Communication Submitted to African Commission on Human Rights for Kilwe Farah, Journalist Detained in Puntland since December because of his media work

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March 2, 2021

Weriye Kilwe Aadan Faarax. | Sawir Hore. — Weriye Kilwe Aadan Faarax. | Sawirka/FB.

Press Statement

Justice Abroad’s Michael Polak, who is instructed by the family of the journalist Kilwe Farah and is acting with the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) has today submitted a complaint to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the “ACHPR”). The complaint concernsthe breach of journalistic rights, as Kilwe Farah has has been unlawfully detained and subjected to criminal proceedings simply because of his journalistic activities.

The ACHPR aims to promote human and people’s rights and to ensure their protection in Africa. The protective mandate of the ACHPR requires the Commission to take measures to ensure that the citizens enjoy the rights contained in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the “Charter”). These measures include accepting communications from individuals or groups alleging that African states have acted in breach of the Charter.

The complaint on behalf of Kilwe alleges that the following breaches of the Charter have occurred:

Article 3 – Equality before the law.
Article 6 – The right to personal liberty and security of the person.
Article 7 – The right to a fair trial.
Article 9 – The right to receive information and freedom of expression.

This complaint flows from the events which have befallen Kilwe since December 2020. A day after Kilwe reported on anti-inflation rate protests in Garowe on 27 January 2020 Kilwe was unlawfully detained from a hotel in Garowe town centre. He was then held at an undisclosed PISA (security services) detention centre without access to a lawyer or his family for 16 days where he was subjected to torture. On 11 January 2021, after 16 days held incommunicado in unlawful detention Kilwe was transferred to Garowe Central Prison where he was charged with attempted murder despite the authorities never having identified anyone who he was supposed to have attempted to murder.

These charges have since changed. During the court hearing on Saturday 27 February 2021, before the first instance Military Court the military prosecutor put forward five charges: Instigation of Delinquency; Instigation to Disobey Laws; Publication or Circulation of False, Exaggerated, or Tendentious News Capable of Disturbing Public Order; Offence against the Authorities by means of Damaging Posters; and Bringing the Nation or the State into Contempt. The prosecutor asked the Military Court to sentence Kilwe to 10 years imprisonment however the Court ordered the prosecution to produce evidence of these offences.

Justice Abroad’s, Michael Polak, who submitted the communication to the African Commission, stated that:

‘journalists should not be unlawfully detained, mistreated, and then subject to spurious changing charges simply for doing their job as journalists. This is contrary to the African Charter and all other international provisions which protect the rights of journalists to impart information and for the public to receive it. The international community and the African Union must not allow Kilwe to languish in prison for no proper reason whilst his family worry about his wellbeing.‘

Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) Secretary General, Abdalle Ahmed Mumin said,

“Puntland authorities should stop judicial harassment against media professionals and release Kilwe unconditionally. Kilwe’s trial before a military court closes the narrow window of media freedoms in Puntland. The military court has no jurisdiction over a civilian. It isunlawful and if not stopped it will be a new tactic to oppress the press in general. This has to stop before it is too late. Somali journalists have been risking their lives in order to inform the public and we cannot sit and watch the messengers be silenced and muzzled by military courts. We demand that Puntland authorities stop intimidating and harassing journalists in that region. ”

Notes to Editors:

Justice Abroad, www.justiceabroad.co.uk has been set up to help those trying to find their way through foreign justice systems with all the associated hurdles that presents, to represent those facing gross breaches of their human rights no matter where this takes place, and to advise and assist the victims of crimes as to how to achieve justice. Justice Abroad, run by international law barrister Michael Polak, has assembled a team of top investigators, lawyers, and support staff to provide unparalleled support, advice and guidance, legal, advocacy, and investigatory service for your Justice Abroad issues anywhere in the world. The Justice Abroad team with their trusted international pool of multilingual experts, their networks, and media contacts and their well-documented determination to leave no stone unturned in the search for the truth and justice for individuals and families who have been denied it are here to provide that much needed support for families and individuals in their time.

On social media we will be using the hashtag #FreeKilwe. Justice Abroad can be found on Twitter here, Facebook here, and LinkedIn here

Media requests for interviews with Michael Polak or members of the family can be accommodated in any language requested and should be made by contacting Justice Abroad by email at contact@JusticeAbroad.co.uk or phone on +44 (0)203 488 2316.

Independent journalist shot dead in Galkayo

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March 1, 2021

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Independent journalist, Jamal Farah Adan shot dead in Galkayo in the evening of 01 March 2021. | PHOTO/ Courtesy/FB.

MOGADISHU, Somalia, 01 March 2021 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) condemns the heinous murder of independent journalist Jamal Farah Adan by unidentified gunmen in Galkayo, central Somalia region of Mudug on Monday 01 March 2021.

Mr. Adan’s death records as the first journalist killed in Somalia this year.

According to local journalists and eyewitnesses, around 7.00pm local time on Monday two men armed with pistols approached and shot dead Mr. Adan outside a shop he owned in Sinay neighbourhood in Galkayo’s northern district controlled by Puntland authorities. At least one other male has been reportedly injured in the attack. The perpetrators fled before police reached the scene.

The motive of the attack is not yet clear and no group claimed responsibility for his murder. However, according to Mr. Adan’s friends, he was too critical to al-Shabaab and the Federal Government of Somalia. His recent Facebook posts covered various subjects including the ongoing electoral stalemate in the country as well as the dispute between Federal Member States and the Somali Federal Government.

At least two colleagues, who spoke to SJS with anonymity said Mr. Adan has received death threat few months ago and has at least once reported to the police about a suspected person near his home. It is not clear what actions were taken.

“Jamal Farah Adan has been shot dead while sitting outside his shop. The body has been taken to the hospital,” one colleague told SJS on the phone from Galkayo.

