National Union of Somali Journalists

Twenty-eight national, regional and international free expression organizations appealed to Somali Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein to use his leadership position to truly protect journalists’ and media workers’ safety by investigating attacks on journalists to end the current culture of impunity. The joint action was led by the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) and other members and partners of the International Freedom of Expression eXchange (IFEX).

The free expression groups, including the leading media freedom groups from Africa and internationally, said in a letter sent today to the Prime Minister that Somali journalists are still working in a highly dangerous environment, with one journalist killed, two seriously injured and four illegally arrested already this year. “This represents a substantial deterioration in an already bad situation,” said the groups.

“We believe that these attacks against journalists and media organizations constitute blatant violations and abuses of freedom of the press, freedom of expression and the right of citizens to be informed,” IFEX members and partner organizations declared.

Free expression advocacy groups stated that the media law that was passed on 8December 2007 has several articles that are not clearly phrased and plainly paradoxical to international standards of free expression. Some of the articles directly entail restrictions on the media. “We urge your government not to submit this media law to the president and that as the Prime Minister, you appeal to President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed not to ratify it into law. Rather it should be opened for revisions that safeguard the exercise of freedom of expression and freedom of the press, ensure protection of media independence and confidential sources, and allow for access to information,” they said.

As someone in charge of the promotion, coordination and supervision of government policy and general administration of the country, free expression groups called upon the Prime Minister to build confidence in the Somali people, especially in the media community, and to pursue democratic principles and respect for human rights, with a greater degree of assurance and implementation.

“We hope that your government will honour the values of peace, democracy, rule of law, social justice, and the dignity and integrity of all Somalis on which the Transitional Federal Charter is built,” NUSOJ and 27 other free expression and human rights groups observed.

“By investigating all attacks on journalists thoroughly, holding to account those who are responsible, and protecting professional safety and security of journalists in the conduct of their work you will protect those values and allow them to take root, not just in the media sector but in the country as a whole,” the groups said to the Prime Minister.

Click here Read letter to Prime Minister.