Puntland Human Rights Association

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Puntland Human Rights Association (PHRA) is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit, and non-governmental organization dedicated to advocating for human rights. It was founded in December 2006 with the aim of promoting democratic development and protecting the fundamental freedoms outlined in the constitutions of Puntland, the Federal Government of Somalia, and other internationally recognized hu

man rights instruments. PHRA works to enhance knowledge, respect, and monitoring of human rights, as well as to facilitate the exchange of information and best practices through training, education, research, legislative advocacy, and strategic alliances. PHRA's main focus is to monitor, document, and publicize human rights violations, as well as advocate for civil, political, social, and economic rights in Puntland, Somalia.

As a human rights organization, we are deeply concerned about the growing political instability in  . The current mandat...
31/08/2025

As a human rights organization, we are deeply concerned about the growing political instability in .

The current mandates of both houses of parliament are set to expire on December 31 of this year, yet there remains no political consensus among key stakeholders, including President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and his administration, members of the National Salvation Forum (Madasha Samatabixinta), and the regional states of and .

There is increasing fear that, without constructive dialogue, the country may face the emergence of parallel governments in 2026.

We urge President to engage in inclusive discussions with opposition groups to address urgent issues, including—but not limited to—the electoral framework for the upcoming elections and the withdrawal of unilateral amendments to the 2012 Provisional Constitution.

21/08/2025

"Marka laysu kala waco
Ninka labada waaxood
Danyar weheshadaan ahay".

NNH, Abwaan Hadraawi

21/08/2025

This is not ; it's , the interim capital of . The Federal Government of is evicting people from their homes and selling the land to businesspersons, which goes against humanity. The primary responsibility of the government is to protect civilians.

Evictions are displacing vulnerable IDPs, families, and entrepreneurs, many without notice or compensation, worsening humanitarian crises and eroding trust in government institutions.

The Puntland Human Rights Association ( ) strongly condemns all violations and abuses against civilians and vulnerable communities in .

We anticipate that the   Ambassador in  , Hon. Riley, has discussed with the Director of the Immigration Authority of  ,...
10/08/2025

We anticipate that the Ambassador in , Hon. Riley, has discussed with the Director of the Immigration Authority of , Mustafe Dhuxulow, to avoid pressuring Somali citizens to obtain a Mogadishu ID forcibly in order to apply for a Somali passport.

This could have adverse effects on Somali citizens in , , and .

Residents of   city in   have been expressing concerns about the high cost of electricity. Each household pays USD 0.79 ...
10/08/2025

Residents of city in have been expressing concerns about the high cost of electricity. Each household pays USD 0.79 per kWh, which is significantly higher than the rate in , where households pay USD 0.41 per kWh as of early 2024.

A tourist who visited in 2025 shared on Reddit, "I was surprised by the high cost of electricity in , despite the region's abundant sun and wind resources."

may cost nearly double or more compared to . The city experiences a hot desert climate with summer highs consistently exceeding 40°C.

The average daily temperature throughout the year is around 30°C, with highs reaching 35°C and lows dropping to 25°C. , another northern coastal city, shares similar scorching climate patterns.

is known as one of the hottest towns in during summer, with being another extreme coastal hotspot.

The Federal Constitution of   (2012) establishes a federal system, aiming to balance power between the central governmen...
10/08/2025

The Federal Constitution of (2012) establishes a federal system, aiming to balance power between the central government and Federal Member States (FMS), preventing over-concentration of authority in .

Tensions have escalated recently, particularly after constitutional reforms in March 2024 that many FMS viewed as centralizing power. responded by withdrawing recognition of the Federal Government—marking a serious constitutional standoff.

forcing citizens to register for the central ID system, absent genuine consensus, runs counter to ’s federal principles. This policy contributes to growing political friction, undermines trust in national institutions, and indeed fuels regional discontent and fragmentation.

01/08/2025

remains one of the most alarming humanitarian and human rights crises in the world today. Grave violations—including torture, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detention, and widespread human trafficking—are rampant across the country. The scale and brutality of the abuses, particularly against migrants and refugees, are deeply concerning and draw painful parallels to the suffering experienced in .

Thousands of individuals in Libya are enduring unimaginable hardships. Armed groups and criminal networks routinely detain people in makeshift prisons and houses, subjecting them to extortion, beatings, and threats of death to extract ransom payments from their families. These victims are often denied access to adequate food, with many surviving on a single meal per week, leading to severe malnutrition and life-threatening health conditions.

This situation demands immediate and coordinated international action. We call on humanitarian agencies, the African Union ( ), the United Nations ( ), and influential governments to intervene urgently—to protect vulnerable individuals, hold perpetrators accountable, and provide life-saving aid and safe pathways out of captivity.

