I am glad to welcome you in the city of Utrecht in Holland for you attend the conference which I believe it has a great deal of interest for everyone involving media. 

I would like to pass special thanks to those of you who have crossed thousands of miles from Africa and Europe to attend and show their commitment of being part of the development of media and human rights.

And special thanks as well to our guests from EJC, Press Now, NOVIB, African Journalists in Europe, UAF, WN and all other organisations of the Somali community in Holland who always support the media, and specially assisted us on hosting this historic conference.

  
On behalf of Hayaan Media Development Center, I would send special gratitude to Novib for recognising the importance of this meeting which is a forum brining together journalists who have fled their country and scattered across Europe, a new continent that pose challenges including reintegrating into systems and societies that are strange to them.

As many of you are well aware, the year 2006 was not a pleasant year for everyone as we had seen new waves of violence against journalists and the media in Somalia. And the years that followed were worse than previous one. We did not end 12 months without killing, wounding or arresting journalists, with only this year three of our colleagues killed, and yet we have a quarter of the year left. In 2007 and 2009, the death toll could reach 9 which is a shocking figure for a small country like this.

One last incident,  Puntland authorities have detained Abdifatah Mire of Horseed media accusing him being a threat to a national security by interviewing rebel leader.  He was handed six years in prison and a fine of 500 U.S dollar.

Continuous abuses, like those I mentioned, have forced the Somali journalists to escape the country taking refuge in neighbouring states, Europe and as far as Australia and the United States, but the new life in the adopted countries has prevented journalists from practicing their profession. Somali journalists in Europe, including the Netherlands are more than 100, but less than 20 are still practicing their careers.

It is very hard for every human whatever his or her profession is, to simply change his or her way of life and career in a single day, and it has never been our desire to do so, but the situation in our adopted nations has pushed us to face the new life and come up with away that we can be part of the people and benefit from available opportunities.
Knowing there is no security risk in these countries, there are other reasons that prevented journalists from practicing their profession in this continent.

1-       Lack of the integration with the people in hosting nations.

2-        There is no or limited Somali media houses, online print or television in this continent,

3-       The agencies that support media and human right in Europe and governments did not put more efforts in establishing media houses where the journalists can continue with their career so that journalists could take part the solution for their country while they are in diaspora.

4-       It has also been very difficult for the journalists themselves to establish a committed institution that can fulfil their needs, and research on how other organisations can assist them in their hosting nations.

However, with all those hardships going together along parallel line, we found Hayaan media Development Centre to lobby against violations, document the abuses and to help journalists get higher trainings.

It is reasonable that newcomers in this continent, especially, Netherlands to seek their rights and more assistance. Nonetheless, taking into account on our experience in the media sector in the last 10 years, and the short period that Hayaan media service has existed, we met different organisation that were attracted by our mission, and some of them, like Novib have practically supported us to hold this conference. 

Hayaan media has attended meeting in late August representing Somali journalists in Europe, and joined the umbrella for the African Journalists in Europe, and we have two members of a committee that will work in the next one year.

Today, we believe that Somali journalists are the eyes of the people, locked by the civil war in an open prison, and reconnecting our people back to the world is our priority. Reporting the plight of our people who experience the daily carnage in the country has desperately been the intention of our members so that we can inform the public and the international community from what is going in that part of the world.

We are up against anything that can distract that mission from the right path, and give our people back home  the wrong impression that we had been working to using the media as bridge to cross to western world  in search of better life and personal interests, and do not care about a country and people who count on us.

Therefore, it is necessary to ask for your assistance on holding seminars regularly to address all these issue.

On the other hand, I am strongly recommend to Somali journalists to be united, follow up what is going on here and back home, and be aware of the media transformation in both your adopted and home countries.

Finally, I am here to welcome you, and looking forward that this conference will underline the hardships face by journalists in the country and those in the Diaspora.

Thank you

Chairman of HMDC

Ali Dahir Eid

Magaalada Utrecht ee dalka Holland waxaa manta ka furmay shir looga hadlayay xaaladda ay ku sugan Suxufiyiinta Soomaalida Yurub iyo kuwa joog gudaha Dalka Somalia,waxaana ka soo qeyb galay wariyayaaal Somaliyeed oo kala yimid Dalalka Uk,Holland,Swedan,Talyaniga,Norway iyo Dalka Kenya waxaa inta uu socday halkaasi lagu soo bandhigay arimo badan oo salka ku haya Xaalada Wariyayaasha Somalida.

