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Somaliland should free two TV journalists detained for covering protests in Hargeisa

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Horyaal24 TV journalists, Abdinasir Abdi Haji Nur (left) and Ahmed-Zaki Ibrahim Mohamud (right). | PHOTO / SJS/ Courtesy.
Horyaal24 TV journalists, Abdinasir Abdi Haji Nur (left) and Ahmed-Zaki Ibrahim Mohamud (right). | PHOTO / SJS/ Courtesy.

MOGADISHU, Somalia 18 August, 2022 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) and the Somali Media Association (SOMA) call for Somaliland authorities to free without condition two local television journalists detained since 11 August in Hargeisa after covering opposition protests that turned deadly in Somaliland.

On 11 August, Police in Hargeisa detained two Horyaal24 TV journalists, Abdinasir Abdi Haji Nur and Ahmed-Zaki Ibrahim Mohamud after covering violent protests over the postponed elections in Hargeisa and other towns that day. According to colleagues, police initially held them at the criminal investigation department before transferring them to the Mandhera prison on 15 August.

SJS and SOMA are concerned that Somaliland authorities are holding the two journalists without any charges and even after the Hargeisa court ordered for their release. Both Somaliland’s interior minister and the police chief did not respond to SJS and SOMA calls seeking explanation on the two journalists’ detention.

SJS and SOMA calls Somaliland authorities to cease using internet blackout to suppress access to information including independent news coverage of the media. On Thursday 11 August, Somaliland authorities ordered internet service providers to shut the network which severely impacted media’s role in covering and relaying information to citizens. The shutdown also affected parts of Southern and Central Somalia.

“Somaliland authorities should immediately free Horyaal24 TV journalists, Abdinasir Abdi Haji Nur and Ahmed-Zaki Ibrahim Mohamud from the prison. Journalism is not a crime and therefore police officers should stop targeting and jailing journalists who cover news incidents such as public protests,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the Secretary-General of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said. “Authorities should also stop turning to internet shutdown to silence critical voices including the news reports of the independent media.”

“We strongly condemn the detention of Horyaal24 TV journalists, Abdinasir Abdi Haji Nur and Ahmed-Zaki Ibrahim Mohamud which is illegal. We call for their immediate freedom. Until now they are not charged but unfortunately, authorities decided to hold them in the prison and this is unacceptable,” Mohamed Osman Makaran, the Secretary-General of the Somali Media Association (SOMA) said.

UN declares the arrest and detention of journalist Kilwe Adan Farah in Somalia’s Puntland a human rights violation

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Freelance journalist, Kilwe Adan Farah detained on 27 December, 2020 is charged with 'attempted murder" by Puntland's military court on 11 January, 2021. | Photo/SJS/Courtesy.
Freelance journalist, Kilwe Adan Farah detained on 27 December, 2020 is charged with 'attempted murder" by Puntland's military court on 11 January, 2021. | PHOTO / SJS/Courtesy.

MOGADISHU, Somalia, 15 August 2022 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) and human rights lawyer, Michael Polak of Justice Abroad jointly welcome the opinion of the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD) declaring the arrest and detention of journalist Kilwe Adan Farah, in Somalia’s Puntland State as an arbitrary detention and was in contrary to his right to freedom of movement under article 13 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and article 12 of the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

After covering street protests in Garowe, the capital of Puntland State, Mr. Kilwe was detained by Puntland police officers at gunpoint on 27 December 2020.  He was held incommunicado for 16 days before he was arraigned in a military court on 3 March 2021. He was first charged with murder despite the fact that the authorities were unable to point to any victim and then following this, inside a small room at the Garowe central prison, on 17 March 2021, Puntland military court judges sentenced him to three years in prison for “media related offences”. Neither Mr. Farah’s lawyer nor his family were allowed to attend the hearing of this sham trial conducted by this kangaroo court. As a civilian there was not way that Mr Kilwe should have been tried by a military court.

Journalist Kilwe, who comes from the marginalized Sanaag region, was released after 84 days in prison, on 22 March 2021, following a special pardon decree by the President of Puntland, Said Abdullahi Deni and after submissions had been made to the UN’s Working Group on Arbitrary Detention by Mr Polak on behalf of the SJS.

SJS and the human rights barrister, Michael Polak welcome this historic decision by the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention regarding the human rights violations committed by Puntland State authorities perpetrated against journalist Kilwe Adan Farah.

Noting that Kilwe’s detention was as a result of his journalistic work, the UN Working Group found that the Mr. Kilwe’s detention constituted a de facto deprivation of liberty in an unofficial place of detention for over two weeks and recorded its particular concern over these events. The Working Group also found that the rights of Mr. Kilwe a number of the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Covenant on Civil and Policial Rights  including his right to liberty, his right to be free from arbitrary detention, his right to an effective remedy, his right to a fair and public hearing.

The UN Working Group transmitted the allegations regarding journalist Kilwe’s detention and requested that the Government of Somalia provide, by 1 February 2022, detailed information about the circumstances surrounding the arrest and detention of the journalist Kilwe Adan Farah and to clarify the legal provisions justifying his detention, as well as its compatibility with the obligations of Somalia under international human rights law and in particular with regard to the treaties ratified by the State.  

On 25 January 2021 the Government requested an extension which was granted on the same day with a new deadline of 3 March 2022 given.  Up to  the day of the publication of its opinion, 31 May 2022, the Working Group has received no reply from the Government.

