Somaliland Court Sentences 3 To Death For Murder, Terrorism

Somaliland Court Sentences 3 To Death For Murder, Terrorism

Abdi Hajji Hussein - AHN News Correspondent

Berbera, Somaliland, Somalia (AHN) - A court in Somaliland's town of Berbera on Monday sentenced to death three people found guilty of murder and terrorism.

The judge, Osman Ibrahim Dahir, announced the sentence against Ahmed Ibrahim Farah whom he said confessed to killing a Somaliland police officer and wounding two other policemen in a shooting spree in the center of Bur'o town on June 24.

Three others, including one woman, were sentenced to death in absentia. They were accused of helping Farah. They have eluded arrest.

Three other people, convicted of involvement in the same crime, were given jail terms of one year each.

Dahir, the judge, said that two other women were freed after they were acquitted of criminal charges.

Separately, on Sunday, a military court of Somaliland sentenced two fighters from the Ethiopian rebel group Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) to 10 years imprisonment each. Abdi Hashir Mo'allim and Abdiwali Dhuuh Yusuf were captured in September when ONLF fighters, who had been trained in Eritrea, crossed from Somaliland into Ethiopia after landing on the Somaliland coast, according to a court statemen.

 http://www.allheadlinenews.com

SAMOTALIS FRIENDS WORLDWIDE EID MUBARAK AND MANY HAPPY RETURNS OF...

SAMOTALIS FRIENDS WORLDWIDE EID MUBARAK AND MANY HAPPY RETURNS OF THE DAY

EID AL-ADHA 2010 
Eid Mubarik and many happy returns of the day.
Do not miss the Eid prayer and make your families, relatives and friends happy. Provide charity to the poor and deprived neighbours, visit the sick, and remember the dead of your relatives and friends.

May Allah accept our fasting, our :prayers and our charity during HAJJ and after.
May Allah bless us, our families, friends, neighbours and all Muslims worldwide with joy, prosperity and peace of mind.

May Allah free all oppressed, cure all sick, enrich all poor. May Allah guide us to his path and make us those whom he shields from all evil. May Allah make us those he frees from hell in the honour of Eid Al-Adha Al-mubarak.Ameen.

EID MUBARAK TO YOU ALL BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ISLAM.
.  


--
Posted By Blogger to SAMOTALIS at 11/15/2010 02:25:00 PM

The long road to the Chandlers' release

The long road to the Chandlers' release  

 

By Frank Gardner BBC 

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Many people worked towards securing the eventual release of Rachel and Paul Chandler

In the story of the scourge of Somali piracy, Sunday's news brings to a close one of the longest-running hostage crises in the region.

A retired English couple, held at gunpoint with no big, multinational shipping company behind them to bail them out, were freed at last after 13 months of stop-start negotiations.

Two factors contributed to their release: the payment of ransoms and the benevolent intervention of the Somali community, both in the UK and in Somalia.

When Somali pirates seized Rachel and Paul Chandler off the Seychelles, hundreds of nautical miles from Somali shores, they took them first to the Somali port of Haradheera and then inland.

A pirates spokesman gave a radio interview demanding a ransom of US $7,000,000 (£4.6m) and those holding them refused to believe they were anything other than millionaires.

First payment

The pirates also appeared to believe that the British government would, if necessary, pay the ransom, despite the fact that Britain has a longstanding policy of "not making substantive concessions to hostage-takers" on the grounds that this encourages more kidnappings of British citizens.

But negotiations continued behind the scenes involving Somali intermediaries and a firm of consultants hired by the Chandlers' relatives in Britain.

In June a deal was reached and an airdrop of close to US$430,000 (£267,000) was made to the pirates in Somalia.

Opinions differ on whether the pirates then reneged on the deal, deciding to hold onto both the money and the Chandlers, or whether there was a misunderstanding and that the pirates believed all along this would only be the first tranche of a larger sum. Either way, the Chandlers remained in captivity.

This was a terrible and unexpected blow for both the Chandlers themselves and their relatives back home. Those advising the family concluded that the sudden flurry of media interest on the possible imminent release of the couple had, inadvertently, contributed to their extended detention.

Pirate's payout

So, during the summer, a law firm representing the Chandlers acquired a legal super-injunction, preventing the media from reporting anything about the couple's condition or negotiations for their release.

That ban remained in force until Sunday, when the Chandlers were released following what is believed to be the payment of a second ransom and the tireless work of Somali clan elders, political leaders, negotiators and expatriates.

While the ultimate outcome is of course a happy one for the Chandlers, who can now start to live their own lives again, there are of course, implications for the future of Somali piracy.

