Bareedo Platform Somalia strongly condemns the violent attack against Ms. Marian Mohamed Hussein, Co-Founder and Programmes Officer of Hawa Feminist Coalition, which took place in Garowe, Puntland, Somalia, on May 19 2026.
Ms. Marian is a women’s rights defender, young feminist activist and a frontline advocate for the rights, dignity and empowerment of women and girls. We are deeply concerned by reports that the attack was linked to hostility toward her feminist activism and advocacy in Somalia.
This attack is not only an assault on an individual activist; it raises serious concerns about the safety of human rights defenders and the protection of civic space in Somalia. Civil society actors, activists and women human rights defenders must be able to organize, speak, advocate and participate in public life without fear of violence, intimidation, harassment or retaliation.
Bareedo Platform Somalia is particularly concerned by the increasing use of hate speech, misinformation, online harassment and threats to target women’s rights advocates and civil society organizations. When such hostility is tolerated or left unaddressed, it can restrict freedom of expression, discourage civic participation and create an unsafe environment for those peacefully advocating for human rights and social change.
Freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association are essential foundations of an open and inclusive society. Differences of opinion, including on sensitive social and cultural issues, must be addressed through peaceful dialogue—not through threats, incitement or violence.
We therefore call on the relevant law-enforcement authorities in Puntland to conduct a prompt, impartial and thorough investigation into the attack against Ms. Marian, ensure that those responsible are held accountable in accordance with the law, and take appropriate measures to protect her from further threats or retaliation.
We further urge public authorities to strengthen measures to protect human rights defenders, journalists, activists and civil society organizations and to ensure an enabling environment in which they can carry out their legitimate work safely and freely.
We call on religious and community leaders, public institutions, media organizations and all responsible actors to reject hate speech, incitement and violence and to promote tolerance, respectful dialogue and the peaceful exercise of fundamental freedoms.
Bareedo Platform Somalia stands in solidarity with Ms. Marian Mohamed Hussein, Hawa Feminist Coalition and all human rights defenders who continue to work for equality, justice, democratic participation and fundamental freedoms in Somalia.
We wish Ms. Marian a full and speedy recovery.
Violence must never become a tool for silencing civic voices. Protecting human rights defenders and safeguarding civic space are essential to building a peaceful, inclusive and democratic Somalia.
Bareedo Platform Somalia
For inquiries:
Email: info@bareedo.org
Tell: +252 66 1116061