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Geneva,(insidesomalia.org)-Head of the Mexican Mission, First President of the UN Human Rights
Council, the National Union of Somali Journalists joined forces with
the International Covenant for Protection of Journalists, Press Emblem
Campaign and Swiss Federation of Journalists (IMPRESSUM) with theme of
“Possible Measures for the Protection of Journalists in Conflict
Zones
and Civil Unrest”.
Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General, talked about Press Freedom
and Journalists' Safety in Somalia. “Somali Media professionals *are
at
high physical risk, as their ‘impartiality’ is not respected and
protected, especially those in south-central regions of the country”
he
said.
He stated that in ongoing levels of conflict, all sides are seeking to
control, stifle and manipulate information. “The media houses and
journalists are being targeted as part of conflict, their professional
activities obstructed, abuse of authority is widespread and largely
unchallenged” he said.
“Somali journalists who are reaching out to any side in conflict
sources
are threatened and pressurized by the other opposing side because of
their impartial, fair and accurate reporting” Omar Faruk declared.
Stating that Killed journalists are victims of serious violations of
Human Rights, Hedayat Abdelnabi Coordinator of International Covenant
for the Protection of Journalists and the President of the Press Emblem
Campaign said “The tragedy is part and parcel of Human rights,
because
the sacred right of life is violated, followed by an earth shattering
impact of multiple violations of rights when it concerns families of
fallen journalists”.
"An international convention is the best and quickest way to obtain
concrete results. We can put in a text a lot of new provisions on
mechanisms of enquiry, sanctions, advance warning, identification,
training, compensation, follow-up. It would be wonderful if all
together
we will be able to launch this process this year at the occasion of the
Sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It
would be a very strong signal from the international community in order
To stop impunity", said Press Emblem Campaign’s Secretary-General,
Blaise Lempen.
Alexandre Curchod, Central secretary Swiss Federation of Journalists
(IMPRESSUM) also spoke at the event and insisted the protection of
journalists in conflict through the implementation of international
laws.
NUSOJ together with the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders
Network, Amnesty International and Human Rights will be addressing
tomorrow, Tuesday, 18 March an event on Human Rights and Human Rights
Defenders in Crisis in Somalia at UN Human Rights Council with the
focus
of problems facing Somali Journalists.
Source: NUSOJ
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