The Working Group also required the Government of Somalia to take the steps necessary to remedy the situation of Mr. Kilwe without delay and bring it into conformity with the relevant international norms, including those set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The Working Group suggests that, taking into account all the circumstances of the case, the appropriate remedy would be to accord Mr. Kilwe an enforceable right to compensation and other reparations, in accordance with international law.

“SJS through its international lawyer, submitted this case to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. We welcome this historic decision which clearly states the human rights abuses perpetrated against our colleague journalist Kilwe Adan Farah who was targeted because of his journalistic reporting.  We now call Somali Federal Government and its regional member state of Puntland to take all necessary steps to provide a remedy to journalist Kilwe Adan Farah including by providing him with an enforceable right to compensation and other reparations, in accordance with international law,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the Secretary-General of the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said “We also urge the Somali Government and Puntland State to ensure a full and independent investigation of the circumstances surrounding the arbitrary deprivation of liberty of our colleague Kilwe Adan Farah.”

Lawyer Michael Polak stated that in the past, authorities such those in Puntland might have felt that they could disappear and persecute anyone who had the temerity to report news that they did not like. Now, with international bodies willing to investigate the treatments of journalists and others who are subject to laughable ‘court’ proceedings, that is no longer the case.

“Journalists remain one of the most important groups in relation to their role in informing the public about thing that are going wrong in society so that changes can take place. Instead of attacking individual journalists the authorities should address the problems identified to make things better for people who live in areas they manage,” added Mr. Michael Polak.

QM ayaa u aqoonsatay in xariggii Puntland u geysatay weriye Kilwe Aadan Faarax inuu ahaa xadgudub ka dhan ah xuquuqda aadanaha

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Weriye Kilwe Aadan Faarax waxaa la xiray 27 Disembar kaddib markuu tebiyay mudaaharaad ka dhacay Garowe. | Photo/Courtesy/SJS.
Weriye Kilwe Aadan Faarax waxaa la xiray 27 Disembar kaddib markuu tebiyay mudaaharaad ka dhacay Garowe. | PHOTO / Courtesy/SJS.

MUQDISHO, Soomaaliya, 15 Agoosto 2022 – Ururka Saxafiyiinta Soomaaliyeed (SJS) iyo qareenkooda xuquuqul insaanka, Michael Polak ee Justice Abroad ayaa si wadajir ah u soo dhaweeyay go’aanka kasoo baxay Kooxda Qaramada Midoobay u qaabilsan Xarigga Sharci Darrada (UNWGAD) kuwaasi oo u aqoonsaday xarigga Dowlad Goboleedka Soomaaliyeed ee Puntland ay kula keceen weriye Kilwe Aadan Faarax bishii Disembar 2020 inuu ah xarig sharci-darro ah oo liddi ku ah xuquuqdiisa dhaq-dhaqaaqa sida uu dhigayo Qodobka 13aad ee Baaqa Caalamiga ah ee Xuquuqul Insaanka iyo Qodobka 12aad ee Axdiga Xuquuqda Madaniga iyo Siyaasadda.

Ciidanka booliska hubeysan ee Puntland ayaa beegsaday oo xabsiga dhigay weriye Kilwe kaddib markii uu soo tebiyay mudaaharaadyadii ka dhacay magaalada Garoowe ee caasimadda Puntland 27-kii Disembar 2020, waxaana markii ugu horeysay lagu soo oogay dacwad dil ah inkastoo maamulka uu awoodi waayay inuu caddeyn u keeno sheegashadooda, kaddibna garsoorayaal ka tirsan maxkamada ciidamada Puntland ayaa qol yar oo ku yaalla xabsiga dhexe ee Garoowe kula riday xukun saddex sano oo xarig ah 17-kii Maarso 2021 iyagoo cuskanaya “Dembiyada la xiriira warbaahinta”. Kilwe ma heysan qareen, lamana siin fursad uu ku arko qoyskiisa waqtiga lagu qaadayey dacwaddan been abuurka ah ee ay qaaday maxkamadda. Ka weriye ahaan ma jirin sabab keeni kartay in Mr Kilwe, oo shacab ah, lagu xukumo maxkamad ciidan.

Weriye Kilwe oo ka soo jeeda gobolka Sanaag ayaa xabsiga laga sii daayey 84 maalmood kaddib 22 Maarso 2021, iyadoo wareegto cafis fidin ah uu sameeyay madaxweynaha Puntland, Siciid Cabdullaahi Deni, kadibna loo gudbiyey guddiga shaqada ee Qaramada Midoobay. Dacwad la xiriirta xarigga aan sharciga ahayn ee weriye Kilwe ayaa waxaa Guddiga Qaramada Midoobay u gudbiyay qareen Michael Polak oo ka wakiil ah SJS.

SJS iyo qareenka xuquuqul insaanka, Michael Polak waxay soo dhawaynayaan go’aankan taariikhiga ah ee ay soo saartay kooxda Qaramada Midoobay ee Xarigga Sharci Darrada ah kaasoo ku saabsan ku xad-gudubka xuquuqul insaanka ee maamulka Puntland u gaystay weriye Kilwe Aadan Faarax.

Iyagoo caddeeyay in xarigga Kilwe ay sabab u tahay shaqadiisa saxafinimo darteed, Kooxda Qaramada Midoobay waxay ogaatay in xarigga weriye Kilwe uu ka dhigan yahay xorriyad ka qaadis, iyo in meel aan rasmi ahayn lagu hayey in ka badan laba toddobaad. Kooxda Qaramada Midoobay waxay diiwaangelisay dareenkeeda gaarka ah ee dhacdooyinka noocan oo kale. Kooxda Qaramada Midoobay waxay kaloo ogaatay in xuquuqda weriye Kilwe ay ka mid tahay qodobbada Baaqa Caalamiga ah ee Xuquuqul Insaanka iyo Axdiga Xuquuqda Madaniga ah iyo Siyaasadda oo ay ku jiraan xaqa uu u leeyahay xorriyaddiisa, xaqa xor ka ahaanshaha xarigga sharci-darrada ah, xaqa uu u leeyahay in si wanaagaan loola dhaqmo, xaqa uu u leeyahay caddaalad iyo inuu helo dhageysi dadweyne.

