Stonings in Somalia Must Stop

by Alex DiBranco · 2009-12-04 16:47:00 UTC
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In Somalia, Al Shabaab -- a group of Islamic militants working to overthrow the country's transitional government -- has been condemned by a United Nations human rights expert following the recent stoning to death of a woman for adultery.

In a statement on Friday, Shamsul Bari called for an end to Al Shabaab's use of "cruel, inhuman and degrading" punishments, including amputations, stonings, and torture. These severe sentences are often handed down for crimes as minor as petty theft, and under Al Shabaab's conservative interpretation of sharia (Islamic law), even someone who is divorced can still be convicted of adultery.

Last year, Amnesty International called attention to Al Shabaab's human rights violations, especially against women and girls, after the stoning to death of a 13-year-old on charges of adultery -- after the girl reported being raped by three men. The human rights organization has negotiated with the group in the past in an attempt to prevent unjust sentences from being carried out, and last week also condemned the killings and torture perpetrated by Al Shabaab.

However,  Bashir Goth, the former editor of the popular Somali website Awdal News, indicates that the abuses of Al Shabaab have been largely ignored by the rest of the world. "Where is the international community, where are the human rights organizations?" Goth asked The Media Line. "They are stoning people, creating an army of handicapped youth with amputations, even stopping people with golden teeth and removing them."

Earlier this month, a man was stoned to death for adultery. His pregnant girlfriend is currently due to suffer the same fate after giving birth to their child. Goth argues, "There should have been an outcry but there is silence from the international community." If you agree, sign the petition here to tell the Senate Subcommittee on Human Rights and Women's Rights to speak up and take a stand against the Somalia abuses.

Photo courtesy of ctsnow's Flickr photostream

Alex DiBranco is a Change.org Editor who has worked for the Nation, Political Research Associates, and the Center for American Progress. She is now based in New York City.
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