The suffering in Libya cannot be ignored. The must act.

The video shows a boy being severely beaten by Libyan gangs.

On August 1st each year, the people of   come together to celebrate Puntland Independence Day—a day that stands as a tes...
01/08/2025

On August 1st each year, the people of come together to celebrate Puntland Independence Day—a day that stands as a testament to the state's unwavering commitment to democracy, the rule of law, peace, and security.

Marking 27 years of self-governance, this historic day commemorates the region's successful journey in building a stable and democratic society amid challenging circumstances.

Festivals, parades, and cultural events take place across to honor the achievements of its people and leadership. The National Flag of is proudly displayed throughout the region, symbolizing unity, resilience, and national pride.

The establishment of Puntland in 1998 was a collective response to the anarchy, clan rivalries, and religious conflicts that were devastating southern and central at the time. The people of , under visionary leadership, chose a path of peace and progress, laying the foundation for a strong federal system and effective governance that continues to serve as a model in today.

On this significant occasion, the senior management, staff, and members of the Puntland Human Rights Association ( ) extend their heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the people of . We honor your enduring commitment to peace, stability, democracy, and human rights.

, !
May the spirit of unity and progress continue to guide your future.

Chris Smalls was among 21 American labour and human rights activists who went to    to provide food and supplies due to ...
30/07/2025

Chris Smalls was among 21 American labour and human rights activists who went to to provide food and supplies due to the humanitarian and human rights crisis. He was the only black person in the group but he faced discrimination, torture, beatings, and physical assaults.

Too many councilors have been assigned to the districts, and the method used to determine council representation was not...
10/07/2025

Too many councilors have been assigned to the districts, and the method used to determine council representation was not well thought out. As a result, elected councilors in 's districts are now toppling district chairs and appointing new ones.

Unless the state reforms the allocation of council seats based on objective factors such as each district’s , , and size, these jurisdictional crises will continue to arise and may persist indefinitely.

On December 10, 2024, the ( ) sent a letter to the Honorable Minister of Interior and Local Government, Mr. Abdi Farah ( ), to express our concerns regarding the ongoing amendments and restructuring of 's district councils.

In our letter, proposed a more balanced and equitable approach to council representation, recommending that the allocation of council members be based on a categorization system—District A, District B, and District C—as outlined in Municipal Law No. 7.

This classification would help ensure fair representation based on each district’s size, population, and administrative capacity.

As part of our proposal, recommended a tiered council structure based on district categorization. Under this framework, District A would have 13 council members, District B would have 9, and District C would have 7. In each category, 3 seats would be exclusively reserved for women representatives to ensure gender inclusion, while the remaining seats would be open for equal competition among all eligible candidates, regardless of gender.

Across much of Africa, women remain significantly underrepresented in local governments and often have no representation at the state or central government levels.

This lack of inclusion means that critical decisions are frequently made without the input or consensus of a major portion of the population—particularly women, who make up a substantial share of society.

Such exclusion undermines both the legitimacy and the effectiveness of governance and policy making.

In  , committee members are often nominated not based on their competence, knowledge, or experience, but rather on who t...
10/07/2025

In , committee members are often nominated not based on their competence, knowledge, or experience, but rather on who they know. Meanwhile, thousands of well-educated and capable individuals remain ignored simply because they lack the right connections. It’s no longer about what you know, but who you know.

We were expecting the Federal government to publicly advertise these positions and allow qualified citizens to compete fairly. Instead, what happened was deeply disappointing: each cabinet minister simply brought in two people they personally knew, and one of them was selected — not based on merit, but based on connections.

This approach undermines transparency and meritocracy, and reinforces a system based on favoritism rather than competence.

The has documented numerous cases of human rights violations rooted in systemic discrimination. Women, youth, and marginalized communities are disproportionately affected, especially when it comes to access to education, employment opportunities, and essential resources. These patterns highlight the urgent need for more inclusive and equitable policies.

The ( ), an independent, non-governmental, non-partisan, and non-profit organization based in Federal State of .

Young people should rise up and take on leadership position, as advocated by    .
09/07/2025

Young people should rise up and take on leadership position, as advocated by .

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Puntland Human Rights Association (PHRA) is an independent, non-governmental, non-partisan, and not-for-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of human rights protection in Puntland. PHRA was founded in December 2006.

Puntland Human Rights Association (PHRA) is human rights watchdog working on advocacy of human rights, democracy and peace in Puntland Federal State of Somalia.

Headquarter of Puntland Human Rights Association (PHRA) is Bosaso district, coastal town of Puntland Federal State of Somalia and has representatives in Garowe and Galka’ayo.

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