Will talk of stronger Somali justice lead to action?

By Tom Rhodes/CPJ East Africa Consultant

Somali Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon met February 16 with the local journalist union. (NUSOJ)

Spirits of journalists in Somalia, the most dangerous country in Africa to practice the profession, were lifted slightly this week after Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon made several auspicious announcements. The key concern on the minds of journalists in the capital, Mogadishu, is access to justice--both in terms of journalists' own court appearances and in terms of solving the many outstanding murder cases of their colleagues. Twelve journalists were killed in the line of duty last year, the worst on record, and there hasn't been a single prosecution.

After a consultative meeting February 16 with the journalist union and government officials, Shirdon announced a $50,000 public reward for information leading to the conviction of a journalist killer. "One journalist killed is one journalist too many," Shirdon said via Twitter. Authorities and journalists alike hope the offer may curb the trend of impunity; for the third consecutive year, Somalia ranked second on CPJ's Impunity Index, which calculates the number of unsolved journalist murders as a percentage of each country's population. Ahmed Ali Abukar, head of protocol and public relations in the premier's office, said he hopes the announcement will encourage those who may have information regarding journalist murders but fear retribution to be emboldened to come forward. New York Times correspondent and union leader Mohamed Ibrahim welcomed the reward offer. "We also hope it may act as a message to the killers of journalists that their chances of being identified and prosecuted are greater than before. Maybe it will act as a deterrent."
In another potentially promising step, the government on February 5 established a much-anticipated Independent Task Force on Human Rights, whose mandate includes investigating past cases of journalist murders, local journalists said. But several journalists told me they were concerned that not a single member of the media was represented in the group. "No journalist is part of the commission, even though members of civil society were appointed," said one local journalist who preferred not to be identified. The union has requested two media representatives be added to the commission, Ibrahim told me.
Hopes for more justice in the courtrooms also seemed apparent after the appeal hearing Wednesday of freelancer Abdiaziz Abdinuur. Earlier this month, Abdiaziz was sentenced to a year in jail on charges of "insulting the government" for conducting an interview with a woman who claimed she was raped by government soldiers. The interview was never published. At his initial trial, the court did not allow the defense to present several witnesses.
At the same consultation with the press, Shirdon pledged to the journalist union that Abdiaziz would receive a fair appeals trial. "After listening to your concerns, I will personally stand for making sure journalist Abdiaziz gets a fair trial in the appeals court," the premier was quoted as saying in local reports. And on Wednesday, local journalists told me, the defense was finally allowed to present documents and witnesses. Abdiaziz's lawyer also told Al Jazeera that the defense's evidence was accepted in court and that witnesses who were not heard before will be allowed to stand. The case is expected to continue on February 27. Abdiaziz remains in central prison throughout this process.
In a development that further discouraged journalists after the initial Abdiaziz verdict, police arrested and detained freelancer Daud Abdi Daud for speaking out in protest after the sentence was read in court. Daud, a journalist and secretary general of the Somali Media for Environment, Science, Health and Agriculture organization, protested in the courtroom that journalists have the right to interview people, he told me. After that, he reportedly added that he would seek to interview the president's wife and the police arrested him. Authorities released Daud after a week and no charges were filed, local journalists told me.
Still, Somali journalists are wary. Authorities have pledged their concern in the past, and yet arbitrary detentions and killings of Somali journalists continued. "Well we shall wait and see," said one local journalist who preferred not to be named, "but so far we need less announcements and more action."

Tom Rhodes is CPJ’s East Africa consultant, based in Nairobi. Rhodes is a founder of southern Sudan’s first independent newspaper. Follow him on Twitter: @africamedia_CPJ

DCMF welcomes Somali government's efforts to combat impunity

The Somali government has offered a reward worth $50,000 to anyone who provides information for the conviction of journalist killers
Thu, 21/02/2013


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Journalists in Somalia protesting against restrictions on media freedom (AFP)

The Somali government’s offer of a $50,000 (37,000 euro) reward for information leading to the "successful conviction of a journalist killer" has met with a positive reaction from local journalists who are hoping that the monetary compensation might tempt witnesses and others with information to come forward to the authorities.

Last year was the deadliest year in history for journalists in Somalia and 18 members of the media were killed.

Prime Minister, Abdi Farah Shirdon made the “pledge for justice for slain Somali journalists,” confirming the reward in a Twitter message which read: “One journalist killed is one journalist too many.”

