UN Report Calls on Transitional Federal Government “to stop all attacks against journalists and media organizations”
MOGADISHU, Somalia, September 30, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) today welcomed the Report of the United Nations independent expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia, Shamsul Bari, presented at the Eighteenth session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, on 28 September.
NUSOJ particularly hailed the recommendation calling on the Transitional Federal Government “to take the measures necessary to stop all attacks against journalists and media organizations, and empower media workers to make their contribution at this critical juncture of the transition process and constitution-making”.
In his report, which presents comprehensive overview of the human rights situation in Somalia, the Independent Expert highlighted his concern about attacks on freedom of expression and opinion, with specific mention on journalists and media organizations in Southern Somalia, Puntland and Somaliland.
“The report was timely and reflected the realities and challenges of press freedom in the country and the concerns of Somali journalists. The report acknowledges the severity of persistent and ongoing attacks against journalists and media organisations in Somalia,” said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General.
He said NUSOJ was pleased to note that the report urged the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia to work closely with the media in the transitional and constitution making process. “The protection of the right to freedom of expression is essential in reinstating justice, peace and stability in Somalia,” he added.
SOURCE
National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ)