In his 50s, Mr. Adan worked for Radio Galkayo, the city’s oldest station before he became the Somali President’s special reporter in 2005/2006. He joined Radio Daljir where he became the station manager until 2018. Mr. Adan has been recently working as independent journalist based in Galkayo.

SJS strongly condemns the killing of Mr. Adan and calls for Puntland authorities to launch an immediate and thorough investigation and arrest the culprits. We also mourn with the family and colleagues of Mr. Adan.

“We strongly condemn the murder of Jamal Farah Adan in Galkayo this evening by unidentified assailants. Mr. Adan was a very critical journalist who has bravely reported about various subjects of public interest,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the secretary general of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said. “While we mourn with his family, we also call for Puntland authorities to immediately investigate this barbaric attack and bring the killers to book. This must not be another unresolved murder of a journalist in Somalia.”

Somalia still tops the Global Impunity Index for countries where the perpetrators against journalists escape prosecution.

Freelance journalist Kilwe appears before Puntland Military Court, SJS calls for his freedom

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February 27, 2021

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Freelance journalist Kilwe Adan Farah poses for a photo with his lawyer Mustafe Mohamed Jama during a trial at the military court in Garowe, on Saturday 27 Feb, 2021. | PHOTO/SJS.

MOGADISHU, Somalia, 27 February, 2021 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) is concerned by the Puntland authorities’ use of a military tribunal to prosecute freelance journalist Kilwe Adan Farah who appeared before the military court today on 27 February 2021. SJS calls the Puntland military prosecutor to immediately drop charges against Kilwe.

Kilwe was detained by Puntland’s Intelligence Agency (PISA) in Garowe on 27 December 2020 a a day after he reported anti-inflation protest in Garowe.

During the Saturday’s court hearing, Kilwe was brought at the First Instance Court of the Armed Forces where a military prosecutor put forward five charges: Instigation of delinquency; Instigation of Disobey to the Laws; Publication or Circulation of False, Exaggerated or Tendencious News Capable of Disturbing Public Order; Offence against the Authorities by Means of Damaging Posters; and Bringing the Nation or the State into Contempt. The prosecutor asked the Military Court to sentence Kilwe with 10 years imprisonment.

However, the defense lawyer Mustafe Mohamed Jama, who is representing Kilwe on behalf of SJS, challenged the military prosecutor’s charges and questioned the military court’s jurisdiction over the journalist’s case. The lawyer also insisted that his client is a professional journalist and that journalism was not a crime under the Somali laws and therefore there was no a case to be heard at the Court.

The defense Lawyer further appealed the Court to free Kilwe and instruct authorities to compensate for his time in the jail. The Court judge demanded the military prosecutor to bring evidences for the charges he brought before the Court session was adjourned in mid-day without mentioning when the next hearing will take place.

“My client journalist Kilwe Adan Farah has today appeared before the military court. It was very shocking that authorities are trying to break the laws by putting a journalist in a military court. This is absolutely a slap on the face on the Puntland justice and the country’s laws,” defense lawyer Mustafe said shortly after the court was closed.

Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) is concerned about the continued detention and judicial harassment against Kilwe Adan through a military court trail. Trying the journalist Kilwe before a military tribunal violates the Somali Federal Constitution and the Puntland Constitution. It also violates the norm of international law that military courts should not have jurisdiction over civilians. Also, Kilwe’s trial violates the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Principles and Guidelines on the right to fair trial and legal assistance in Africa state that military courts should not “in any circumstances whatsoever have jurisdiction over civilians.”

“We demand the unconditional release of our colleague Kilwe who is detained for more two months now. We also call for the military court to drop these politically motivated charges against Kilwe,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, Secretary General of the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said, “Puntland authorities, especially top government officials should refrain from using the military court to silence independent journalists in Puntland.”

“Prosecuting journalists for incitement and publication of false news or bringing contempt to the state or government officials are incompatible with Somalia’s obligations under Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Somalia is a party,” Mr. Mumin added.

A London based international barrister, Michael Polak who is helping with the Kilwe case stated “moving from a charge of attempted murder, which has been abandoned, to offences clearly aimed at preventing journalistic activity and pursuing Kilwe through the Military Court when he is a civilian shows that these proceedings are a farce. The President of Puntland and the Military Court Judge must step forward to end this embarrassing affair.”

On 1 February 2021, Kilwe was nominated among the 10 Most Urgent Press Freedom cases for February 2021 by the One Free Press Coalition, which is an international coalition of media houses and organizations that stand up for journalists under attack for pursuing the truth worldwide.

After 60 days in jail, freelance journalist Kilwe faces new charges by Puntland authorities

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February 25, 2021

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Freelance journalist, Kilwe Adan Farah is detained in Garowe since 27 December, 2020. | PHOTO/Courtesy/FB/SJS.

MOGADISHU, Somalia, 25 February, 2021 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) calls for Puntland authorities to drop its politically-motivated new charges brought today and intended to harass and silence freelance journalist Kilwe Adan Farah who is detained since 27 December 2020 for reporting anti-inflation protest in Garowe.

On Thursday 25 February, after holding Kilwe in jail for 60 days, the Court of Armed Forces of Puntland State issued new charges: Art. 320 (Instigation of delinquency); Art. 321 (Instigation of Disobey to the Laws); Art. 328 (Publication or Circulation of False, Exaggerated or Tendencious News Capable of Disturbing Public Order): Art. 271 (Offence against the Authorities by Means of Damaging Posters); and Art. 219 (Bringing the Nation or the State into Contempt). All are in the outdated (1964) Somali Penal Code currently used to charge and prosecute journalists in Somalia.

The new charges are utterly different from the previous charges of “Attempted Murder and Murder” which were verbally brought by the same military court against Kilwe on 11 January 2021.

