The Human Rights Center condemns arbitrary jailing of member of parliament.

The Human Rights Center condemns the arbitrary detention of Mohammed Abib Yusuf Jama, a member of Somaliland’s House of Representatives. MP Mohammed Abib Yusuf was detained at Egal Hargeisa International Airport on September 2, 2024. He was subsequently transferred to Mandheera maximum security prison located in the Sahil region of Somaliland. MP Mohamed is an opposition member of the House who is critical to the government of Somaliland.

The Office of the Attorney General requested Parliament to remove immunity privileges from MP Mohammed Abib Yusuf Jama to detain and criminally charge him. The House of Representatives rejected to remove the immunity from the MP.

According to Article 49(3) of the Somaliland constitution, “no member of the House of Representatives shall be investigated, questioned, arrested, imprisoned or otherwise subjected to any other acts relating to punishment without the consent of the House of Representatives”.  On September 3^rd, 2024, the House of Representatives held a session to remove immunity privileges from MP Mohammed Abib Yusuf Jama, and the Parliament rejected removing immunity from MP Mohammed Abib Yusuf Jama. As such, Parliament has not stripped his immunity, and his detention and imprisonment violate member privileges and constitutional due process of law.  The MP was taken to prison without a court or parliamentary acceptance, making his detention arbitrary. According to the Constitution of Somaliland, no person can be detained or arrested without due process of law.

We urge his immediate release without conditions and implore the Somaliland authorities to uphold the laws governing the country and to act upon the constitution, which grants these rights to individuals to express their opinions.

Yasmin Omar H. Mohamoud
Chairperson of the Human Rights Center

Hargeisa, Somaliland
hrcsomaliland@gmail.com
Twitter: @hrcsomaliland