Villa Somalia should instruct the AG to drop charges against Goobjoog Media journalist

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June 10, 2020

Goobjoog Media journalist, Abdiaziz Gurbiye released on bail on 18 April but can not write about Covid-19.¯ — Goobjoog Media journalist, Abdiaziz Gurbiye released from jail on bail on 18 April, 2020 but can not write about Covid-19. | Photo: Courtesy/SJS.

MOGADISHU, Somalia 10 June, 2020 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) and the Somali Media Association (SOMA) call for Somali Attorney General and Somali President’s Office to drop their charges against Goobjoog Media Group’s deputy director, Abdiaziz Ahmed Gurbiye after nearly two months since he was released on bail on 18 April, 2020 as we welcome the freedom of SAAB TV journalist in Hargeisa on Tuesday 09 June, 2020.

Gurbiye was arrested on 14 April 2020 a day after he wrote on his Facebook that “Somali president had taken away a donated ventilator” from a local hospital amid Covid-19 pandemic. He was charged with article 220 of the Somali Penal Code which states “offending the honour or prestige of the head of the state”. Following his release, Mr. Gurbiye has been banned from writing about Covid-19 and any thing critical on the government making him impossible to practice his profession under the bail.

“It is now almost two months and journalist Abdiaziz Gurbiye is not able to exercise his journalism,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the Secretary General of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said “We call for the Office of Somali President and the Office of the Attorney General to drop their charges against Mr. Gurbiye and allow him to resume his journalism work without fear of persecution.”

In the aftermath of journalist Gurbiye’s arrest and following series of attacks and threats against journalists for covering Covid-19, independent journalists and media houses in Somalia are unwilling to cover Covid-19 or have resorted to self-censorship for fear of arrest or persecution.

“On May 3, Somali president Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo stated that journalists should not be used in the future with the outdated Somali penal code. With that being officially said by the president, Goobjoog journalist Gurbiye remains to be a victim of such outdated law and is charged with the Penal Code on behalf of the Somali president,” Mohamed Abduwahab Abdullahi, the Secretary General of Somali Media Association (SOMA) said.

SOMA and SJS jointly call for the Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo to instruct the Attorney General to withdraw the charges against Gurbiye in the respect to the president’s statement issued on May 3.

Separately SOMA and SJS welcomed the release of the privately owned independent SAAB TV journalist Ali Fahad Jama, who was detained after reporting a road accident involving a police vehicle in Hargeisa on Monday 08 June. According to Ali Fahad who spoke to SJS today he was released on the morning of Tuesday 09 June after spending one night in the police detention. He was not charged.

Meanwhile Radio Hiigsi editor, Mohamed Abduwahaab Nuur (Abuuja) had on Sunday 07 June appeared before the military tribunal and was transferred to Mogadishu central prison after the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) held him incommunicado for three months. The journalist is yet to be charged but SOMA and SJS have hired two lawyers to defend him before the court of the law once his case is brought to the court.

After three months incommunicado detention, journalist Mohamed Abuuja appears before a military court in Mogadishu

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June 7, 2020

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Journalist Mohamed Abduwahaab (Abuuja) has been held incommunicado since March 7, 2020 in Mogadishu. | Photo: SJS.

MOGADISHU, Somalia 07 June, 2020 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) and Somali Media Association (SOMA) have noticed for the first time in three months that Radio Hiigsi editor, Mohamed Abduwahaab Nuur (Abuuja) appeared before a military court in Mogadishu today on Sunday 07 June, 2020 and was transferred to the Mogadishu central prison.

The journalist was first detained on 29 February 2020 following a critical article on Somali security forces. He was released on 2 March 2020 without charges to be only re-arrested five days later on 7 March by officers from the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) in Mogadishu. He has been held incommunicado ever since.

On Sunday 7 June, Mohamed Abuuja was secretly taken to the military court where he was transferred to the central prison in Mogadishu pending investigations, according to military court officials who spoke to SJS. Neither lawyers nor his family were made aware of this court appearance.

Officials from Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) and Somali Media Association (SOMA) have jointly hired two lawyers from Heegan Law Firm: Dahir Mohamed Ali and Isaq Abdullahi Hassan, who will be legally representing journalist Mohamed Abuuja before the court.

