Human Rights in Somalia - Police Brutality

Police Brutality

Even during the administration of Siad Barre, the law enforcement, judicial, and penal systems were harsh, often horrific and corrupt. A decade without a central government has done little to improve the situation in most of the country. A broad range of new institutions and security sector reforms are needed.

Justice is enforced by both police forces and factional militia, both of which have committed many human rights abuses in the past. Kidnappings by militia groups to obtain ransom money are common. Arbitrary arrests are a problem. Prison conditions are extremely poor and dangerous. Overcrowding, dangerous health conditions, and abuse by guards exist in Somali prisons. Reports exist of Puntland and militia groups using torture against each other and civilians.

Under the Islamic Courts, strict sharia law was applied, issuing edicts which could result in summary justice by armed militias or severe rulings by courts.

An entirely new justice system is a priority of the new government. As militias are being demobilized, a new national police force is being instituted. The first members of the new judiciary were sworn for Banadir in January 2007. However, with the concurrent imposition of martial law means there are few constraints on the members of the military.