Special Report

Profound Crisis: Deadly Attacks on Journalists and Rapidly Rising Press Freedom Violations

Climate of Violence and Impunity Turned the Second Deadliest Country Worldwide For Journalists

National Union of Somali Journalists Overview

Practice of journalistic profession in our chaotic and lawless country has made journalism grievously dangerous business. To provide accurate and impartial information to the populace in the times of violent conflicts is very risky taking. The dramatic increase in the number of attacks on members of the media and rising press freedom violations forced many Somali journalists to live in a condition of terror and self-censorship.

This impression of terrorizing media community, together with targeted killings and arrests, persuaded some journalists to stop journalistic work. Some media professionals, nevertheless, boldly disregarded the unprecedented pressures and risks, and remained objective and impartial in their line of work. Consequently they were exposed to organized attacks of killings, harassments, arrests and other forms of intimidations.

Disparate political groups in the country qualified as ferocious enemies of press freedom and journalists’ human rights. This hostility resulted that journalists in Somalia to be regularly harassed, beaten, arrested and threatened.

This year turned the deadliest year for journalists in Somalia for more than a decade, as the death toll for journalists is significantly higher than it was in the past years. Seven media fatalities happened so far this year either on assignment or as a direct result of their professional work, making Somalia where highest numbers of African journalists were murdered in this year, and number two in the list of countries that journalists were murdered worldwide after Iraq.

All groups in the armed conflict in south-central regions of the country are untiringly thriving to manipulate the private media, which has mushroomed since the overthrow of the military government, to suit their own political interests, according to the records of the National Union of Somali Journalists on attacks of the press. These attacks happened every corner in the country.

This fatal violence that started in 2006, predominantly in Mogadishu, and all forms of unparalleled pressures on journalists made impossible for media practitioners to work professionally, and severely compromised their physical safety. This climate forced many journalists to flee from the country, as they fear to be hunted because of their journalistic work.

The levels of hostilities and the violations of human rights now being endured by Somali journalists are dreadful. Four media people were hurt since January this year, although NUSOJ documented additional 15 cases of journalists arrested, news media organizations shut down, media outlets shelled, journalists beaten, media outlet burned and journalists intimidated.

Journalism in Somalia already became a victim of the continuing dirty and malevolence war, and press freedom situation deteriorated tremendously, as there is no free reporting and cycles of suppression and violence against journalists are rising day after day.

Predators of Press Freedom Violations carried out these brutal acts to stifle freedom of the press so that all other freedoms are automatically suppressed without curbing them individually. NUSOJ

Special Report 2 Produced By NUSOJ ascribes the rise of the attacks due to escalation of armed conflict in the southern regions of the country.

The National Union of Somali Journalists and the International community continuously deplored the dramatic increase of attacks on journalists and freedom of the press infringements in the Horn of Africa Country as numerous acts of brutality against journalists and media staff occurred.

Due to this unprecedented media crisis that requires international consideration and more public awareness rising of these crimes that are against International Humanitarian Law, the National Union of Somali Journalists decides to produce this special report to highlight fatal attacks on journalists and increasing violations of press freedom.

Immediate action is needed to protect journalists and entire media community, to reiterate the main beliefs of press freedom and human rights.

Omar Faruk Osman Secretary General National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ)

Climate of Impunity and Violence

Seven journalists were murdered in Somalia since January this year, and the last journalist is Abdulkadir Mahad Moallim Kaskey, a 20-year old reporter returning from the capital city to his hometown of Bardhere district. In the record of journalists murdered, Somalia has highest media fatalities in Africa and is one of the countries that has highest number of journalists killed, only Iraq has seen more journalists killed this year. This made Somalia one of the most dangerous places in the world for working journalists. But the killers of Somali journalists enjoy impunity, and no one was ever prosecuted and punished for a crime against journalist in Somalia.

This is actually depressing and disturbing realism. The impunity can be attributed to lack of political determination from political groups to support honest investigations, lack of effective law enforcement bodies, and absence of functioning judicial system. Authorities neglect their obligations to respect and protect journalists as other civilians, while some of them are enjoying the killing of journalists, as there would be no person that will scrutinize and comment on their performances.

Those responsible of the murders and other offenses against journalists and media people are not even dealt with Somalia’s traditional law, which clans, sub-clans or tribes use when punishing a member of them that committed a crime. Attacks on media are politically motivated, and powerful belligerents protect the criminals.

