Somalia
| Right | Question | Contents |
|---|---|---|
| Freedom of Expression | What is the oldest written source in this country that mentions this right? | The Constitution of the Somali Republic, adopted in 1960, is the first assertion of freedom of expression in the country’s history. The right was specifically outlined in Article 28, which also defined limitations as “prescribed by law for the purpose of safeguarding morals and public security.” “The Constitution of the Somali Republic.” Citizenship Rights Africa. Accessed July 13, 2023, http://citizenshiprightsafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Somalia-Constitution-1960.pdf |
| Freedom of Association | What is the oldest written source in this country that mentions this right? | Part II, Article 12, of the 1960 Constitution of the Somali Republic covers the right to political association. Article 12 Section 2 states, Political parties and associations which are secret, have an organization of a military character or have a tribal denomination shall be prohibited. Article 13 separately covers the right to form trade unions. The Somali Republic was formed July 1, 1960, gaining independence from the United Kingdom(Somalia), and Italy(Somoliland). CIA World Factbook. Somalia. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/somalia/#government Constitution of the Somali Republic. http://citizenshiprightsafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Somalia-Constitution-1960.pdf |
| Freedom of Religion | What is the oldest written source in this country that mentions this right? | The Provisional Federal Constitution of Somalia was ratified on August 1, 2012. Article 11 declares religious equality and prohibits religious discrimination, while article 17 declares religious freedom. Article 2 declares Islam the state religion and that no other religion can be propagated in the country. Constitution Project. “Somalia 2012 Constitution.” Constitute. POGO, April 27, 2022. Last modified April 27, 2022. Accessed July 5, 2022. https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Somalia_2012?lang=en. |
| Voting Rights and Suffrage | What is the oldest written source in this country that mentions this right? | Under article 141 of Somalia’s Constitution eligible voters have the right to vote in referendums and by secret ballot in elections. The voting age in Somalia is 18 years old. (Constitute Project, “ Somalia’s Constitution of 2012”). |
| Freedom of the Press | What is the oldest written source in this country that mentions this right? | Somalia’s 1961 Constitution had no explicit mention of freedom of the press, but protected the right for every person “freely to express his own opinion in any manner, subject to any limitations which may be prescribed by law for the purpose of safeguarding morals and public security" (WIPO, "Somali Constitution"). Article 18 of Somalia’s 2012 Constitution protects press freedom: “Freedom of expression includes freedom of speech, and freedom of the media, including all forms of electronic and web-based media" (Constitute Project, “ Somalia’s Constitution of 2012”). |
| Privacy Rights | What is the oldest written source in this country that mentions this right? | Article 28 of the 1960 Constitution of Somalia grants “respect for the private home” in which "no home or private property of any one (sic) may be entered into or violated, save in the cases mentioned in Paragraphs 2, 3 and 5 of Article 25” (World Intellectual Property Organization, “The Constitution”). |