Somalia:TFG denies Human Rights Watch claim 30 Mar 30, 2012 - 1:02:10 AM
MOGADISHU,Somalia Mar 29 2012 (Garowe Online) – State minister for Internal affairs Dr. Ali Hassan denied a claim by Human Rights Watch that human rights violations are being committed in south central Somalia, Radio Garowe reports.
A report from Human Rights Watch said that Ethiopian and Dohada Shabelle troops (whose officials have been absorbed by the TFG) committed human rights violations against people alleged to be Al Shabaab agents or conspirators.
The report that was released on Thursday allegations were denied by Dr. Ali who spoke to the VOA about the report by Human Rights Watch.
“Security in regions that Ethiopian and TFG forces have captured has improved ten fold. As I am aware of, isolated incidents have been committed but human rights violations involving TFG authorities on the ground in those regions has not occurred,” said Dr. Ali.
Accusations of both Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama and Dohada Shabelle of holding mobile courts and executing people who had alleged ties to Al Shabaab were reported by Human Rights Watch. The agency also suggests that insecurity in the regions is still prevalent since the allied forces took control of the regions.
TFG authorities in Hiraan region one of the regions mentioned in the HRW report have denied the accusations saying that previous incidents involving human rights violations committed by individuals were dealt with accordingly.
Ethiopian and TFG troops captured Baidoa and Beledweyne late last year two major former strongholds for the Al Shabaab in south central Somalia.