Shirkan iminka uga furmay Dalka Holland Wariyayaashan Somaliyeed ayaa waxaa soo qaban qaabisay Hay’ada Horumarinta Warbaahinta ee la yiraahdo Hayaan Media Development Center “HMDC” taasi oo inta badan ka shaqeysa sidii wariyayaasha kasoo jeeda Bariga iyo Geeska Africa oo ay Somalida qeyb ka tahay.

Waxaa ugu horeyn halkaasi ka hadlay Guddoomiyaha Hay’ada Hayaan media Cali Dahir Eid,kaasi oo dhamaan kasoo qeyb galayaashii shirka kusoo dhaweeyey shirka isla markaana uga mahadceliyey waqtiga ay usoo hureen shirka looga hadlayo horumarinta iyo wax u qabadka wariyayaasha Magaca Somaliyeed wata ee dunida daafaheeda kala jooga,isagoona hadalkiisa ku sii daray inay Wariyayaasha Somaliyeed u kala qeybsan yihiin kuwa Dalkii ku dhibaateysan iyo kuwa dibada ku lumiyey xirfadii wariyenimo oo ay lahaayeen.

 Dhinaca kale waxaa uu sheegay Ali Dahir Eid inay Hayaan Media ahaan wado kasto u marayaan sidii wariyayaasha Somaliyeed garab taageero horumarineed loo siin lahaa,isagoo tusaale ahaan usoo qaatay Laba Shir oo ay u qabteen Wariyayaasha Somaliyeed,kuwaasi oo midna uu bishii December ee sanadkii 2009 ku qabteen Nairobi iyo midka Maanta wariyayaasha Somaliyeed ee yurub uga furmay Holland,laakiin waxaa uu hoosta ka xariiqay inay shirarkaasi ka heleen xog badan oo lagu horumarin karo wariyayaasha iyo fikrado lagu xalin karo,aqoondarada Saxaafada Somalida heysta.

Ali Muse Abdi oo ah Wariye ka tirsan Wakaalada wararka Faransiiska ee {AFP} isla markaana ahaa maanta Shir Gudoonka Shirka Maanta ka furmay Holland ayaa sheegay inay Wariyayaasha Somaliyeed Yurub jooga fursad u tahay inay helaan kulamo ay uga wada hadlayaan dhibka heysta iyo sida wax looga qaban karo,iyadoo dhinaca kale uu ku dheeraaday ka hadalka taariikhdii saxaafadda Somalia ay soo martay,taasi oo aheyd faa’iido badan ay ka heleen dhamaan wariyayaashii shirkaasi kasoo qeyb galay.

 Sidoo Kale Mr,Ali Muse waxaa uu Hay’adda Hayaan Media uga mahadceliyey sida ay isugu xil-saareen wax u qabashada wariyayaasha Somaliyeed,isagoona sheegay in lama huraan ay tahay wax ka qabashada xirfada wariyayaasha Somalida ee Yurub ee sii lumeysa iyo garabsiinta wariyayaasha saaxiibadooda ah ee gudaha Somalia jooga,isagoo hadalkiisa watana waxa ii yiri :-

“Runtii waa farxad iyo wax la soo dhaweeyo howlaha Hay’ada Hayaan Media,waxaana tani u arkaa inay tahay tilaabo ku dayasho mudan,waad ogtihiin howlaha Hay’ada dadka bilabay waxay ku aasaaseen iyagoo wadankan Holland ku cusub,waxay u dhabar adeegeen inay waqtigooda iyo maalka ay leeyihiin geliyaan wax ka qabashada Dhibka wariyayaasha,Taasi maanta waxaan is leeyahay waa u rumowday dadkii soo hindisay fikirkan Hayaan Media,sababtoo ah maanta dadkeenan halkan wada fadhiya ee Africa iyo Yurubta kale isaga yimid waxaa isugu kaala keenay waa Hayaan Media,waxaana rajo badan ka qabaa inay wax ka qabtaan baahida wariyayaasha Somaliyed” ayuu yiri Ali Muuse Abdi,waxaana isaga oo hadalkiisa sii wata yiri :-