“It is strange that journalist Mohamed Abduwahaab (Abuuja) has been held incommunicado detention for three months now only to intimidate and silence critical journalists in the pretext of anti-terror campaign,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the Secretary General of SJS said “Journalism is not a crime and the use of military court rather than a civilian court will endanger the future of free expression in Somalia, we therefore oppose any use of military tribunal for the case of Mohamed.”

“We are glad to announce that SOMA and SJS have jointly secured an agreement with the two lawyers to defend journalist Mohamed Abduwahaab (Abuuja). Mohamed was only arrested for exercising his right as a journalist,” Mohamed Abduwahab Abdullahi, the Secretary General of SOMA “We hope that Mohamed will get justice as soon as possible.”

“Mohamed Abduwahaab (Abuuja) has been victimized as a result of his journalism. We are glad and committed to defend him,” defending lawyer, Dahir Mohamed Ali said during a meeting with SJS and SOMA representatives today in Mogadishu.

Weriye Coldoon oo la siidaayey kaddib 1 sano iyo 49 maalmood oo uu xabsi ku jiray

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June 6, 2020

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Weriye Cabdimaalik Coldoon oo saxaafadda kula hadlay kaddib siideyntiisa maanta 6 Juun, 2020. | Photo: Courtesy/SJS.

MUQDISHO, Soomaaliya 06 Juun 2020- Ururka Suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed (SJS) wuxuu soo dhoweeynayaa xorriyad-siinta weriye Cabdimaalik Muuse Coldoon Sabtida maanta 6-da bisha Juun, 2020. Coldoon ayaa muddo hal sano iyo 49 cisho ku jiray xabsi ku yaalla magaalada Hargeysa.

Booliska magaalada Burco ee Somaliland ayaa xabsiga u taxaabay weriye Cabdimaalik Muuse Coldoon 17 Abriil, 2019 kaddib warbixino dhaliil ahaa uu ku qoray bartiisa Facebook. 6dii Juun, 2019 ayaa xeer ilaalintu ku soo eedeysay “Faafinta warar liddi ku ah Somaliland” iyo “baahinta warar been abuur ah”. 8dii Luulyo, 2019 ayaa Maxkamadda Gobolka Maroodi Jeex ee Hargeysa ku xukuntay saddex sano iyo bar xabsi ah.

Isagoo ka hadlayay shir saxaafadeed uu ku qabtay maanta magaalada Hargeysa, weriye Cabdimaalik Muuse Coldoon ayaa xaqiijiyay in lagu soo daayay cafis madaxweyne.

“Maanta waxaan ahay xor. Alle ayaa mahadda iska leh. Waxaan u mahadcelinayaa dhammaan intii ka qeyb qaadatay xorriyadeyda. Waxaan idin leeyahay dhammaantiin mahadsanidiin anigoon halkan qof qof uga sheegi karin,” Weriye Coldoon ayaa warfidiyeenada u sheegay.

SJS waxay soo dhoweyneysaa in Cabdimaalik uu xorriyadiisa dib u helo, waxaana ugu baaqeynaa in madaxda Somaliland inay joojiyaan xarigga warfidiyeennada.

“SJS waxay ku faraxday warka sii-deynta weriye Cabdimaalik Muuse Coldoon, annagoo aamisan in markii horeba aanay ahayn la xiro,” Cabdalle Axmed Mumin, Xoghayaha Guud ee SJS ayaa yiri, isagoo ku daray, “Waxaanu xasuusineynaa madaxda Somaliland in ay ka joojiyaan xarigga warfidiyeennada u adeegaya bulshada iyagoo adeegsanaya xaqooda dastuuriga ah.”

Dhanka kale, SJS waxay aad uga xun tahay xabsiga go’doominta ah ee lagu hayo tifaftiraha Idaacadda Hiigsi, Maxamed Cabdiwahaab Nuur (Abuuja) oo lagu hayo meel aan la garaneyn illaa iyo 7dii Maarso 2020, isagoo aan loo ogoleyn qareen isla markaana aanay arki karin qoyskiisa.