In the new charge sheet seen by SJS, the prosecutor of the First Instance Court of the Armed Forces, Said Hersi Ibrahim cites a 20 January 2021 communication from Puntland Intelligence and Security Agency (PISA), the agency that detained and held Kilwe, to the Military Court. According to the journalist’s defense lawyer, it is strange that authorities are lacking any single evidence for Kilwe’s case and therefore are reluctant to free him.

“The Puntland Armed Forces Court has no legal jurisdiction to charge my client Kilwe Adan Farah, who is a professional journalist. All the new charges that have been issued today are baseless and unsubstantiated. We demand the court to order Kilwe’s freedom and compensate him for the period during his imprisonment,” Defense Lawyer, Mustafe Mohamed Jama said.

“It is outrageous that Puntland military tribunal which supposedly is intended to charge and prosecute armed forces and members of al-Shabaab, is the one who is bringing these charges– even after authorities seem to have backtracked their initial charges of “attempted murder and murder” due to lack of evidence,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the secretary general of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said.

“These new charges are a clear indication that journalist Kilwe’s detention on 27 December 2020 was politically motivated and only meant to harass and silence him after he covered the 26 December anti-inflation protest in Garowe. We now call for court officials to drop these baseless charges and free our colleague Kilwe immediately,” Mr. Mumin adds.

Michael Polak, a London based international law barrister, who is assisting SJS in Kilwe’s case, has stated “the fact that the charges now seem to have changed from attempted murder, where there was no evidence of any potential victim, to those surrounding journalist Kilwe’s media work shows the arbitrary nature of the case against him. The real motivation behind the enforced disappearance of Mr. Kilwe and his now prosecution is because he was exercising his right to provide news to the Somali people. The UN and African Union must speak out on this case and the continuous attacks on press freedom in Somalia.”

On 1 February 2021, Kilwe was nominated among the 10 Most Urgent Press Freedom cases for February 2021 by the One Free Press Coalition, which is an international coalition of media houses and organizations that stand up for journalists under attack for pursuing the truth worldwide.

60 Maalmood oo xabsi ku heyn ah kaddib, Puntland oo eedeyn cusub ku oogtay weriye Kilwe

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February 25, 2021

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MUQDISHO, Soomaaliya, 25 Febraayo, 2021 – Ururka Suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed (SJS) wuxuu ugu baaqayaa maamulka Puntland inay kala noqdaan eedaha la siyaasadeeyay ee looga gol leeyahay in lagu handado, laguna aamusiyo weriye Kilwe Aadan Faarax oo xabsi ku jira illaa iyo 27 Disember 2020 isagoo warar ka soo tebiyay dibad-bax looga cabanayey sicir-bararka oo ka dhacay magaalada Garowe.

Maanta oo Khamiis ah 25 Febraayo oo ku beegan 60 maalmood oo xabsiga uu ku jiro Kilwe kaddib, ayey Maxkamadda Ciidamada ee Puntland ku oogtay eedeymo cusub oo ku saleysan: Qodobka 320 (Kicin Sharci darro); Qodobka 321 (Horkicid Sharci Diido); Qodobka 328 (Daabicidda ama Faafin Warar Been ah oo Khalkhal Galinaaya Deganaanshaha Dadweynaha); Qodobka 271 (Denbi Lidi ku ah Maamulka Iyadoo la Isticmaalayo Qoraallo Wax Dhaawacaya); iyo Qodobka 219 (Yasitaan la Yasay Qaranka ama Maamulka Dowladda). Dhammaan qodobadan ayaa ku saleysan Xeerka Ciqaabta Soomaaliyeed ee Duugoobay (1964) kaasoo hadda loo adeegsado in lagu ciqaabo, laguna maxkamadeeyo suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed.

Eedaha cusub ayaa waxa ay gebi ahaanba ka duwan yihiin eeddii hore ee ahaa ”isku day dil iyio dil” kuwaasoo ahayd eed hab af ahaan ah ay isla Maxkamadda Ciidamadu ku eedeysay weriye Kilwe 11 Jannaayo 2021.

Eedda cusub oo ay aragtay SJS, ayaa dacwad oogaha Maxkamadda Derejada Koowaad ee Ciidamada ee Puntland, Saciid Xersi Ibraahim ayaa ku soo cuskaday in 20 bishan Jannaayo 2021 warqad gungaar ah ay Maxkamadda u soo gudbisay Ciidamada Nabadsugida Puntland (PISA), oo ah hay’addii xirtay weriye Kilwe. Qareenka ay qabatay SJS oo difaacaya weriye Kilwe ayaa wax la yaab leh ku tilmaamay in dowladdu ay weli u la’dahay caddeyn weriyaha haddana ay masuuliyiintu diidan yihiin inay xorriyaddiisa siiyaan weriye Kilwe.

“Maxkamadda Ciidamada Qalabka Sida ee Puntland wax sharciyad ah uma heysato inay eed ku soo oogto muwakilkeyga Kilwe Aadan Faarax oo ah suxufi mihnadle ah. Dhammaan eedihii lagu soo oogay maanta waa kuwo aan sal iyo raad toona lahayn. Waxaana ka dalbaneynaa maxkamadda inay sii deyso Kilwe, ayna magdhow ka siiso muddadii uu xirnaa,” Qareen Mustafe Maxamed Jaamac oo ah qareenka difaacaya suxufiga ayaa yiri.

”Waa wax laga xumaado in maxkamadii ciidamada qalabka sida ee loogu talo galay in ay dacwadahooda qaaddo xubnaha ciidamada iyo xubnaha ka tirsan Al-Shabaab ay maanta eedo noocan ah ay ku soo oogtay weriye Kilwe- xitaa iyadoo caddeyn loo waayey eeddii hore ee ”Isku dayga dil iyo dil” taasoo u muuqata in hadda lala noqday,” Cabdalle Axmed Mumin, Xoghayaha Guud ee SJS ayaa yiri.