"Judicial reform is at the heart of the government's efforts to ensure killers of journalists are brought to justice," he added.

Secretary general of the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), Mohamed Ibrahim told Doha Centre for Media Freedom that he is hopeful that the government’s recent actions will prove to be an indication of their commitment to stamping out impunity in the country.

“We think that this reward, besides what the government is going to do, might make it easier for individuals who have information which might lead to the journalists’ killers being caught to come forward for the reward and expose the criminals. If this is implemented properly it would mean the end of the era of impunity,” he said.

“The government’s commitment to combatting impunity can be learned by how quickly they take action to have a negative impact on the journalists’ killers,” noted Ibrahim, adding “sure, it is too little too late, but it could still help, if urgent government actions are taken.”

Ibrahim explained that journalists had welcomed the announcement and were hopeful that it might lead to a number of criminals responsible for murdering journalists being brought to justice.

However, he added that the journalistic community is still awaiting tangible results: “I think, for now the thing being waited for is the transformation of commitments into action.”

DCMF welcomes developments

DCMF joined NUSOJ in welcoming the Somali government’s recent commitment to stamping out impunity in their country. The centre hopes that offering this reward for assistance in bringing journalist killers to justice will lead to convictions, helping the government set a precedent and deter others from targeting members of the media.

We hope that this announcement is followed by concrete and thorough investigations and action in the large number of ongoing cases in Somalia.

Journalists in Somalia face some of the most difficult conditions in the world, and last year was the deadliest year in the country’s history for members of the media. It is of the utmost important that journalists feel that the government is taking steps to ensure that the ongoing deadly campaign against the media will not be tolerated and that the authorities are committed to improving their safety and security.

While this offer of a reward is a positive development, much more needs to be done to combat impunity in Somalia, and DCMF looks forward to witnessing further developments in terms of journalists’ protection there.



Source: AFP, DCMF

Somali Media Freedom Defender is kindly requesting Somali government led by President Hassan Shiekh Mohamud to release the reporter Abdiaziz Abdinur

Mogadishu-  Somali  Media Freedom Defender  is kindly  requesting Somali government led by President Hassan Shiekh Mohamud  to release  the reporter Abdiaziz Abdinur who was sentenced in the jail  one year after he had taken an interview  a woman  raped by security forces since the journalist did not broadcast a story about the case.

"The  journalists have the right to interview people and it is not crime for that. Arresting and harassments of the journalists are meant that the journalists to stay  silent."   said Ahmed-sadik a Somali  Media Freedom Defender activist.

"The government's “commitment to a free press, we have an independent judiciary in Somalia and although the government cannot be involved in the administration of justice, I am urging due process be followed at all times,”   Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon  recently said in a statement.

“I respect the important work you do in Somalia in what are often extremely difficult circumstances, I understand your concern,  we don't want any journalist to be killed.”

Somalia as the most dangerous place for journalists to work in Africa. and the country has been ravaged by conflict since 1991, but a new UN-backed government took power in September, 2012 ending 8-years of transitional rule by a corruption-riddled government.

Many  People are so optimistic the new government offers the most serious hope for stability since the fall of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre on 26 January in 1991.

A conference gathered by Somali Media stakeholders and Journalists Associations recently took place in Mogadishu

Mogadishu:-  A conference gathered by  Somali Media stakeholders and Journalists  Associations recently took place in Mogadishu to focus on the newly media regulation established  by the ministry of Information.

The meeting was focused on the policy that the government imposed over the Medias operates across the country; the participators agreed the regulations to be amended as they pointed out its possibility to cause obstacles to the  journalists. 

The main confines that are complained by the meeting participators include, that a no reporter can work without having 12-years of media experience, the media to notice the court before buying any media equipments , the media not to easily broadcast any security related issues and more others. 

Finally, the members  attended k part in the meeting expressed concern over the newly regulations to have negatively effect the normal media function and they appointed to come another meeting to take a decision over the rule issue as they appealed the press regulations to be reviewed.

A letter to the President of Somalia From Waris Dirie

A letter to the President of Somalia

February 18, 2013

Dear Mr. President,

As a Somali woman, an international women’s rights activist, and an African Union Ambassador for Peace and Security, I write to convey my deepest concerns for the recent conviction of a journalist and a woman alleging rape at the hands of government soldiers.

