The Somaliland Society for Independent Journalists and Writers Press Statement

Hargeysa, Somaliland, December 15, 2007 (SL Times) - The Somaliland Society for Independent Journalists and Writers (SSJW) has called upon Somaliland president Dahir Rayale Kahin to reconsider his government's decision to expel 24 journalists who had recently fled to Hargeysa from Mogadishu due to ongoing threats to their lives.

The journalists, who worked for various media outlets in Mogadishu, are believed to have arrived in Somaliland during October and November this year after they had been targeted for killing by both Somalia 's Transitional Federal Government and the insurgents.

On December 4, the Somaliland government ordered the 24 exiled journalists to leave the country within 24 hours. The deadline for the journalists to leave had been extended several times following interventions on their behalf by local journalists and international human rights organizations.

"We call upon president Rayale to allow the said journalists to stay in Somaliland as long as they wish and ensure their safety. The Somaliland government should discharge its obligations under the international law and universal principles of human rights by accepting the journalists in question as refugees who had fled persecution. Any eviction would not only violate the human rights of these journalists but would also inflict further damage on Somaliland 's international image as a democratic country, thereby jeopardizing this country's chances for obtaining international recognition," said SSJW Chairman Yusuf Gabobe, in a statement issued yesterday.

The Somaliland government had accused the journalists from Somalia of endangering Somaliland's national security. According to Somaliland police commissioner Mohamed Sagadhi Dubad, the journalists had embarked on filing reports which are deemed hostile to "friendly Ethiopia ".

However, the Somaliland government, until now, has not produced any evidence that Supports its accusations against the journalists.

The Somaliland Society for Independent Journalists and Writers (SSJW) was founded on December 2002 by independent journalists and writers working in Somaliland's print, broadcast and electrionic media industry. SSJW currently brings together over 90 journalists, broadcasters and writers who work independently of the government run media apparatus.

Contact: Room 310 Al-Khayrad Buildings, Hospital Ave, [Bar-Hargeysa junction] Hargeysa. Somaliland Republic ssijw@hotmail.com

Source: Somaliland Times