Hargeisa (Halbeeg News) – Amnesty International on Thursday criticised Somaliland’s attack on dissenting voices by shutting down media houses, arbitrarily arresting and prosecuting individuals perceived as critical of government policies and officials.
In a statement, the agency the authorities in Somaliland appear to have stepped up over the past three months.
Amnesty said between 17 April and 9 May, four individuals were arrested.
“A journalist, an opposition youth leader, and a civil servant were detained after publishing critical Facebook posts, and a Member of Parliament was detained after he publicly questioned the significance of celebrating 18 May as a national day. One of them told us he sustained injuries during the arrest,” the statement reads in part.
The agency stated Somaliland authorities also arbitrarily suspended two privately-owned television stations – Horyaal 24 and Eryal TV – for allegedly “airing information that is a threat to national security” without specific details.
The ban on the two stations was lifted on 30 June after a “mutual understanding” was reached between the Ministry of Information and the TV owners.
“The increase in harassment and intimidation of government critics we are witnessing underscores the intolerance that the current government displays towards diverse opinions and their lack of regard for human rights protections,” said Joan Nyanyuki, Amnesty International’s Director for East Africa, the Horn and the Great Lakes. “These arrests and suspensions make a total mockery of the Somaliland constitution which explicitly guarantees the right to freedom of expression.”
Amnesty International says it interviewed some of the victims, their family members, and lawyers during a fact-finding mission to Hargeisa between 15-24 June 2019 and attended one of the court hearings for the journalist.
The organization found that all four men were targeted for expressing critical views.
Amnesty said last April Somaliland authorities arrested freelance journalist, Abdimalik Muse Oldon outside his home in Burao for criticizing President Muse Bihi Abdi on Facebook.
He was charged on 6 June with “spreading anti-national propaganda” and “disseminating false news”.
Abdimalik is currently held at Hargeisa Central Prison as their cases are heard and determined.
“The authorities are using the vaguely worded, outdated criminal offences in the penal code of 1962 to crackdown on freedom of expression. The problematic provisions in the penal code must be repealed and aligned with the constitution so that the authorities fully respect, protect, promote and fulfill the freedom of expression in Somaliland,” said Joan Nyanyuki.
“The Somaliland authorities must immediately and unconditionally release these men who are detained solely for exercising their freedom of expression and desist from this wanton harassment of government critics.”
Amnesty International spoke to the Attorney-General of Maroodi Jeex region, where Hargeisa is located, Moulid Abdi Muse, who justified the government actions saying they were protecting national security.
“The Somaliland constitution protects the right to freedom of expression but also limits this right. We are therefore obliged to make sure individuals are not abusing this right especially when it comes to issues threatening the stability of the country and transgressing on the rights of others,” Moulid Abdi Muse said.
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