Hargeysa-(Berberanews)- The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) condemns in the
strongest terms possible the unrelenting violations against the
journalists and the media by the Somaliland authorities in which they
had arrested 21 journalists were jailed on Sunday 15 January, 2012, in
a string of arrests and media raids in the past week suffered by the
Somaliland journalists, making the total journalists held without
charges to 24.
With the increased detentions and attacks against the media in the
past week against the journalists and the episode in which the police
raided and shut down the offices of the Horn Cable Television,
ordering the media staff and the journalists to leave the offices on
Saturday 14 January, 2012 in Hargeysa forced the journalists without
reserve to show their concerns through a protest in front of the
presidential palace in Hargeysa on Sunday morning 15 January, 2012.
However, the media fraternity was not expecting the urgent frightening
answer, though unaware their call for media freedom and protection
could soon turn its worse.
Soon the police sealed the area around 10:00am local time and started
arrests along with beating up journalists until some of them poured
blood from their mouths. It is a tragedy facing the Somali Journalists
on the eve of 2012 and all these acts along others are meant to
suppress the freedom of Expression.
A female journalist, Nimca Abshir who was among 21 journalists jailed
today said that, “When we were caught by the police this morning, we
had been beaten and a fellow journalist had been seriously beaten
until blood comes out from his mouth.”. All journalists are in
custody.
Somaliland authorities accused Horn Cable Television for covering of
conference which was held at Taleeh in Sool region last week which its
delegates announced a new regional administration independent from
Somaliland, according to Somaliland Interior Minister, Mohamed Nor.
Somaliland Interior minister, Mohamed Nor Dur who held a media
conference after the mass arrests of the journalists said that “it was
a mistake to protest in front of the presidential palace, declaring
that their authority had suspended the license of the Horn Cable
Television.
However, Secretary General of Somaliland Journalists Association,
Mohamed Rashiid condemned the government’s move and observed the most
serious violations in the history of Somaliland journalists. He also
reiterated that these acts are apparent attack meant to suppress the
freedom of expression and the press.
“We have requested if not all of them, to release the female
journalists with bail, but our request has been turned down.” Mohamed
Rashiid, SOLJA Secretary General told NUSOJ by phone on Sunday
evening.
The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) condemns the
systematic move aimed at blocking the media freedom and intimidations
against journalists and the undue pressure by the Somaliland
authorities.
“We appeal to Somaliland authorities to release all journalists still
held in custody or bring them before fair court immediately and allow
the Horn Cable Television resume its operation.” Mohamed Ibrahim,
NUSOJ Secretary General said, “ Jailing humans without charges is a
direct violation to the fundamental principles of human rights and
call for all concerned organizations/governments to intervene the
matter urgently.”
“Somaliland must stop this systemic move it is trying to silence the
media and allow journalists to report freely without fear of
reprisals.” Mr. Ibrahim added.
NUSOJ supports Somaliland journalists for courageously demanding the
media freedom, safety and protection from their authorities as
guaranteed in the Somaliland constitution and denounce the latest
string of attacks which 21 journalists were arrested and beaten up,
some seriously.
Last week, Seven cases of arrests took place in the towns of
Laas-Aanood and Boorama. Three are still in custody without charges
making the total journalists in custody to 24.
PRESS RELEASE; Mogadishu, January 15, 2012.
Berberanews.com
Hargeysa/Somaliland.
