Lawyers sue eight Somali govt officials over human rights violation

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Lawyers sue eight Somali govt officials over human rights violation

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) Human rights lawyers representing Somali journalist and human rights defender Abdalle Ahmed Mumin have sued eight Somali government officials for their involvement in the detention, persecution and discrimination against Mr.

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(From left to the right) the state minister of presidency Abshir Ahmed (Abshir Bukhaari), the deputy minister of information Abdirahman Yusuf Omar (al Adaala), the head of the national intelligence (NISA) in charge of Mogadishu Airport Ms. Hamdi Hassan, her police counter part at the airport Abdifatah Bashir.

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) Human rights lawyers representing Somali journalist and human rights defender Abdalle Ahmed Mumin have sued eight Somali government officials for their involvement in the detention, persecution and discrimination against Mr. Mumin, according to a new court filing seen by Horn Observer.

The filing was made during a court hearing on Thursday January 19 through the court of the first instance at the Banadir Regional Court.

Third Hearing : Journalist accusses Somalia Federal Government for trying to muzzle the press @sjs_Somalia #Somalia https://t.co/CWAuyP3Kr9 pic.twitter.com/9j5j3xWcbn
— Dalsan TV (@DalsanTv) January 19, 2023

Mr. Mumin, who is the secretary-general of the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) has been on October 11, 2022 a day after five journalists and media organisations including SJS, issued a public press release raising concerns about a new directive which had been issued by Somalia’s Information Ministry. The directive could restrict media freedom and journalists' right to access of information amid the ongoing offensive between the Somali government forces and the terror group al-Shabaab.

Al Adaala, #Somalia's Deputy Min of Info, threatens & harasses #Somali journalists daily. He obtained Swedish visa fraudulently & visits there regularly. I wonder if @SwedeninSomalia is aware. An effective way of protecting journalists is to put a travel ban on such politicians. https://t.co/pnBb8v7JoC
— Jamal Osman (@JamalMOsman) January 19, 2023

"We, the lawyers, would like to submit our filing and ask the Banadir Regional Court to summon the following officials and inquire their involvement in the illegal detention of Mr. Abdalle Mumin and holding him the notorious Godka Jila'ow prison. Abdalle continues to face persecution and discrimination," the lawyers said.

According to the four lawyers, their client got sick during the detention and his health deteriorated while in the detention and has not received drinking water, access to a doctor and was not able to see his family and lawyers.

The eight named officials are: the deputy minister of information Abdirahman Yusuf Omar (al Adaala), the state minister of presidency Abshir Ahmed (Abshir Bukhaari), the head of the national intelligence (NISA) in charge of Mogadishu Airport Ms. Hamdi Hassan, her police counter part at the airport Abdifatah Bashir, the director general of the ministry of information Abdullahi Hayir Duale (who according to the lawyers involved in falsification of documents regarding the Somali Journalists Syndicate's registration).

#Somali authorities must end judicial harassment of journalist Abdalle Ahmed Mumin https://t.co/qhCEgqQp6Z @sjs_Somalia
— AFEX (@AFEXafrica) January 19, 2023

Others mentioned are an aide to the national intelligence MohamedKafi Sheikh Abukar (or Mohamed Kafi Abukar), the ministry of information's director for private media relations Abdukadir Mohamed Adde and Mahad Arab Dhiblawe, who is president Hassan Sheikh's cousin working at the Mogadishu airport as an intelligence officer in charge of the airport terminal.

Somalia is regarded as one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists, as they face threats from both government and militant groups like Al-Shabab and a few clan militias.

Somalia ranks 140 out of 180 on the RSF’s Press Freedom Index. According to the organisation, Somali journalists operate in a corrupt and violent environment. More than 50 media workers have been killed since 2010, making Somalia the most dangerous country for journalists in Africa.

Lawyers are saying accountability for the powerful individuals involving in the rights violations could prevent more abuses and can help victims, such as Mr. Mumin, to get repreive.