“Waxaan aad uga walaacsannahay xaaladda weriye Maxamed Cabduwahaab Abuuja oo aan la garaneyn halka lagu hayo tan iyo 7dii bishii Maarso ee sanadkan, loona diiday booqasho iyo qareen u dooda toona. Waana in la sii daayaa ama sida ugu dhakhsiyaha badan lagu horkeenaa maxkamad caddaalad, loona ogolaadaa qareen ku difaaca sharciga hortiisa.” Md. Mumin ayaa intaa ku daray.

Freelance journalist Oldon is freed after spending one year and 49 days in Somaliland jail

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June 6, 2020

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Journalist Abdimalik Muse Oldon speaks during a press conference in Hargeisa following his release from jail on Saturday 6 June, 2020. | Photo: Courtesy/SJS.

MOGADISHU, Somalia 06 June 2020- Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) welcomes the release of journalist Abdimalik Muse Oldon from the jail in Hargeisa on Saturday 6 June, 2020 after spending one year and 49 days in prison.

Somaliland police in Burao arrested freelance journalist Oldon on 17 April 2019 over critical Facebook articles. On 6 June 2019, Oldon was charged with “spreading anti-Somaliland propaganda” and “disseminating false news”. On 8 July 2019 the Hargeisa-based Marodi-Jeh Regional Court sentenced to him with three and half years jail term.

During a press conference in Hargeisa today, Mr. Oldon said he was freed on presidential pardoning.

“Today I am free. I thank God. I also thank all those who took part in ensuring my freedom. I want to say thank you all as I can not mention each and everyone,” he told reporters shortly after his freedom.

SJS is hailed by journalist Oldon’s freedom in Hargeisa as we call for authorities in Somaliland to stop jailing journalists.

“SJS is relieved by the news of journalist Abdimalik Muse Oldon’s freedom today in Hargeisa. Oldon should not have been detained in the first place,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the secretary general of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said “We wish to remind Somaliland authorities to stop arresting journalists for only exercising their right to freedom of speech.”

SJS is also deeply disturbed about the continued incommunicado detention of Radio Hiigsi’s editor, Mohamed Abduwahaab Nuur (Abuuja) who is held in unknown location in Mogadishu since 7 March without access to a lawyer and his family. Officers from Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) detained the journalist after writing critically on the security forces.

“We are very concerned about the situation of journalist Mohamed Abduwahaab Nuur (Abuuja) as he is held in unknown location without having access to his lawyer and his family since 7 March. He should be freed or brought to a court of law with access to a lawyer,” Mr. Mumin concludes.

Warbaahinta madaxa-bannaan iyo Warfidiyeennada waa in loo ogolaadaa tebinta Kalfadhiga labada Aqal ee Baarlamaanka Soomaaliya

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June 5, 2020

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Sawirka: Koox warfidiyeenka Soomaaliyeed oo tabinaya shir jaraa'id oo ku saabsan xorriyadda saxaafadda May 18, 2020. | Sawirka: SJS. — Koox warfidiyeenka Soomaaliyeed oo tabinaya shir jaraa'id oo ku saabsan xorriyadda saxaafadda May 18, 2020. | Sawirka: SJS.

MUQDISHO, Soomaaliya 05 Juun 2020 – Ururka Suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed (SJS) wuxuu ugu baaqayaa Labada Aqal ee Baarlamaanka Federaalka Soomaaliya in ay ka noqdaan go’aankooda ay kaga horjoogsadaan warbaahinta madaxa-bannaan iyo suxufiyiinta kalfadhiga 7aad ee wadajirka ay u yeelanayaan Labada Aqal oo loo qorsheeyay in uu qabsoomo Sabtida 6da Juun, 2020.

Suxufiyiinta wararka ka soo tebiya Baarlamaanka ayaa SJS u sheegay in lagu soo wargaliyay inaysan tebin karin furitaanka Kalfadhiga 7aad ee Labada Aqal ee Baarlamaanka Federaalka oo dhacaya 6-da bisha Juun iyadoo lagu marmarsiyoonayo cudurka COVID-19. Saraakiil ka tirsan waaxda Warbaahinta Baarlamaanka ayaa sidoo kale SJS u sheegay in iyagoo fulinaya awaamiirta madaxda Baarlamaanka ay go’aankaas gaarsiiyeen suxufiyiinta iyo warbaahinta madaxa-bannaan, iyadoo loo ogolaaday oo keliya warbaahinta afka Dowladda ku hadasha.

