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Somalia: Treatment of members of the Tunni clan by members of the Habr Gidir and Abgal clans in Mogadishu and whether, in 2003, they were subjected to attacks that resulted in the rape and death of women (2003 - August 2005)

Current information on the treatment of members of the Tunni clan by members of the Habr Gedir and Abgal clans in Mogadishu and whether, in 2003, Tunnis were subjected to attacks that resulted in the rape and death of women, could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

However, in a March 2004 report on a fact-finding mission to Nairobi, the Danish Immigration Service (DIS) stated that women and children had become new targets for human rights violations in Mogadishu, particularly in mid-2003" (Denmark Mar. 20). While the DIS report did not identify the clan origin of the victims, it highlighted a significant increase in the number of killings and rapes of both women and children even through they "are not overtly targeted in clan conflict" (ibid., 20-21).

In addition, referring to the Qoryoley district of the Lower Shabelle region, the DIS report revealed that, in November 2003, an alliance of Abgal and Habr Gedir militias took control of the area belonging to the Digil clans (Tunni and Jido) and used them as "forced labour" (ibid., 23). The DIS report explained that Tunnis and Jidos have no access to courts or other legal institutions that could help them regain their land (ibid.).

It is estimated that between 29, 726 and 38, 000 Tunnis live in the Lower Shabelle and Middle Jubba regions of Somalia (Joshua Project n.d.; Ethnologue 2005). Along with the Dabarre and the Judo (also spelled "Jiddu"), the Tunni sub-group belongs to the Digil clan (Joshua Project n.d.; Denemark Mar. 2004, 23).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Denmark. March 2004. Danish Immigration Service (DIS). Human Rights and Security in Central and Southern Somalia. Joint Danish, Finnish, Norwegian and British Fact-Finding Mission to Nairobi, Kenya 7-21 January 2004. <http://www.udlst.dk/NR/rdonlyres/emw4w5b4i5mf57ba4qqpb3epzhboyk5uvmy3oryhnumvaquzkvuaqc2phpuarwqlqty5rtmd44zo3bqayj2m537bg7b/Somalia2004.pdf> [Accessed 5 Aug. 2005]

Ethnologue: Languages of the World. 2005. 15th ed. "Tunnii." Edited by Raymond G. Gordon, Jr. Dallas, Tex.: SIL International. http://www.ethnologue.com/show_language.asp?code=tqq> [Accessed 3 Aug. 2005]

Joshua Project. N.d. "Tunni of Somalia." <http://www.joshuaproject.net/peopctry.php?rog3=SO&rop3=110289> [Accessed 3 Aug. 2005]

Additional Sources Consulted

Publications: Ethnic Groups Worldwide, Minority Ethnic Groups in Somalia, World Directory of Minorities.

Internet sites, including: Amnesty International (AI), Arabic News, European Country of Origin Information Network (ECOI), Freedom House, Horn Relief, Human Rights Watch (HRW), International Crisis Group (ICG), The Somaliland Times, Somalinet.com, Somali Press Online, US Department of State.

Topics: Ethnic minorities, Violence against women, SGBV,