Somaliland
Somaliland Says No to Forced Returnees from Holland
January 12, 2012 · 12 Comments
Hargeisa–(Berberanews)-Unfortunately the Immigration Departments such that of Netherland’s processing of refugee claims have become so haphazard there is a grave danger that people in need of protection might be thrown, metaphorically, to the unfamiliar.
Despite Human Rights plea to stop any forcible deportations, The Dutch authorities have announced their intention and insisted to deport, by force if necessary, all illegal Somaliland citizens currently residing in the Netherlands.
On Monday-January/9th/2012 a high level delegates from the Netherlands visited Somaliland authorities to discuss on the possibilities’ of deporting forcibly illegal Somalilanders currently in Holland.
BerberaNews following this event closely had the opportunity to interview the Minister of Resettlements, Rehabilitations and Reconstructions of Somaliland, Hon. Abdirizak Ali Osman.
The Minster addressing BerberaNews reporters said, “As you (BerberaNews) have been closely monitoring, indeed there has been a momentous discussions as well as meetings between my Ministry and representatives from Holland concerning Somaliland government’s position on forced returnees”.
“Unquestionably”, the Minster added, “we will not allow any forced returnee who is of Somaliland and/or Somalia origin thrown as piece of objects into this country (Somaliland)”.
The Dutch government had been in continues channel of communication with Somaliland government hoping the approval and agreement of forced returnees by both governments however; Somaliland authorities repeatedly and clearly rejected such agreement. Netherland authorities’ aver most Somalilanders asylum applicants in their country have their requests approved, but claim that few have been rejected and didn’t meet the requirements.
Somaliland government looks forward to maintain positive and fruitful co-operations with the Dutch government, nevertheless and most importantly, from our side, there are no doors open presently to accept any individual/s whether from Somaliland or Somalia that is being deported against his or her will, said Hon. A.Ali Osman the Minister for RR&R of Somaliland.
The Dutch authorities have a binding obligation under international law stating that anyone seeking protection cannot be forcibly returned and/or deported against their will.
Somalilandpress/Berberanews
Number-one English-Somali website
Email this story
By Mo Guled
Tags: Dutch, Holland, Puntland, Somaliland
Readers Comments (12)
Somaliland
Somaliland: Grand Opening for a New State of The Art Coca Cola Bottling Plant In Hargeisa
Hargeisa-President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud (silanyo) today cut the ribbon to a new modern beverage production plant which is owned by Coca Cola Company ...
Somaliland-Ethiopia Relationship
Overpowering Gratitude Vs Vexing Misgivings By Ahmed I. Hassan Author’s Note: This is the chapter on Somaliland-Ethiopia Relationship in a book titled “Somaliland: The Legacies of Non-Recognition” which ...
SOMALIA: Turkish Airlines diverts to Nairobi after security scare in Mogadishu
MOGADISHU — A carrier operated by Turkish Airlines left its Somali passengers stranded in the wrong airport after landing in Kenya rather than their intended ...
UN envoy in Somalia concerned over violent clashes in Hargeisa
Photo: Special Representative Augustine Mahiga (UN Photo/Stuart Price) NAIROBI — The United Nations envoy in Somalia, Augustine P. Mahiga, today expressed concern over recent violent clashes ...
SOMALILAND: President urges citizens to uphold peace and stability
HARGEISA — The Somaliland National Independence day celebrations that was widely marked within and outside the country, had an added flavor when the State House grounds witnessed ...
Your Say
IN MEMORY OF DR. ABDISHAKUR JOWHAR – FRANZ FANON OF THE SOMALI PEOPLE*
BY BASHIR GOTH “He lit up a room. If you can imagine the sun, his face was like the sun, that smile, the arm around ...
- Somaliland media: Spreading the word
- SOMALILAND: Where is the Justice in our Justice System?