“Waxaanu cambaareyneynaa go’aanka lagaga horjoogsanayo tebinta madaxa-bannaan Kalfadhiga Baarlamaanka Labada Aqal ee loo qorsheeyay in uu dhaco Sabtida 6da Juun. Waxaanu ugu baaqeynaa saraakiisha baarlamaanka ee arrintan shaqada ku leh inay ixtiraamaan Qodobka 32aad ee Dastuurka Dalka oo damaanad qaadaya xaqa helista xogta ay Dowladdu heyso, isla markaana Baarlamaanka ay go’aankooda uga noqdaan si shuruud la’aan ah,” Cabdalle Axmed Mumin, Xoghayaha Guud ee SJS ayaa yiri.

“Waa in wariyaasha iyo warbaahinta madaxa-bannaan loo oggolaado inay ka qeybgasho, tebisana Kalfadhiga si carqalad la’aan ah,” ayuu sii raaciyay hadalkiisa Xoghaye Mumin.

Qaar ka mid ah saraakiisha baarlamaanka ee la hadlay SJS ayaa u sheegay kalfadhiga labada aqal ee Baarlamaanka la qorsheynayo in looga hadlo doorashooyinka 2020/2021 si waafaqsan gooreynta Dastuurka, iyadoo la filayo in madaxweyne Maxamed Cabdullaahi Farmaajo uu furo kalfadhigan 7aad.

SJS waxay ka soo horjeeddaa xayiraad walba oo la saaro warbaahinta madaxa-bannaan iyo warfidiyeennada tebinaya fadhiyada Baarlamaanka. Baarlamaanka waa hay’adda muhiim u ah la xisaabtanta hay’adaha dimuqraadiga ah ee Dowladda, warbaahintuna waa isha keliya ee ay Dadweynuhu kala socdaan sharciyada kala duwan ee Golaha Barlamaanku meel marinayo, gaar ahaan xiligan muhiimka ah oo dalku doorasho gelayo.

“Geeddi socodka dimuqraadiyadda Soomaaliya ayaa wiiqmi doona haddaan warfidiyeenada loo oggolaan inay kasoo waramaan dhammaan kulamada muhiimka ah ee Baarlamaanku yeelanayo- oo ay ku jiraan doodaha ku saabsan qorshayaasha doorashada iyadoo su’aalo adag la weydiinayo wakiiladda lasoo doortay,” Xoghayaha Guud ee SJS, Cabdalle Axmed Mumin ayaa yiri.

Bishii Oktoobar ee sanadkii la soo dhaafay, Aqalka Hoose ee Baarlamaanka ayaa ka horjoogsaday warbaahinta madaxa-bannaan inay tebiyaan fadhiyadooda iyagoo marmarsiiyo uga dhigtay in aanay heynin goob ku filan oo ay suxufiyiintu joogaan gudaha Baarlamaanka. Go’aankaas oo markii dambe laga laabtay kadin markii SJS iyo xarumaha warbaahinta gudaha ay ka cabteen.

Independent media and journalists should be allowed to cover Somali Parliament’s Joint Session

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June 5, 2020

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Local journalists gather outside parliament after they were denied access on Saturday 19 October, 2019. | Photo/Courtesy/Private.

MOGADISHU, Somalia 05 June 2020 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) calls for the Somali Federal Parliament to reverse its decision to ban journalists from independent media from covering the Joint Session of the Federal Parliament scheduled on Saturday 6 June, 2020.

Journalists covering the Parliament told SJS on Friday that they would not be allowed to cover the Saturday’s Joint Session under the pretext of Covid-19. Also media officials of the Parliament told SJS, that following orders from parliament authorities they conveyed the decision to the independent media and journalists that bars independent media coverage, despite permitting only the state-owned media.

“We condemn the decision to suspend independent media coverage during Saturday’s Joint Session of both Houses of the Parliament. We call for the Parliament officials to uphold Article 32 of the country’s Constitution which protects the right to access to information held by the State and subsequently reverse their decision unconditionally,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the secretary general of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said “Journalists should be allowed to cover the Parliament without any obstacles.”