“Eedahan cusub ayaa waxa ay caddeyn u tahay in xariggii loo geystay suxufi Kilwe 27 Disember 2020 uu ahaa mid la siyaasadeeyay, loogana gol lahaa in handadaad ahaan loogu adeegsado weriye Kilwe, laguna aamusiyo kaddib markuu soo tebiyay dibad-baxii shacabka reer Garowe ay uga cabanayeen sicir bararka 26kii Disembar. Waxaan ka dalbaneynaa masuuliyiinta maxkamadda inay la noqdaan eeddooda, sida ugu dhakhsiyaha badana u sii daayaan weriye Kilwe,” Xoghaye Mumin ayaa intaas ku daray.

Michael Polak, oo ah qareen caalami ah oo fadhigiisu yahay magaalada London ee dalka Ingiriiska, kana caawinayay SJS kiiska weriye Kilwe ayaa sheegay in eedeynta cusub ay u muuqato in laga soo bedelay “Isku day dil” kaddib markii la waayey caddeyn muujineysa cidda dhibbanaha ka ah kiiska, waxa ay na tusineysaa tacadiga Kilwe iyo shaqadiisa loo geystay. Xariggiisii hore iyo eedda ka dhanka ah hadda waxay na tusineysaa in suxufigani uu ku shaqeynaayay mihnadiisa suxufinimo oo ah xaq dastuuri ah. Qaramada Midoobey iyo Ururka Midowga Afrika waa inay ka hadlaan arrinkan iyo weerarada joogtada ah ee lagu hayo saxaafadda Soomaaliya.”

With impunity, Somali police detain, confiscate equipment and intimidate journalists at gunpoint in Mogadishu

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February 20, 2021

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SJS Info. & Human Rights Secretary, Mohamed Ibrahim Bulbul and two other journalists: Mahad Hassan Abdi and Zakariye Ahmed Muse detained at KM4 on Thursday night 18 Feb. 2021. | Photo/ SJS.

MOGADISHU, Somalia, 20 February 2021 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) strongly condemns the arbitrary arrests, denial of access, threats of shooting and confiscation of equipment against journalists by Somali police force on Thursday night 18 February and Friday 19 February in Mogadishu in the latest of a series of targeted attacks against media professionals.

On Thursday night 18 February, about 11pm, the police unit known as ‘Haramcad’ [Cheetah] detained journalist Mohamed Ibrahim Bulbul, the Information and Human Rights Secretary of SJS who also covers for Universal TV and two other journalists: Mahad Hassan Abdi and Zakariye Ahmed Muse. The three journalists, who were on duty to report the development of police deployment ahead of the Friday’s opposition rally in the capital, were stopped at gunpoint, their equipment confiscated and detained at KM4 junction by the police. They were held at an open place in KM4 until past midnight and were only released without charges after SJS intervened the situation and the equipment was returned.

In the morning of Friday 19 February, Haramcad police unit stopped and detained four journalists: Farhan Mohamed Hussein (Radio Kulmiye), Fu’ad Mohamed Mohamud (Radio Risaala), Mohamed Yahye Jinow (free-lancer with Dalka TV) and Abdinasir Yusuf Socdal (free-lancer) while covering an opposition protest in Shangani, near Daljirka Dahson Square, where opposition presidential candidates planned to hold an anti-government rally. After forcibly dispersing the protesters, the armed police turned to the journalists and took the four reporters to Shangani police station where they were held and were freed later in the day without charges.

In several locations in the capital, armed police stopped, intimidated with the threat of shooting and denied access of journalists to the sites of the Friday protests. Journalists from various media houses told SJS that they were blocked from main roads to reach the places of opposition protests. Some journalists were forced to trek in a long distance – sometimes taking dangerous routes- to avoid being detained by the police. Some even said they went into hiding and were not able to reach their media stations until late on Friday because “police would target every journalist they could find on the street”.

SJS expresses its concern about the increased violation against the press by the state security forces with impunity. Such violations will not end unless officers responsible are held accountable.

“We strongly condemn the police tactics to target journalists covering opposition protests. Detaining our union official Mohamed Bulbul and six other journalists in less than 24 hours would only show about the worsening track record of Somali security forces against independent press,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the secretary general of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said “Arresting journalists, confiscating their equipment, intimidating at gunpoint and denying them to have access, just because the journalists are reporting about protests that the government does not want, is a blatant violation against freedom of the press and a violation of the Constitution and all international laws. Any officer responsible for these acts must be held accountable.”

SJS waxay cambaareyneysaa beegsiga iyo xarigga rabshadda wata ee suxufiyiinta Galmudug, Puntland, Hirshabeelle iyo Muqdisho

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February 11, 2021

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Qaar ka mid ah suxufiyiinta Jowhar oo ka dibad-baxay tacadiyada lagu hayo 8 Febraayo 2021.

MUQDISHO, Soomaaliya, 11 Febraayo 2021 – Ururka Suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed (SJS) wuxuu cambaareynayaa xarigga sharci darrada, handadaadaha, faaf-reebka ku saleysan cabdi gelin, tacadiyada gacan-qaadka ee loo geystay warfidiyeennada, ayna geysteen ciidamada amniga iyo saraakiil ka tirsan Galmudug, Puntland, Hirshabeelle iyo Muqdisho.