The bottom line for the gang who have been holding the couple for the past 13 months is that their crime has been rewarded with the best part of a million dollars, a huge sum in an impoverished country, even when it will be divided up amongst many claimants.

It is thought unlikely that all or perhaps any of those responsible will be brought to justice in a country without an effective government since 1991.

Source: BBC

EID MUBARAK AND MANY HAPPY RETURN OF THE DAY

EID MUBAARAK KU CIIDA CAAFIMAAD, NABAD IYO NARUURO.

EID MUBARAK AND MANY HAPPY RETURN OF THE DAY 

Eid al-Adha

Meaning of "The Festival of Sacrifice"

At the end of the Hajj (annual pilgrimage to Mecca), Muslims throughout the world celebrate the holiday of Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice). In 2009, Eid al-Adha will begin November 27th, and will last for three days.

What does Eid al-Adha commemorate?

During the Hajj, Muslims remember and commemorate the trials and triumphs of the Prophet Abraham. The Qur'an describes Abraham as follows:

"Surely Abraham was an example, obedient to Allah, by nature upright, and he was not of the polytheists. He was grateful for Our bounties. We chose him and guided him unto a right path. We gave him good in this world, and in the next he will most surely be among the righteous." (Qur'an 16:120-121)

One of Abraham's main trials was to face the command of Allah to kill his only son. Upon hearing this command, he prepared to submit to Allah's will. When he was all prepared to do it, Allah revealed to him that his "sacrifice" had already been fulfilled. He had shown that his love for his Lord superceded all others, that he would lay down his own life or the lives of those dear to him in order to submit to God.

Why do Muslims sacrifice an animal on this day?

During the celebration of Eid al-Adha, Muslims commemorate and remember Abraham's trials, by themselves slaughtering an animal such as a sheep, camel, or goat. This action is very often misunderstood by those outside the faith.

Allah has given us power over animals and allowed us to eat meat, but only if we pronounce His name at the solemn act of taking life. Muslims slaughter animals in the same way throughout the year. By saying the name of Allah at the time of slaughter, we are reminded that life is sacred.

The meat from the sacrifice of Eid al-Adha is mostly given away to others. One-third is eaten by immediate family and relatives, one-third is given away to friends, and one-third is donated to the poor. The act symbolizes our willingness to give up things that are of benefit to us or close to our hearts, in order to follow Allah's commands. It also symbolizes our willingness to give up some of our own bounties, in order to strengthen ties of friendship and help those who are in need. We recognize that all blessings come from Allah, and we should open our hearts and share with others.

It is very important to understand that the sacrifice itself, as practiced by Muslims, has nothing to do with atoning for our sins or using the blood to wash ourselves from sin. This is a misunderstanding by those of previous generations: "It is not their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah; it is your piety that reaches Him." (Qur'an 22:37)

The symbolism is in the attitude - a willingness to make sacrifices in our lives in order to stay on the Straight Path. Each of us makes small sacrifices, giving up things that are fun or important to us. A true Muslim, one who submits his or herself completely to the Lord, is willing to follow Allah's commands completely and obediently. It is this strength of heart, purity in faith, and willing obedience that our Lord desires from us.

What else do Muslims do to celebrate the holiday?

the first morning of Eid al-Adha, Muslims around the world attend morning prayers at their local mosques. Prayers are followed by visits with family and friends, and the exchange of greetings and gifts. At some point, members of the family will visit a local farm or otherwise will make arrangements for the slaughter of an animal. The meat is distributed during the days of the holiday or shortly thereafter

Harrow Council twinning motion with Hargeysa passed .....

Torries: Harrow Council twinning motion passed by Labour 'without discussion'

By Jack Royston 

http://www.harrowtimes.co.uk

A TORY councillor has accused Labour of passing a motion on twinning with more towns and cities "without discussion".

The pledge calls for the authority to explore the possibility of developing partnerships with more foreign cities and specifically mentions ten, including Hargeisa, in Somaliland.

It does not bind the council into twinning with more areas, and will still have to go before the cabinet committee when leading Labour councillors will have another opportunity to vote on it.

Councillor Susan Hall, leader of the Conservative Group, says any move to twin with other areas, beyond the current agreement with Douai, would be a waste of taxpayers money.

Yusuf Yusuf, of Harrow Association of Somali Voluntary Organisations (HASVO), has accused her of dismissing the proposals without proper discussion.

She said: "I'm afraid Mr. Yusuf has been misinformed. The Conservative group wanted to extend the council meeting to properly debate this motion, but we were voted down by Labour who passed it without discussion.

