Somalia: Radio Journalist, Mohamed Bashir Hashi, Detained Along with Interviewee

Human Rights Ambassador William Nicholas Gomes is greatly concerned by the pattern of judicial harassment of journalists in Somalia.

Mohamed Bashir Hashi

(Washington, D.C) - On 21 November 2013, Somali security services arrested and detained human rights defender and journalist Mr Mohamed Bashir Hashi, in connection with his work with a 19 year-old victim of sexual violence. Both he and the victim, whom he had interviewed for a radio programme, remain in detention. Mohamed Bashir Hashi is a radio journalist working for Radio Shabelle, one of Somali's most well-known independent radio stations. He serves as the head of the Mogadishu branch of the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ).

On 18 November 2013, Radio Shabelle aired a programme in which Mohamed Bashir Hashi interviewed a victim of sexual violence. In the interview, the woman described how two men raped her at gunpoint. She pleaded for the Somalian government to undertake legal action against the two suspects. Mohamed Bashir Hashi later posted a video of the interview on the Radio Shabelle website. Acting on a complaint reportedly filed by one of the suspects, the police arrested both Mohamed Bashir Hashi and the woman he had interviewed.

The police accused them of fabricating the assault story. The manager of Radio Shabelle, Mr Abdimalik Yusuf was also arrested around the same time, but was released shortly thereafter. Human Rights Ambassador William Nicholas Gomes is greatly concerned by the pattern of judicial harassment of journalists in Somalia.

In early February 2013, Front Line Defenders issued an Urgent Appeal about the arrest of another human rights defender and journalist, Mr Abdiasis Abdinur Ibrahim (also known as Koronto), who was sentenced to one year in prison on charges of fabricating a news story with the intent to insult a state institution.

He had been investigating the case of a woman who claimed to have been raped by state security forces. The charges were eventually dropped following a Supreme Court decision ordering his immediate release.

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His Excellency Hassan Sheikh Mohamud President of the Somali Republic Office of the President Mogadishu Somalia Your Excellency, I am William Nicholas Gomes,Human Rights Ambassador for Salem-News.com. On 21 November 2013, Somali security services arrested and detained human rights defender and journalist Mr Mohamed Bashir Hashi, in connection with his work with a 19 year-old victim of sexual violence. Both he and the victim, whom he had interviewed for a radio programme, remain in detention. Mohamed Bashir Hashi is a radio journalist working for Radio Shabelle, one of Somali's most well-known independent radio stations. He serves as the head of the Mogadishu branch of the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ). On 18 November 2013, Radio Shabelle aired a programme in which Mohamed Bashir Hashi interviewed a victim of sexual violence. In the interview, the woman described how two men raped her at gunpoint. She pleaded for the Somalian government to undertake legal action against the two suspects. Mohamed Bashir Hashi later posted a video of the interview on the Radio Shabelle website. Acting on a complaint reportedly filed by one of the suspects, the police arrested both Mohamed Bashir Hashi and the woman he had interviewed. The police accused them of fabricating the assault story. The manager of Radio Shabelle, Mr Abdimalik Yusuf was also arrested around the same time, but was released shortly thereafter. I am greatly concerned by the pattern of judicial harassment of journalists in Somalia. In early February 2013, Mr Abdiasis Abdinur Ibrahim (also known as Koronto), was sentenced to one year in prison on charges of fabricating a news story with the intent to insult a state institution. He had been investigating the case of a woman who claimed to have been raped by state security forces. The charges were eventually dropped following a Supreme Court decision ordering his immediate release. I urge the authorities in Somalia to: Immediately and unconditionally release Mohamed Bashir Hashi as well as the sexual violence victim, as it is believed the arrest was solely motivated by his peaceful and legitimate work in defence of human rights; Carry out a thorough, impartial and immediate investigation into the reported rape in question with a view to publishing the results and bringing those responsible to justice in accordance with international standards; Guarantee in all circumstances that all human rights defenders in Somalia are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions including judicial harassment. Yours Sincerely, William Nicholas Gomes Human Rights Ambassador for Salem-News.com Twitter @wnicholasgomes www.williamnicholasgomes.com

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- See more at: http://www.frontlinedefenders.org/node/24342/action#sthash.EMR217Y3.dpuf