The consequences of such conditions can be devastating. The fear and uncertainty aroused by a state of impunity invites self-censorship, misinformation and the manipulation of news. The individual journalist and the news media lean to defend themselves. The outcome of these fatal attacks and unparalleled pressures is a form of journalism less willing to denounce, more superficial, and delinquent in fulfilling its watchdog role.

Special Report 3 Produced By NUSOJ Media People Murdered

Media People Killed No Full Name Town/ Region Profession Employer Date Area Killed 1. Ali Mohammed Baidoa Bay Newscaster Warsan Radio 16-Feb-07 Omar 2. Mohammed Galkayo Reporter Radio Voice 05-May-07 Abdullahi of Peace Khalif 3. Abshir Ali Adale Middle News Editor Radio Jowhar 15-May-07 Gabre Shabelle 4. Ahmed Hassan Adale Middle Reporter Radio Jowhar 15-May-07 Mahad Shabelle / Somali Broadcasting Corporation 5. Mahad Ahmed Mogadishu Banadir Media Capital Voice 11-Aug-07 Elmi Director 6. Ali Iman Mogadishu Banadir Media HornAfrik 11-Aug-07 Sharmarke Director 7. Abdulkadir El Ilan Corresponden Radio Banadir 24-Aug-07 Mahad Moallim t Maandeeq Kaskey Radio

PICTURES OF SIX OF THE SEVEN MURDERED JOURNALISTS

Ali Mohamed Omar Abshir Ali Gabre Ahmed Hassan Mahad

Ali Iman Sharmarke Mahad Ahmed Elmi Abdulkadir Mahad Moallim

Special Report 4 Produced By NUSOJ Media People Hurt

Media People Hurt No Full Name Town/Area Region Profession Employer Date Hurt 1. Yahye Ali Farah Mogadishu Banadir Reporter HornAfrik 21-Apr-07 2. Abdi Dhaqane Mogadishu Banadir Cameraman HornAfrik / 21-Apr-07 Reuters 3. Abdihakim Mogadishu Banadir Reporter Radio Mogadishu 10-Aug-07 Omar Jimale 4. Sahal Abdulle Mogadishu Banadir Reporter Reuters News 11-Aug-07 Agency

Journalist Abdihakin Omar Jimale in Keysaney Hospital

Special Report 5 Produced By NUSOJ Press Freedom Violations

Somaliland police forces and Criminal Investigations Department soldiers forcefully entered offices of Haatuf Daily newspaper in Hargeisa on 2 January 2007, and arrested the Managing Director of Haatuf Media Network Yusuf Abdi Gabobe, Editor-in-chief of the newspaper Ali Abdi Dini and the treasurer of the newspaper Hussein Kalif Abdullahi, although he was later released. The reason was critical reports that the newspaper has been publishing on the conducts of the wife of President Dahir Rayale Kahin. Mohamed Omar Sheikh Ibrahim, writer with the newspaper was later arrested on the similar charges.

NUSOJ strongly protested the Somaliland government over the attack and the UN’s Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia, Dr Ghanim Alnajjar called for release of arrested journalists. The journalists were awarded jail sentences and the newspaper was banned but the president pardoned.

A decree from the Somalia's National Security Agency (NSA) ordered on 15 January Radio Shabelle, Radio Voice of Holy Quran and Radio HornAfrik to stop broadcasting operations. NSA also stopped the operations of Mogadishu office of Aljazeera Television. However the broadcasters were allowed to resume operations next day after negotiations of NSA officials. But Radio Shabelle, Hornafrik Radio and Voice of Holy Quran were shut down twice after January closure. Aljazeera office in Mogadishu ceased operations and withdrew its international staff from Mogadishu.

Three Radio Shabelle journalists were ruthlessly beaten on 12 March, after they went to the ex- building of the Somali Ministry of Defence. Journalists Ismail Ali Abdi, Mohammed Ibrahim Raggeh and Mohammed Ibrahim Ali reportedly went there to confirm rumours about the departure of the Ethiopian troops from the building. On 11 March, journalist Abdirahman Yusuf of the Shabelle Radio was also beaten in the neighbourhood of north Mogadishu by the armed forces of the TFG, while carrying out journalistic assignment.

