Somalia: NUSOJ Slams Somaliland for Forcing Out Journalists

Somalia: NUSOJ Slams Somaliland for Forcing Out JournalistsWed. December 05, 2007 - By Mohamed Abdi Farah.

The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) is calling on the authorities of Somaliland to stop forcing out Somali journalists who fled from the mayhem and violence in Mogadishu particularly targeted attacks on journalists and media because they were at risk of grave human rights violation and they sought protection in Somaliland.

The Somaliland Police Chief General Mohammed Saqadhi Dubad and the head of Somaliland Criminal Investigations Department (CID) General Ahmed Ali Shabel went yesterday (Tuesday, 4 December) to journalists' Safe House in Hargeisa and ordered to leave Somaliland within 24 hours. General Mohammed Dubad justified their order that the journalists are endangering the "security and stability of Somaliland".

The police chief added that they will take the journalists to court if they don't abide this order. "We strongly protest this harsh order, which apparently violates international human rights principles" said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General. "It is really outrageous to say these journalists who sought protection are endangering Somaliland security and stability, and we attest that they have not done or intend to do anything that can endanger the security and stability of Somaliland".

The Somaliland order has an effect on twenty-four (24) journalists who fled from Mogadishu as they were at risk of being killed or mistreated. NUSOJ in collaboration with Somaliland Journalists Association established Safe House for most of these journalists. The other ordinary people who also fled from Mogadishu will not be affected by this order. "This order clearly states that it is only meant to journalists because of their professional work of journalism and we believe that it was made to appease outsiders" Omar Faruk said. "Ordering journalists to go out is a deliberate attack on the freedom of the press". "The expulsion and intimidation of journalists in Somaliland is intolerable and raises legitimate concerns about the Somaliland's commitment to a free press and democratic values" Omar Faruk declared.

This shocking order against Somali journalists comes out as International Mission from Amnesty International that included a delegation from East & Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network is in Hargeisa. Following efforts made by Somaliland journalists, Somaliland Human Rights Activists and the International Mission, the journalists were given five more days to leave Somaliland. But NUSOJ sources, who don't want to be mentioned, stated that it seems unworkable to overturn this order as it came from senior leaders of Somaliland. "The Somaliland order is shameful act that contradicts the democracy that Somaliland states, and authorities must allow journalists to come in with restriction, stay freely and report without fear" Omar Faruk said

Source: Somalinet