Kooxda Qaramada Midoobay ayaa u gudbiyay eedeymaha la xiriira xarigga weriye Kilwe Dowladda Soomaaliya, waxayna ka codsadeen jawaab faahfaahsan inay Dowladdu kasoo bixiso 1-da Febraayo 2022. Waxaa kaloo Dowladda Soomaaliya laga dalbaday inay inay caddeyso qodobbada sharciga ah ee lagu sababeynayo xariggiisa iyo sidoo kale in ay waafaqsan tahay waajibaadka Soomaaliya ka saaran sharciga caalamiga ah ee xuquuqul insaanka gaar ahaan marka la eego heshiisyada ay Dawladdu ansixisay.

25kii Jannaayo 2021 ayey Dowladda Soomaaliya soo jawaabtay, waxayna codsatay muddo kordhin taas oo laga ogolaaday isla maalintaas, waxaana la siiyay waqti illaa 3 Maarso 2022 kama danbeys. Illaa haatan oo la daabacay go’aanka Guddiga Qaramada Midoobay oo ku beegan 31 May 2022 wax jawaab ah lagama helin dowladda Soomaaliya.

Kooxda Qaramada Midoobay waxay ka dalbadeen Dowladda Soomaaliya inay qaaddo tallaabooyinka lagama maarmaanka u ah inay wax ka qabato xaaladda weriye Kilwe oo aanu dib u dhac ku iman, lana waafajiyo xeerarka caalamiga ah ee khuseeya, oo ay ku jiraan kuwa ku xusan Baaqa Caalamiga ah ee Xuquuqda Aadanaha iyo Axdiga Caalamiga ah iyo kan Xuquuqda Madaniga iyo Siyaasadda. Kooxda QM waxay soo jeedinaysaa, iyadoo la tixgalinayo dhammaan duruufaha kiiskan, in xalka ku habboon uu noqdo in la siiyo weriye Kilwe xuquuq la fulin karo oo magdhow ah iyo caawimaadyo kale, si waafaqsan sharciga caalamiga ah.

“SJS, iyada oo adeegsanaysa qareenkeeda caalamiga ah, waxay kiiskan u gudbisay Kooxda Qaramada Midoobay ee Ka Shaqeeya Xarigga xaq darrada ah. Waxaan soo dhoweynaynaa go’aankan taariikhiga ah oo si cad u qeexaya xad-gudubyada ka dhanka ah xuquuqul insaanka ee lagula kacay saaxiibkeen Kilwe Aadan Faarax oo loo beegsaday shaqadiisa saxaafadeed darteed. Waxaan hadda ugu baaqeynaa Dowladda Federaalka Soomaaliya iyo Dowlad Goboleedka Puntland inay qaadaan tallaab kasta oo lagama maarmaan u ah si ay xal ugu helaan dhibaatada loo geystay weriye Kilwe Aadan Faarax oo ay ka mid tahay in la siiyo xuquuq la fulin karo oo magdhow iyo taageero u dhiganta dhibkii gaaray, si waafaqsan shuruucda caalamiga ah,” ayuu yiri Cabdalle Axmed Mumin, Xoghayaha Guud ee Ururka Saxafiyiinta Soomaaliyeed (SJS). “Waxaan sidoo kale ku boorineynaa Dowladda Soomaaliya iyo Puntland inay xaqiijiyaan baaritaan buuxa oo madax-bannaan oo lagu sameeyo duruufaha ku xeeran sababata markii horeba xorriyadda looga qaaday saaxiibkeen Kilwe Aadan Faarax.”

Qareenka Michael Polak ayaa sheegay in waayadii hore maamulada sida kuwa Puntland ay dareemi jireen inay la baxsan karaan oo ay dhibaateyn karaan cid kasta oo ka damqata ama ka hadasha warar aysan raali ka aheyn Dowladdu. Hadda, iyada oo hay’adaha caalamiga ah ay diyaar u yihiin inay baaraan sida loola dhaqmo saxafiyiinta iyo dadka kale ee lagu beegsado dacwadaha ‘maxkamadaha’ ee lasoo dhoodhoobay. Hadda arrintaasi way dhammaatay.

“Warfidiyeenku waxa ay weli ka mid yihiin kooxaha ugu muhiimsan marka la eego doorka ay ku leeyihiin in ay bulshada u sheegaan waxyaabaha ka qaldan Dowladda si isbeddel uu u dhaco. Maamullada intii ay weerari lahaayeen saxafiyiinta ah waa inay wax ka qabtaan dhibaatooyinka la tilmaamay, si ay wax ugu wanaajiyaan xaaladda dadka ku nool meelaha ay maamulaan,” ayuu hadalkiisa ku daray qareen Michael Polak.

South West State police should free two radio journalists held in Baidoa

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[left] Mohamed Abdirahman Abdulle (known as Malele) and [right] producer Farah Hussein Haji (known as Weerow).
[left] Radio Warsan reporter, Mohamed Abdirahman Abdulle (known as Malele) and [right] producer Farah Hussein Haji (known as Weerow). | PHOTO/Courtesy/ Radio Warsan.

