NUSOJ Calls for UN Human Rights body to renew the mandate of Independent Human Rights Expert for Somalia.
Published: 7 September 2010

Mogadishu, Somalia, September 25, 2009(SOMINA)- The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) today calls for the renewal of the mandate of the Independent Expert on Human Rights situation in Somalia and warns that the failure to do so will heighten violations as rights abusers and perpetrators would enjoy unbridled impunity.

“We are aware that the mandate of the Independent Expert of Human Rights ends this month. Our main fear is that if this mandate is not renewed, Somalia will slide back decidedly into the abyss of violence and impunity, where criminals and other rights abusers will be carrying out their activities without fear of being made accountable,” said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary-General.

NUSOJ makes an earnest request to Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government (TFG) to accept and support the renewal of the mandate as a concerned member State. The union also appeals to the Africa Group and the other members of the council to rally behind its call and vote for the renewal of this mandate after when the Independent Expert presents his report at the end of this month.

Already, the Somali journalist body said, impunity is on the rise and Somalia is facing excessively dour violations of freedom of expression. Media houses are being threatened with abominable closure. Journalists are being shot and killed in targeted attacks. People are being kidnapped, bombarded, shot, amputated or forced out of their residential areas without any fear of reprisal.

“This in itself is a pointer to the fact that there is great need to continue putting Somalia in the international spotlight. Failure to renew the mandate of the Independent Expert would be tantamount to passing a death sentence on the helpless ordinary Somalis,” Omar added.

This year alone, six journalists have been killed and many more journalists were threatened to death, making the country deadly place for journalists in the world. A day hardly passes without serious human rights violation being committed in a senseless war that has claimed thousands of lives.