The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) is today protesting over the arrest of Radio Reporter in Afgoye district of Lower Shabelle region by local authorities.
Journalist Hassan Mayow Hassan of Radio Shabelle was arrested Monday morning, 7 May 2007, by the police in Afgoye after the district commissioner ordered the police's action.
The motivation behind the arrest was not officially declared, but trustworthy sources told NUSOJ that Hassan was arrested for a report he made yesterday (Sunday) on government forces that killed people in the district.
"We denounce this arrest of Hassan Mayow Hassan" said Omar Faruk Osman, Secretary General of NUSOJ. "We demand the unconditional and immediate release of the journalist". "Arresting a journalist for a news report is not only a press freedom violation but is also infringing public's right to be informed" he said. "Rough treatments from Police and other TFG forces are intolerable, and we urge government officials to end violations these violations" Omar Faruk added.
On 8th April, three journalists for Universal Television, an independent Somali language television, were arrested at Mogadishu airport and are still being detained without official charging.
"We reiterate our call for the release of our colleaguesn of Universal TV" said Omar Faruk. "We invoke local journalists and international community to put pressure on the TFG to release the journalists".