According to officials who spoke to SJS, the Saturday’s Joint Session will discuss on plans for conducting 2020/2021 elections within the constitutional timeframe and therefore it is expected Somali president, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo to address the opening of the 7^th Session of both Houses of the Parliament.

SJS vehemently opposes any restrictions against the independent media and journalists covering the Somali Parliament. The Parliament is the core branch, which oversights the country’s democratic institutions, and only through the independent media will the public know about what legislations are being processed especially in this critical time ahead of the general elections.

“Somalia’s whole democratic process will be undermined if journalists and independent media houses are not allowed to cover all proceedings of the important political events including the parliamentary debates on election plans and to properly scrutinize the elected representatives,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the Secretary General of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) adds.

In October last year, the Lower House of the Somali Federal Parliament barred independent media from covering their sessions on what was described as lack of adequate space for the journalists inside the Parliament. The decision was, however revoked after SJS and local media houses protested.

United for Defending Freedom of Expression: Somali media and journalists’ associations sign a historic MOU with Bar Association

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May 27, 2020

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SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Ahmed Mumin speaks during a protest to demand release of imprisoned Radio Hiigsi editor, Mohamed Abuuja in Mogadishu, on Monday 20 April, 2020. | Photo credit: SJS.

MOGADISHU, Somalia 27 May, 2020 – The Somali media fraternity this week signed a historic memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Somali Bar Association to unconditionally defend the rights of the journalists and press freedom as well as to provide legal awareness for the professional journalists and media houses in Somalia.

The signing on the MOU came after a meeting on Thursday May 21, 2020 between the representatives from Somali Media Association (SOMA); Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS); Somali Independent Media Houses Association (SIMHA); the Somali Media Women Association (SOMWA) and the members of the Somali Bar Association in Mogadishu. These lengthy discussions also agreed the formation of a strong network to collectively defend the freedom of expression and that of the press in the country.

In the meantime, both sides have appointed a four-member Ad hoc committee to coordinate the technical wise and to work on the way forward in the formation of the network on behalf of the media houses, journalists unions and the Bar Association.

“The Somali Bar Association is pleased and honors to partner with the independent journalist associations and media houses in their quest to defend their rights through legal representation. We declare our unconditional commitment to protecting human rights including the freedom of expression and the press freedom and advocating for the constitutionally guaranteed rights while on the other hand educating media and journalists about their rights and responsibilities,” said Avv. Dahir Mohamed Ali, the Secretary General of the Somali Bar Association, the largest association of the country’s professional lawyers.

“Somalia is possibly heading to an election period where the threat of legal action is constant and high. Currently journalist Mohamed Abuuja is held incommunicado without access to a lawyer. Covid-19 has also brought legal challenges against journalists and media houses. It is indeed of a high importance for our journalists and media to have this great partnership with the Somali Bar Association,” said Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the Secretary General of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS), a journalists’ trade union representing professional journalists countrywide.

“We welcome the signing of this MOU with the Bar Association as it is very key to the defense of the rights of our media houses and our journalists. This is an important advance toward the protection of the freedom of speech in Somalia during this critical time,” Mohamed Abduwahab Abdullahi, the Secretary General of the Somali Media Association (SOMA), an association of the independent media houses that represents 38 radio stations across Somalia said.

“The agreement signed between the Somali Bar Association and the Somali media and journalists representatives is the first one in its kind in Somalia and it is my hope that this partnership will strengthen the capacity to defend the press freedom and the freedom of expression in the country,” said Hassan Ali Gesey, Chairman of the Somali Independent Media Houses Association (SIMHA), another key organization that represents independent houses in the country.

“This MOU today signed in Mogadishu has a special significance for the defense of the rights of the Somali women journalists who are always subjected to underreported violence,” Maryan Seylac, the Executive Director of the Somali Media Women Association (SOMWA), a women’s media rights organization based in Baidoa, the capital of South West of Somalia.

