Thursday, January 19, 2017

Somaliland: Court of appeals sets date for a case against Hubsad journalists

(HRC Press Release)- The government’s appeal against regional court judgment that acquitted Abdirashid Nour Ways, the chairman of Hubsad newspaper and the editor-in-chief, Saed Khadar Abdilahi, will be heard by Hargeisa Regional Appeal Court in 23rd January 2017, according to Abdirashid Nour Ways.

On 12th November 2016, Hargeisa Regional Court acquitted the two journalists who were accused of publication of false news and running unlicensed newspaper.
The Office of the Attorney General appealed against the court decision and demands the imprisonment of the two journalists.

 
 “The journalists did not do anything criminal, but they were simply doing their work as journalists. It is unacceptable the government to harass the critical journalists and shut down their media houses. Hubsad, Codka Shacabka and Haatuf newspapers are all closed by the government,” says Guleid Ahmed Jama, the chairperson of Human Rights Centre.
 “We call on the government to withdraw the appeal and respect the freedom of media guaranteed by the constitution of Somaliland and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Regional Court acquitted the journalists, but endorsed the suspension of the newspaper. The judgement was absurd and unfavourable to the freedom of media. Now the Attorney General is demanding harsher judgement,” adds Guleid.

Guleid Ahmed Jama
Chairperson of Human Rights Centre
Hargeisa Somaliland
Email: chair@hrcsomaliland.org
19th January 2017                                                                                            3/2017

Maxkamadda Rafcaanka Hargeysa waxay mudaysay dhegaysiga dacwad ka dhan ah suxufiyiinta wargeyska Hubsad
Maxkamadda Rafcaanka Gobolka Hargeysa waxaay 23ka January 2017 u mudaysay dacwad rafcaan ah oo ka dhan ah Cabdirashiid Nuur Wacays, gudoomiyaha wargayska Hubsad iyo Siciid Khadar Cabdilaahi, tafatiraha Hubsad, sida uu Xarunta u xaqiijiyay Cabdirashiid Nuur Wacays.
 12kii November 2016 ayay Maxkamadda Gobolka Hargeysa soo saartay xukun ay sheegtay inay waxba ku wayday labada suxufi oo lagu soo eedeeyey inay daabaceen war been ah iyo inay soo saareen wargeys aan diiwaangashanayn.
Xafiiska Xeer-ilaaliyaha Guud wuxuu rafcaan ka qaatay xukunka isaga oo raba in la xidho labada suxufi.

 “Suxufiiyiintani wax dembi ah may gelin waxaayse guteen oo keliya shaqadooda suxufinimo. Waa waxaan la aqbali karin in dawladdu kadeedo suxufiyiinta dhaliisha tebiya oo ay xidho warbaahintooda. Wargeysyada Hubsad, Codka Shacabka iyo Haatuf dhamaantood waxa xayirtay dawladda,” ayuu yidhi Guleid Ahmed Jama, gudoomiyaha Xarunta Xuquuqal Insaanka.
Wuxuu intaas ku daray “Dawladdu waa inay dib ula noqoto rafcaanka oo ay ixtiraamto xorriyadda warbaahinta ee ay damaanad qaadeen dastuurka Somaliland iyo Baaqa Caalamiga ah ee Xuquuqal Insaanka. Maxkamadda Gobolku way sii daysay labada suxufi waxaayse ayiday xayiraadda wargeyska. Xukunka Maxkamada Gobolku waa mid qaloocan oo aan dani ugu jirin xorriyadda warbaahinta. Hada, Xeer-ilaaliyaha Guud wuxuu codsanayaa ciqaab tan kasii culus.”



Guleid Ahmed Jama
Gudoomiyaha Xarunta Xuquuqal Insaanka
Hargeisa Somaliland
Email: chair@hrcsomaliland.org
http://www.hrcsomaliland.org/