11 Febraayo, 2021, ciidanka nabadsugidda ee NISA ee dharcadka ee degmada Hodan ayaa xabsiga u taxaabay sawirqaade madax-bannaan Saadaq Maxamed Maxamuud oo u shaqeeya wakaaladda wararka ee Anadolu. Saxafigan ayaa xilligii la qabanayey aragtiyo ku saabsan saameynta cudurka Covid-19 ka ururinayay dadweynaha. Muddo kooban ayaa lagu hayey saldhigga booliska ee degmada Hodan, waxaana la sii daayay isla maalintaas isagoo aan wax eed ah lagu soo oogin.

Barqanimadii Isniintii ee 8da Febraayo 2021, Labo sarkaal oo ka tirsan ciidanka Nabadsugidda ee NISA, kuna hubeysan bastoolado ayaa weeraray xarunta telefishinka Somali Cable TV ee Muqdisho, waxayna xireen labo ka mid ah shaqaalaha telefishinka oo kala ah: sawirqaade Sayid Cali Cabdi iyo wade baabuur Cali Malaaq oo xiligaa isku diyaarinayay inay shaqo warbaahineed bannaanka ka soo qabtaan. Sida saxafiyiin jooga telefishinka u sheegeen SJS, labada saxafi waxaa lagu xiray xabsiga Godka Jilacow iyadoo lagu eedeeyay inay muuqaal ka duubeen Godka Jilacow, oo u dhow xarunta TV-ga. Labada saxafi waxaa la sii daayay iyagoo wax eed ah loo heynin, wax tafaasiil dheeri ahna lagama bixinin xariggaasi. Weerarkani wuxuu noqonayaa kii labaad ee ay ciidamo ka tirsan NISA ay ku qaadaan xarunta Somali Cable TV tan iyo bishii May 2020.

8-dii Febraayo 2021, sarkaal ka tirsan Rugta Ganacsiga Shabeellaha Dhexe ayaa u gacan-qaad qori loo adeegsaday ugu geystay weriye Liibaan Cabdulle Maxamed oo magaalada Jowhar uga soo warama Somali Cable TV. Sarkaalka waxa u uku hanjabay in uu dilayo weriyaha, isagoo ka carooday warbixin weriyuhu ka diyaariyay is rasaaseyn ka dhacday agagaarka garoonka diyaaradaha magaalada Jowhar taasoo uu ku dhintay qof ka ganacsada jaadka (qaadka) iyo mid kalena lagu dhaawacay. Weriye Liibaan ayaa dacwad ka dhan ah sarkaalka u gacan-qaaday geeyay saldhigga booliska ee Jowhar, balse boolisku wax tallaabo ah oo ay qaadeen ma jirto illaa iyo hadda sida uu Liibaan iyo weriyayaal oo la socday maalintaas ay u sheegeen SJS.

4-tii Febraayo 2021, Guddoomiyaha Gobolka Bari ee Puntland Abdisamad Yuusuf Maxamed (Abwaan) ayaa ul ku garaacay ka hor inta uusan xirin weriye Yuusuf Maxamuud Yuusuf oo u shaqeeya warbaahinta SBC TV, tacadigaas oo ka dhacay bar kontorool boolis oo ku taalla Boosaaso. Weriye Yuusuf oo sidoo kale si madax-bannaan ula shaqeeya Warbaahinta VOA ayaa xiliga tacadigu ku dhacay ku howlanaa tebinta soo dhoweynta Sheekh Mustafe Ismaaciil lagu soo dhoweynayay magaalada Boosaaso. Sida uu SJS u sheegay agaasimaha SBC TV Maxamed Deeq Cabdalla, illaalada guddoomiyaha ayaa qori ku handaday suxufiga, xabbadna ku riday xiliga sida laga daawaday muuqaal uu weriye Yuusuf duubay maalinkaas.

3-dii Febraayo 2021, ciidanka Booliska Galmudug ee fadhigoodu yahay degmada Wisil ayaa muddo kooban xiray weriye Saadaq Siciid Nuur oo u soo warama CBA TV isagoo xiligaa tebinayay kulan ay dadka deegaanka kaga cabanayeen is-baddal maamul oo maamulka Galmudug ka sameeyeen deegaanka Xero Dhagaxley oo ku taalla Bariga gobolka Mudug. Sida uu Nuur u sheegay SJS, ciidamo boolis ah oo hubeysan ayaa goobta yimid isla markaana xiray xilli uu wareysiyo duubayey. Suxufiga ayaa la sii daayey kaddib markii si Khasab ah loogaga tiray dhammaan waxyaabihii uu duubay oo ay ku jiraan wareysiyadii uu qaaday.

31-kii Jannaayo 2021, saraakiil ka tirsan NISA ayaa xabsiga u taxaabtay weriye madax-bannaan Nuune Cali Xasan isagoo ku sugnaa agagaarka isgoyska KM4 xiligaas oo isaga iyo warfidiyeenno kale ay kasoo warramayeen weerar qarax iyo rasaas ahaa oo lagu qaaday hotelka Afrik ee magaalada Muqdisho. Weriyaha waxaa lagu hayay guri aan la aqoonin oo ku yaalla degmada Wardhiigley illaa fiidkii 1-da Febraayo, xiligaas oo ay soo kexeeyeen kuna dejiyeen waddo bannaan oo ay kaga tageen.

29-kii Jannaayo 2021, ciidanka Booliska Galmudug ee jooga Caabudwaaq, gobolka Galgaduud ayaa muddo kooban xiray weriye Mahad Bashiir Cusmaan, aas-aasaha iyo tifaf-tiraha Sooyaal TV oo ah telefishan dhanka internetka ku hawlgala. Xarigga weriyaha ayaa yimid kadib markuu soo tebiyay cabasho ka timid qoys gabadhooda oo uur leh la kufsaday laguna dilay duleedka degmada Caabudwaaq dhammaadkii bishii Disembar 2020. Warbixinta Cismaan ayaa soo xigatay hooyada gabadha la dilay oo dalbaneysa caddaalad xilli ay soo baxeen warar sheegaya in odayaal dhaqameed ay ka wada hadleen kuna heshiiyeen in 50 neef oo geel ah diyo ahaan loo siiyo qoyska dhibbanaha. Suxufiga ayaa la sii daayay isla maalintaas isagoo aan wax eed ah lagu soo oogin.