"At a time when sensible spending in local government is an absolute necessity, the Council simply cannot afford to expand its twinning operations as it costs money whether we visit these countries or not."

But Councillor Bill Stephenson, leader of the council, defended the way the motion was dealt with, saying the meeting had come to an end and there was no time for a debate.

He insisted twinning could be achieved without spending tax payers' money.

He said: "It's an idea and it so far hasn't been agreed. I'm pleased to hear that some groups are supportive of it.

"We don't want it to be a party political thing we want to be very open about local residents and whether they want to twin.

"Certainly the idea it's going to cost any money is not an issue because it won't.

Public killings take Somalia 'back to stone age'

Public killings take Somalia 'back to stone age'

(AFP) 
GENEVA — Six UN human rights experts said on Thursday that they feared groups like the Shebab were taking Somalia "back to the stone age," following the public execution of two teenage girls.

The UN experts said in a joint statement that they were horrified by the shooting on October 27 of the teenagers, who were accused by the Al-Qaeda-inspired group of spying in the central town of Beledweyne.

"We join the Somali people in condemning, in the strongest terms, these latest brutal summary executions of two young women convicted without any semblance of due process," they added.

The experts, who were appointed by the 47-member UN Human Rights Council, said they were deeply concerned that "groups such as Al-Shebab are taking Somalia back into the stone age."

They urged the warring parties to refrain from extrajudicial executions, torture, stonings, decapitation, amputations and floggings, as the country was plunged into an "appalling human rights crisis".

"We... call on the international community to never let up on efforts to investigate these unacceptable crimes and prosecute the perpetrators to the fullest extent of the law," the six experts said.

Sexual violence was also rising, while only 10 percent of Somali children attend school, the UN independent expert on human rights in Somalia, Shamsul Bari, underlined.

The other experts were the UN Special Rapporteurs on torture, Juan Mendez; on extrajudicial executions, Christof Heyns; on freedom of religion, Heiner Bielefeldt; on the independence of judges and lawyers, Gabriela Knaul, and on violence against women, Rashida Manjoo.

SOMALIA: UN HUMAN RIGHTS EXPERTS CONDEMN RECENT EXECUTION OF TEENAGE GIRLS

SOMALIA: UN HUMAN RIGHTS EXPERTS CONDEMN RECENT EXECUTION OF TEENAGE GIRLS

Several independent United Nations experts today condemned the recent public execution of two teenage girls in central Somalia, voicing deep concern that groups such as the Islamic militant Al-Shabaab are taking the Horn of Africa nation "back into the stone age."

The two young women, who had been accused of spying in the central town of Beledweyne by the Islamic militant group known as al-Shabaab, were killed by firing squad two weeks ago in front of hundreds of residents in the town, according to media reports.

"We were horrified to learn of the public execution, reportedly carried out by Al-Shabaab insurgents on 27 October in front of hundreds of residents in Beledweyne," the six experts said in a <"http://www.ohchr.org/FR/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=10522&LangID=E">news release.

"We join the Somali people in condemning, in the strongest terms, these latest brutal summary executions of two young women convicted without any semblance of due process."

The experts called on the parties to the conflict "to immediately refrain from committing acts of extrajudicial executions, torture, stonings, decapitation, amputations and floggings as well as other human rights violations, including with regard to freedom of religion."

They voiced deep concern that groups such as Al-Shabaab are "taking Somalia back into the stone age."

The country – which has not had a functioning central government since 1991 – has been torn apart by decades of conflict and factional strife, more recently with al-Shabaab and other groups fighting the Transitional Federal Government.

According to the experts, regular indiscriminate attacks in the capital, Mogadishu, in which heavy artillery, mortars, rocket-propelled grenades, heavy machine guns and roadside bombs have been used, as well as targeted assassinations, have caused thousands of deaths and injuries, as well as destruction of property, with whole neighbourhoods razed to the ground.

Shamsul Bari, the Independent Expert on Somalia, noted constant reports of sexual and gender-based violence, including rape and female genital mutilation, as well as forced child marriages and the lack of educational opportunities for young girls and boys.

"Sexual violence continues to rise, not only among the approximately 1.4 million people displaced inside the country, but in other parts of Somali society," Mr. Bari said.

In addition to Mr. Bari, the other experts voicing their concern about Somalia are the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, Juan Mendez; the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Christof Heyns; the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Heiner Bielefeldt; the Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, Gabriela Knaul; and the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences, Rashida Manjoo.

They all work in an independent and unpaid capacity, and report to the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council.