(17-03-23) Brussels – Somalis around the world are expressing their anger and disappointment at a controversial speech given by Dr. Edna Adan Ismail, at the European Parliament during an international conference titled “Africa 21st Century: Old and New Borders, Federalism and Self-Determination.” The conference was organized by Catalan MEP Carles Puigdemont, who invited Dr. Adan, the current president of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO).
Adan’s speech, which contained derogatory remarks about the Somali government and people, has incited widespread outrage among the Somali community. Activists are now considering filing a lawsuit against Adan in the European Parliament, accusing her of using racist language and promoting a separatist ideology.
In her speech, Adan claimed, “Somalis do not want peace, they gain from lawlessness, instability and terrorism has become a very profitable, if I may call it, quote-unquote, business industry.” She urged the European Union to “stop the money flowing into Somalia” and to “stop [sic] depending on your money.”
These comments have been widely condemned by the Somali diaspora and government officials, who argue that Adan’s statements are discriminatory and perpetuate harmful stereotypes about the Somali people.
EU laws prohibit hate speech by foreign entities within the Parliament, including Article 21 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which bans discrimination on grounds of nationality. The EU Framework Decision on Racism and Xenophobia also criminalizes hate speech and other forms of discrimination.
Additionally, international laws, such as the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, prohibit hate speech and other acts of racial discrimination.
In response to the growing backlash, activists are organizing legal action against Adan, with the intention of holding her accountable for her divisive remarks at the European Parliament. It remains to be seen how the EU and international bodies will respond to these accusations and the potential lawsuit.
