Amnesty tells Somali authorities to stop harassing, persecuting Abdalle Mumin

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Amnesty tells Somali authorities to stop harassing, persecuting Abdalle Mumin

NAIROBI (HORN OBSERVER) The human rights group Amnesty International today called Somali authorities to stop harassing and persecuting the Secretary-General of the Somali Journalists Syndicate, Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, who is currently out if jail on bai

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(Left) SJS Secretary-General, Abdalle Mumin has been detained on 11 October. (Right) Deputy Minister of Information, Abdirahman Yusuf Cadaala who targeted Mr. Mumin.

NAIROBI (HORN OBSERVER) The human rights group Amnesty International today called Somali authorities to stop harassing and persecuting the Secretary-General of the Somali Journalists Syndicate, Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, who is currently out if jail on bail after he was targeted and detained by Somalia's Ministry of Information officials on 11 October.

Mr. Mumin who is a veteran journalist and media advocate is awaiting a court hearing later this month, according to his lawyers.

Mr. Mumin was first detained without charges on 11 October a day after he joined a group of local media advocates who raised their concern on the new directive to restrict independent media coverage on the ongoing fight against al-Shabaab. The directive was announced by the deputy minister of information, Mr. Abdirahman Yusuf (known as Al-Cadaala). Mr. Mumin was freed on 16 October only to be re-arrested at the Mogadishu airport on 18 October as he was seeking to meet his doctor in Nairobi.

Last week the Ministry of Information through its criminal investigation department officers rushed to the Banadir Regional Court to pressure the court and press new charges into the three charges presented on 16 October.

The rights group urged the Somali authorities to drop all pending charges against him at the Banadir court, and by lifting travel restrictions against him.

In its press release, Amnesty International said "Authorities must also stop harassing and persecuting veteran journalist and media advocate, Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, by dropping all pending charges against him at the Banadir court, and by lifting travel restrictions against him.

PROMISES TO GUARANTEE JUSTICE AND SECURITY

Six months after President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud took office, his government has yet to make good on its promises to guarantee justice and security for the people of Somalia.

"no concrete measures have been taken to prevent violations of human rights, to hold suspected perpetrators accountable for their actions, or to ensure access to justice and effective remedies including adequate compensation for victims," Amnesty said in its Tuesday release.

The rights group presented the Somali government with a 10-point plan, outlining the steps it must take to improve the human rights situation in the country.

Upholding media freedom and respect for freedom of expression has been urged as the top ten priorities for Amnesty International.

"By reviewing the problematic provisions of the media law, the penal code, and all other laws and directives that unduly restrict the right to freedom of expression and bring these laws in line with Somalia’s constitution and international human rights obligations," it said.