” Waxaa Dabeecad ahaan wariyayaasha Somalida noqotay in haddii la dhiso urur wariyayaasha wax u qabanaya,ay kuwa kale ka daba hadlaan,,kuwaasi oo aan ku hishiin inay urur kasi la tartama inay dhistaan,laakiin taasi badalkeeda raba inay kan la dhisay burburiyaan oo aan marnaba waxba la helin,Taasi waxan oran karaa waa ayaan daro,waxaase usoo jeedin lahaa dhamaan wariyayaasha Somaliyed meelkasta oo ay joogaan,haddii ay dhacdo inay urur aysan ku qanacsaneyn arkaan,inaysan mucaaradina ay dhistaan Urur kale oo ay wax ku qabsan karaan,Sababtoo ah Dalkan Holland oo kale,waxaa iminka ka jira Ururo badan oo Saxaafada ka shaqeeya hadana ma ahan kuwa is mucaaradsan,Wadadaasi oo kale ayaan la rabi lahaa inay qaadaan wariyayaasha Somaliyeed” ayuu yiri Ali Muuse Abdi.

Dhinaca kale waxa isagana Hadalka lagu soo dhaweeyey Mustafe Xaaji Abdinuur oo ah Xiriiriyaha Mashaariicda Hayaan Media ee Somalia isla markaana ah Xoghaya Guud ee Ururka Someped ayaa isaga oo Muqdisho jooga,halkaasi ka jeediyey Khudbad iftiimineysa xaalka ay ku sugan yihiin Wariyayaasha Somaliyeed,isaga oo xusay in loo baahan yahay sidii garab iyo taageero loogu heli lahaa wariyayaasha Somaliyeed ee gudaha jooga,waxaana xubnihii shirka kasoo qeybgalay uu u jeediyey inay wajahaan waxqabad dhab ah oo loo sameyn karo saaxiibada wali ku negi Somalia.

Mr,Hildebrand Bijleveld oo ah Editor in chief Press Now oo inta badan ka shaqeysa taageerida iyo horumarinta Warbaahinta,baryahana si weyn ugu mashquulsaneed wax u qabashada wariyayaasha Somaliyeed ayaa waxaa uu halkaasi ka jeediyey inay wariyayaasha Somaliyeed dhab ahaan ugu baahan yihiin kor u qaadista waxbarashadooda,isagoona sheegay inay Somalia ka sahlan tahay wariyaha inuu qalabka warbaahinta ee waxduubo qaato,kadibna uu ku shaqeysto xirfadii wariyenimo,isagoo aan wax badan ka ogeyn shuruucda saxaafada,Laakiin waxaa uu sheegay in Maanta ay somalida ka caawinayaan sidii loo heli lahaa Xarun Media Center ah,taasi oo sadex meelood midkood laga dhigi doona,kuwaasi oo kala ah,Puntland,Somaliland iyo Jabuuti.

Dhinaca kale waxaa uu siweyn usoo dhaweeyey dadaalka Hay’ada Hayaan Media kawado Dalka Somalia iyo Yurub,isagoona sheegay inay qabteen wax badan inta yar oo ay jireen,taasi oo uu sheegay inay yar ka dhigan tahay himilo wanaag laga fisho mustaqbalka dhaw,waxaana uu hadalkaasi sii raaciyey inay meelo badan kawada shaqeyn doonaan Hay’ada Hayaan Media.

Wariyayaal badan ayaa halkaasi ka hadlay,waxaana ka mid ahaa Mowliid Xaaji Abdi oo ah Agaasimaha idaacada iyo TV ga SBC shirkana uga yimid UK,Maxamed Yusuf Ahmed oo isagana ahaa wariye kasoo shaqeeyey Muqdisho wax badan iminka shirkan uga soo kicitimay Dalka Swedan,Abdirisaq Shiikh Aduun oo ah Guddoomiyaha Ururka Suxufiyiinta Somaliyeed ee “NUSOJ” oo isagana Swedan ku nool iyo Xasan Liisho.