I am shocked by this outrageous conviction and I urge you to remedy the situation as soon as possible, by exonerating the woman and the journalist, and ordering their immediate release from prison.
As I am sure you know well, on February 5, 2013, a Benadir regional court convicted journalist Abdiaziz Abdinur Ibrahim and an alleged rape victim of multiple crimes under both the penal code and Sharia law. They have both been sentenced to one year in prison and Abdiaziz Abdinur remains in Mogadishu Central Prison.

Source:- http://www.desertflowerfoundation.org/en/a-letter-to-the-president-of-somalia/

Somali court to hear journalist's appeal

Aljazeera
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Mogadishu:- Court of appeals to hear case of journalist and woman he interviewed who alleged that government forces raped her.

A Somali court of appeals is due to hear the case of a journalist and a woman he interviewed who alleged that government forces had raped her.

Both journalist Abdiaziz Abdinur and the 27-year-old woman were sentenced to one year in prison during an earlier hearing. The charges included insulting a government body, making false accusations and seeking to profit from said allegations.

Rights activists, including US-based group Human Rights Watch (HRW), have alleged that the ruling was politically motivated, and urged the appeals court to acquit the two defendants during Wednesday's hearing.

Three other defendants were acquitted during the February 5 trial by a Benadir regional court.

Ibrahim, who has been under detention since January 10, began serving his sentence at Mogadishu Central Prison immediately after the trial.

The woman is to begin her sentence after nursing her baby.

"The court finds that he offended state institutions by making a false interview, and entering the house of a woman whose husband was not present," said Judge Ahmed Adan while announcing the earlier verdict.

The journalist's arrest followed increasing media attention on reported sexual abuse by Somalia security forces. Earlier in January, Universal TV - a local television station -  and Al Jazeera's website separately published stories about allegations of rape in the city's crowded camps for displaced people.

Ibrahim had not been involved with either story, does not work for either organisation, and had not published anything of his own investigation before he was detained.

"The outcome of this case is crucial for both the reporting of sexual violence and press freedom in Somalia,” said Daniel Bekele, Africa director at Human Rights Watch. "This case is a travesty, but it could still end with justice prevailing."

Prior to being charged, the woman was interrogated for two days by the police without a lawyer present, HRW said.

At the trial, the judges did not permit the defence to present witnesses or evidence to rebut the prosecution's case.

Journalist killers must be brought to justice, Prime Minister tells Media Roundtable

Judicial reform is at the heart of the government’s efforts to ensure killers of journalists are brought to justice, His Excellency Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon told a roundtable of journalists in Villa Somalia today.
The Prime Minister called the meeting to discuss the government’s relationship with the media and listen to journalists’ concerns, following the killing of a journalist on January 18 and two recent arrests of reporters.
“I respect the important work you do in Somalia in what are often extremely difficult circumstances and I understand your concern,” the Prime Minister said. “One journalist killed is one journalist too many. We don’t want any to be killed.”

The Prime Minister said the government would provide a reward of $50,000 for information leading to the arrest of any person for killing a journalist.
“Considering justice, we have to realize that nobody is above the law, and that includes the government. We have to respect the legal process and allow justice to take its course. The government’s responsibility is to tell the judiciary that if there is no evidence against the journalist, he should be released. We understand there has to be reform of the judicial system.”
The decision to establish the Independent Task Force on Human Rights, which was launched on 5 February, had been taken in large part to address concerns about the human rights abuses against Somali journalists, as well as to investigate violence against women, the Prime Minister said. There was a collective responsibility to root out human rights abuses. Journalists themselves would be contributing to the work of the Task Force by giving evidence and submissions to it during its three-month mandate.
Journalists praised the government’s openness and the access the Prime Minister has given the press in Mogadishu since taking office last year.
“It was a great meeting. We raised our concerns and the Prime Minister responded to them very properly,” said Mohammed Ibrahim, Secretary-General of the National Union of Somali Journalists. “We welcome his commitment to press freedom and freedom of expression and dealing with human rights abuses.”


Source:- http://www.jowhar.com/?p=449

NUSOJ Welcomes Somali Prime Minister’s Pledge for Justice to the Somali Journalists

Mohamed Ibrahim

The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) welcomes the Somali Prime Minister’s pledge for justice both the slain journalists and the jailed journalist during meeting with the Somali Journalists and the media representatives on Saturday 16 February, 2013 held at the prime Minister’s office at Villa Somalia.
Journalists’ leaders and media representatives met with the Somali Prime Minister, Abdi farah Shirdoon at his office at Villa Somalia in a roundtable meeting. The minister of Information, Posts and Telecommunication, Abdullahi Elmoge Hersi and his deputy, Abdishakur Mire were also present at the meeting.
The Secretary General of the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), Mohamed Ibrahim who spoke on behalf of the Somali Journalists at large raised the concerns of the Somali Journalists including getting justice for the slain colleague, the working conditions of the Somali journalists and getting fair trail for Abdilaziz Abdinur who was sentenced to one year in prison.
Somali prime minister, Abdi Farah Shirdon, responded to the concerns raised by the Union’s Secretary General and pledged justice for the slain journalists and the jailed journalist, Abdiaziz Abdinur Ibrahim.
“I respect the important work you do in Somalia in what are often extremely difficult circumstances and I understand your concern,” the Prime Minister said. “One journalist killed is one journalist too many. We don’t want any to be killed.”
The Prime Minister said the government would provide a reward of $50,000 for information leading to the arrest of any person involved in the murders of the slain journalists.
Regarding the case of Abdiaziz Abdinur Ibrahim, the prime minister said that, “after listening to your concerns, I will personally stand for making sure journalist Abdilasis gets a fair trail in the appeals court.”
The appeals court set 20 February, 2013 for the trail hearing of the appeal of Abdilasis against the one year prison term.
The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) welcomes the prime minister’s pledge for justice to the slain Somali journalists and his personal commitment for justice for the trail of Abdiaziz Abdinur Ibrahim.
“We welcome the prime minister, Abdi Farah Shirdoon’s assurances for justice and respect for the freedom of the press and the freedom of expression.” Mohamed Ibrahim, Secretary General of the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) said, “We urge the trail of the jailed
journalist be conducted without political interference.”

Somali Journalists Outraged by the jailing of another journalist without Charges

Mogadishu:- 11 February, 2013, The National Union of Somali Journalists is outraged by the arbitrary arrests, threats and intimidations against the Somali journalists following the detention of another Somali journalist Daud Abdi Daud held without charges since February 05, 2013.

Somali police arrested Daud Abdi Daud, a freelance journalist and secretary general of Somali Environmental Journalists Association and African Environmental Journalists (AFEJ), outside the court on February 5, 2013 around 2:30pm and held at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for 6 days without charges and was transferred to Central prison on Monday 11 February 2013.

On February 6, union representatives, the director of Radio Kulmiye - the radio station he was working for, and some family members met the Attorney general, Abdulkadir Mohamed at his office and asked about Daud's case. The attorney general confirmed to them that he should be released but should remain in the CID for five days of what he termed as "discipline". There are several occasions in which the union officials were threatened into rampant arrests against the journalists.

Somali authorities did not comment on the detention of the journalist and it is not yet clear why he was detained and what charges he might face.

Somali police and the judiciary were angered by the aftermath of the trail of the Somali journalist, Abdiaziz Abdinur Ibrahim who was handed down to 1 year prison term for interviewing a woman who said that she was gang raped by the Somali security forces.

The National Union of Somali Journalists has been following up the case of Daud from the day of his arrest and but the union currently worries about that the case be turned into politically motivated attempt to threaten and intimidate the journalists.

"We call for the Somali government to urgently release Daud and Quash the conviction of Abdiazi and come up with mechanism that guarantees free and independent media." Mohamed Ibrahim, Secretary General of the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) said, "Somali journalists suffered enough, with 18 media workers killed in 2012 alone, which none of the killers were punished for their crimes."

"The government should prioritize in investigating and punishing their killers for their crimes and provide proper protection to the freedom of expression, the freedom of the press and the journalists' safety" Mr. Ibrahim added.

NUSOJ received credible information indicating that there are conspiracy plans to create a confusion and conflict among the independent media, journalists and the government in order for the government to view the independent media and the journalists as enemies, which if becomes true could result total media crackdown and news blackout.

RSF sends Open letter to prime minister about freedom of information reforms

His Excellency Abdi Farah Shirdon
Prime Minister
Mogadishu, Somalia

Paris, 7 February 2013

Subject: Reforms needed for freedom of information in Somalia

Dear Prime Minister Shirdon,

Reporters Without Borders, an international organization that defends freedom of information, would like to share with you its concerns about the actions of the Somali authorities on matters affecting journalists.

The imposition of a one-year jail sentence on the journalist Abdiaziz Abdinur Ibrahim for reasons connected to his work is a disappointing sign as regards the commitment that your government gave to guarantee freedom of information.

