Nine journalists were arrested for their work in last four months, and seven journalists are currently facing criminal cases, says Human Rights Centre in a statement today. Human Rights Centre publishes today quarterly report covering between April and August 2016.
New criminal cases were brought against five (5) journalists: Mohamed Omar Jaray, a reporter for Boramanews website, was tried and convicted by Awdal Regional Court, Abdirashid Abdiwahaab Ibraahim, chairman of Foorenewspaper, Mohamed Mohamoud Yousuf, editor-in-chief of Foore, Ibrahim Osman Ahmed, editor-in-chief ofย Hangoolnewsย website, ย and Alimahdi Jibril Hassan, Bulsho TV, are all facing pending criminal trials at Hargeisa Regional Court.
Additionally, three journalists whose cases started prior April are still pending at Hargeisa Regional Court. These journalists are Cabdirashiid Nuur Wacays, chairman ofย Hubsadย newspaper, Siciid Khadar Cabdilaahi, editor-in-chief of Hubsadย newspaper, and Muuse Faarah Jaambiir, chairman of Ogaal newspaper.
Download the full report in here.
Recommendations
To the Attorney General:
- Stop criminalization of the media and halt detention and trial of journalists;
- Allow opening of new media houses and transfers of media houses to new owners;
- Lift the ban from the suspended newspapers Hubsad, Codka Shacakba, Xog ogaal and Haatuf;
- Withdraw the criminal charges against all the journalists facing prosecutions in Somaliland;
To the judiciary:
Stop applying the Penal Code against journalist and apply the Press Law and Somaliland constitution;
To the civil society organizations:
Support Somaliland journalists and media houses in tackling arrests and criminal prosecutions;
Support decriminalization of media and advocate for the banned newspapers.
Contact
Guleid Ahmed Jama
Chairperson of Human Rights Centre
Hargeisa, Somaliland