MOGADISHU, Somalia 8 August 2022 – South West State authorities should instruct police officers in Baidoa to free two Radio Warsan journalists who are held at the Baidoa criminal investigation department since Thursday 4 August, the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS), Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) and the Somali Media Association (SOMA) said on Monday.

On Thursday, Baidoa police summoned and then arbitrarily detained Radio Warsan reporter, Mohamed Abdirahman Abdulle known as Malele and producer Farah Hussein Haji known as Weerow. Police initially stated that they were investigating suspected scammers when they summoned the pair. However, there are no charges brought against them until today as they are held at the criminal investigation department making their detention illegal.  We therefore call for their immediate freedom.

We are concerned that the two radio journalists were held in the same cell where alleged al-Shabaab suspects are held, according to representatives from our organizations who visited the jailed journalists on Sunday. While both Malele and Weerow were not notified of any wrongdoing, Baidoa police still continue to hold them in custody in violation to Article 35 of the Provisional Constitution which prohibits detention without charge for more than 48 hours.

The detention of the Radio Warsan journalists comes as South West State authorities scaled up their crackdown on independent media and journalists critical to them. On 15 July, South West State intelligence officers detained human rights journalist, Hassan Ali Daud, who reports for Arlaadi Media Network (AMN) and held him incommunicado for 19 days in Baidoa for covering a complaint by members of South West State opposition lawmakers who criticized president Abdiaziz Hassan Laftagareen following an alleged physical assault on the lawmakers. He was freed on 2 August without charge.

On 6 July, Baidoa police officers detained RTN television reporter, Mohamed Abdirahin Mohamed, from Baidoa city centre following his interview with an opposition member of the South West State Assembly, who among six other lawmakers, protested against the revocation of their immunity and membership in the state assembly. He was also freed a day later without charge.

On 6 July, South West State Information Minister, Ilyas Ali Nur, threatened a legal action against AMN over its coverage on the overdue functions of the state assembly and further instructed the Federal Ministry of Information to initiate a legal action against AMN which is headquartered in Mogadishu.

Radio Warsan is one of the oldest trusted news outlets in South West State and its journalists have endured unbearable threats from various fronts including threats from state security forces. Baidoa police should immediately free Mohamed Abdirahman Abdulle (known as Malele) and producer Farah Hussein Haji (known as Weerow) without any further delay.

Jointly signed by:

  1. Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS)
  2. Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ)
  3. Somali Media Association (SOMA)

READ JOINT STATEMENT PDF

Danjiraha Mareykanka oo SJS kala qeybgalay shahaado guddoonsiinta 26 saxafi oo lagu tabaray xurfadeynta warbaahinta Soomaaliyeed

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Ka qeybgalayaasha tababarka oo uu wehliyo Xoghayaha SJS, Abdalle Mumin iyo Danjiraha Mareykanka Larry Andrea, oo wada galay sawir kooxeed.
Ka qeybgalayaasha tababarka oo uu wehliyo Xoghayaha SJS, Abdalle Mumin iyo Danjiraha Mareykanka Larry Andrea, oo wada galay sawir kooxeed. | PHOTO/SJS.

MUQDISHO, Somalia 27 July, 2022 – Danjiraha U.S ee Soomaaliya Larry André ayaa kala qeybgalay team ka SJS bixinta shahaadooyinka saxafiyiinta dhameystay tababarka xirfad dhisidda saxafiyiinta oo muddo saddex maalin (25 – 27 Luulyo, 2022) kasocday magaalada Muqdisho.

Tababarkan oo ay taageertay Safaaradda Mareykanka ee Muqdisho ayaa diiradda lagu saaray afar qeybood oo waaweyn: Xorriyatul qowlka iyo xorriyadda warbaahinta oo ay ku lamaansan tahay xaddidaada iyo mas’uuliyadaha saxafiyiinta; xeerka anshaxa saxafiyiinta iyo shuruucda warbaahinta; hababka hubinta xaqiiqooyinka iyo xogta iyo ka hortagga wararka been abuurka; iyo habka kasoo waramidda goobaha colaadaha.  Waxaana tababarkan ka faa’ideystay 26 wariye oo ka kala yimid gobollada dalka. Barnaamijkan ayaa qeyb ka ah mashruuc cusub oo tababarro ah oo ay SJS qorsheyneyso inay ku tababarto illaa 50 saxafi oo ku kala sugan gobollada dalka.

Tababarku wuxuu diiradda saaray baahida loo qabo in saxafiyiinta la tababaray ay bulshada u soo gudbiyaan xog dhab ah, dheeli tiran oo la hubo si ay dadweynaha ugu go’aan qaataan arrimaha khuseeya noloshooda, bulshadooda iyo dawladnimadooda. Saxafiyiinta xirfadleyda ahi waxay u baahan yihiin inay ku dhaqmaan anshax xaqiiqo raadin iyo xaqiijinta RUNTA. Muddadii uu tababarku socday waxay SJS ay siisay ka qeybgalayaasha buuggaag ku qoran luuqadda Soomaaliga oo lagama maarmaan u ah fahamka aqoonta iyo macluumaadka uu xambaarsanaa tababarkan.

SJS waxay kaloo sameysay qiimayn ku saabsan tababarka iyadoo su’aalo qoraal ah la siiyay ka qeybgalayaasha si loo qiimeeyo in ujeedooyinkii tababarka la fuliyay iyo in kale taasoo muujineysa in tababarka saddexda maalin la gaaray wax ka badan intii la filayey.

