AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA-Press Release

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA
PRESS RELEASE
Friday, Oct. 26, 2007, 2007


Amnesty International Calls for Probe in Killings of Somali Journalists
Situation for Journalists is Worst Since 1991 State Collapse, with Eight Killed this Year


(Washington) -- In the wake of the Oct. 19 murder of journalist Bashir Nur Gedi, Amnesty International has said that attacks on Somali journalists are higher this year than in any other year since the overthrow of the Siad Barre government in 1991. The organization called on Somalia's Transitional Federal Government (TFG) to begin an immediate investigation into the killings of eight journalists and bring those responsible to justice.

Since Ethiopian forces captured Mogadishu from the Union of Islamic Courts in December 2006, the situation for journalists and other civilians has continued to deteriorate; eight journalists have been killed this year and others threatened with violence. No arrests have been made. The most recent killing was of Bashir Nur Gedi, acting manager of the Shabelle Media Network, who was shot dead by unidentified gunmen at his house on Friday, Oct. 19.

"Intimidating and harming journalists has apparently become a tool of war for armed parties in the Somali conflict," said Lynn Fredriksson, AIUSA advocacy director for Africa. "Attacks on journalists violate their fundamental rights to freedom of expression and press, as recognized in international human rights laws and treaties. The U.S. government must press the TFG to take concrete actions to stop these violations immediately."

In addition to journalists, humanitarian workers have also been subjected to attacks. The extraordinary raid on the U.N. compound in Mogadishu by more than 50 officers of the TFG's National Security Service on Oct. 17 and the arbitrary detention of Idris Osman, the local director of the U.N. World Food Program from Oct. 17-23, demonstrate a flagrant disregard for the rights of humanitarian workers acting to provide for the essential needs of vulnerable populations.

Amnesty International calls on the TFG to conduct prompt, effective and impartial investigations into the killings and threats of violence against journalists, humanitarian workers and other civilians and to bring those responsible to justice through fair trials and without the application of the death penalty.

The TFG must also end its repeated closings of media organizations and the arrests of journalists by its security forces, the organization said. These actions have created an environment where attacks against journalists assumed to be in reprisal for their reporting have become commonplace.

Since Amnesty International's last statement on the dangers faced by journalists in Somalia, particularly in Mogadishu (Urgent need for protection of journalists, Sept. 7, 2007), attacks on journalists have continued and include the following:

The attempted shooting of Radio Shabelle's acting manager Jafar Mohammed "Kukay" in Mogadishu on Sept. 24 and the siege of Radio Shabelle's building on Sept. 18, during which TFG security forces fired automatic weapons at windows, injuring a security guard. The U.N. Special Envoy to Somalia later reported that TFG leaders had stated this was an accident and gave assurance that it would not happen again.
The temporary closure of Radio Garowe in the Puntland capital of Garowe on Oct. 19 and the arrest of three members of its staff by Puntland security forces. All were released on Oct. 20 and the station has resumed broadcasting.
The closure for 24 hours of Radio Simba, a Mogadishu-based radio station and the arrest of two Radio Simba journalists by TFG security forces on Oct. 11. Abdullahi Ali Farah and Mohammed Farah were released the next day.
The arbitrary detention of Mr. Mohamed Hussein Jimale, a Mogadishu-based journalist from the news website www.puntlandpost.com, who was detained by TFG police in the prison adjacent to the President's Office in Villa Somalia Sept. 12-16.
Numerous other incidents in recent weeks of journalists being harassed, intimidated and arrested for short periods of time in Mogadishu by TFG security forces.
Amnesty International has also called on the TFG Minister for Information, Madobe Numow Mohamed, to respect the legitimate role of journalists. Amnesty International is concerned to note that the minister, in a letter dated Oct. 3, 2007, declared that the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) was not recognized by the TFG and had no right to represent and organize journalists. The NUSOJ has been a strong and impartial advocate for the rights of Somali journalists, documenting attacks on journalists and calling for action.

Amnesty International urges the international community to press the TFG to prioritize the protection of journalists. The United Nations, the United States, the European Union and the African Union have all invested considerable energy and resources in the development of the Transitional Federal Institutions of Somalia. It is essential that they use their resulting influence to uphold press freedom and freedom of expression in Somalia, and the right to physical integrity for all journalists in Somalia.

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Contact: Suzanne Trimel, 212-633-4150