Human Rights

Journalists' unions, media organisations condemn latest violations against media freedom and journalists in Somalia, including the restrictions, threats and censorship

Mogadishu (Horn Observer) — Somalia 16 June 2022 – Somali journalists unions and media houses associations under the umbrella of Somali Mechanism for the Safety of the Journalists (SMSJ) today condemned the latest violations against the freedom of the media and journalists in Somalia, including…

Amnesty International: Tanzania should halt brutal security operation in Loliondo

NAIROBI (HORN OBSERVER) Tanzanian authorities must immediately halt the violent forced eviction of the Indigenous Maasai community in Loliondo, and launch an urgent investigation into the security crackdown which has left dozens of people injured, many missing and a police officer killed, Amnesty International…

Appeal Letter to the Secretary-General of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation, to help avert famine in Somalia

Appeal Letter to the Secretary-General of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation, His Excellency, Hissein Brahim Taha, to help avert famine in Somalia

U.S. announces new support for Somalia

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) During her June 13 visit to Mogadishu, Somalia, Under Secretary for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland met with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to offer U.S. support for his security, reconciliation, and reform agenda.

SJS trains 25 journalists in Somalia's Galmudug on human rights reporting

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) has completed a human rights reporting training in Adado, Galmudug State, benefiting 25 local journalists from local independent media outlets including those from marginalised stations and women reporters.

As rains fail again, catastrophic hunger looms over Somalia

Food insecurity and malnutrition worsen across Somalia as risk of famine increases amid historic fourth failed rainy season.

Joint Statement by the Somali Independent Journalists Unions and Media Houses on the State of F.O.E and Human Rights in Somalia

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) Today, 4 June 2022, the Somali independent journalists' organizations/unions and the independent media houses associations held a consultative meeting in Mogadishu focusing on the latest developments in the country on the aftermath of May 15th presidential election and…

As Somalia's new president tours Southwest state, its police attack local radio, beat and detain journalists

HORNOBSERVER— Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) and the Somali Media Association (SOMA) strongly condemn the violent attack by the Southwest state police on Radio Barawe, a local minority community rights radio in Barawe on Wednesday night.

Somali journalists benefit from a UK-supported security training in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) Somali journalists have received a UK-supported training to equip them with safety skills amid a violence against media freedom in Somalia.

Rights group urges civilian protection as U.S announces redeployment of forces into Somalia

NAIROBI (HORN OBSERVER) The reported United States decision to redeploy several hundred US troops in Somalia, as part of a joint operation with the Somali government and African Union forces, should make civilian protection a priority, Human Rights Watch said today.

SJS secretary-general addresses Exile Media Forum in Hamburg, Germany

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) The Exile Media Forum, which is the largest specialist conference on exile journalism, has been held in Hamburg, Germany from 16 – 17 May 2022.

University of Southern California Schwarzenegger Institute Hosts Eisenhower Fellows from Africa

LOS ANGELES (HORN OBSERVER) The USC Schwarzenegger Institute hosted 20 Eisenhower Fellows from Africa working to address the challenges of pollution and global warming.

Somali journalists condemn killing of Al-Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) and the Somali Media Association (SOMA) today joined a silent protest to condemn the brutal killing of Al-Jazeera Arabic journalist, Shireen Abu Akleh, shot dead by Israeli forces during as assignment in Jenin town in the West Bank.

Allow independent journalists to have uncensored access to presidential election scheduled on 15th May

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) and the Somali Media Association (SOMA) express great concern on the announcement by the Parliamentary Committee on Presidential Election, on Monday 9 May, which imposes restrictions on the independent journalists' access to the presidential…

On WPFD, SJS and SOMA call for respect of media freedom and protection of journalists

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) On World Press Freedom Day, Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) and the Somali Media Association (SOMA) jointly call authorities in Somaliland to release three detained journalists in Hargeisa as we call for authorities in other regions of Somalia to respect of press freedom…

As Somali court draws up lawsuit on human rights violations, ex-spy chief flees the country

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) Somalia's military court is nearly to complete a broad lawsuit against former commander of the Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), Fahad Yasin Dahir despite the accused fleeing the country into exile.

Amid the prospect of widespread famine in Somalia, UK announces £25 million aid package

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) Somalia is facing the prospect of widespread famine, with 350,000 children's lives at risk if no action is taken, according to United Nations.

Abdulkadir Mohamed: I have a dream to address the needs of visually impaired persons through education

MOGADISHU - Abdulkadir Mohamed Abdullahi was born in the rural area of the Mudug region, Puntland, in Somalia, in 1992, to a family of pastoralists.

Somaliland releases journalist from incommunicado detention, holds three others in jail

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) and the Somali Media Association (SOMA) welcome the release of freelance journalist, Abdisalan Ahmed Awad who was held incommunicado since 3 April, 2022 as we express concern the decision to hold three other journalists at the central prison.

In an attempt to impede independent coverage, Somaliland jails 16 journalists reporting prison shooting in Hargeisa

MOGADISHU (HORNOBSERVER) Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) and the Somali Media Association (SOMA) condemn in the strongest terms possible the mass arrest of 16 journalists reporting on the prison shooting in Hargeisa by Somaliland police on Wednesday 13 April.