Waxaana dhamaantood wariyayaashaasi iska qireen inay muhiim tahay wax ka qabashada dhibka wariyayaasha heysta,iyagoo shegay inay wariyayaal ka badan 100 ay joogaan Yurub,laakiin hadana aysan jirin kuwa xirfadoodii sii wata,waxaana dhinaca kale ay sheegeen inay Hay’ada Hayaan Media uga mahadcelinayaa ,Niyada iyo dadaalka shirkan lagu qabtay Holland,waxaana dhinaca kale ay ugu baaqeen dhamaanba wariyayaasha somaliyeed ee yurub jooga inay tafaraaruqa joojiyaan isla markaana ay wajahaan xaqiiqada Yurub ka jirta oo ay ugu horeyso waxbarashada xirfada qofkasta oo uu sheeganayo.

 Guddoomiyaha Dallada Somalida ay k mideysan yihiin ee FSAN Xuseen Qadiib oo isagana shirkaasi hadalo ka jeediyey ayaa sheegay inay markii ugu horeysay u tahay ka qeyb galka shir wariyayaal ay isugu imaanayaa,isaga oo sheegay inay wax badan ka walwalsanaayeen dhibka ka jira somalida uguna horeeyan wariyayaasha,waxaana uu dhinaca kale sheegay inay Hayaan Media leeyihiin wada shaqeyn ,hada iyo wixii ka danbeeyana ay sii xoojin doonan sare u qaadista xirirka labada Hay’adood.

Abdiweli Ibrahim Garyare oo ka tirsan Madaxda Hay’ada Hayaan Media isla markaana ka mid ah Wariyayaasha Somaliyeed inta ugu magaca dheer ee iminka ka shaqeeya Tvga Universal TV ayaa waxaa uu shirkasi ka sheegay inay jiraan fursado wax loogu qaban karo wariyayaasha Somaliyeed,laakiin waxa uu taasi barbardhigay inay fursadahaasi dhinac socdaan,sida ay wariyayaasha diyaar ugu yihiin ka faa’iideysiga fursadaasi,isagoo arintasi hadlayana waxa uu yiri :-

” Waa dhab inay halkan jaanis yaalo,Laakiin caqli iyo garasho lagu fahmo inay helaan wariyayaasha ayey ku xiran tahay,ma aqaan goorta iyo xiliga ay wariyayaasha Somaliyeed la mid noqon doonan sida wariyayaasha umadaha kale,kuwaasi oo helay fursado waxbarasho,kadibna helay furado ay kusii wataan shaqadoodii iyaga oo halkan jooga” ayuu yiri Abdiweli Garyare,waxaana ii intaasi raaciyey ” Hayaan Media ma ahan Ururka Suxifiyiinta Somaliyed ee Holland ama Yurub,taasi oo aad moodo inay dadka qaar ku doodaan,Hayaan Media haddii an idin sharaxo,waa Hay’ad ka shaqeysa taageerida iyo horumarinta wariyayaasha iyo warbaahinada Bariga iyo Geeska Africa,Taasi macnaheedu waxa uu noqonayaan in Hayaan Media ay ka mugweyn tahay urur ay leeyihiin ama wax ka qabta wariyayaasha Somaliyeed arimahooda un,marka dadku waa inay kala gartan Hay’ad wax taageerta oo ay dhici karto xitaa inay garabsiiso ururka wariyayaasha noocey doonan ha isku raaceene” ayuu yiri Abdiweli Ibrahim Garyare.

Ugu danbeyntii shirkaasi oo ahaa midkii ugu horeeyey oo ay abid wariyayaasha Somaliyeed Yurub isugu yimaadaan isaga oo kale ayaa kusoo dhamaaday sidii loo qorsheeyey,waxaana dhamaadkii shirkaasi laga soo saaray Cambaareyn ku aadan dilkii wariyihii Galkacyo lagu dilay dhawaan iyo Xariga ilaa iminka uu xiran yahay Agaasimihii Idaacada Horseed Media ee Boosaaso Abdifitax Jama Mire,waxaana lagu wadaa xubinii shirkan dibadaha uga yimid inay dib ugu noqdaan Dalalkii ay ka yimaadeen.

