Arabic Network for Human Rights Information
Press release
Friday, December 13, 2013
The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) today deprecated the unfair and politicized judgment issued on December 9 by Mogadishu Court to imprison "Abdel Malek Youssef"- Head of Radio Shabelle - over insulting state institution charge, while journalist "Mohamed Bashir Hashi" was given a 6-month in prison sentence on defamation charge. Moreover, the reporter, who allegedly raped by two journalists, was carried 6-months in prison suspended sentence on the backdrop of an interview with Hashi; her rape incident.
"Mohamed Bashir Hashi", a reporter works for Radio Shabelle, had an interview with a female reporter, who allegedly raped by two journalists. After posting the video on Radio Shabelle site, a journalist filed a complaint against Hashi and the reporter. Instead of investigating the event of raping the reporter, the security bodies arrested Hashi and her over the charge of insulting the other two journalists. A lawsuit over a defamation charge against them was instituted. Following many hearing, the court issued these harsh judgments without verifying the female reporter's allegations.
It is reported that the journalist and owner of Shabelle were released on bail, as the judgment is issued by a court of first instance. So they can appeal it before other courts.
Somali authorities follow an inordinate system in addressing the victims of rape. The authorities mete out the girls who dare to disclose their rape cases. Last February, Somali Court sentenced a rape victim and the journalist, who had an interview with her, to one year in prison against the backdrop of a similar incident. However, they were released two months later, in response to international pressures and campaigns of civil society organizations all over the world. This system gives the rapists carte blanche to rape girls. At the time that authorities hasten to try victims of rape, they don't investigate their allegations of rape; consequently Somalia is considered as one the countries that waste laws and justice.
Radio Shabelle is always targeted by Somali security forces, as it was formerly stormed and its equipments were confiscated. Moreover, the authorities constantly refuse to grant it the licenses necessary for broadcast; aiming to restrict it and stop its work.
ANHRI said, "The unfair judgment clarifies that Somali judiciary is dependent and tries to satisfy authorities and security bodies. On the other hand, it confirms how difficult is the atmosphere in Somalia for press."
ANHRI elaborates that the trial was politicized in order to punish Radio Shabelle due to its political line, as the head of Radio Shabelle is sentenced to one year in prison over insulting state institutions charge, which has no relation with the defamation charge of journalist "Hashi".
It is noteworthy that no less than 7 journalists were killed in 2013 in Somalia , while 18 journalists were killed last year.
ANHRI calls on Somali authorities to end these absurd trial and to drop all charges against the rape victim and journalist, who did nothing except spreading the truth. It calls for taking series procedures to reform justice and to guarantee freedom of expression.