International HR and media communities condemn attack on Somali radio

HRH F´s partner organisations National Union of Somali Journalists and the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network, are joined by Reporters Without Borders, Committee to Protect Journalists and the International Federation of Journalists in condemning yesterday´s siege of the Mogadishu based independent Radio Shabelle, right. The Government forces’ shooting lasted for hours. No-one was hurt. (19-SEP-07)

Based on the press releases of the National Unuion of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (EHAHRD-Net), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the International Federation of Human Rights (IFJ), this article has been edited by HRH F / Niels Jacob Harbitz. Photo of Osman and Sheikh: HRH F / Harbitz. Other photos and logos, courtesy of the respective organisations.

NUSOJ´s press release: NUSOJ denounces attack and blockade against Radio Shabelle
The National union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) strongly condemns the attack that forces of Transitional Federal Government (TFG) today took to the headquarters of Shabelle Media Network.

The TFG forces surrounded the premises of Radio Shabelle and opened fire to the windows and the doors of the building. The forces denied access to and from the Radio building and the journalists have been hiding under the tables. Government officials did not comment the reason behind the blockade, which is first time that such premeditated attack happened to a Somali media.

“We denounce this painful and deliberate attack and blockade against Radio Shabelle, and TFG leaders must remove their forces from Shabelle Media Network´s building” said Omar Faruk Osman, right, Secretary General of the National Union of Somali Journalists.

The attack happens when UN Special Expert on Human Rights in Somalia is visiting the country, and it proves how police brutalities are extremely endangering media freedom.
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This information is disseminated by the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ). NUSOJ takes the responsibility of the information expressed inside this mail, and any organization, union or group is allowed to recopy or republish this information. For press freedom observations, email: somaliapressfreedom@googlemail.com, for all other correspondences, email: faruk129@yahoo.com

EHAHRD-Net´s press release: EHAHRD-Net condemns raid on Shabelle radio 
As if the murdering of seven journalists since the start of this year has not been enough to compromise Somalis´ right to information, reports from Mogadishu indicate that Government forces have caused havoc at the Radio Shabelle, a leading independent radio station in the country.

EHAHRD-Net has received information from its founding member organization, the National Union of Somali journalist (NUSOJ) to the effect that Government forces besieged and opened fire on Radio Shabelle building, briefly arresting at least 18 journalists and prompting the station to go off air.
 
According to reports received by the EHAHRD-Net Secretariat in Kampala , the shooting was sparked off when unknown insurgents on September 18th set off a bomb near the Shabelle compound in the highly volatile Bakara Market region. The police responded by firing indiscriminately at the Shabelle building, believing the insurgents were inside.
 
-We deplore the continued targeting of media institutions and personnel in Somalia and call upon the TFG authorities to desist from such acts of violence. EHAHRD-Net appreciates the need for the authorities to protect their forces against insurgent elements but highly condemns the careless act of shooting at a media building with employees on duty inside it. The authorities must properly investigate this incident and provide a clear account of the events. Those found guilty must duly be brought to book, says Hassan Shire Sheikh, left, Chairperson EHAHRD-Net.
 
Appeal:
EHAHRD-Net appeals to the TFG to withdraw its forces from the Radio Shabelle compound and allow the employees unhindered access to their workplace;
We urge the Government to fully respect freedom of the press as enshrined in the Transitional Federal Charter, and in regional and international human rights instruments;
The Network further calls upon the TFG and all warring factions to respect the lives of the Somali citizens and allow them an opportunity to live humanely.
 
All Network members are encouraged to write to the Somali authorities furthering this appeal.
 
Send appeals to:
The Somali Ambassador in Kenya , asking for them to be forwarded to Somalia´s President, Col. Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed: TFG Ambassador, Mohamed Ali Nur, PO Box 623-00606, Jabavu Road , Hurlingham, Nairobi , Kenya 
Email: mali@somaliembassy.co.ke
Salutation: Dear Sir
 
For further information, please contact:
Tumusiime Kabwende Deo
Press Officer, +256-712-075721
 
Regional Coordination Office
EAST AND HORN OF AFRICA HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS PROJECT (EHAHRDP)
Human Rights House, Plot 1853, Lulume Rd., Nsambya
P.O. Box 70356 Kampala, Uganda
Phone: +256-414-510263(general)/ext.112 
          +256-414-267118(direct)
Fax: +256-414-267117
E-mail: ehahrdp@yahoo.ca, hshire@yorku.ca
Website: http://www.yorku.ca/crs/AHRDP/index.html

Reporters Without Borders´ press statement: Radio Shabelle building in Mogadishu besieged by security forces, staff evacuated
Reporters Without Borders calls on the transitional federal government to order its forces to lift the siege on the building in Mogadishu that houses privately-owned Radio Shabelle and to allow its journalists to go back to work. The building has been surrounded by security forces since yesterday morning.

“Mogadishu´s violence must not be used as a pretext for such acts of hostility towards the staff of Radio Shabelle or other media,” the press freedom organisation said. “It is time the Somali government took measures to allow journalists in the capital to play the important role that is their job. The security forces must be given clear orders to recognise their neutrality and guarantee their security.”