6-dii iyo 8-dii Febraayo 2021, siddeed suxufi oo kasoo waramayey xarunta Aqalka Hoose (Golaha Shacabka) ee Baarlamaanka Federaalka Soomaaliya oo isugu jiray warbaahinta gudaha iyo dibadda ayaa saraakiil NISA oo baarlamaanka lagu soo daadiyay kala kulmay handadaad, cabsi gelin iyo sawirro aysan raali ka ahayn oo laga qaaday. Afar ka mid ah siddeeda suxufi oo la hadlay SJS ayaa sheegay in ciidanka dharcadka NISA oo ku hubeysan bastoolado ay u soo dhowaadeen, uguna hanjabeen cawaaqib adag inay la kulmi doonaan haddii ay wareystaan xildhibaannada mucaaradka. Waxay kaloo sheegeen in askartaasi NISA ka tirsan ay telefoonnadooda gacanta sawirro uga qaadayeen suxufiyiinta goobta joogtay.

“Waxaan cambaareyneynaa weeraradan cusub, xarigga sharci darrida ah, iyo beegsiga suxufiyiinta ku sugan Puntland, Galmudug, Hirshabeelle iyo Muqdisho. Runtii waxay xaaladda u tahay mid walwal badan u leh warfidiyeenka Soomaaliyeed. Beegsiga, xarigga iyo hanjabaadaha rabshadda wata – ee ay geysanayaan badankood saraakiisha amniga iyo masuuliyiin iyagoo aanan haba yaraatee lala xisaabtameyn- ayaa noqday wax iska caadi ah,” sidaasi waxaa yiri Xoghayaha Guud ee SJS, Cabdalle Axmed Mumin.

“Iyadoo shaqada suxufiyiinta ay waqtigan muhimad weyn u leedahay dadweynaha Soomaaliyeed kahor waqtiga doorashada lagu muransan yahay, ayaa haddana waxaa walwal leh in maamullada kala duwan ee dalka aysan wax xushmad u heyn xuquuqda suxufiyiinta, iyagoo weliba sii wada beegsiga iyo khatar gelinta nafta warfidiyeenka. Waxaan ugu baaqeynaa dhammaan masuuliyiinta dalka inay badbaadiyaan suxufiyiinta, ayna ixtiraamaan xorriyaadka aas aasiga ee Dastuurka lagu dhowray, oo ay ku jirto xorriyadda hadalka,” ayuu sii raaciyay Xoghaye Mumin.

SJS condemns recurring violent attacks on journalists in Galmudug, Puntland, Hirshabelle and Mogadishu

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February 11, 2021

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Journalists close their mouths with fingers as a protest in Jowhar town on 8 February, 2021. | PHOTO / Courtesy / SJS.

MOGADISHU, Somalia, 11 February 2021 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) condemns the recent acts of arbitrary arrests, intimidation, censorship through threat of violence and physical assault against journalists and committed by members of security forces and officials in Galmudug, Puntland, Hirshabelle and Mogadishu.

On 11 February 2021, a plain-clothed NISA officers in Hodan district in Mogadishu detained freelance cameraman with Anadolu News Agency, Sadaq Mohamed Mohamud while collecting vox pops from the public on the impact of Covid-19 in Mogadishu. He was briefly held at Hodan police station in Mogadishu before he was released without charge on the same day, according to Mohamud and a colleague who visited him at the police station.

On mid-day of Monday 8 February 2021, two NISA officers armed with pistols raided Somali Cable TV studio in Mogadishu and detained two staff members: cameraman Sayid Ali Abdi and driver Ali Malaq who were preparing to leave for an assignment. According to journalists at the station who spoke to SJS, the pair was held at Godka Jila’ow for an hour on allegation that they were secretly filming the notorious NISA detention facility, which is adjacent to the TV station, a colleague and Malaq told SJS after their release. They were freed without charges and no further explanation was given. This was the second raid by NISA on Somali Cable TV since May 2020.

Somali Cable TV reporter, Liban Abdulle Mohamed in Jowhar. |Photo by Liban Abdulle Mohamed/ SJS.

On 8 February 2021, Hirshabelle’s Middle Shabelle Chamber of Commerce official physically assaulted Somali Cable TV reporter, Liban Abdulle Mohamed in Jowhar town and hit with a gun. The official threatened to kill the journalist due to his reporting of 4 February story that covered a gunfire near the Jowhar airport which left a Kat trader dead and another one injured. The journalist reported the assault to the Jowhar police station but no action was taken until today, according to Mohamed and two colleagues who accompanied him to the police station.

On 4 February 2021, Puntland’s Governor of Bari, Abdisamad Yusuf Mohamed (Abwaan) physically assaulted and hit SBC TV journalist Yusuf Mohamud Yusuf with stick before briefly detaining him at the southern police checkpoint in Bosaso. Yusuf, who also free-lances for the Voice of America radio, was on assignment to cover the welcoming of the Somaliland-based Sheikh Mustafe Ismail Harun that day in Bosaso. According to SBC TV director, Mohamed Dek Abdalla, the Governor’s bodyguards threatened Yusuf with gun and even fired one bullet during the physical assault, which was captured in a video recording on the scene.

SBC TV journalist Yusuf Mohamud Yusuf pictured after he was assaulted by Bari Governor in Bosaso on 4 February 2021. | Photo/ Courtesy/ SJS.