On 9 March, Hassan Sade Dhaqane, a reporter for Horn Afrik Radio, was arrested by forces of the transitional government in KM4 area while making live coverage of disarray that existed at the sight. After several days in detention, Hassan was released without charges.

On 21 March, Journalist Mohammed Bashir Sheik Abdirahman and Driver Osman Qoryoley of Radio Shabelle were arrested at Mogadishu International Airport while they meant to attend a press conference. Another Shabelle Journalist Muhiadin Omar Jimale, who accompanied Mohammed & Osman, got off the vehicle and was not arrested. After three days of detention the journalist and the media assistant were released and the vehicle was returned.

On 28 March, the Minister of Information, Telecommunication, Culture and Tourism of Puntland Regional State in Northeast Somalia Mr. Abdirahman Mohammed Bankah imposed ban to media functions that do not have prior permission from the Ministry. The banned media events are holding journalism seminars, media's awareness raising events, media projects and the organisation of media associations.

Special Report 6 Produced By NUSOJ On 8 April, Journalists Abdulkadir Mohammed Ashir, Bashir Dirie Nalei and Hamud Mohammed Osman of Universal Television were arrested by the police of transitional government at Mogadishu International Airport, while doing their journalistic activities. The journalists were reportedly arrested after they asked critical questions a government official. Journalists’ equipment such as a video camera and digital recorders were confiscated. The journalists were released on 22 May by Mogadishu court after they were brought before court and the judge ruled that they are guiltless.

On 19 April, at least four shells hit the television studio and the newsroom of Global Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) in Mogadishu. Nobody was wounded in the shelling, but the broadcaster went off air.

On 21 April, the premises of HornAfrik Radio was collided with seven shells, wounding two of its personnel. The station was temporarily shut down, due to the fighting going in its neighbourhoods.

On 7 May, Journalist Hassan Mayow Hassan of Radio Shabelle was arrested by the police in Afgoye after the District Commissioner ordered the police's action. Hassan was arrested for a report he made on government forces of people killed in the district. But he was released next day after negotiations between Radio Shabelle and the Commissioner.

Unknown assailants threw on 27 June 2007, gasoline-fuelled bombs to the headquarters of the newspaper. The flames damaged one of the printing machines of the newspaper.

Officers from Criminal Investigation Department in Awdal region arrested Journalist Abdirahman Mohammed Habane of Hargeisa-based Jamhuuriya Daily Newspaper on 12 July 2007. The journalist was arrested on controversial news report that he made on inaugural ceremony of an elder as a Traditional Leader in Awdal region. But he was released on 19 July.

Journalist Abdifatah Dahir Jeyte of Radio Voice of Peace in Bossasso was arrested on 16 July by Puntland Intelligence Service (PIS), a counter-terrorism branch of Puntland Regional State, after 30 soldieries with two Battlewagons came to the offices of the Radio station and after searching its offices, they ordered Abdifitah to go with them to PIS headquarters in Bossasso.

The PIS accused the journalist of sending inaccurate news reports to news media in Mogadishu, jeopardising the security of Puntland and spreading misinformation about Puntland Regional State. But he was released on 18 July.

On 10 August, police forces in Mogadishu entered the headquarters of Radio Shabelle and arrested eights of its journalists and a technician whose names are Nimo Hassan Abdi, Aideed Abdirahman, Ali Ajeey, Jafar Mohamed Kukay, Abdinor Mohamed Kediye, Muawiye Muudeey, Mustafa Hussein Omar, Ahmed Tajir and Bile Abdulahi Ali. The arrest came after the radio reported on insurgent’s attack to Police Station. However, seven of the journalists and the technician were released after three hours of questioning, but reporter Bile Abdullahi Ali was detained for two days for questioning.

Special Report 7 Produced By NUSOJ Appeal to International Community, the Transitional Federal Government and all other Political Groups

• To carry out prompt and honest investigations of the killing of journalists and all other crimes against media;

• All groups involved in the armed conflict to end continuing violence against journalists and entire media community;

• To send international fact-finding mission to study the level of violations committed against Resolution 1738 of the United Nations Security Council on the Protection of Journalists in Conflict areas;

------

National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) 1st Floor, Human Rights House, KM4 Area, , Mogadishu, Somalia. Telephone: +252-1-859944/227942 E-mail: [email protected] , [email protected]

Special Report 8 Produced By NUSOJ