UN Special Representative for Somalia statement on assassination of Somali Official

UNPOS
Sunday, August 12, 2012

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The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, Dr. Augustine P. Mahiga, strongly condemns the killing of Somali Information Ministry Official and veteran Somali journalist Yusuf Ali Osman, also known as “Yusuf-Farey”, today in Mogadishu. Yusuf-Farey was working as Media Relations Director at the Ministry of Information, Posts and Telecommunications. He was also a past Director of Radio Mogadishu.

“It was only 12 days ago that the comedian and media worker “Marshale” was killed. Today we mourn another prominent member of the Somali media community, Yusuf-Farey.” SRSG Mahiga said. “I send my deepest condolences to his family and to all Somali media professionals, who for too long have seen their colleagues targeted, injured and assassinated without a single perpetrator being brought to justice”, SRSG Mahiga said.

The UN has called repeatedly on full and independent investigations to these unacceptable and cowardly acts which have made Somalia one of the most dangerous places on earth for media professionals. “It is simply unacceptable that over the course of the year justice was not served for any of the victims of these crimes”, SRSG Mahiga added. “This culture of impunity must end. We must not allow the fundamental freedoms that a free press represents to be compromised by those willing to use violence to serve their personal agendas. This is a decisive time in the political process and the work of media needs to be protected so that the Somali people are fully informed”

UNPOS reiterates its call for the TFG to strengthen its police investigative capacity and stands ready to assist however possible in this regard.

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