On 3 February 2021, Galmudug police in Wisil district in Mudug region briefly detained free-lance journalist Sadaq Said Nur of CBA TV during an assignment to cover local community protest in Hero-Dhagahley village in east of Mudug region. According to Nur, the armed police arrived after he interviewed elders and community members who protested against the appointment of a new administration in that area. The journalist was released after he was forced to delete the footage of the protest and the interviews taken from the elders to automatically kill the story, Nur and his editor told SJS.

CBA TV free-lance journalist Sadaq Said Nur. | Photo / Sadaq Said Nur / SJS.

On 31 January 2021, NISA officers arrested free-lance online reporter, Nune Ali Hassan from KM4 junction, Mogadishu where he and other journalists were covering the aftermath of a deadly car bomb and gun attack in Afrik Hotel in Mogadishu. He was held at unmarked private house in Wardhigley neighbourhood until the evening of 1 February when they dropped him in an empty road in Wardhigley and left him.

On 29 January 2021, Galmudug police in Abudwaq town in the central region of Galgadud briefly detained journalist Mahad Bashir Osman, the founder and editor of Sooyaal TV which is an online TV a day after he uncovered the complaint of the family of a young pregnant woman who was reportedly raped and murdered on the outskirts of Abudwaq in late December 2020. In Osman’s report, the victim’s mother called for justice after reports emerged that inter-clan elders negotiated and agreed to pay 50 camels as a blood money to the victim’s family. The journalist was freed late on the same day of his arrest without charge.

Sooyaal TV journalist, Mahad Bashir Osman during his reporting on 28 January 2021. | Photo / screenshot from Facebook video.

On 6 and 8 February 2021, eight journalists covering the Lower House of the Somali Federal Parliament for local and international media were harassed, intimidated and their photos taken without consent by plain-clothed NISA officers who were deployed at the Parliament Building. Four of the eight affected journalists told SJS that at least three NISA officers with pistols approached them and threatened with unspecified consequences during interviews with opposition-affiliated Members of Parliament. They also said that they had noticed that the NISA men were taking photos of the journalists’ faces with their mobile phones.

“We condemn the recent violent attacks, unlawful arrests and raids against journalists in Puntland, Galmudug, Hirshabelle and Mogadishu. It is extremely stressful period for journalists in Somalia. Targeted attacks, arrests and violent threats— mainly committed by known security officers and officials with total impunity— have become the norm,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the secretary general of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said,

“While the work of journalists remains vital for the Somali public in this specially important moment ahead of the elections, we are, however, concerned that authorities in various states have shown no respect for the rights of the journalists and that they continue to target and endanger the lives of reporters. We call for all leaders in the country to protect journalists and respect the constitutionally granted freedoms, including the freedom of speech,” Mumin adds.

Civil Society Letter to Secretary Blinken on HRDs

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February 9, 2021

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Tuesday, February 9, 2021 – We, the undersigned organizations, work to promote human rights, democracy, media freedom, environmental sustainability, and an end to corruption around the world. The protection of human rights defenders — such as activists, lawyers, and journalists — is critical to each of our missions. We are deeply concerned by the unabated rise in reprisals against human rights defenders, both
globally and within the United States, and the chilling effect that these attacks have on fundamental freedoms and civic space.

READ FULL LETTER HERE

Xaaladda Xorriyadda Saxaafadda Soomaaliya 2020: Hanjabaadaha iyo tacadiyada lagula kaco warfidiyeenka oo kordhay iyadoo gabi ahaanba aanu jirin isla xisaabtan

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February 3, 2021

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SAWIRKA DABOOLKA: Warbixin sannadeedka SJS ee 2020.

MUQDISHO, Soomaaliya, 3 Febraayo, 2021 – Intii lagu guda jiray sannadkii 2020, xorriyadda saxaafadda iyo suxufiyiinta ka shaqeeya Soomaaliya waxay wajahayeen hanjabaado. Soomaaliya weli waxay ka mid tahay waddamada ugu khatarta badan ee warbaahintu ka shaqeyso, waxaana wax iska caadi ah noqday hanjabaadaha iyo weerarada ka imaanaya saraakiisha dowladda iyo shakhsiyaad gaar ah iyo kooxda mintidiinta ee al-Shabaab.

Sannadkii shanaad oo xiriir ah ayaa Guddiga Difaaca Suxufiyiinta ee CPJ waxay Soomaaliya ku dareen waddamada denbiyada loo geysto warfidiyeenka aan la isu ciqaabin iyadoo kuwa geysta dhibaatada ay caddaalada ka baxsadaan. Masuuliyiinta Dowladda heer federaal iyo heer dowlad goboleed ayaa gebi ahaanba ku guul darreystay baaritaanka dilalka iyo weerarada ka dhanka ah suxufiyiinta, xarumaha warbaahinta iyo kuwa dhaliila dowladda.

Weriyayaasha soo tebinaya arrimaha amniga, khaladaadka masuuliyiinta dowladda iyo tacadiyada ka dhanka ah xuquuqda aadanaha ayaa si joogto ah ula kulma hanjabaado iyo cabsi gelin, qaarkoodna waxaaba lagu qasbaa inay si iskood ah isugu sameeyaan faafreeb. Hadda oo waddanku uu galayo xilli kala guur ah loona diyaargaroobayo doorashooyinka guud, dhibaatada ayaa sii korodhay.

Marka laga soo tago tacaddiyada loo geysto suxufiyiinta, dowladda Soomaaliya waxay meel-marisay xeer saxaafadeed xaddidaya xorriyadda hadalka iyo midda saxaafadda, faafreebaya suxufiyiinta, kuna soo rogaya ciqaabo adag weriyayaasha loo arko inay tebinayaan warar aanu dowladdu ku qanacsaneyn sida ka hadalka amniga qaranka iyo daba-galka lagu sameeyo saraakiisha dowladda.

