Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS), the Somali Media Association (SOMA) and the Somalia Mechanism for Safety of the Journalists (SMSJ) reject the new demands put forward by the Somalia Federal Government’s Ministry of Information in exchange for the freedom of SJS Secretary-General, Abdalle Ahmed Mumin who is currently out on bail.
On Tuesday 15 November, at a meeting with the media advocates, the Ministry of Information put two ominous conditions in return for Abdalle Mumin’s freedom and the charges against him dropped:
1. That Abdalle Mumin should quit his media advocacy work and that he abandons future criticism of the authorities and;
2. That the media associations should publish an apology statement in favour of the position of the Ministry of Information and to change the position of the media advocates towards the government directive of 8 October;
Our media advocates turned down these unacceptable and unlawful demands resulting the discussion to end abruptly and without any result.
SJS, SOMA and SMSJ condemn the ongoing persecution and threats against Abdalle Mumin as we call the Banadir Regional Court and the Office of the Attorney General to unconditionally drop the baseless and politically-motivated charges against Mr. Mumin including the reportedly new charges added last week.
We express our concern about the ongoing pressure on the court judges by the Ministry of Information officials which could result in travesty of justice.
We call for the top leadership of the Somali Federal Government to ensure that government officials including those at the Ministry of Information to cease the harassment and persecution of Abdalle Mumin and we also call on them to respect and protect the freedom of expression and the freedom of the press.
We stand in solidarity with Abdalle Mumin who continue to face ongoing threats and persecution.
