Halt IDP evictions until safeguards are in place, Amnesty tells Somalia

The global campaign group Amnesty International has called on Somali government to halt all evictions of internally displaced people until necessary safeguards are in place, adding to growing international pressure on Mogadishu following the forced evictions of over 24,000 IDPs late December.

Amnesty International said Friday satellite images from the settlements in Mogadishu’s KM13 area showed massive destruction of thousands of structures plunging families into more vulnerable situations.

“These satellite images give a bird’s-eye view of the shocking scale of these forced evictions that destroyed the possessions, dwellings and livelihoods of thousands of vulnerable families,” said Sarah Jackson, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for East Africa, the Horn and the Great Lakes.

HALT EVICTIONS

Amnesty said the evictions were cruel especially considering that the IDPs ‘sought protection in Mogadishu after fleeing insecurity, drought and impending famine elsewhere in Somalia.’

“Amnesty International is calling on the Somali government to halt all evictions until necessary safeguards are in place, in line with its obligations under the Kampala Convention, as well as other international and regional human rights treaties it has ratified,” the group said in a statement. It also called for adequate compensation and alternative accommodation to victims of previous evictions.

EUROPEAN UNION

The European Union and a host of other countries have also condemned the evictions and called for investigations into the evictions which took place between December 29 and 30 following a land ownership row.

“These evictions,” the EU and 17 countries said in a joint letter to Mogadishu mayor Mohamed Thabit, “Have rendered thousands of already vulnerable people even more vulnerable and at greater risk, amongst them women, children, disabled and elderly, who came to Mogadishu seeking a better life after escaping drought and conflict at home.”

Planning Minister Gamal Hassan said Thursday the government will carry out investigations into the matter.

President Mohamed Farmaajo announced Friday a freeze on sale or leases of public land in Mogadishu.