Sharmarke Ali Sharmarke. :
THE SAD STORY OF LEYLA ADAN HASSAN – A CALL FOR JUSTICE
The story of Leyla Adan Hassan is one that deserves to be heard by the world.
According to Leyla, she was born in the United Kingdom before being taken to Somalia by her mother as a young child. Shortly afterwards, her mother died under circumstances that Leyla believes were suspicious. She alleges that her maternal aunt was involved in her mother's death and disappearance, and that, to this day, no one knows where her mother's body is buried.
Leyla further alleges that, after her mother's death, she was trafficked by the same aunt. She says she was deceived into believing they were travelling to Saudi Arabia for a wedding, but was instead taken to Dubai and later to Somalia. During this time, she alleges that her passport and all her identity documents were destroyed, and that another relative later assumed her identity.
At just 13 years old, Leyla says she was forced into marriage with her aunt's son without her consent. She describes spending more than 25 years enduring abuse, violence, neglect, and isolation. During that time, she gave birth to 12 children, two of whom she says died because of abuse and neglect.
With the help of Good Samaritans, Leyla eventually escaped to Nairobi, Kenya, leaving behind her ten surviving children. Today, she is seeking justice and asking for a fair, independent investigation into the allegations she has raised.
Special recognition goes to Ridhwan Issack, whose platform helped bring Leyla's story to public attention, and Hanna Parenta, who has volunteered her time and effort to support Leyla in her pursuit of justice.
If Leyla's allegations are true, those responsible must be held accountable. If they are not, an impartial investigation should establish the truth.
We respectfully call upon the Government of the United Kingdom, the Government of the Netherlands, the British High Commission in Nairobi, the Kenyan authorities, INTERPOL, UNICEF, UN Human Rights, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and all child protection and human rights organisations to ensure Leyla's safety and investigate these allegations thoroughly and fairly.
No child should ever be trafficked.
2026-07-28 22:27:16