Xilligan oo ay dunida oo dhan ciriiri ku jirto isgaarsiinta, waxa muhiim ah in la kala saaro shaqada wartebinta ee saxafiyiinta iyo noocyada kale ee isgaarsiinta. Tababarkani waxa uu hagay oo awood siiyay saxafi kasta oo ka qeybgalay xirfado lagama maarmaan u ah shaqada war-tebinta. Waxaa ka sii muhiimsan, tababarku wuxuu bixiyay meel ammaan ah oo lagu wadaago fikradaha iyo waayo aragnimada ku saabsan xadgudubyada iyo caqabadaha ay la kulmaan saxafiyiinta Soomaaliya.

Gabagabadii tababarka Xoghayaha Guud ee SJS, Abdalle Ahmed Mumin ayaa u mahadceliyay safaaradda Mareykanka oo taageertay mashruuca tababarkan, isagoo in loo baahan yahay in la helo habab cusub oo lagu xoojin karo warbaahinta madaxa-bannaan si loola dagaallamo dhaqanka ‘Sharuurka’. “Waxqabadyada noocaan ah waxaa ka mid noqon kara taageero lacageed oo ay bixiso hay’adaha caalamiga si ay u xorowdo warbaahinta hadda ay afduubka u haystaan siyaasiyiin musuq ku shaqeysta ee xukunka kaliya u ooman iyo ​​ganacsatada aan daacadda ahayn,” ayuu yiri Xoghayaha Guud ee SJS, Abdalle Ahmed Mumin.

“Waxaan kaloo ogaannay inay jirto baahi loo qabo tababar gooni u ah kor u qaadida tayada saxafiyiinta dumarka ah ee la kulma caqabado gaar ah, tababarrida milkiilayaasha warbaahinta iyo agaasimayaasha iyo dhiirigelinta saxaafadda wax-baarta si ay ula xisaabtanto mas’uuliyinta dowladda iyo inay taageerto hannaanka dowladnimo loo dhan yahay,” ayuu sii raaciyey Xoghaye Mumin hadalkiisa.

Abdullahi Hussein Kilas oo ka yimid Jubbaland iyo Amina Abdirahman oo ka timid Koonfur Galbeed, oo ka mid ahaa ka qeybgalayaasha ayaa munaasabadda gabagabada tababarka ka sheegay inay xirfado muhiim ah ku barteen tababarka, ayna rajeynayaan inay wax weyn iska beddeli doonaan shaqadooda saxafinnimo. Waxay labaduba u mahadceliyeen SJS iyo Safaaradda Mareykanka dadaalka ay ku bixiyeen qabashada tababarkan.

Danjiraha Mareykanka, Larry André oo saxafiyiinta la hadlay kahor intaan shahaadooyinka la guddoonsiin ayaa sheegay inuu xushmad weyn u hayo shaqada saxafiyiinta iyo warbaahinta Soomaaliyeed, isagoo xusay in Safaaradda Mareykanka ay sii wadeyso inay kala hadasho madaxda dowladda Soomaaliya iyo kuwa maamul goboleedyada tacaddiyada loo geysto saxafiyiinta.

Danjire Larry André oo la hadlay ka soo qeyb galayaasha wax yar ka hor inta aan la guddoonsiin shahaadooyinka ayaa sheegay in uu si weyn u ixtiraamayo shaqada ay hayaan suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed isagoo xusay in safaaradda Mareykanka ay sii wadayaan in ay miiska soo saaraan arrimaha ilaalinta suxufiyiinta iyo xoriyadda warbaahinta. wada hadalka madaxda federaalka Soomaaliya iyo maamulada ka jira dowlad goboleedyada.

“Tababarka saxafiyiinta wuxuu sharxayaa waxa ay yihiin heerarka xirfadeed ee ugu sarreeya ee aad haysato iyo inay tahay xirfad nololeed oo aad dib u eegis ku sameyn karto noloshaada. Tababarkan waxa aan bahwadaag kula nahay Ururka Suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed ee SJS, iyadoo qorshuhu yahay in la gaaro illaa 50 Suxufi oo ku kala sugan laba gobol oo kala duwan oo Soomaaliya ka mid ah, si aan u dhisno xirfadahooda shaqo iyo halbeeg la jaanqaadi kara xorriyadda saxaafadda iyo waajibaadka shaqo ee ay leeyihiin,” ayuu yiri danjire André “Si loo helo soo kabashada Soomaaliya, waxaa lagama maarmaan ah in la helo saxaafad xor ah oo firfircoon. Waxaan la socdaa dhibaatooyinka ay la kulmaan dhammaan saxafiyiinta Soomaaliya iyo dhibaatooyinka dheeraadka ah ee ay la kulmaan haweenka saxafiyiinta ah,” ayuu yiri danjire André.

U.S Ambassador joins SJS to conclude journalists’ training to professionalize Somali media inline with standards of free expression

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Training participants pose for a group photo alongside the SJS Secretary-General, Abdalle Ahmed Mumin and the U.S Ambassador, Larry André in Mogadishu, on Wednesday 27 July, 2022.
Training participants pose for a group photo alongside the SJS Secretary-General, Abdalle Ahmed Mumin and the U.S Ambassador, Larry André in Mogadishu, on Wednesday 27 July, 2022. | PHOTO/SJS.

MOGADISHU, Somalia 27 July, 2022 – On the conclusion of a three-day journalists’ training in Mogadishu, the U.S. Ambassador to Somalia, Larry André, on Wednesday joined SJS to award certificates to 26 journalists who completed the training to professionalize Somali media in line with freedom of expression.

