08/08/2026
URGENT INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS STATEMENT
SOMALIA: Baraawe Human Rights Protection Demands the Immediate and Unconditional Release of Imprisoned Activist Sadia Moalim Ali
Human rights organisation raises serious concerns over freedom of expression, peaceful protest, judicial independence and the separation of a mother from her young child
MOGADISHU, SOMALIA — 8 AUGUST 2026
Baraawe Human Rights Protection (BHRP) is urgently calling on the Federal Government of Somalia to immediately and unconditionally release Somali activist, tuk-tuk driver and mother Sadia Moalim Ali, whose imprisonment has raised serious concerns regarding freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, due process, women’s rights and the protection of human-rights defenders.
Sadia Moalim Ali was arrested in Mogadishu on 12 April 2026, reportedly by officers of Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), following her activism on social media and participation in peaceful protests.
She was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment on 25 June 2026.
According to Sadia’s account provided to Amnesty International, she believes that her arrest, prosecution and imprisonment were politically motivated and connected to her decision to speak publicly about problems affecting ordinary Somali citizens.
Amnesty International has separately campaigned for Sadia’s immediate and unconditional release.
BHRP considers the circumstances surrounding Sadia’s detention to be a matter of urgent international human-rights concern and calls for her case to be subjected to an independent, impartial and transparent judicial review.
SOMALIA’S CONSTITUTION PROTECTS FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
The rights at the centre of Sadia’s case are not only recognised under international human-rights principles; they are also protected by Somalia’s 2012 Provisional Constitution.
ARTICLE 18 — FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND OPINION
Article 18 recognises the right of every person to express opinions and to receive and impart opinions, information and ideas.
The Constitution also protects freedom of speech and freedom of the media, including electronic and web-based media.
These constitutional protections are particularly relevant to Sadia’s reported use of social media to discuss issues affecting Somali society.
BHRP therefore calls upon the Somali authorities to ensure that no citizen is arbitrarily detained or imprisoned merely for peacefully expressing an opinion, criticising public policy or raising matters of legitimate public concern.
Freedom of expression must apply to citizens even when their opinions are critical of those in positions of political authority.
ARTICLE 20 — THE RIGHT TO PEACEFUL ASSEMBLY AND PROTEST
Somalia’s Constitution also recognises the right to peaceful civic participation.
Article 20 protects the right to organise and participate in meetings and to demonstrate and protest peacefully. It also recognises the right to submit petitions to state institutions.
These constitutional protections are directly relevant to reports concerning Sadia’s participation in peaceful protests.
BHRP emphasises that peaceful protest is a legitimate form of civic participation through which citizens can raise concerns, demand accountability and call for improvements in their communities.
A person should not be criminalised simply for participating peacefully in public life.
THE CONSTITUTION MUST BE PROTECTED IN PRACTICE
Baraawe Human Rights Protection calls upon the Federal Government of Somalia to ensure that constitutional rights are respected not only in principle but also in practice.
A constitutional guarantee of freedom of expression cannot have meaningful effect if citizens are punished for exercising that freedom peacefully.
Security institutions, prosecutors and courts have a responsibility to operate within the Constitution and applicable law.
BHRP therefore urges all relevant Somali authorities to ensure that Sadia’s case is free from political interference, intimidation or improper pressure.
SADIA’S ACCOUNT OF HER ARREST AND DETENTION
Sadia has stated that she believes her imprisonment was retaliation for speaking publicly about difficulties affecting ordinary Somalis.
According to her account, following her sentencing, individuals from different government institutions visited her in detention and pressured her to apologise to the President, acknowledge wrongdoing and seek a pardon.
She has further alleged that on 29 June 2026, individuals who said they had been sent by the government offered her freedom if she agreed to remain silent.
Sadia has also stated that a senior government official subsequently offered her employment on the same condition.
She says she rejected these proposals because she did not accept that she had committed an offence.
BHRP stresses that these are allegations and statements attributed to Sadia and should be independently investigated. BHRP does not present them as independently established facts.
If substantiated, however, such conduct would raise extremely serious concerns regarding intimidation, coercion and the potential misuse of state authority.
A MOTHER SEPARATED FROM HER YOUNG CHILD
BHRP is deeply concerned about the reported impact of Sadia’s imprisonment on her young daughter.
Sadia has stated that her daughter was approximately one year old and still breastfeeding when she was sentenced.
She says that she has not been permitted to see her daughter since her detention and that members of her family have also been unable to visit her.
The reported separation of a young child from her mother represents a serious humanitarian concern.
BHRP urges the Somali authorities to take the welfare and best interests of the child into consideration and to facilitate appropriate contact between Sadia and her daughter.
The organisation also calls upon the authorities to consider the wider consequences of detention on children and families.
CONCERNS ABOUT SADIA’S HEALTH
Sadia has reported that her physical health has deteriorated while in detention.
According to her account, she is experiencing a number of health problems, including:
* A kidney condition;
* Asthma;
* Eye pain;
* Hearing difficulties;
* Skin problems and wounds; and
* Significant weight loss.
She has also alleged that her hearing problems began after a police officer struck her on the ear during her arrest.
Sadia says she has not had adequate access to medical care.
BHRP calls for an immediate and independent medical assessment of Sadia and for any necessary treatment to be provided without delay.
The organisation further calls for an independent investigation into any allegation of physical mistreatment during her arrest or detention.
A WOMAN’S RIGHT TO SPEAK MUST BE PROTECTED
Sadia’s case also highlights the challenges faced by Somali women who seek to participate openly in public affairs.
Women have the same fundamental rights as men to express opinions, participate in peaceful demonstrations, advocate for their communities and engage in public debate.
