Somaliland: 7 journalists arrested in a week, 3 still held

14 January, 2012

Dr. Mohamed A. Omar

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

Ministry of Foreign affairs

& International Cooperation

26 June District

Hargeisa, Somaliland

E-mail: info@somalilandforeign.net

 

Re: Somaliland: 7 journalists arrested in a week, 3 still held

 

Dear Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation,

I am sharing my deepest concern as for the recent spate of arrests of independent reporters in the semi-autonomous republic of Somaliland.

At least seven journalists have been arrested since last week, with three still in custody without being charged, local journalists said. According to Somaliland's constitution, a judge can authorize police to hold a suspect without charge for up to 21 days for further investigations.

Somaliland authorities have detained Royal Television reporter Yusuf Ali (also known as "Indho Quru") without charge in the northwestern town of Borama since Sunday based on a complaint filed against him by the Africa Youth Development Association (AYODA), a local NGO, news reports said. The journalist had reported on the group's alleged misuse of funds, local journalists said.

On Wednesday, authorities in Borama detained Ali Ismail Aare, a journalist with the independent weekly Waheen, the Somaliland Journalists Association (SJA) reported. Aare was arrested after he took photographs of a gas station and building belonging to Somaliland Vice President Abdirahman Abdilahi, which residents complained was built incorrectly and encroached upon roads in the town, leaving no room for traffic or pedestrians, according to local journalists. Barkhad Mohamoud, SJA's executive member, said taking photographs of an edifice owned by a public official is not a criminal offense under Somaliland law, according to local journalists. The journalist has not been charged yet, news reports said, but he is expected in court on Saturday.

On Monday, Somaliland police arrested Abdiqani Hassan Farah ("Gadari"), a reporter for Universal TV in the Las Anod district of Sool region, news reports said. Local journalists said Farah had reported on a clan dispute.

Four other journalists were also arrested in Somaliland in the past week, but detained for only a short time.

Last week, Somaliland police arrested three journalists from private broadcasters Horn Cable TV, Somaliland TV, and Universal TV in the disputed Las Anod region of Somaliland for allegedly supporting youth groups who pose a threat to security in the region, according to local reports. Police released all three journalists the following day, local journalists said.

I urge you take proper measure to insure the freedom of expression in the country.

More generally, ensure in all circumstances the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and with international and regional human rights instruments

I thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely yours,

William Nicholas Gomes

William's Desk

www.williamgomes.org

 

 http://www.williamgomes.org/?p=321

 

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William Nicholas Gomes
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