National Union of Somali Journalists

The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) has today submitted to the members of United Nations Security Council who are in Djibouti to meet Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government and opposition Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia a note expressing deteriorating situation of media freedom and safety of journalists, which was created by Somalia’s increasingly violent political climate.

H.E. Ambassador Dumisani Kumalo, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations who is leading the Security Council delegation received the appeal presented by NUSOJ officials.

“Almost all regions of the country have experienced the worst press freedom violations, with journalists facing constant attacks, arrests, persecution, harassments, and intimidation. These acts have sent a terrifying message to journalists’ community. This has led to self-censorship, a mass departure of journalists from their profession and unprincipled news dissemination” NUSOJ said to the Security Council delegation.

NUSOJ urged UN Security Council to take urgent actions to improve safety and security of journalists in Somalia who deliberately targeted by all sides in the conflict as media professionals are being threatened and killed with impunity. “Administrations in the country did nothing to pursue prompt and trustable investigations into the numerous attacks against the Somali media, including the nine (9) unsolved murder cases since January 2007” national journalists’ union said.

The mission is an opportunity for the Security Council to express its determination to assist the Somali efforts through a strengthened UN presence, promote a more active role of the United Nations and to express its deep concern at the worsening humanitarian situation, including the persistent violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.

“We appeal to UN Security Council to press authorities in Somalia to end the culture of impunity confronting journalists and media workers in the country. Media Freedom, Freedom of Expression and an independent and vibrant media community are fundamental guiding lights of a successful peace and reconciliation. We strongly believe that media freedom must be respected and upheld by all parties in order for peace and justice to exist in Somalia” NUSOJ said in its letter handed to Ambassador Dumisani Kumalo.

The National Union of Somali Journalists particularly requests UN Security Council to:

1. Immediately implement in Somalia the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1738 to Protect Journalists Reporting in War Zones and Crisis Areas by helping punishment of every form of violence against journalists.
2. Direct all parties in Conflict in Somalia to respect human rights of journalists and all media workers and desist all attacks against media.
3. Stress Somali authorities to promptly and sincerely investigate all attacks against media professionals and to pursue suitable procedure in bringing perpetrators to account.
4. Make sure that any UN mission pays special attention to the protection of media professionals and improvement of this appalling situation of journalists in Somalia.
5. Direct UN Country Team to double their efforts of upholding the human rights of journalists in accordance with international law.