Nuuradiin Macalin Mukhtaar (Diinow)
Magaalada Utrecht Holland

nuradiin007@hotmail.com

Star FM’s radio broadcaster Kassim Mohammed and AFP’s (Agence France-Presse ) Mogadishu’s correspondent,  Mustafa Haji Abdinur were among the 15 recipients of one of the most prestigious awards in the African media and broadcasting industry; the CNN Multichoice African Journalism Award. The stiff competition included more than 2000 entries from 1000 journalists in 40 African countries.

“I want to thank the stations managers for their dedication in establishing a radio station that caters to the entire Somali community” said Star FM’s Kassim Mohamed during his acceptance speech for this year’s Radio General News Award. “I am so delighted that our hard work is being recognized by CNN and Multichoice. It’s just the beginning and Star FM is determined to tell the African story.” Mr. Mohammed’s radio interview with the wife of a Somali pirate entitled “I’m Married to a Pirate” won him the award.

Managing Director Mohamed Hassan Osman said that Star FM is always nurturing talents and is on the look-out for young and outstanding journalists. Speaking to Hiiraan Online he said “We are very happy with all our employees who come to work early and leave late as they understand journalism is all about sacrifice. We are the only FM radio station in Kenya that has ever won the CNN Multichoice award.”

Star FM radio has been on the air for just under five years and can be heard from Nairobi, Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Gedo region, Tana River as well as the largest refugee camp in the world, Dadaab. Star FM is also in the process of furthering its reach so it can be heard from Mogadishu, Hargeisa, Bosaso, Moyale, and the Kakuma Refugee Camp.

 Mustafa Haji Abdinur, winner of the free press category, has been based in Mogadishu since 2006 and witnessed some of the worst fighting the city has seen in its two decades firsthand. During his speech he highlighted the current grim situation in Mogadishu.  “Friends, I live in a country whose name has unfortunately become a synonym for lawlessness, where human life is not worth a lot and where press freedom simply does not exist,” said Abdinur.

He won the award for his “Peace Journalism” initiative that he launched with the help of other Somali journalists. Somalia is one of the most dangerous countries to be a reporter, since October 2007, 13 journalists have been murdered in Somalia including 9 in 2009 alone. For this reason, Abdinur also won the Committee to Protect Journalists’ (CPJ) International Press Freedom Awards in November 2009.

He shares this award with nine deceased reporters who died covering the savage conflict in Somalia: Abdulkhafar Abdulkadir Hassan, freelance; Mohamed Amin Adan Abdulle, Radio Shabelle; Hassan Zubeyr Haji Hassan, Al-Arabiya; Mohamud Mohamed Yusuf, Radio IQK; Mukhtar Mohamed Hirabe, Radio Shabelle; Nur Muse Hussein, Radio IQK; Abdirizak Mohamed Warsame, Radio Shabelle; Said Tahlil Ahmed, HornAfrik; Hassan Mayow Hassan, Radio Shabelle.

The award ceremony that was attended by journalists, editors, and consultants from Africa as well as beyond was hosted by CNN Anchor Isha Sesay and emcee Ronnie Mich Egwang.

Meanwhile, President of the Republic of Uganda, General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni who presided over the event said that African media houses are still locked in the mindset of anti-colonial activists of the early 1950s, where the colonial state was regarded as ‘them’ and the people were ‘us’”. He called on journalists to add ‘patriotism’ to their usual ‘issues’ of general news, culture and health reporting. He added that critics of the Ugandan draft media bill, -that proposes a licensing system for journalists- were making ‘undue wild accusations’. The Ugandan government merely wants to administer and manage press freedom, he said, not restrict it.  Nevertheless, speaking off the cuff, he also said that journalists should not ‘cross the line’ and that they should leave ‘politics to the politicians’.

Hayaan Media Develoment Center is strongly condemming the arrest of three local journalist that have being arrested by hisbul Islaam militians in the district afgooye yesterday 25 may 2010 who worked for different news agency in Mogadisho.