The training, supported by the US Embassy in Mogadishu, convened journalists in the various mainstream media outlets as well as independent journalists from across South Central Somalia. The training focused on four key areas: freedom of expression and media freedom coupled with limitations and responsibilities, journalists’ code of conduct and fact-finding and verification of information as well as conflict-sensitive journalism. This is part of a new training project that targets to train up to 50 journalists in various regions in the country.

The training emphasized the need for the trained journalists to provide factual, objective, balanced and verifiable information to the public to inform decisions about themselves, their community and government. Professional journalists need to practice and be bound by a discipline of fact-finding and verification of the TRUTH. During the three-day training, SJS provided hardcopy training manuals in Somali language to every participant essential for absorbing knowledge and information.

SJS Secretary-General, Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, speaks during the conclusion of a three-day journalists training supported by the U.S Embassy in Mogadishu, on Wednesday, 27 July, 2022. | PHOTO/SJS.
SJS Secretary-General, Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, speaks during the conclusion of a three-day journalists training supported by the U.S Embassy in Mogadishu, on Wednesday, 27 July, 2022. | PHOTO/SJS.

In a world awash with communication, it is important to differentiate journalism from other forms of communication. This training guided and empowered everyone present here with essential skills on best practices vital for the profession they hold so dear. More importantly, the training provided a safe space for sharing experiences of abuses and challenges faced by journalists in the hands of the authorities.

At the conclusion of the training, the Secretary General of SJS, Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, thanked the American Embassy for supporting the training project, saying that there is a need to find new ways to strengthen the independent media to fight against the practice of ‘law’. “Such activities can include financial support provided by international organizations to liberate the media now held hostage by corrupt politicians who only thirst for power and unscrupulous businessmen,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, SJS Secretary General said.

“We also realized that there is a need for specific training That there is a need to find innovative ways to strengthen an independent media free from ‘Sharuur’ [paid coverage]. Such initiatives can include a pool of grants from the international community to diversify the media that is currently held hostage by the greedy corrupt politicians and businesspeople,” Mr. Mumin who highlighted the need for a targeted training and capacity building for female journalists who face unique challenges and a separate training session for media owners and directors as well as encouraging investigative journalism to hold the duty bearers accountable and to support participatory and inclusive governance in Somalia.

Training participants Abdullahi Hussein Kilas from Jubbaland and Amina Abdirahman from the South West State stressed the key skills they had benefitted from the training sessions, and expressed how they would be able to utilize those skills in their work as journalists. They expressed their gratitude to both SJS and the US Embassy for their efforts in conducting the training.

  • Training participant Amina Abdirahman from the South West.
  • Training participant Abdullahi Hussein Kilas from Jubbaland.

Ambassador, Larry André, who addressed the participants shortly before the certificates were awarded, stated that he has great respect for the work of Somali journalists noting that the U.S Embassy continues to bring the issue of protection of journalists and media freedom to the table of the discussion with Somali federal leaders and authorities in the regional states.

Ambassador, Larry André speaks during the conclusion of SJS journalists training in Mogadishu on Wednesday, 27 July, 2022 | PHOTO/SJS.
Ambassador, Larry André speaks during the conclusion of SJS journalists training in Mogadishu on Wednesday, 27 July, 2022 | PHOTO/SJS.

“Journalists’ training explains what are the highest professional standards you are having and that it is a lifetime career you will be reviewing. With this training we were a partner with the Somali Journalists Syndicate and we reached a total of 50 journalists in two different regions of Somalia to build the professional skills and standards in line with the freedom of the press and the responsibilities of your profession,” Ambassador André “To achieve Somalia’s revival, a free and active media is absolutely necessary. I am aware problems faced by all journalists in Somalia and additional problems faced by women journalists,” Ambassador André said.

Somaliland detains BBC Media Action staff while Somali police spokesman threatens reporters covering police operations in Mogadishu

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Somaliland police in Hargeisa. | PHOTO/File.
Somaliland police in Hargeisa. | PHOTO/File.

MOGADISHU, Somalia 25 July 2022 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) and the Somali Media Association (SOMA) call for Somaliland authorities to halt the threats and harassment against British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) staff and journalists in Hargeisa; unconditionally release five members of the BBC Media Action team arbitrarily detained in Hargeisa on Saturday and allow BBC to resume operations.

On Saturday Hargeisa police officers raided the office of BBC Media Action, the BBC’s international charity, in Hargeisa and detained five staff members: the head of the BBC Media Action in Hargeisa, Mohamed Gaas, journalist Abdullahi Jama, Samatar Gahnuug, film editor Ahmed Fa’iz and their transport manager Yahye Ali before closing down the office.

There were no immediate explanations from Somaliland authorities regarding the raid of the BBC Media Action office and the detention of its staff. However, Somaliland minister of information, Suleyman Yusuf Ali (Koore) issued a two-page letter addressed to the minister of foreign affairs accusing “the BBC of losing its neutrality in its news and programs on political issues”. The move follows an unlawful decision on Tuesday banning BBC Somali Service from operating in Somaliland.

Separately, SJS and SOMA are concerned about the new instructions issued by the Somali police spokesman Major Abdifatah Adan Hassan threatening legal action against any reporter that covers police operation for reporting what he described as “for reporting anything beyond issues called for that day”. We call for Somali police force to intervene and withdraw the new instruction imposed by its spokesman which is not only illegitimate but also poses a threat to the work of the journalists covering police operations amid increased criminal and terror activities in Mogadishu.