As you said, a free press is “the heart of every democracy and is guaranteed by the new constitution.” But democracy will not be able to flower if journalists are liable to be jailed in connection with their work. Media offences must be decriminalized without delay if Somalia is to enjoy freedom of information and its benefits.

Last year was a particularly difficult one for Somali journalists. Somalia fell 11 places in the latest Reporters Without Borders press index and is now ranked 175th out of 179 countries. A total of 18 journalists were killed in bombings or targeted murders in 2012, making it the deadliest year in the Somali media’s history.

The vulnerability of journalists is reinforced by the failure to punish those responsible for the crimes against them. No investigation has so far been conducted into any of last year’s 18 murders. As reform of the police and judicial authorities is one of your government’s announced priorities, we urge you to quickly adopt significant measures to combat this impunity and to protect journalists.

The decriminalization of media offences and the protection of journalists would enable Somalia to face the human rights and development challenges ahead with the credibility that democracies derive from their ability to guarantee freedom of information. Your government’s recent statements allow us to hope that 2013 will see a renewal of human rights and media freedom in Somalia.

Sincerely,


Christophe Deloire
Reporters Without Borders secretary-general

To release Abdi Aziz koronto,the somali journalist arrested for interviewing a woman raped by members of the Somalian army

To: all supporters of the somali journalists.
From: the head-office of the Somali Rights Watch Group.

Mohamed-amin Said Ahmed, the chairman of the Somali Nationalist Party www.thesnp.org says 

“Also somali rights watch group and somali nationalist party must talk about the rape which is sometimes take place somewhere in somalia”.

The last rape action was that a somali women raped by some of somali soldiers. Rape is a common problem in africa which is needed to be solved in a good way. Iam requesting to the Somali goverment to release out the raped girl and the somali journalist who interviewed the victim somali girl which was sentenced both of them to one year in prison and not brougt to justice to the soldiers who made this bad action.

Iam here by givining you my support to free Abdi aziz koronto and get him a legal justice from the national court of the goverment of Somalia Republic. I who is a former journalist in a Risaala Media and Dalsan Radio.

Iam very glade to hear from you all somali journalists to be with the side of our lovely good reporter Abdi Aziz Koronto, to free him the illegal jail in 18 days without justice. Also it is realy bad news to hear about an statement last night to release one of the six persons in the jail as a closely family member to the chief commander Sharif Shikhuna Maye and accusing a famous national journalist not qabiil man was working an NGO which is making a political invassion and news propaganda against the new somali goverment as well as Amin Amir cartoon about this matter were united.

He also added his speach to the name of qabiil by the way of qabyaalad. (qabiil qaran ma noqdo, sido kale qof magac leh qabiil ma noqdo). and the other 4 persons to same tribe. (N.B: TRIBALISM WAS THE ONLY SOMALI PROPLEM) From: Mohamed-amin Said Ahmed, the chairman of the Somali Nationalist Party.

Recently, freelance Somali reporter Abdiaziz Abdinur Ibrahim conducted an interview with a woman who claimed to have been raped by members of the Somalian army. When news of the interview went public, Abdiaziz Abdinur was arrested. Interference with a member of the press–especially one who has not committed any crime–is unacceptable. Sign the petition and tell President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to release Abdiaziz Abdinur Ibrahim immediately and unconditionally.

Rape is a major problem in Somalia.  “tens of thousands of people who fled last year’s famine live in poorly protected camps” where members of the army are often accused of sexual assault. The woman interviewed by Abdiaziz Abdinur claimed that her rapists were members of the army, prompting a hostile response from the Somali government: in addition to Abdiaziz Abdinur’s arrest, the woman and her husband were also held for a brief period of time. In fact, everyone involved in the case has been detained by the government–except for the alleged rapists.

After his election, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud promised to bring military rapists to justice. This recent development flies in the face of that promise. Urge President Mohamud to keep his word: demand that Abdiaziz Abdinur Ibrahim be released from custody and insist that the rapists he wrote about–and others like them–be brought to justice.

Report: Impunity Endangers Somalia’s Journalists

Somalia’s journalists are urging their new government and the international community to help end the impunity they say is contributing to making Somalia one of the world’s most dangerous countries to practice journalism.