- Unionist are Dead — Long Live SOMALILAND
- Apprehending Ratco Mladic: a reminder of a war criminal working as jury
- Dr Jowhar: We lost a friend, a Hero
- GEESI LOO HANWEYNAA – A tribute to my hero Dr. Jowhar
- 10 Years after Timor’s Independence, Where Is the Justice?
- Why Hiil Qaran Party Will Not Have a Significant Impact on the Politics of Somalia
- Sunday 20 May: Join in Commemorating late Dr Jowhar
- Qurbomeer State should stop smearing the reputation of Lula A Osman
Somalia: Federalism, Division and The Dual Track Policy
OPINION | MAY 20, 2012 Photo: Alternative to federalism and Somaliland/Somalia ideology – the three branch Somalia (three branches of government in three different parts of ...
Somaliland National day – for the sake of a decent life and principle of the future
OPINION | May 18, 2012 By Abdirahman Maeeg In a wonderful day like this day, our talk should have significance from a different angle; it is an ...
Recognize Somaliland first, if you want to return Somaliland refugees. Otherwise, why force refugees to stateless place.
Agree with you Obsiye. What a daft concept.
Layla.
Quite ironic that Somaliland Government is disgusted about forced returnees of Somali's when they are forcing thousands of Ethiopians to return like 'pieces of objects' to an even worse situation.
To Abdullah,
Agree with you, and i am suprised that we can call vulnerable refugees (illegal Immigrants ) when we were refugees to Ethopia and still we are elsewhere.But remember Europe has more than us and when their time they took everything Africa could offer they have to share with us our burden, poverty, War, claimate change and so on.
I knew this was coming. I have been following the politics of The Netherlands and I predicted this move a while back. When Dutch officials visited Somaliland a while back I said "they only want to discuss returning 'refugees'" and how right was I.
Somaliland is making the right decision to refuse the forced return of refugees. Lets hope the Dutch officials do not make Somaliland's relationship with the E.U more difficult especially considering there is a growing political shift towards the right in Europe.
The best way for Holland is to support the Somaliland guest of recognition, and we shall reciprocate of taking our people who are not already Dutch citizens. West double standard is something we should refuse where we can. If they help us to get our right internationally, we can support them, not only this issue, but many other issues that they need a friend in East Africa. Wake up politicians, and look far beyond the tip of your nose.
Somaliland has taken the right decision to refuse the dutch Authorities attempt at returning Somali refugees against their will.This clearly amounts to violation of international law.You cannot return asylum seekers to a place where their life and liberty would be at risk.Somaliland is not an internationally recognized state and hence could not guarantee the protection of those failed asylum seekers in the area under its control.Nevertheless,it is quite strange and unexpected for an authority infamous of forcing refugees and victims of human rights violation back to their country of origin(Ethiopia)
S'Land is unable to access foreign aid so native living abroad means foreign currency.It's a finance and business concepts, remittance through Da'shill .But when dirt poor Ethiopians has been deported back it was a pride to S'Landers., regardless of human right violation and jeorpardizing their lives
Somaliland is looking after its own interest… duh. Having 100 of thousands of Oromo economic migrants was not in our interest. However hacing a diaspora that can remit currency, aid development and invest in the homeland is in our interest.
It is very simple.
Yes, so is Holland not also looking after it's own interests. It is hypocrisy to champion getting rid of the Oromo from Somaliland. The Somalis in Europe are like the Oromo.
erm… no it is not hypocracy as firstly somaliland has to priortize the somalilanders and the somali koonfur, this is extremely difficult as they do not recieve any type of funds from any organizations such as the IMF.secondly there is no WAR in ethiopia, i mean its quite shameful really oromos being one of the major tribes in ethiopia and yet cannot stick up for themselves against the minority tigrays or whatever you call them.
Don't think that people of the world care about the interests of an other country so you are right we are looking after number 1. I just Somalis as a whole could stick together to make our country better. We are so so proud that we have lost touch with whats really important. Peace !!