SOMALIA: EHAHRDP strongly condems targeted killing of journalist in car bomb attack yesterday

The East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project (EHAHRDP) strongly condemns the killing of Somali journalist Hindiya Mohamed on 3 December 2015. She was badly wounded by a bomb planted in her car yesterday and died hours later from her injuries in hospital. According to news reports, the terrorist group Al Shabaab are believed to be responsible for the attack.

Hindiya was a producer and reporter with the state-run outlets Radio Mogadishu and Somali National TV. She was the widow of another journalist who, along with three others, was killed in a suicide bomb attack in Mogadishu in September 2012. She leaves behind seven children.

“For too long, Somali journalists have been subjected to horrific attacks such as this one,” said Hassan Shire, the Executive Director of EHAHRDP, extending condolences to her family, friends and colleagues. “The authorities must act now and ensure a swift, thorough investigation is undertaken into the death of Hindiya. The perpetrators of this crime and all other attacks on media workers must be held to account.”

Al Shabaab have claimed responsibility for two large scale attacks resulting in the deaths of three other journalists this year. According to EHAHRDP’s research, a total of five journalists have been killed this year.

During its examination under the Universal Periodic Review in 2011, the Government of Somalia committed to conducting investigations into the killings of journalists. However, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, in the past five years, 25 journalists have been killed in Somalia without any consequences for perpetrators, which raises serious concerns about the government’s will to combat violations.

Somalia is ranked 172nd out of 180 on the Reporters Without Borders 2015 World Press Freedom Index and remains one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists to operate.

For further information, please contact:

Hassan Shire, Executive Director, East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project on: executive@defenddefenders.org or +256 772 753 753 (English and Somali)

Clementine de Montjoye, Advocacy & Research Officer, East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project on: advocacy@defenddefenders.org or +256 752 183 305/ +33 6 58 56 26 50 (French and English)

Kafia Omar, Special Programs Officer, East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project on: specialprograms@defenddefenders.org or +256 312265824/ +256 775878392 (English and Somali)