posts/pfbid0wAqAMYkPntHbkzPXSguaAL7DX9cTDeyW3MuFyu3ydHwiwx4mx1xBjSeQe6usdwV6l
Taking down the protection request filed by HRDs at risk comes against the international humanitarian & human rights laws, as well as other relevant international conventions including the refugee convention and the right to claim asylum and such decision is counter-productive and benefits no one.
Consequences of such decision includes, deportation of HRDs to where they will be killed, tortured, harassed, and persecuted or subjected to inhumane/degrading treatment or deprived from basic rights which can lead to psychological consequences. The CSHRDs is closely following up the case and working closely with the UN special rapporteur to ensure their protection and safety.
CSHRDs Advocacy & Protection Team
