Local activists call for human rights court

The Mogadishu-based Isma'il Jim'ale Human Rights Centre (IJHRC) has called for the establishment of a court in Somalia to deal with crimes against humanity, along the lines of the Rwanda international tribunal, Maryan Husayn Awreye, co-director of the IJHRC, told IRIN. What had been happening in Somalia over past decade, as well as in Mogadishu in the last few days, were clearcut violations of human rights and crimes against humanity, she said. It would be best for Somalis themselves to establish such a court, but if they failed, then the international community should do so, Maryan said. "Someone has to answer for what has been happening in the last few days in Mogadishu." IJHRC condemned the recent clashes in Mogadishu and described them as barbarous and inhuman. Mogadishu residents had to endure five days of intense fighting between rival groups using all manner of weapons. The clashes broke out on 12 July in north Mogadishu. Then, on Saturday, Sunday and part of Monday unrelated clashes took place between pro-interim government militia and those of opposing factions. IJHRC has confirmed 109 deaths, and 170 wounded in the five days of fighting. With no reliable system for recording casualities in place, the true number of deaths was bound to be even higher, Maryan told IRIN. "Normally Somalis bury their dead immediately without informing anyone." Almost all the dead and wounded were non-combatant civilians, she said.