April 13^th 2010.

Somali Human Rights Defenders Networks ( SOHRIDEN) with a constituents  of leading civil society organizations that works on human rights , development& relief , health & education,  peace, media developments and trade unions   that  operate over all South and Central Somalia including Puntland,  cooperatively voiced today enormous concern about the worsening situation  of the country .

Representatives of the Somali Human Rights defenders Network SOHRIDEN talked about the immense importance of freedom of press, freedom opinion & speech, which are fundamental rights of human being that were affirmed in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Participants of SOHRIDEN consultative meeting, deeply debated on the current situation of banning the BBC and VOA, outlawing of music and songs from the local radio stations, and the impact that it could have to the independent work of the media.

“ We are very excited and feel happy to conduct such a meeting with the  representatives from all of our member organizations  showing our strong position, adding our voices loudly  and support  that we are seriously concerned upon the oppressions of the media and the worsening challenges that are facing the freedom of expression in Somalia. Said  Ahmed Mahamed Ali “ kiimiko” Focal point of East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network and chairperson of SOHRIDEN. “  Somali Media became victim and no one is standing to defend  it locally , regionally and internationally.  This is what encourages the culture of impunity and the media in Somali seems that they are waiting more horrendous subjugation worsening   day after day if no actions are taken against these appalling orders issued by  Hisbul islam and Alshabab who are committing these monstrous crimes against the freedom of expression.” Concluded Ahmed kiimiko

The meeting also deeply discussed upon the current situation of the country, politically and socially, economically and security., the escalating violence and the new calls of invasions, the  indiscriminate endless  shelling over the densely populated areas like markets and residential areas, the worsening conditions of the IDP camps at Mogadishu environs  as the well as the forced evictions of those who are temporarily seeking   refuge and protection to areas where the TFG administers, the member organizations of SOHRIDEN  are  condemning all those who are involved at these atrocities which resulted these total inhuman disaster to our people and country .

SOHRIDEN is condemning the violence that subsequently escalated between the Transitional Federal Government backed by the AMISOM troops and its opponents, the   radical islamists,   that shows no signs of declining. Thousands of civilians have been killed and thousands  have been injured, millions displaced, with human rights abuses committed by all sides.

SOHRIDEN   is against all the barbarian actions of indiscriminate shelling on residential areas and markets, the organized killings, continuous displacement, intimidations and objections of international relief organizations to deliver aid to the needy people.

SOHRIDEN  calls  all the warring sides in Mogadishu , the TFG, Hisbul Islam , Alshabaab  to stop these endless   fighting unconditionally and start dialogue , and AMISOM should keep on their mandate of peacekeeping forces , not shelling the  very few helpless, disabled , poor and long suffering civilians remained in the capital.

SOHRIDEN calls those who are looking to reach a political position on using new armed factions labeled by Islamic symbols, whether radical or moderate and kills the reputation of our religion , misusing its interpretation , tailoring to their needs,  to refrain from that actions.

SOHRIDEN calls the international Aid organizations and the international community for emergency humanitarian aid to save the millions of Somali population suffering from acute malnutrition which is above emergency thresholds.
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Human Rights Reporting Office
Somali Human Rights Defenders Network (SOHRIDEN)
Human Rights House
Talex Street, Hodan District,
Mogadishu, Somalia.
Tel: +2525-9-29027/+252-1-227272
Email: sohriden@gmail.com,
info@sohriden.org

URL:    www.sohriden.org