N.O.R.F Posted November 14, 2007 Press Releases Somalia: Radio closure is a sign of Authoritarianism 13 Nov 13, 2007 - 10:08:50 AM Somali Human Rights Defenders Network (SOHRIDEN) is seriously concerned about the escalating crisis and violations towards freedom of expression, press freedom in Somalia. Subsequently to the closure of Radio Shabelle Yesterday Radio Simba and Banadir is also silenced today when heavily armed forces from the government entered to the radio stations. It was only Yesterday when Radio Shabelle was closed, and today, Tuesday 13th 2007; another surprise incident became the talk of the town when Radio Simba and Banadir, two independent Radio Stations in Mogadishu were ordered to shut down. Mr. Mahamed shill Hassan, the deputy Manager of Simba told SOHRIDEN office, that some government troops forcefully entered the radio station and was told to shut down."They also took away the Manager of the station to their National Security officer and later released soon"Mr. Shill added. The government troops ordered Simba staff to leave and never come back. We don't know the reason why the government is silencing the radio." Shill Concluded. Radio Bandir was also given orders to shut down As Ali Madobe, the deputy manager said" we don't know what is going on and we have not been told for what reason the closure of the radio is justified. We were told to not operate till unspecified time". "No reason has been said to the closure of Radio Simba and Bandir today, but they claimed that it was only an order from senior government officials," as the two deputies reported "SOHRIDEN denounces this illegal action which the security officers accustomed these days and silencing the Radio Stations in the capital "said Ahmed Kiimiko, the Focal point of East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network "We also appeal to the Transitional Federal Government to Unconditionally allow to the radios Shabelle, Simba and Bandir to carry on their important services they were doing for their people. "The gross violations upon their rights of journalism and freedom of media which Somali journalists faced and the continues harassment, death threats are now reaching to its critical point. Besides their local insecurity and death threats those who are now living in Nairobi http://somalinet.com/news/world/Soomaali became subject to the same of what they had escaped from and facing serious intimidations". Ahmed Kiimko the Focal point of East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network and the Chairman of Somali Human Rights Defenders Network added. SOHRIDEN believes that this is a violation towards all the public on their rights of having access to information which is one of the basic rights in the Universal declaration of Human Rights and not only the radio stations and journalists are those who have been transgressed. "We call again the government to respect the international, regional and local laws including the Transitional Federal Charter which all gives the journalist to enjoy all their rights and freedom. The government obligations to protect the journalists' safety and how hey are abusing their power would be not neglected and they will be accountable." Concluded Ahmed kiimko, Focal point of Somalia for East and Horn of Africa human Rights Defenders Network. garowe online Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Naxar Nugaaleed Posted November 14, 2007 and propagandist cloaked as journalist are treasonous Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
N.O.R.F Posted November 14, 2007 What happened to free speech? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Naxar Nugaaleed Posted November 14, 2007 is propaganda speech? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
