The Human Rights Working Group (HRWG), a group of international partners comprising
the European Union, Norway, Switzerland and the United States, sharply condemns the
assassination of Universal TV reporter Mohamed Mohamud Tima’adde, who succumbed to
his injuries on the evening of 26 October. The HRWG expresses its sincere
condolences to the family and friends of Mohamed Mohamud Tima’adde.
The HRWG is also concerned about the forced closure of the Radio Shabelle outlet in
Mogadishu by government’s forces, and the arrest of Radio Shabelle staff and
reporters. A free, independent, and vibrant press is indispensable to any democratic
society. The HRWG urges the parties to find a peaceful solution and calls on the
Federal Government of Somalia to allow all journalists to work without fear of
censorship or being subject to intimidation. Fundamental rights and freedoms warrant
protection – including the freedom of expression and of the press.
The HRWG notes with regret that these series of targeted attacks and harassment
against journalists highlight the continuing threat to media workers . The HRWG
calls upon the Federal Government of Somalia to take immediate action to improve the
protection of media workers; to operationalise the announced Task Force on the
Investigation of the Killings of Journalists; and to bring the perpetrators of these
crimes to justice.
. END