So far 18 Somali journalists have been killed this year and 44 since 2007.
The National Union of Somali Journalists on Friday said that impunity has become a fundamental problem in Somalia. Journalists in almost every region of the country commonly face harassment, blackmail, arbitrary police detention and, in addition, criminals are hired to suppress them, said the group in a report to mark the International Day to End Impunity, sponsored by the free expression group, IFEX.
“Despite this, the authorities provide no support to journalists, and the perpetrators operate with impunity,” the report said. Journalism in Somalia has reached a state of emergency, said the report. None of these crimes are investigated properly, much less prosecuted, despite successive administrations, the report said.
No action has ever been taken following a case of violence against a Somali journalist, the report said.
Journalists are being targeted to silence them from speaking against corruption, violence and violations of human rights by radical Islamist groups, said Somali Journalist Mohamed Bashir Hashi.
“We are on the lookout behind our backs every minute because media is getting lots of enemies in Somalia,” said Hashi, a reporter with the local Shabelle radio in Somalia.
Somalia’s government should implement judicial reforms that will aid free and fair trials, as well as provide judicial protection for the media and ensure that police adhere to the law, according to the report titled “Impunity: War on Somali Journalists.” The international community can assist Somalia’s federal government to put in place effective and functional public law and order, the report said.
Somalia has made significant strides politically this year in trying to establish its first functional government to move the country away from its failed state status.
A new interim constitution has been passed, a new parliament was seated and a new president was voted in. Somali elders were tasked with naming the parliament since no election could be held, given the state of security around the country. Parliament in turn elected a new president who named a prime minister, who announced his cabinet earlier this month.
Although Somalia has had transitional administrations since 2004, it has not had a functioning central government since 1991, when warlords overthrew a longtime dictator and turned on each other, plunging the impoverished nation into chaos. The transitional governments lacked legitimacy and were accused of corruption.
The parliament last week voted to reduce the Cabinet to 10 members, in a sign Somalia’s government may be willing to move away from its corrupt past.
African Union troops have helped to push Islamist extremists called al-Shabab out of all Somalia’s major cities, giving the newly elected government a chance to rebuild the country.
The International Federation of Journalist says the al-Qaida-affiliated al-Shabaab has a bloody record of maiming and killing journalists who do not toe their line.
With Hizbul-Islam, another hardline insurgent group, they have in recent years ratcheted up pressure on radio stations, first and foremost to ascertain their authority on what goes on air and, most importantly, to impose Taliban-type commandments on un-Islamic music, ringtones, film and football, said Jim Boumelha, the IFJ president.
Boumelha said September was the bloodiest month as renewed killings of journalists may have been triggered by the recent change of government.
On September 20, suicide bombers blew themselves in a restaurant in Mogadishu killing three journalists and wounding five others. The following day another journalist, Hassan Yusuf Absuge, working for Radio Maanta, was shot dead near his station, Mogadishu. Al-Shabaab claimed that their supporters did it.
“With a new speaker of parliament, a new president and a new cabinet, the Somali journalists and their union expect a new beginning and a fresh commitment to protect journalists and tackle impunity as a priority and to promote the right to free expression,” he said.
———
  Associated Press writer Abdi Guled contributed to this report from  Mogadishu, Somalia

DCMF calls for Somali journalist to be released

DCMF condemns the conviction of freelance journalist Abdiaziz Abdinuur Ibrahim and calls on the Somali government to overturn its decision. 

A Somali court Tuesday jailed a woman, who said she was raped by security forces, and a journalist for insulting state institutions in a case that has sparked international alarm and outrage.

The woman and journalist, who interviewed her but did not broadcast a story about the case, were each jailed for one year.

Journalist Abdiaziz Abdinuur Ibrahim, 25, is already in detention and was to begin his sentence immediately. He was found guilty of offending state institutions "by making a false interview, and entering the house of a woman whose husband was not present."

Ibrahim works for several Somali radio stations and international media outlets. He was detained on January 10 while researching sexual violence in Somalia. He did not air or print any report after interviewing the woman.

http://www.dc4mf.org/en/node/3262

DCMF calls for Somali journalist to be released

DCMF condemns the conviction of freelance journalist Abdiaziz Abdinuur Ibrahim and calls on the Somali government to overturn its decision. 

 

A Somali court Tuesday jailed a woman, who said she was raped by security forces, and a journalist for insulting state institutions in a case that has sparked international alarm and outrage.

The woman and journalist, who interviewed her but did not broadcast a story about the case, were each jailed for one year.

Journalist Abdiaziz Abdinuur Ibrahim, 25, is already in detention and was to begin his sentence immediately. He was found guilty of offending state institutions "by making a false interview, and entering the house of a woman whose husband was not present."

