"If you are poor, you are disadvantaged, but if you are poor and also marginalized minority, you are doubly disadvantaged!"

Situation of Somali minorities

General background
The problem of Somali marginalized minority groups continued to worsen without any improvement or remedies necessitating the establishment of SOMREF to fill the information gaps regarding minority group's socio-economic status and build a frame of cooperation with all related bodies such us aid agencies, donors, foundations & policy makers to explore interim intervention and explore durable solution in the abhorring human rights facing the community as well as address their immediate humanitarian needs.

The level of human rights violations faced by the community is incomparable to anywhere else with regard to new socially set terminologies of dehumanization and victimization of the highest order devised by the dominant clans which was the source of widespread of culture of impunity in Somalia. The terms "Looma oyaan" or un-mourned one", "Looma aaran" un-avenged one and "Sacaboolay" simply meaning an armed. On the humanitarian front the minorities have similarly endured the worst form of suffering within the Somali humanitarian catastrophe mainly through discrimination and lack of proper protection and attention to their complex predicament that cannot be easily recognized outside the Somali homogeneous culture amid the unceasing violence whose greatest victims have been without doubt the minority clans.

However, social segregation is a deep-rooted social issue that divides the Somali society into two categories; laan-deer (Majority-long brunch) (noble) and laan-gaab (minority – short brunch) (inferior). In Somalia, it is generally the case that noble groups are those belong to the culturally dominant group of transhumant pastoralists, who form nearly sixty per cent of the total population. Groups that are not pastoralist are often considered inferior or minority groups. The situation of minority groups deteriorated further as overall situation of the country got worse. In fact, in the absence of a legitimate state authority and accepted rule of law, a society, a nation, and country like Somalia will find itself in a state of turmoil and anarchy where only the strongest clans survive. Pillage, robbery, rape and enslavement of the unarmed and unprotected is a means of control and domination and ultimately survival. Those who have no means of defence or can seek retribution like minorities & women are easy targets and find themselves at the mercy of the armed militia of majority clans, which is the case of Somali vulnerable marginalized group of women & minorities.

Generally, the infrastructure remains poorly developed. Government agencies and non-governmental organizations even in stable regions (Somaliland/Puntland) have little contact with them. Yet the area is rich in materials providing opportunities for the growth of cottage industries, but because of the lack of skills, education and economic organization these opportunities have not been fully exploited. There are no cooperatives, except for one moribund society, and so the minority community faces problems, how to procure their livelihood occupations, increase their income and escape from poverty by their own efforts. However, due to the social exclusion and the conflict which enable them losing their assets and livelihoods this makes them vulnerable & discriminated communities, powerless, voiceless without human rights.

Somalia is one of the poorest Countries in the world; a situation aggravated by the civil war inherited absolute destruction of social and economic infrastructures across the Country, and eventually caused inadequacies of service deliveries. However, in the absence of a legitimate state authority and accepted rule of law, a society, a nation, a country like Somalia will find itself in a state of turmoil and anarchy where only the strongest clans survive. Accordingly, the human rights and humanitarian situation of Somalia is getting worse day by day since 1991, civilians are facing huge challenges, as those who survive from conflict specially the minorities are suffering from extreme & chronic poverty, they are living in diminished quality of life that restricts the full enjoyment of their human, economic, social, and cultural rights. They are facing disaster situation & slow collective death, for being voiceless, helpless & powerless, without any attention to this painful situation due to marginalization status and capacity problem, they are un-witnessed people un-noticed victims in Somalia’s current situation which is usually highlighted from humanitarian agencies.

As per AFP & Reuters July news articles, Somalia tops list of countries where Minorities most under threat globally for the third year and they are mainly targeted from extremist and radical groups in Somalia and strong clan militia. Due to the above reasons, the minorities are the neediest group of people facing worst starvation, highest poverty rates, massive displacement, huge unemployment figures, highest illiteracy levels and horrific health and sanitation status. Unlike other clans from dominant groups, minorities lack international support due the prolonged Somali conflict which creates an environment where minority groups are vulnerable and abnormally displaced from their homes. Therefore, they suffered grievous human rights violations, which included extra judicial killings, appropriation of lands and properties, and forced displacement from their lands to IDP or refugee camps situated along the Somalia Ethiopia border.