Human Rights Working Group Makes Statement on Death of Somalian Journalist

Somalians paraded through the capital of Mogadishu by US-backed military forces. The US through proxy armies are occupyiing the Horn of Africa nation., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Shabelle Media Network (Mogadishu)

Somalia: Press Release By the Human Rights Working Group On the Assassination of Universal Reporter and Closure of Shabelle

29 OCTOBER 2013

The Human Rights Working Group (HRWG), a group of international partners comprising the European Union, Norway, Switzerland and the United States, sharply condemns the assassination of Universal TV reporter Mohamed Mohamud Tima'adde, who succumbed to his injuries on the evening of 26 October. The HRWG expresses its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mohamed Mohamud Tima'adde.

The HRWG is also concerned about the forced closure of the Radio Shabelle outlet in Mogadishu by government's forces, and the arrest of Radio Shabelle staff and reporters. A free, independent, and vibrant press is indispensable to any democratic society.

The HRWG urges the parties to find a peaceful solution and calls on the Federal Government of Somalia to allow all journalists to work without fear of censorship or being subject to intimidation. Fundamental rights and freedoms warrant protection - including the freedom of expression and of the press.

The HRWG notes with regret that these series of targeted attacks and harassment against journalists highlight the continuing threat to media workers . The HRWG calls upon the Federal Government of Somalia to take immediate action to improve the protection of media workers; to operationalise the announced Task Force on the Investigation of the Killings of Journalists; and to bring the perpetrators of these crimes to justice.

Background:

The European Union and its Member States established a Human Rights Working Group on Somalia (HRWG) in December 2011, together with Norway, Switzerland and the United States. Respect for and promotion of human rights is at the foundation of the participating members of the Human Rights Working Group (HRWG), and an inherent part of their development policies.