Ibrahim works for several Somali radio stations and international media outlets. He was detained on January 10 while researching sexual violence in Somalia. He did not air or print any report after interviewing the woman.

 

http://www.dc4mf.org/en/node/3262

 

UN official condemns Somalia rape verdict

The UN's top human rights official has condemned the trial and sentencing of a Somali journalist, and the alleged rape victim he interviewed, as "deeply disturbing" and a blow to "the fight against impunity" in rape cases.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2013/02/201326144037505406.html

Fear spreads after Dalsan Radio journalist jailing.

Since Somalia's government took office in September, media workers have found themselves at increased risk.

Mogadishu, Somalia - The mood of journalists at the Dalsan radio station in Somalia's capital is sombre. Earlier in the day, a senior journalist at the station, Abdiaziz Abdinur Ibrahim, was sentenced to a year in prison after interviewing a woman who alleged that government soldiers raped her.

Ibrahim was charged with insulting state institutions, and court documents claimed he induced the woman to give false evidence. Before his sentencing, Ibrahim had been in jail for 25 days.

"Now everyone is scared. You can be jailed for interviewing people. We have never experienced this before. I'm considering leaving my job," said a shaken Mohamud "Arab" Mohamed Dahir, a popular presenter at the station and a close friend of Ibrahim.

Somalia is one of the toughest places for journalists to operate. More than 50 journalists have been killed in the country since 1992. Since the start of this year, one journalist has already been killed in Mogadishu. So far, no one has been arrested in connection with the death.

Ibrahim is the third journalist jailed by Somali authorities in the past three months. Daud Abdi Daud, a local freelance journalist, was arrested on Tuesday February 5, and is currently in jail. No official statement has yet been released explaining why Daud was arrested.

Low ranking

Reporters Without Borders, a Paris-based non-profit organisation that advocates for press freedom and freedom of information, ranked Somalia 175 out of 179 countries in their 2013 World Press Freedom Index, lower than Iran and China, and just three places above North Korea.

Now, for the first time in more than 20 years, Somalia has an elected president in office and an internationally recognised government in Mogadishu. The country has also passed a draft constitution, and courts are functioning for the first time in many years.

But that hasn't stopped unknown gunmen from assassinating journalists.

"Since this government came into office in September last year, nine journalists have been killed. In September, the government's first month in office, six journalists were killed," said Mohamed Ibrahim, secretary general of the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ).

Militia and hardline groups that want to impose strict interpretations of Sharia still control significant parts of the country, and four of the 18 journalists and media workers killed last year lost their lives in areas beyond the control of Somalia's central government.

After the collapse of Somalia's central government in 1990, journalists in the country were essentially unregulated. This is something the new government is very much aware of. "For a very long time, Somali journalists had the freedom to write and say what they wanted, whether fiction or facts," explained Abdishakur Ali Mire, Somalia's deputy minister for Information, Posts, Telecommunications and Tourism.

"Some even engaged in hate speech and spreading dangerous rumours with no consequence. They abused their freedom. Now there are courts and a constitution and consequences for those who abuse their constitutional rights. Those journalists who write fictional stories will be taken to court."

Both the government and journalists are today in unchartered territory. The government has been in office only since September 2012, and Somali journalists are now, for the first time in more than two decades, regulated.

'As far away as possible'

"This government is different to other governments we have had in Somalia," said Awil Abukar, head of programmes at Royal TV, a local television station. "When they were campaigning for office they were very friendly with journalists, but now they are in office it seems they want us as far away as possible."

But the government says it is committed to maintaining media freedom, and has established the country's first-ever task force created solely to investigate violations against journalists.

"No one can stop journalists from working freely. It is their constitutional right and we will do everything to protect that," said Ali Mire.

Of the 32 journalists who used to report to work daily at Dalsan radio station, only about half came in the morning after Ibrahim was sentenced. "They are demoralised and scared. Abdiaziz was not just a colleague - he was one of the most liked at the station. Most of our journalists have families that depend on them, so they see the risks are too great now," explained Hassan Ali Geesay, the station's director.

NUSOJ described the new government as using everything in its power to protect its well-groomed image with the international and donor community. "This is an intimidation to stop journalists from doing their work," charged Ibrahim. "To stop journalists from doing investigative work and covering sensitive stories that could harm the government's image".

Sitting in a semi-lit corner of an empty studio, Mohamed Dahir is already thinking of ways to avoid being arrested by authorities. "I will just have to avoid reporting rape cases and corruption cases. To my family, I'm better off outside prison than inside prison."

