DATE=7/12/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N / SOMALIA (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-264346
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The U-N Human Rights investigator for Somalia
says she is concerned by reports that people
supporting the peace process are being intimidated by
regional administrators in northwestern Somaliland and
northeastern Puntland. Lisa Schlein has this report
from Geneva.
TEXT: U-N Human Rights Investigator Mona Rishmawi
says she is encouraged by the Somali peace talks,
which are taking place in Djibouti. She says there is
progress in the peace process, which was started last
September by the President of Djibouti. But, she says
she is disturbed at reports of harsh measures that
have been taken against people who support the peace
process.
Ms. Rishmawi says some people who wanted to attend the
Djibouti conference have been violently prevented from
doing so.
/// RISHMAWI ACT ///
For example, 25 individuals who wanted to go to
Djibouti from Puntland in the northeast of
Somalia through Somaliland in the northwest were
turned back to Puntland and actually there was
fear that they would be arrested and prosecuted.
/// END ACT ///
Ms. Rishmawi says in March one person was killed and
nine-injured when demonstrations in favor of the peace
process were violently dispersed in Puntland. She
says supporting the peace process is considered to be
treason in Somaliland, punishable by death or life
imprisonment.
Ms. Rishmawi says she is very concerned at what she
calls this unusual cooperation between the two rival
administrations of Puntland and Somaliland against the
peace process.
Somaliland has been operating as an independent state
since 1991. That is when Somali's President Mohamed
Siad Barre was ousted and the country descended into
chaos. Somaliland has been pushing for international
recognition as a separate state. Ms. Rishmawi says
that Somaliland is one of the more stable, well-
functioning and secure regions in Somalia.
/// 2ND RISHMAWI ACT ///
But, it makes it one of the more anxious areas
for this peace process because it could mean
reuniting with Somalia. Again, its separate
status is basically at risk, although it is not
officially recognized at this stage.
/// END ACT ///
Ms. Rishmawi says Puntland has similar concerns. She
says the region is one of the more sophisticated, well
organized in Somalia. She says the administration in
Puntland feels threatened by the peace process and is
trying to subvert it. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/GE/RAE
12-Jul-2000 08:46 AM EDT (12-Jul-2000 1246 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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