“We condemn the arbitrary detention of the five BBC Media Action staff on Saturday, and the closure of their office in Hargeisa. All of them were doing their job legally and there is no reason to justify the detention of these five media staff who are doing their job legally,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the Secretary-General of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS). “We call on Somaliland authorities to immediately and unconditionally free all BBC Media Action staff from the police detention. Somaliland must cease its attacks intended to pressure and intimidate BBC journalists.”

“It is appalling that Somaliland authorities have resorted to attack and threaten BBC journalists at a time when the public is desperate for neutral and balanced information amid the disagreement surrounding the delayed presidential election now scheduled for November,” Mohamed Osman Makaran, the Secretary-General of Somali Media Association (SOMA) said “We demand the immediate freedom of all the BBC Media Action staff detained in Hargeisa.”

Mogadishu police shoot, beat and detain 2 reporters; SWS holds journalist incommunicado, Somaliland bans BBC Somali

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AMN reporter Mohamed Nur Mohamed and cameraman Munsarar Abdirahman
AMN reporter, Mohamed Nur Mohamed (left) and cameraman Munasar Abdirahman (right). | PHOTO/Courtesy/AMN.

MOGADISHU, Somalia 19 July 2022 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) and the Somali Media Association (SOMA) call for South West State (SWS) authorities to immediately and unconditionally free journalist Hassan Ali Daud held in undisclosed detention by South West State intelligence officers in Baidoa since Friday 15 July, as we also call for the federal authorities in Mogadishu to hold officers who attacked two reporters on Monday 18 July accountable.

On Friday 15 July, journalist Hassan Ali Da’ud, who reports for Arlaadi Media Network (AMN) has disappeared from his home in Baidoa after he was detained and taken to unknown location by the intelligence officers. According to colleagues and family, his detention follows his coverage about a complaint made by members of South West State (SWS) opposition lawmakers who spoke about a physical attack by South West State president Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed (Laftagareen)’s security guards in Baidoa on 6 July. The report was broadcasted on AMN.

Journalist Hassan Ali Da’ud who is held incommunicado detention in Baidoa since Friday, 15 July, 2022. PHOTO/SJS.

Sources in Baidoa told SJS and SOMA that the journalist is held in undisclosed detention facility run by the South West State intelligence in Baidoa. His family confirmed that they had not heard or seen him since Friday. South West State’s information minister, Ilyas Ali Nur, did not provide response and said he will call back when contacted by SJS for the journalist’s case.

Separately, police and military officers in Mogadishu’s Wadajir district on Monday attacked, shot at, beat and detained two Arlaadi Media Network (AMN) journalists. AMN television reporter, Mohamed Nur Mohamed and cameraman Munasar Abdirahman were conducting interviews on the impact of roads blocked by the ongoing rains due to lack of maintenance in Wadajir neighbourhood when two armed officers came and shot at them before starting to beat the two journalists on the barrel of their guns, as confirmed by AMN director, Ahmed Ali, who spoke to SJS and SOMA. The journalists were later detained at the Wadajir police station and their equipment confiscated and destroyed. According to Mohamud Nur Mohamed, they were both freed on Monday evening and were not charged.

  • Caneraman Munasar Abdirahman sustains minor bruises on his nose bridge after he was beaten by a military and a police officer on Monday, 18 July 2022. | PHOTO/AMN.
  • Journalist Mohamed Nur Mohamed shows bruises on his palm after he was beaten by a police officer in Mogadishu on Monday, 18 July 2022. | PHOTO/AMN.
  • Journalist Mohamed Nur Mohamed shows bruises on his palm after he was beaten by a police officer in Mogadishu on Monday, 18 July 2022. | PHOTO/AMN.

“My cameraman and I were beaten by two officers.  We were conducting interviews with the members of the public when they caught us off-guard. I heard two gunshots aimed at us. I did not know why he was shooting at us. Then suddenly, they started beating us with their guns,” said Mohamed Nur Mohamed when later interviewed by SJS and SOMA. “Our camera was broken and our memory cards and microphones confiscated by the two officers who beat us. They have not returned yet.”

“We demand the immediate release of journalist Hassan Ali Da’ud who is held incommunicado since Friday by SWS intelligence unit. Snatching a journalist from his home in a broad daylight and holding him in undisclosed detention without the knowledge of his family and colleagues and without a legal justification is a fundamental human rights violation. Those who did should be held accountable,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the Secretary-General of the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said. “We strongly condemn the armed attack by the Wadajir district police and military officers against Mohamed Nur Mohamed and Munasar Abdirahman. This is unacceptable wave of violence targeted on media freedom and we will not watch. We know the officers who carried out this attack and we will take them to the military court.”

“First of all, we demand an end to the increased violence on journalists and the media stations. We call on security officials and senior government officials in Baidoa and in Mogadishu to take immediate action against their officers who are committing these attacks. Hassan Ali Daud should be released immediately,” Mohamed Osman Makaran, the Secretary-General of the Somali Media Association (SOMA) said.

Meanwhile, SJS and SOMA are calling for Somaliland’s minister of information, Saleban Yusuf Ali (Koore) to withdraw his unlawful decision on Tuesday to ban the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)’s Somali service from operating in Somaliland. Minister Koore’s accusation that “BBC has degraded the honor and dignity of Somaliland” is inexcusable and is only intended to stifle free reporting and to hinder the work of the independent journalists ahead of its long-delayed presidential election scheduled for November 2022.

Galmudug police detain human rights journalist over a facebook post deemed critical to president Qoorqoor

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Journalist Hashim Omar Hassan, a member of SJS human rights journalists network. | PHOTO Credit /SJS.
Journalist Hashim Omar Hassan, a member of SJS human rights journalists network. | PHOTO Credit /SJS.