Source:Al Jazeera.

Somali journalists complained over courtyard’s conclusion.

Mogadishu: Banadir civil court has today re-started the trial of Abdiasis Ibrahim and other victims in Mogadishu as they have been arrested for a years after the court’s decision.

After the court hearing completed the court announced. Abdulasis Ibrahim Koronto and the raped claimed lady has been incited to a year.

The decision that the court  disown annoyed by Somali journalists who indicated it is unacceptable and complained over courtyard’s conclusion. 

Moreover the civilians gathered in the court have also expressed concern over the court’s judgment for courting a year on Abdiasis, the innocent journalist.

Journalist Koronto and rape victim, jailed in Somalia.

Journalist Koronto

A woman who accused Somalia's security forces of rape has been given a year jail term for making a false accusation and insulting a government body.

The journalist who interviewed her about her alleged rape, but did not report the story, was also found guilty by a judge in the capital, Mogadishu.

Judge Ahmed Aden Farah said the woman would not go to jail immediately as she is caring for a young child.

A BBC reporter in Mogadishu says there has been an angry reaction to the case.

Many human rights groups and journalists say it is politically motivated, the BBC's Mohamed Mwalimu reports from Mogadishu.

Judge Farah said the court based its decision on medical evidence that the woman was not raped.

The woman had reported the alleged rape at a police station in Hodan, a district in Mogadishu where many displaced people live.

"We sentence her for offending state institutions by claiming she was raped," the AFP news agency quotes the judge as saying.

"She will spend one year in prison after finishing the breast feeding of her baby."

The woman's husband and two others arrested over the case have been released.

Source: Dalsanradio

Journalist Koronto and rape victim, jailed in Somalia.

Journalist Koronto Jailed one Year

A woman who accused Somalia's security forces of rape has been given a year jail term for making a false accusation and insulting a government body.

The journalist who interviewed her about her alleged rape, but did not report the story, was also found guilty by a judge in the capital, Mogadishu.

Judge Ahmed Aden Farah said the woman would not go to jail immediately as she is caring for a young child.

A BBC reporter in Mogadishu says there has been an angry reaction to the case.

Many human rights groups and journalists say it is politically motivated, the BBC's Mohamed Mwalimu reports from Mogadishu.

Judge Farah said the court based its decision on medical evidence that the woman was not raped.

The woman had reported the alleged rape at a police station in Hodan, a district in Mogadishu where many displaced people live.

"We sentence her for offending state institutions by claiming she was raped," the AFP news agency quotes the judge as saying.

"She will spend one year in prison after finishing the breast feeding of her baby."

The woman's husband and two others arrested over the case have been released.

Source: Dalsanradio

The general attorney begin to use the personal mobile phone of journalist Abdi-Asis Koronto.

While more than 20 days he is in custody journalist Abdi-Asis Abdi Nur ibrahim Koronto who is part of the Radio  Dalsan in Mogadishu, has his trail again been postponed before yesterday, His court trail is at this period a new beginning as they have started things that may appear to be harmful to and against the journalist inside the custody.

Mobile phone owned by the journalist Abdi-Asis is now in the hands of the judicial teams where they have started to use it as they make different calls to several number phones carried by his relatives.

They are asking questions such as: who abdi Asis is, how do they know him, and other questions, as we have received and confidential reports say.

The administration of the radio has indicated that matter as a infringement and at the same time seems to have violated the rule of  law. 

The director of the Radio Dalsan Mr. Hassan Ali Gesei has indicated the matter a one that is needed to concoct a crime over Abdi-Asis because they have intervened his private affairs

Source: www.dalsanradio.com

The trail of Journalist Abdiaziz postponed again

 
Mogadishu:- The trail of Journalist Abdiaziz Abdinur Ibrahim has been postponed by a Somali judge until on 05/02/2013. 

Today the court supposed to be opened but it has postponed and Somali journalists and  freedom activities are very concerned  about what caused that the journalist's trail has  postponed.

The journalist, Abdiazz Koronto was arrested on  10/01/ 2013 and was accused of interviewing a woman, who alleged being raped by state security forces.

"This means that the freedom of expression is being threatened and such as trail is the real against the freedom of expression and the freedom of the press in war-torn country "Somali," said one of Somali journalists living in Mogadishu.

Somali Media Freedom Defender calls for the federal government of Somalia to release detained Journalist Abdiaziz Abdinur Ibrahim immediately.