EHAHRD-Net Concerned About Arrest of Journalist in Somaliland

EHAHRD-Net Index: SOMA 026/005/2007 (Public)

2nd October 2007

In a renewed wave of targeting the media, the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (EHAHRD-Net) has learnt of the Somaliland police’s arrest of journalist Ahmed Aadan Dhere.

The journalist, who is a Correspondent for the Haatuf newspaper, was reportedly picked up from his home by police on September 27th and ended up in cells at the Berbera Police Headquarters. The police did not produce any arrest warrant and have since not brought any formal charge against him.

However, some reports say that “Dhere was arrested on the orders of the Regional Deputy Police Director Ibrahim Bashe” in reaction to an article by Local Government Councillor Awil Ali Sugule in the September 24th issue, criticising relations between the Central Government and the authorities of Saaxil. “Sugule was particularly critical of Somaliland’s Vice-President.” Apparently Mr. Dhere did not write the article, but had acted as an intermediary between Sugule and Haatuf newspaper

“The Network wishes to reiterate the need for the Somaliland authorities to observe the legitimate freedom of expression, which is provided for in its legal framework and in regional and international human rights instruments. The people of Somaliland have a right to information because it is only then, that they can achieve the true democracy they have always struggled for. Therefore, we urge the authorities to stop any intimidation of journalists and allow them to perform their duties without any hindrance,” says, Hassan Shire Sheikh, Chairperson of EHAHRDP/Net.

BACKGROUND

It should be recalled that journalists of Haatuf Media Network came under serious attack at the start of the year 2007, marking a serious challenge to media freedom in Somaliland. At the time, three journalists; Yusuf Abdi Gabobe, Editor and Chairman, Haatuf Media Network, Ali Abdi Diini, Editor, Haatuf newspaper, and Mohamed Omar Sheikh Ibrahim, Haatuf newspaper correspondent in Borama, were arrested following accusations of defamation against Somaliland’s President Dahir Rayale Kahin, and his wife [See EHAHRD-Net Index: SOMA 001/005/2007 (Public)]. The three were later pardoned by President Dahir Rayale Kahin at the end of March this year.

EHAHRD-Net appreciates the role played by the media not only in Somaliland, but the sub-region as a whole in ensuring good governance and democratisation by holding authorities accountable for their actions. As such, all governments in the sub-region have an obligation to respect and support the role played by the media and to establish enabling laws that guarantee the freedom of expression.

APPEAL:

The Network calls upon the Somaliland Government to:

• Immediately and unconditionally release Ahmed Aadan Dhere or offer him a fair and public trial.

• Observe media freedom by creating an enabling environment for journalists to carryout their duties without undue interference.

• Follow the minimum legal procedure of producing an arrest warrant before detaining anyone. In this case, the journalist ought to have been informed of the reason as to why he was being detained and must be offered a chance to lodge his defense in a proper legal procedure.

We urge all members of the Network to condemn the arrest of Ahmed Aadan Dhere and appeal to the Somaliland authorities to demand his immediate release.

Send appeals to:

1. H.E Dahir Riyaale Kahin

Fax: +252 213 8324 or +252 252 3848
E-mail: sl_victory hotmail.com, sl_victory yahoo.com
Salutation: Dear President

2. Minister of Interior

Mr. Abdillahi Ismail Shabeel
C/o Ministry of Foreign Affairs or The Presidency
Fax: +252 828 3271/ 252 225 3871
E-mail: slforeign hotmail.com
Salutation: Dear Minister

For further information, please contact:

Tumusiime Kabwende Deo Press Officer Mobile: +256-712-075721