Sannadkii dhammaaday ee 2020 wuxuu suxufiyiinta iyo warbaahinta Soomaaliyeed u ahaa mid qalafsan. Waxaa la dilay labo weriye, afar kalena waa la dhaawacay, iyadoo kala bar weeraradan ka dhanka ah suxufiyiinta ay sameynayaan dad ka tirsan laamaha amniga ee Dowladda. Hay’adaha nabadsugidda ee NISA, booliska iyo saraakiisha kale ee amniga ee Dowladda Federaalka, kuwa maamul goboleedyada oo ay ku jirto Somaliland waxay xireen 56 suxufi intii lagu gudajiray 2020. Sidoo kale, Dowladda Federaalka iyo maamul goboleedyada waxa ay weerareen shan xarun warbaahineed. Dhacdo kasta, dowladdu waa ay ku guuldareysatay inay baaritaan rasmi ah ku furto shakhsiyaadka geysanaya denbiyada ka dhanka ah suxufiyiinta, caddaaladana hor keento.

Saraakiisha dowladda iyo kuwa maamul goboleedyada ee ku kala sugan Muqdisho, Puntland, Galmudug, Hirshabeelle, Koonfur Galbeed, Jubbaland iyo Somaliland waxay si gaar ah u bar-tilmaameedsadeen suxufiyiinta tebineysay arrimo kala duwan oo ay ku jiraan sida cudurka COVID19, tebinta wararka la xiriira weerarada al-Shabaab, amni xumada iyo cabashooyinka la xiriira doorashooyinka, musuqmaasuqa iyo maamul xumida.

Tebinta mudaaraharaadyada, gaar ahaan kuwa loogaga soo horjeedo dowladda, waxay sidoo kale dhaliyaan in boolisku ay si awood ah u beegsadaan suxufiyiinta. Tacadiyada ka dhanka ah warfidiyeenka waxay 90% dheceen iyadoo ay weriyayaasha shaqo ku jiraan ama marka ay marayaan goobaha ay ciidamada dadku ku baaraan.

Inkastoo ay jiraan ballanqaadyo afka uun ku koobnaa oo uu sameeyay Madaxweyne Maxamed Cabdullaahi Farmaajo oo ahayd in saxaafaddu aanay denbi ahayn, dib u habeyna lagu sameynayo sharciga duugoobay ee Xeerka Ciqaabta ee soo baxay 1964tii kaasoo loo adeegsado in lagu ciqaabo suxufiyiinta, ayaa haddana weerarada iyo xarigga loo geysanayo suxufiyiinta ay sii socdeen.

Xeer Ilaaliyaha Guud ee Qaranka ayaa isna ku guul darreystay in uu hirgeliyo ballanqaadyo ku aadanaa in uu magacaabo xeer ilaaliye u gaar ah suxufiyiinta, isla markaana baara denbiyada ka dhanka ah suxufiyiinta, gaar ahaan dilalkii xaq darrada ahaa ee loo geystay suxufiyiinta. Haddii ballanqaadkan la fulin lahaa, waxay hoos u dhigi kartay weerarada lagu hayo warfidiyeenka waxayna dhameyn lahayd ugu yaraan hab-dhaqanka isu ciqaabis la’aanta tacadiyada suxufiyiinta laga gelayo.

Warbixin sannadeedkan waxay soo koobeysaa tacadiyada iyo gaboodfallada ka dhanka ah suxufiyiinta, xarumaha warbaahinta iyo xorriyadda saxaafadda ee dhacay intii lagu guda jiray sannadkii 2020. Tacadiyadaas oo ay ku jiraan hanjabaad, gaboodfallo, xarig, faafreeb ku sameyn, dilal loo geystay suxufiyiin iyo weeraro ka dhanka suxufiyiinta ee nool guud ahaan Soomaaliya oo ay ku jirto Somaliland. Warbixintan waxay ku saleysan tahay wareysiyo lala yeeshay warfidiyeennada iyo madaxda warbaahinta, qoysaskii ay ka dhinteen suxufiyinta la dilay, xubnaha bulshada iyo saraakiil dowladeed. Ururka suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed (SJS) oo ah urur madax-bannaan oo u qareema warfidiyeennada Soomaaliyeed ayaa soo ururiyay isla markaana hubiyay dhammaan dhacdooyinka iyo tacadiyada ku xusan warbixintan oo la ururiyay intii u dhexeysay 1da Jannaayo illaa 31kii Disember 2020.

HALKAN KALA DEG WARBIXINTA OO DHAN

Cabdalle Axmed Mumin,
Xoghayaha Guud ee Ururka Suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed ee SJS.
30 Jannaayo 2021

Communication Submitted to African Commission on Human Rights for Kilwe Farah, Journalist Detained in Puntland since December because of his media work

Independent journalist shot dead in Galkayo

Freelance journalist Kilwe appears before Puntland Military Court, SJS calls for his freedom

After 60 days in jail, freelance journalist Kilwe faces new charges by Puntland authorities

60 Maalmood oo xabsi ku heyn ah kaddib, Puntland oo eedeyn cusub ku oogtay weriye Kilwe

With impunity, Somali police detain, confiscate equipment and intimidate journalists at gunpoint in Mogadishu

SJS waxay cambaareyneysaa beegsiga iyo xarigga rabshadda wata ee suxufiyiinta Galmudug, Puntland, Hirshabeelle iyo Muqdisho

SJS condemns recurring violent attacks on journalists in Galmudug, Puntland, Hirshabelle and Mogadishu

Civil Society Letter to Secretary Blinken on HRDs

Xaaladda Xorriyadda Saxaafadda Soomaaliya 2020: Hanjabaadaha iyo tacadiyada lagula kaco warfidiyeenka oo kordhay iyadoo gabi ahaanba aanu jirin isla xisaabtan

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