COI-Report-Somalia

EASO Country of Origin Information report — South and Central Somalia — Country overview — 107
At schools, mixed classes are banned, as well as school bells ringing (they sound like church bells). In some areas,
teaching and speaking English are forbidden, as is teaching geography and history ( 1108 ). Children are (often forcibly)
recruited at school ( 1109 ), and teachers have to comply. In addition, Al‐Shabaab imposes payment of high taxations
(zakat) ( 1110 ) on farmers and pastoralists that food security is threatened and people flee away ( 1111 ).
Interlocutors of the Danish‐Norwegian fact‐finding mission in November 2013 explained ‘that there is always a risk
of being accused of being a spy or collaborating with the government. Sometimes people are being accused simply
because they have been selling fruit to the SNAF soldiers.’ ( 1112 ) In 2013 and 2014, Al‐Shabaab has been executing
an increasing number of people, accused of spying for and collaborating with Somali national forces and affiliated
militias ( 1113 ).
Since ‘Al‐Shabaab sees spies everywhere’, any movement can be viewed as being suspicious and needs to be justified,
in particular if the movement is between Al‐Shabaab areas and areas controlled by the government and AMISOM ( 1114 ).
People must ask for permission to travel within Al‐Shabaab controlled areas ( 1115 ).
4.3.6.1 Punishments
Public whipping, stoning, beheading, and amputation are regularly used as punishment for those who violate
Al‐Shabaab’s interpretation of Islam. In addition, thousands are imprisoned under inhuman conditions for relatively
‘minor offences’ such as smoking, listening to music, watching or playing football, or not wearing a full‐body covering
hijab ( 1116 ).
Since 2013, in particular, there has been an increase in beheadings, mutilations, abductions, arrests and disappearances.
Interlocutors of the Danish/Norwegian fact‐finding mission in November 2013 attribute this increase to Godane’s fight
for - and affirmation of - his leadership within Al‐Shabaab ( 1117 ).
4.3.6.2 Forced marriages by Al‐Shabaab
In Al‐Shabaab areas, the group abducts girls from schools and streets and arranges compulsory marriages between
their fighters and young girls (sometimes not older than 12) ( 1118 ). Cases of forced marriages with Al‐Shabaab fighters
were reported - on a limited scale - in parts of Mogadishu as well (UNHCR mentions an incident in Heliwaa). Many
families do not dare to refuse ( 1119 ).
Boys are (often initially voluntarily ( 1120 )) recruited with the promise of getting married to a girl. Landinfo noted that
many fighters belong to minority clans, and marrying a woman from a majority clan is perceived by some of them
as an opportunity to raise their status. Moreover, for young Islamists, getting married and having children signifies
that they are ready to fight and can function as suicide bombers. Their young wives may not realise that the marriage
( 1108 ) Somaliareport, Al‐Shabaab bans teaching Geography and History, 16 October 2011 (http://www.somaliareport.com/index.php/post/1777/Al‐Shabaab_
Bans_Teaching_Geography_and_History) accessed 27 May 2014.
( 1109 ) See also section 3.5.6.
( 1110 ) See also section 3.5.11.
( 1111 ) Somaliareport, Al‐Shabaab abuses of civilians continue, 22 June 2012 (http://somaliareport.com/index.php/post/3467/Al‐Shabaab_Abuses_of_Civilians_
Continue) accessed 29 May 2014; Sabahionline, El Dher residents flee after al‐Shabaab imposes hefty tax demand, 6 March 2014 (http://sabahionline.com/
en_GB/articles/hoa/articles/features/2014/03/06/feature-01) accessed 29 May 2014. See also para. 3.5.6 and 3.5.11.
( 1112 ) Landinfo/Udlændingsstyrelsen, Update on security and protection issues in Mogadishu and South‐Central Somalia, March 2014 (http://landinfo.no/
asset/2837/1/2837_1.pdf) accessed 26 May 2014, p. 55.
( 1113 ) US Department of State, Country Report on Human Rights Practices for 2013 - Somalia, 27 February 2014 (http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/
humanrightsreport/index.htmyear=2013&dlid=220158) accessed 23 May 2014.
( 1114 ) Landinfo/Udlændingsstyrelsen, Update on security and protection issues in Mogadishu and South‐Central Somalia, March 2014 (http://landinfo.no/
asset/2837/1/2837_1.pdf) accessed 26 May 2014, p. 58.
( 1115 ) NOAS, Persecution and protection in Somalia, A fact‐finding report by NOAS, April 2014 (http://www.noas.no/wp‐content/uploads/2014/04/Somalia_web.
pdf) accessed 2 June 2014, p.29.
( 1116 ) US Department of State, Country Report on Human Rights Practices for 2013 - Somalia, 27 February 2014 (http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/
humanrightsreport/index.htmyear=2013&dlid=220158) accessed 23 May 2014.
( 1117 ) Landinfo/Udlændingsstyrelsen, Update on security and protection issues in Mogadishu and South‐Central Somalia, March 2014 (http://landinfo.no/
asset/2837/1/2837_1.pdf) accessed 26 May 2014, p. 55-57.
( 1118 ) HRW, No place for children, Child Recruitment, Forced Marriage, and Attacks on Schools in Somalia, February 2012 (http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/
reports/somalia0212ForUpload_0.pdf) accessed 30 May 2014, p. 60-66.
( 1119 ) Landinfo/Udlændingsstyrelsen, Update on security and protection issues in Mogadishu and South‐Central Somalia, March 2014 (http://landinfo.no/
asset/2837/1/2837_1.pdf) accessed 26 May 2014, p. 31.
( 1120 ) Lifos, Säkerhetssituationen i södra och centrala Somalia, Rapport från utredningsresa till Nairobi, Kenya i oktober 2013, 20 January 2014 (http://lifos.
migrationsverket.se/dokumentdocumentAttachmentId=40524) accessed 22 June 2014, p. 18.