BHRP believes that women must not be discouraged from exercising these rights through intimidation, discrimination, arbitrary detention or imprisonment.
The organisation calls upon the Somali Government to ensure that women activists and human-rights defenders can participate safely and freely in civic life.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL’S CONCERNS
Amnesty International has publicly raised concerns about Sadia’s detention and has called for her immediate and unconditional release.
Amnesty International has campaigned for her release through its human-rights advocacy mechanisms and has drawn international attention to her case.
BHRP welcomes international scrutiny of the case and calls upon other human-rights organisations, diplomatic missions and international institutions to continue monitoring Sadia’s situation.
SADIA DESERVES AN INDEPENDENT JUDICIAL REVIEW
Baraawe Human Rights Protection calls for any appeal or review of Sadia’s conviction to be conducted by a genuinely independent, impartial and competent judicial authority.
The process must be free from political influence, intimidation and improper interference.
Sadia must have a genuine opportunity to challenge her conviction and have her case determined on the basis of evidence and applicable law.
If an independent review establishes that she was imprisoned solely for peacefully exercising her fundamental rights, BHRP calls for her immediate and unconditional release.
BHRP’S URGENT DEMANDS TO THE SOMALI GOVERNMENT
Baraawe Human Rights Protection calls upon the Federal Government of Somalia to:
1. RELEASE SADIA MOALIM ALI
Immediately and unconditionally release Sadia if her imprisonment is found to be connected solely to the peaceful exercise of her fundamental rights.
2. UPHOLD ARTICLE 18
Respect Article 18 of Somalia’s Provisional Constitution and protect freedom of opinion, expression, speech and electronic and web-based communication.
3. UPHOLD ARTICLE 20
Respect Article 20 and protect peaceful meetings, demonstrations, protests and petitions.
4. PROTECT HER FROM RETALIATION
Guarantee Sadia’s safety and protect her from threats, intimidation, harassment or retaliation.
5. PROVIDE MEDICAL CARE
Ensure immediate access to independent medical professionals and appropriate medical treatment.
6. INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF MISTREATMENT
Conduct an independent and impartial investigation into allegations of physical mistreatment during her arrest and detention.
7. INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF PRESSURE AND INTIMIDATION
Investigate claims that Sadia was pressured to remain silent or offered freedom or employment in exchange for abandoning her activism.
8. GUARANTEE JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE
Ensure that any appeal or judicial review is conducted independently, impartially and without political interference.
9. PROTECT FAMILY CONTACT
Ensure appropriate and regular contact between Sadia, her young daughter and her family, consistent with applicable law and the best interests of the child.
10. PROTECT WOMEN HUMAN-RIGHTS DEFENDERS
Ensure that women activists and all Somali citizens can peacefully exercise their constitutional rights without fear of arbitrary detention, intimidation or retaliation.
APPEAL TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
Baraawe Human Rights Protection calls upon the United Nations, African Union, European Union, United Kingdom, United States, diplomatic missions, international human-rights organisations, international media organisations and Somalia’s international partners to urgently monitor Sadia Moalim Ali’s case.
International partners should raise her case directly with the Somali authorities and seek clear guarantees regarding:
* Her physical safety;
* Access to independent medical care;
* Family contact;
* Due process;
* Judicial independence;
* Protection from retaliation; and
* Respect for freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
BHRP further urges international media organisations to continue reporting on Sadia’s case and the wider question of civic freedoms in Somalia.
SADIA’S MESSAGE: “DO NOT REMAIN SILENT”
Despite her imprisonment, Sadia has urged people not to remain silent.
She has called on those who can write to write, those who can speak to speak, and those who can share her story to continue raising awareness.
BHRP echoes that call.
Peaceful citizens should not have to choose between silence and imprisonment when raising concerns about their communities.
THIS CASE IS BIGGER THAN ONE PERSON
Baraawe Human Rights Protection stresses that Sadia’s case has implications far beyond her individual circumstances.
It concerns whether Somali citizens can criticise public authorities without fear.
It concerns whether women can participate freely in public life.
It concerns the rights of activists and social-media users.
It concerns the right to participate peacefully in demonstrations.
And it concerns whether the constitutional freedoms promised to Somali citizens are genuinely protected in practice.
AN URGENT CALL FOR ACTION
Baraawe Human Rights Protection calls upon the Federal Government of Somalia to act immediately.
Sadia Moalim Ali must not be punished merely for peacefully expressing opinions or participating in peaceful civic activities.
The Somali authorities must ensure her safety, provide appropriate medical care, permit appropriate family contact, investigate the allegations surrounding her detention and guarantee an independent judicial process.
Where her imprisonment is found to be solely connected to the peaceful exercise of her fundamental rights, she must be released immediately and unconditionally.
FREE SADIA MOALIM ALI
UPHOLD THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION OF SOMALIA
PROTECT FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
PROTECT PEACEFUL ASSEMBLY AND PROTEST
PROTECT WOMEN HUMAN-RIGHTS DEFENDERS
JUSTICE FOR SADIA — JUSTICE FOR HER CHILD
SOURCE AND REFERENCE
Source: Amnesty International
Baraawe Human Rights Protection acknowledges Amnesty International as a principal human-rights source concerning the case of Sadia Moalim Ali.
Information regarding Sadia’s arrest, detention, conviction, personal account, reported health concerns and Amnesty International’s call for her immediate and unconditional release is based, in part, on information and advocacy published by Amnesty International.
BHRP encourages journalists, diplomatic missions, human-rights organisations and other interested parties to consult Amnesty International’s original materials concerning Sadia’s case for further information and verification.
ISSUED BY
Zahra Omar
Deputy Executive Director
Baraawe Human Rights Protection
Email: [email protected]