Information concerning Sharia courts, particularly on the procedures implemented during trials, on whether trials are conducted in absentia, on the penalty for adultery and on how far reaching are these courts' decisions [SOM24941.E]

Information on these specific subjects is currently unavailable among the sources consulted by the DIRB.

For general information on Sharia courts, please consult the attached documents.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Attachments


Africa News Service. February 1996. "Somalia Extremists Tighten Grip as Fighting Spreads". (NEXIS)

Agence France Presse (AFP). 6 February 1996. "Armed Sharia Enforcers Sent to Southern Somalia". (NEXIS)""

Agence France Presse (AFP). 16 March 1996. "Sharia Court Stones Rapist to Death in Northern Somalia". (NEXIS)

Agence France Presse (AFP) [Paris, in English]. 27 January 1996. "Somalia: Islamic Court Imposes Curfew in North Mogadishu". (FBIS-AFR-96-019 29 January 1996, p. 8)

Agence France Presse (AFP) [Paris, in English]. 23 January 1996. "Somalia: Islamic Court Bans Daytime Food Sale During Ramadan". (FBIS-AFR-96-015 23 January 1996, p. 11)

Agence France Presse (AFP). 17 February 1996. "Alleged Somali Defector Charged with Illegal Possession of Arms". (NEXIS)

Agence France Presse (AFP). 25 May 1996. "Islam and Somali Clan Wars." (NEXIS)

Associated Press (AP). 13 February 1996. "Somalia Warlord to be Tried". (NEXIS)

The Orlando Sentinel. 16 March 1995. "7 Killed When Militiamen Attack Mogadishu Court". (NEXIS)

The Indian Ocean Newsletter. 4 May 1996. "Somalia: Sharia Versus Aideed". No. 717.

Xinhua News Agency. 24 February 1996. "Trial Postponed Again for Alleged Deputy of Aideed". (NEXIS)