MOGADISHU, Somalia 10 July, 2022 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) and the Somali Media Association (SOMA) call for the urgent and unconditional freedom of journalist Hashim Omar Hassan, a member of SJS human rights journalists network, who is arbitrarily detained in Adado town in Galmudug State, since Saturday morning 9 July, over Facebook posts deemed critical to Galmudug State president, Ahmed Abdi Karie (Qoorqoor).

According to local journalists and an official at Galmudug’s ministry of information, around 10:30am on Saturday, armed police detained journalist Hashim Omar Hassan who reports for Shabelle television and radio while covering the Eidul-Adha congregation in Adado town. He was then escorted to the police station where he was held.

Adado district police commander, Mohamed Cadceed confirmed that his officers detained the journalist after president Ahmed Qoorqoor instructed Hashim’s arrest through the Adado district commissioner, Abdullahi Abdirahman Hussein (popularly known as Tootoole). He said the journalist was arrested over two Facebook posts deemed critical to president Ahmed Qoorqoor’s visit in Baxdo following the recent al-Shabaab attack. On Friday 8 July, Hashim made two posts alleging Galmudug state president Ahmed Qoorqoor, who is currently on a visit to the area, of “turning down the role of Galmudug security forces in the fight against al-Shabaab”.

When SJS and SOMA reached out, the minister of Information of Galmudug State, Ahmed Shire, said he was following up to the journalist’s arrest adding that he was not informed about any charges against Hashim.

SJS and SOMA protest journalist Hashim Omar Hassan’s ongoing detention as we call for his immediate and unconditional release. Galmudug’s president, Ahmed Qoorqoor and his state officials should not perpetuate the threats and arbitrary detention of journalists for publishing views critical to the state or the president himself. In October last year, the same police officers detained journalist Hashim in Adado following his report that covered a meeting by members of the Sufi followers who supported the renewed resurgence of the Ahlusuna militia in Galmudug and freed him days later without charge.

“We strongly condemn the ongoing arbitrary detention of our member journalist, Hashim Omar Hassan in Adado since Saturday. We call for his immediate and unconditional freedom,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the Secretary-General of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said. “While Galmudug is in the midst of humanitarian and security crisis amid the state election scheduled in less than two years’ time, state officials should stop their intimidatory tactics against independent journalists.”

“We condemn the illegal arrest of our colleague journalist, Hashim Omar Hassan in Adado on Saturday. We demand his immediate release. There is no reason for a journalist to be arrested for covering public interest events in his region,” Mohamed Osman Makaran, the Secretary-General of Somali Media Association (SOMA) said.

SMSJ: Somalia’s SWS authorities should stop threats of legal action against Arlaadi Media Network and harassment of its journalists

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Cover photo of Arlaadi Media Network's Facebook page. | PHOTO Courtesy/ArlaadiMnetwork.

MOGADISHU, Somalia 8 July, 2022 – Somalia’s South West State (SWS) authorities should stop threats and harassment against Arlaadi Media Network (AMN) and its journalists while we also call the Federal Ministry of Information to reject the South West State Minister of Information’s letter seeking legal actions against AMN, a joint statement by the Somali Mechanism of the Safety of the Journalists (SMSJ) said today.

On 5 July, Arlaadi Media Network (AMN) reported a statement made by a group of South West State Assembly lawmakers calling for the speaker of the South West State Assembly to resume the function of the regional assembly which they termed as overdue. The lawmakers’ call comes amid increased political activities in South West State ahead of the state presidential election in six months’ time.

On 6 July, the Second Deputy Speaker of the South West State Assembly, Shamso Mohamed Yarow said she had instructed the regional minister of information to provide more information on AMN resulting the minister of information, Ilyas Ali Nur to subsequently issue another letter on the same day denouncing AMN’s reporting on the South West State Assembly lawmakers. The Minister further instructed the Federal Ministry of Information to initiate a legal action against AMN which is headquartered in Mogadishu. 

The Somali Mechanism of the Safety of the Journalists (SMSJ) is also concerned about the ongoing threats by the South West State Minister of Information, Ilyas Ali Nur, a Somali-British citizen against AMN journalists in Baidoa. According to AMN editors, the only two reporters working for AMN quit reporting in March this year due to the growing threats by minister Nur. Since its establishment in October 2021, AMN, which is based in Mogadishu but broadcasts in the Maay Dialect, has been under intense pressure by the South West State authorities making dreadful for its journalists to report from the region they predominantly cover.  

SMSJ member organizations stand in solidarity with AMN and its journalists as they face incessant threats and pressure due to their reporting on the South West State authorities. Authorities in South West State are known to impede freedom of the press through arbitrary detention of journalists and threats on the media houses that report critically on them.

SMSJ strongly condemns the restrictions and threats by the Speaker of the South West State Assembly, Shamso Mohamed Yarow and its information minister, Ilyas Ali Nur against AMN and its journalists. We call for these officials – particularly minister Ilyas Ali Nur – to cease their instructions seeking punishment against AMN and allow AMN journalists to resume their reporting in South West State.

SMSJ also calls for the Federal Ministry of Information to abide by the Somali Federal Constitution and the international frameworks that guarantee freedom of the press and the right to free expression and therefore, reject the South West State Minister of Information’s letter seeking actions against AMN.

Signed by:

  1. Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS)
  2. Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ)
  3. Somali Media Association (SOMA)
  4. Media Women Network (MWN)
  5. Somali Women Journalists Organization (SWJO)

READ JOINT STATEMENT HERE

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