AI report on Somalia: Journalists under attack

Amnistía Internacional publicou esta semana un breve informe sobre as restriccións á liberdade de expresión e os ataques a xornalistas en Somalia, incluíndo a rexión autónoma de Puntland e o autoproclamado Estado independente de Somalilandia.

O informe leva por título “Somalia: Journalists under attack”. Copio e pego un extracto do seu contido:

Somalia is one of the most dangerous places on earth to be a journalist. In a country racked by conflict, journalists have been deliberately targeted. At least nine have been killed since February 2007, even more have been threatened, arrested and harassed. More than 50 have been forced to leave the country. Radio stations and other media outlets have been repeatedly closed.

The spate of attacks on journalists and the media is more than a by-product of the violence in Somalia. Instead, it indicates a systematic attempt to curtail independent journalism.

The situation for journalists in Somalia is the worst it has been since 1991, when the repressive Siad Barre government was overthrown and the state’s collapse began. The continuing conflict between the Ethiopian-backed Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and clan-based insurgents, many associated with the Council of Somali Islamic Courts, has resulted in widespread insecurity and severe restrictions on freedom of expression. [...]

Thousands of Somali civilians have been killed since an upsurge in conflict in Mogadishu and other parts of South Central Somalia in March/April 2007. Many died in indiscriminate bombardments of civilian areas, and in insurgent attacks launched from densely populated areas. Among the dead are a significant number of people who were extrajudicially executed by parties to the conflict.

Nine Somali journalists were among those killed since the start of 2007. Their colleagues believe that at least five were targeted because of their published or broadcast work. [...]