Paris, France, August 22, 2009 – The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) on Thursday has called for the release of journalists and the end to threats, harassment, attacks and arrest of journalists in Somaliland.

"Journalists in Somaliland continue to face intolerable intimidation, including imprisonment to prevent them from doing their work," said Gabriel Baglo, Director of IFJ Africa Office. "This practice is meant to suppress independent reporting and proper scrutiny of public figures."

On 30th July, Fowsi Suleyman Awbindi, who works for Radio Horyaal, was arrested by police in Buroa' for filing "false reports". He was neither brought to court nor charged formally, but is still being detained in police custody.

On Thursday, 13 August, Somaliland police in Berbera arrested online journalist Yasin Jama Ali for publishing opinions on berberanews.com, a website that Yasin works for. The prosecutor charged Yasin Jama Ali and editor-in-chief of the website Mohamed Said Abdillahi (in absentia) for spreading "scandals against the nation". Yasin has been since kept in police custody.

According to NUSOJ sources in Somaliland, the said opinions were drawn from the general public on the upcoming elections, the misuse of resources collected from Berbera seaport for one political party and criticism to Somaliland authorities for no action. Yasin Jama is also stringer for Radio Horyaal, which is banned in Somaliland.

According to journalists in Hargeysa, the capital on Monday, 17 August, four armed thugs had attacked and terribly beaten journalist Ali Adan Dahir in Erigavo. The police arrested the four suspects in the same day but the Governor of Erigavo freed the suspected men from the police station on Tuesday, 18 August.

"We express our deep concern at the deterioration of press freedom situation in Somaliland. Outspoken journalists continue to be attacked and intimidated. Independent media houses are also chosen and pressured," said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General.

IFJ calls on Somaliland authorities to put an end to the deteriorating press freedom in this country, and to create conditions for journalists and media to work safely in view of forthcoming elections.

For more information contact +221 33 867 95 87

The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 123 countries worldwide

Source: International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), August 20, 2009

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