The situation began when a mixed unit of Somali police and intelligence personnel tried to enter the building housing Radio Shabelle and privately-owned ISP Global Internet yesterday morning after a grenade was thrown at a patrol in the neighbourhood.

When the building´s security guard refused to let them in, the police used automatic weapons to fire several bursts at the building, including the second and third floors, where the station is located, smashing all the windows. A Radio Shabelle journalist told Reporters Without Borders that one of Global Internet´s guards was injured and an unidentified passer-by was killed.

The security forces then laid siege to the building for several hours before finally allowing employees to evacuate the building at the end of the afternoon, the same source said. Radio Shabelle has stopped broadcasting and the police are continuing to maintain their positions around the building. Global Internet is no longer operating either.

The building is located in the centre of Mogadishu, not far from its busiest intersection, Howlwadaag Junction, and not from Bakara market, now a rebel stronghold. The neighbourhood is often the scene of clashes and bombings.

The building´s owner is a member of the Ayr clan, which is known for its hostility towards the transitional government. The political leader in exile of the Islamic Courts, Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, and their military chief, Yussuf Mohamed “Indahaade” Sayeed, are both prominent Ayr clan members. According to Reporters Without Borders´ sources, this could explain why the security forces have behaved so aggressively towards the building´s occupants. 

Committee to Protect Journalists´ statement: Police fire on Somalia´s Radio Shabelle
CPJ condemns the attack by Somali security forces on the Radio Shabelle compound this morning. Forces opened fire on the building with staff inside, forcing the station off the air. According to local journalists, police fired repeatedly from 10 a.m. to noon at the doors and windows at the compound while staff took cover. No casualties were reported and most staff members managed to escape during a brief respite in the shooting, said the journalists.

The violence began when unknown insurgents set off a bomb near the Shabelle compound in the highly volatile Bakara Market region at around 10 a.m. The police responded by firing indiscriminately at the Shabelle building, believing the insurgents were inside, according to the National Union of Somali Journalists. However, local journalists suspect the police also targeted the station specifically. Shabelle, among other local radio stations, has been critical of both the government and militias in its reporting on the nine-month-long insurgency in Mogadishu.

“We´re outraged by this brazen attack on Radio Shabelle, which has been subjected to an appalling campaign of persecution,” said Joel Simon, left, CPJ´s executive director. “The transitional government must immediately withdraw the security forces and provide effective protection in the Bakara Market.” Radio Shabelle announced the station would close down this evening and remain off the air until security improved, the union reported.

The Transitional Federal Government of Somalia repositioned hundreds of troops into the Bakara Market this morning after removing them yesterday evening. The troops were temporarily withdrawn from the area after local residents and businesses demonstrated against their presence, reported the union and Shabelle Net, a daily Web site run by the same company that owns the radio station.

Only four days ago, police raided Radio Shabelle and detained 19 staff members, accusing them of throwing a grenade at a police squad. Last Wednesday, Somali soldiers arrested 70 civilians in Bakara Market, including Puntlandpost correspondent Mohamed Hussein Jimaale, according to the union. According to CPJ research, six Somali journalists have been killed in direct relation to their work this year, making it the second deadliest country worldwide—after Iraq—for journalists in 2007.

CPJ is a New York-based, independent, nonprofit organization that works to safeguard press freedom worldwide.  For more information, visit www.cpj.org.

COMMITTEE TO PROTECT JOURNALISTS
330 Seventh Avenue , New York, NY 10001 USA Phone: (212) 465-1004 Fax: (212) 465-9568 Web: www.cpj.orgHYPERLINK
Tom Rhodes | Africa Program Coordinator | trhodes@cpj.org | (212) 300 – 9022
Mohamed Keita | Africa Program Research Associate | mkeita@cpj.org | (212) 300-9004

International Federation of Journalists´ press release: IFJ Slams “Terror Tactics” of Somali Government as Troops Lay Siege to Radio Station
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today called on the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia to stop terrorising media after security forces besieged Shabelle Radio, a private radio station and opened fire on at the building. A security guard is thought to have been wounded in the assault. 

The attack comes just three days after the police force raided Shabelle Radio and briefly detained 17 journalists and other staff. “The terror tactics of government forces are putting the lives of Shabelle Radio journalists at risk,” said Gabriel Baglo, right, the Director of IFJ Africa office. “It is   shocking intimidation that must be stopped.”

This morning government forces surrounded Shabelle Radio headquarters in Mogadishu after firing shots on the building. According to local sources some staff escaped but others are still trapped in the building and one man is thought to be injured. Barely six hours after the attack began one of the trapped journalists told IFJ that they are afraid to open the doors and fear the radio will be closed. They do not know what sparked the siege.

Last Saturday morning, the police force accused the radio staff of throwing a grenade at a patrol passing close to the compound. Some 17 journalists and media workers in the building were arrested and detained briefly. Since then government forces have been at the main gate, harassing journalists entering the station.

“We call on the Transitional Government to lift this siege and to remove the security forces from around Radio Shabelle,” said Gabriel Baglo.
In August in a similar assault the private radio and media group Global Broadcasting Corporation based in Mogadishu was forced to close after government forces were stationed at the group´s gate.

For more information contact the IFJ at + 221 842 01 43
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 114 countries worldwide