Ururrada SJS, SOMA iyo SIMHA oo ka walwalsan adeegsiga sharci darrada ah ee telefoonka wariye Abuuja

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May 26, 2020

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Wariye Maxamed Abuuja oo la xiray 7dii Maarso, ayaa lagu hayaa xabsi go'doon ah. | SAWIRKA: SJS.

MUQDISHO, Soomaaliya, 26 May, 2020 – Ururka Suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed (SJS), Dalladda Warbaahinta Soomaaliyeed (SOMA) iyo Dalladda Xarumaha Warbaahinta ee SIMHA waxay si weyn uga walwalsan yihiin isticmaalka telefoonka gaarka ah ee tifaftiraha Idaacadda Hiigsi, Maxamed Cabduwahaab Nuur (Abuuja) oo ku jira xabsi go’doomin ah tan iyo 7dii Maarso.

Maalinimadii Axaddii 24ka May, 2020, abbaare 3:06p.m ayaa telefoonka wariye Abuuja lagu diiwaangaliyay aaladda wada-xiriirka bulshada ee IMO, iyadoo farriimo sheegaya in wariye Abuuja uu khadka internetka isticmaalayo loo diray dad ka mid ah qoyskiisa. Markii xubno ka mid ah qoyska ay dib u weceenna lagama jawaabin wicitaankooda.

Wariye Maxamed Abuuja waxaa markii ugu horreysay xiray saraakiil ka tirsan Hay’adda Nabadsugida iyo Sirdoonka (NISA) 29kii Febraayo 2020 kaddib markuu daabacay qormo uu ku dhaliilay ciidamada ammaanka. Waxaa la siidaayey 2da Maarso 2020 isagoo wax dembi ah aanan lagu oogin. Markale ayey saraakiil NISA xireen 7dii Maarso, 2020, waxaana tan iyo xilligaas lagu hayey xabsi go’doomin ah oo aan la ogeyn halka uu ku yaallo. Loomana oggolaanin inuu helo qareen iyo in qoyskiisu arkaan illaa waqtigan.

Sida uu xaqiijiyay Cabduwahaab Nuur Mahdi, oo ah wariyaha aabihiis, waxaa wariyaha laga qaatay telefoonkiisa maalinkii la xiray. Sidoo kale saraakiil NISA ka tirsan ayaa booqday guriga wariye Abuuja iyagoo kasoo qaatay kombuyuutarkiisa gaarka ah.

Annagoo ka walaacsan in xuquuqdiisa xafidnaanta xogtiisa gaarka ah lagu xadgudbay, ayaan sidoo kale waxaan si weyn uga walwalsanahay ujeeddada ka dambeysa falkan lagu isticmaalayo telefoonka wariye Abuuja. Waxaan rumeysanahay in wariye Abuuja uusan xor ahayn sidaa darteedna ma isticmaali karo telefoonkiisa.

Ururrada SJS, SOMA iyo SIMHA waxay dalbanayaan in deg deg loo sii daayo wariye Abuuja ama loo oggolaado maxkamad caddaalad ah iyo qareen.

Waxaan sidoo kale uga digeynaa suxufiyiinta, saaxiibada iyo xubnaha qoyska wariye Abuuja inay ka digtoonaadaan wax kasta oo xiriir ah oo lagala soo sameeyo telefoonka wariye Abuuja ama barihiisa bushada maadaama hadda uusan xor ahayn.

Waxaan sidoo kale ku baaqeynaa in qolooyinkii xiray wariye Abuuja ay hadlaan oo ay deg deg caddeeyaan cidda furatay telefoonka iyo barta IMO ee magaca wariye Abuuja ku qoran iyo ujeeddada laga leeyahay.

Phone of a radio editor held incommunicado accessed

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May 26, 2020

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Radio Hiigsi editor, Mohamed Abduwahab Abuuja is held incommunicado since 7 March, 2020. |Photo: SJS. — Radio Hiigsi editor, Mohamed Abdiwahab Nuur [Abuuja] was held incommunicado in 2020. |PHOTO/ SJS.

MOGADISHU, Somalia, 26 May, 2020 – We, Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS), Somali Media Association (SOMA) and Somali Independent Media Houses Association (SIMHA) express our grave concern by the use of detained Radio Hiigsi editor, Mohamed Abduwahaab Nuur Abuuja’s phone number to register with the IMO messaging application and the confiscation of his personal laptop.