The arrest of the three journalist,Sheek Aadow Amiin who worked for Simba Radio Station,Ahmed Yussuf  Idaajaa wo worked for  IQK  Radio Station and Mohamed Huseen Osman who is the representetive of Hurma Radio station in Afgooye.

Hisbul Islaam militians yet have to respond on this mater. These arrests happend during the time the journalist were on duty while reporting on the current news that was going on in Afgooye District.

Hayaan Media Development Center also concerns about the situation of the three journalists detained today by militants loyal to Hisbul Islam for journalistic tasks. HMDC again calls for an immediate release of these journalists so that they can carry one there duties.

Somalia is the most dangerous country for journalists in Africa as more than 21 professional journalists were killed and hundreds more wounded for the last three years.

Hayaan Media Development

Utrecht  The  Netherlands

 According to the local news the body of the Sheek Nuur Mohamed Abkeey one of the leading journalist in Somalia was found behind the hotel Dameey in Geedjacecl with his body a numerous bullets wounds in his body.

 Head of programmes at Hayaan media Abdiweli Ibraham garyare  had the following words to say about Sh. Nuur Mohamed Abkeey ‘’first of all let me start with my condolences to Sh.Nuur Mohamed Abkeey Who i knew personally and have worked with him at Radio and TV centre STN.

The killing of  Sheek Nuur Mohamed Abkeey is a big loss to Somali journalism and his death with have a hugh effect on all of us as journalist . Sheek Nuur Mohamed Abkeey who worked at Radio Muqdisho  which is a state run Radio Station and many believe that this factor might be one of the reason of his death’’

 Sheek Nuur Mohamed Abkeey who worked at radio Muqdisho in the former Somalia government with specifically Sonna (Somalia news agency ) and he also was a one of the leading journalist in the Arabic language sector.

 In the past ten years he also worked at a number of different news agencies such as, Hornafrik, STN, Bariga Africa.Before his death he was working at Radio Muqdisho which is under the hands of the current Somalia government .

 Hayaan Media Development Center which is leading Organisation that strives towards the  protection of journalist has its doubts of how current Somalian journalist can keep on working in Somalia, Abdiweli Garyare had the following words to say about this subject ‘

 in the last couple years the killing of journalist in Somalia has become something normal this is because the both the Somalia government and the oppositions parties do not support the fact that an establishment of an independent Somalia journalism

 if this killing goes on there will be no more  journalist that will report the news in Somalia.

Last but no least Hayaan media once again want to pass her condolences to the family and friends of Sheek Nuur Mohamed Abkeey and that he may rest in peace.

 Hayaan Media Development  Center

  Utrecht  The Netherlands

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.
–
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

“We are very concerned about the order by Al-Shabaab. What we know is that BBC and VOA Somali sections were source information for all the people and this meant to block them from the news,” said Abdiweli Ibrahim Aden ” Garyare”  The East Africa Project Coordinator of “HMDC”

Garyare added that this is a beginning to a total cancellation on  all independent media broadcasting activities in southern Somalia.

Al-Shabaab – the biggest Islamist radical group in Somalia – which has strong link with Al-Qaeda, issued an statement ordering HornAfrik radio, a local FM station based in Mogadishu, to stop airing the programs of BBC.

The group accused BBC of broadcasting propaganda and abusive words against the Islam and spreading the ideologies of the crusaders. Al-Shabaab said this came after long monitoring on the daily programs by BBC and VOA on the Somalia matters.

Hayaan Media Development Center has joined its voice into the international condemnation on Al-Shabaab’s outlawing action as undesirable to the free world.

Last week, a senior leader of Hizbul Islam, Moalim Hash Mohamed Farah told reporters in Mogadishu that his group is ordering all the media houses in the capital to stop broadcasting any music and songs. The group gave the local radios 10 days to stop airing music.

HMDC is calling for the authorities of Al-Shabaab Islamic group in Mogadishu to back out their order and give full respect to the freedom of expression.

“We see the music ban by Hizbul Islam as another pressure on the free press in the capital and we as Hayaan media officials are absolutely unhappy with the way the Islamic administrators are dealing with the media,” said Abdiweli Ibrahim Aden ” Garyare” The East Africa Project Coordinator of “HMDC”

On Saturday, a senior leader of Hizbul Islam, Moalim Hash Mohamed Farah told reporters in Mogadishu that his group is ordering all the media houses in the capital to stop broadcasting any music and songs. “We are giving them 10 days to stop airing music. If any radio fails to obey the Islamic order it will face bad consequence,” he added.

