SRSG Keating condemns killing of Radio Shabelle journalist

28 Sep 2016

SRSG Keating condemns killing of Radio Shabelle journalist

 

PRESS STATEMENT 24/2016

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia Michael Keating strongly condemns the murder of the Radio Shabelle journalist Abdiaziz Mohamed Ali in the Somali capital yesterday by two unknown gunmen.

The perpetrators have not yet been identified. A highly regarded reporter and producer, Mr. Ali became the second Somali journalist to meet a violent death this year. A total of 31 Somali journalists have been murdered since August 2012, according to the UNSOM Human Rights and Protection Group.

“Mr. Ali was an inquisitive, experienced and resourceful journalist who regularly covered press conferences offered by the international community in Mogadishu,” said Mr. Keating. “His death represents a great loss to the country’s journalistic community, and we extend our thoughts and condolences to Mr. Ali’s friends and family.”   

Earlier this month, UNSOM and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights issued a report on the right to freedom of expression that described Somalia as “a dangerous operating environment” that has especially affected journalists and media workers. In 2015, Somalia was ranked as the worst country on the Committee to Protect Journalists’ Global Impunity Index list, which documents the lack of accountability for crimes against journalists and media workers worldwide.

UNSOM calls on Somali authorities to spare no effort in bringing the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice.