Dr_Osman Posted February 29, 2012 Somalia: Somaliland reporter arrested, beaten in custody 29 Feb 29, 2012 - 1:13:19 AM New York, February 28, 2012(CPJ) -The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns last week's arrest and brutal assault of Mohamed Abdirahman, a journalist in the semi-autonomous republic of Somaliland. Police arrested Abdirahman, a reporter for the local news site Subulahanews, on the morning of February 21 in the northwestern town of Borama, and accused him of publishing a false story that claimed Ethiopian separatists with the ****** National Liberation Front had settled in the northwestern town of Lughaya, local journalists said. While in custody, Abdirahman was beaten by four police officers with sticks and the butt of a gun until he lost consciousness, local journalists and news reports said. Police took the journalist to Borama Hospital, where he was treated in the intensive care unit for his internal injuries, according to local journalists and news reports. He was moved to Hargeisa Hospital today so he could receive more advanced treatment, local journalists said. "This vicious attack against Mohamed Abdirahman is the latest example of the severely deteriorating press freedom climate in Somaliland," said CPJ East Africa Consultant Tom Rhodes. "Authorities must ensure a thorough and independent investigation into this crime, and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice." Faisal Ali Sheekh Mohamed, the director general of the Information Ministry, told CPJ he was not aware of Abdirahman's case but would investigate the matter. On February 19, two reporters for the weekly Ogaal were arrested for publishing a similar report on the ONLF. One of the journalists, Mohamed Abdi, told CPJ they were arrested on the orders of the interior minister and were taken to the Central Investigation Department in the capital, Hargeisa. Both journalists were released on Sunday, local journalists said. Somaliland authorities have repeatedly arrested and arbitrarily detained independent journalists for reporting on cases of disputed regions in the semi-autonomous republic. Authorities arrested at least 28 independent journalists without charge in January, according to CPJ research. _______________________ Contact: Mohamed Keita Africa Advocacy Coordinator Tel. +1.212.465.1004 ext. 117 Email: mkeita@cpj.org Tom Rhodes East Africa Consultant Email: trhodes@cpj.org Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr_Osman Posted February 29, 2012 Freedom of press is key foundation of democracy, why is this foundation missing in Somaliland a so called democracy? or is it a democracy merely on paper and not through action. Multi-Party and election is one foundation that forms a democracy which somaliland has achieved, however a mature democracy all the key foundations such as freedom of press, freedom of speech, equality, and many more important foundations form a mature democracy t which is not something we witness from in the semi autonomous region of somaliland. I think at best its either a weak democracy that hasnt matured or its non-existant democracy wax kale uu dhexayo ma jiddo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Hermet Posted February 29, 2012 Dr_Osman;796641 wrote: Freedom of press is key foundation of democracy, why is this foundation missing in Somaliland a so called democracy? or is it a democracy merely on paper and not through action. Multi-Party and election is one foundation that forms a democracy which somaliland has achieved, however a mature democracy all the key foundations such as freedom of press, freedom of speech, equality, and many more important foundations form a mature democracy t which is not something we witness from in the semi autonomous region of somaliland. I think at best its either a weak democracy that hasnt matured or its non-existant democracy wax kale uu dhexayo ma jiddo i say you write a letter to santa claus and find out... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Freedom Posted February 29, 2012 And Easter bunny Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fanisha Posted February 29, 2012 Who said there is democracy in Wogooyi galbeed? These SNM gang criminals don't know nothing about freedom of speech. Justice will come to Awdal State insha Alaa, daba ******kana waa loo talin doonaa. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