The ban will have an impact on effecting around six media stations based in the areas controlled by the Islamists in the capital as earlier oppressive rulings by Al-Shabaab group forced many professional journalists to flee the country into abroad.

HMDC is underlining that the freedom of press in Somalia continue to go through broader challenges from the warring sides battling for the country’s power. Journalism is the most difficult task in the conflict zones with the price of life.

Somali Human Rights defenders Network (SOHRIDEN) is seriously concerned about the escalating crisis and violations towards the freedom of expression in Somalia, said in Press Release issued on 04.04.2010

Hizbul Islam have imposed on all radio stations operating in Mogadishu not to play music and songs , especially to those under their controlling area, As Moalim Hashi declared in his press conference of 3 April 2010 in Mogadishu. “You have only 10 days to prepare for new programs to substitute those evil voices you accustomed. Moalim Hashi who is the governor of Benadir for Hizbul Islma finally ordered all the radio station in Mogadishu to not call the “foreigners” those fighting beside them but to call our brothers MUHAJIRIN instead. He made his local for more MUJAHIDIIN foreign troops to come .

SOHRIDEN believes that this is a violation towards all the public on their rights of having access to information and entertainment which is one of their basic rights stipulated in the UDHR and the independent radio stations play music based on what is popular at the time for the most part. Said Ahmed Mahamed Ali “kiimiko” . Focal point for East and Horn of Africa human Rights Defenders Network and Chair person of Somali Human Rights Defenders Network ( SOHRIDEN)” we call them to respect the press freedom and radio stations to exercise freely their duties , profession and the peoples rights to get unbiased information and entertainment” Concluded Ahmed Kiimiko

We also denounce the abusing power of AMISOM on the VOICE OF PEACE, local radio operating in Mogadishu on its frequency 98.0. As their administration contacted SOHRIDEN office in Mogadishu, they showed us the authorization letter of their frequency, signed by the deputy Ministry of information on 29.01.2006.( Please see the attachment) as well as their complaining letter to Benadir Regional Court which was not responded and neglected. They also contacted with AMISOM in their head quarter and no one cared their complaint.

“Upon installation of a radio communication system, the licensee shall ensure that the system is inspected and certified by the Authorizing body, as installed in accordance with conditions as specified. The TFG accepted the application of those founders and granted the license and assigned the frequency 98.0 to the local radio (VOICE OF PEACE) when it was satisfied that such assignment will not cause harmful interference to any station and in compliance with all the basic requirements” said the legal Advisor of SOHRIDEN, Zakarie Mahamed Shiikh Yusuf. “ To promote freedom of expression by reserving sufficient frequencies for a diverse range of radio and TV broadcasters at the local and national level, as well as frequencies for new media which facilitate the free exchange of ideas and information is one of the basic rights for media development and its regulations.”

“Regarding these regulations as stipulated in the laws of Somali and the transitional Federal Charter, that defines the promotion of freedom of expression as a key objective of frequency management, the licensees do not become the owners of the assigned frequency as specified in the law and are not permitted to assign or lease it to a third person without the authorized authority’s permission. A fee must be paid for use of the frequency, which must moreover be put into use within the time frame specified by the law and the licensees must cooperate with the Authority provided the license to prevent and eliminate harmful interference and optimize utilization of the frequency spectrum” Concluded Zakarie Mohamed Sh. Yusuf , the Legal Advisor of SOHRIDEN.

SOHRIDEN is calling for the Transitional Federal Government to protect the rights of the local media houses and safeguard their operating frequencies which have authorized by the Ministry of information. We also call the AU peace keeping forces AMISOM to not abuse their power and violate the Voice of Peace, local Radio based in Mogadishu, in overriding their frequency which is against the National laws of Somalia and all the International instruments. We call all international media organizations to support the freedom expression in Somalia and stand by their side defending their rights.
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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
shrdefenders@globalsom.com
URL:    www.sohriden.org