On Sunday 24 May, around 3:06p.m local time, members of Abuuja’s family received notification messages with Mohamed Abuuja’s name indicating that Abuuja was back online. Family members said when they called back nobody responded to their calls.

Officers from the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) first detained journalist Mohamed Abuuja on 29 February after writing critical on the behavior of the Somali security forces. He was released on 2 March without charges. He was re-arrested on 7 March and has been held incommunicado since then without access to a lawyer and family.

According to the journalist’s father, Abduwahaab Nuur Mahdi, NISA officers confiscated his phone on the day of his arrest and visited the journalist’s home a week later to seize his laptop.

We, Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS), Somali Media Association (SOMA) and Somali Independent Media Houses Association (SIMHA), are extremely worried by the breach of journalist Mohamed Abuuja’s right to his privacy, we are also worried by the motive of those doing these actions. We strongly believe that journalist Mohamed Abuuja is not free and hence has no access to his phone.

We jointly demand the journalist be freed immediately and unconditionally or be brought at the Court with access to a lawyer.

We also wish to warn against all journalists, colleagues and family members to be vigilant against any possible communication from these accounts purportedly registered under Mohamed Abuuja’s name.

We also call for those holding Mohamed Abuuja to immediately speak and should explain who accessed the journalist’s phone and the reason they did it.

Somali media fraternity concerned by intimidation and threats by the Somali police to deny journalists’ justice

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May 22, 2020

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MOGADISHU, Somalia 22 May, 2020- Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) and Somali Media Association (SOMA) jointly condemn the physical assault against SBC TV journalist, Abdullahi Mohamed Sheikh on Thursday by Hamar Jajab police commissioner and we express our concern by the measures to block the journalists from pursuing legal redress whenever they are assaulted by the police or government officials.

During a press conference in Mogadishu, SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Ahmed Mumin and SOMA Secretary General, Mohamed Abduwahab Abdullahi strongly condemned the move to summon journalist Abdullahi Sheikhdon and one other journalist who witnessed Thursday’s assault by the Mogadishu police on Thursday midnight in an attempt to frustrate the journalists’ quest for justice.

“We condemn the acts of violence against journalist Sheikhdon on Thursday in Mogadishu by a high ranking police officer, and also express our deep concern by the police attempts to deprive the journalists’ rights by pressuring and intimidating them in order not to seek legal remedy,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, SJS Secretary General said.

It is a worrying trend that police and state officials have continuously blocked and even forced to recant statements of complaints from journalists seeking justice for their rights against the police or the government officials.

It is the responsibility of the Somali Government to ensure that civil and human rights are preserved and protected for each individual including the right to access to justice regardless of their profession, and journalists are not exempted from seeking legal redress whenever they are assaulted by the police or state officials.

“We call for the police and the Attorney General to allow that complaint cases brought by journalists and media houses pass through proper legal procedures without any interference. Nobody is above the law. Even if the accused is a high ranking police officer, there must be fair treatment of justice,” Mohamed Abduwahab Abdullahi, the Secretary General of SOMA said.

Villa Somalia should instruct the AG to drop charges against Goobjoog Media journalist

After three months incommunicado detention, journalist Mohamed Abuuja appears before a military court in Mogadishu

Weriye Coldoon oo la siidaayey kaddib 1 sano iyo 49 maalmood oo uu xabsi ku jiray

Freelance journalist Oldon is freed after spending one year and 49 days in Somaliland jail

Warbaahinta madaxa-bannaan iyo Warfidiyeennada waa in loo ogolaadaa tebinta Kalfadhiga labada Aqal ee Baarlamaanka Soomaaliya

Independent media and journalists should be allowed to cover Somali Parliament’s Joint Session

United for Defending Freedom of Expression: Somali media and journalists’ associations sign a historic MOU with Bar Association

Ururrada SJS, SOMA iyo SIMHA oo ka walwalsan adeegsiga sharci darrada ah ee telefoonka wariye Abuuja

Phone of a radio editor held incommunicado accessed

Somali media fraternity concerned by intimidation and threats by the Somali police to deny journalists’ justice

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