Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights joins six other international organizations in a letter to Somali government officials calling for all charges against journalist, press freedom advocate, and Secretary General of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS), Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, to be dropped.
The letter details the arbitrary arrests, detention, and persecution that Mr. Mumin has faced in recent months at the hands of the Somali government in response to him exercising his right to freedom of expression. He was first arrested on October 11, 2022, following a public statement expressing concerns about a government directive that restricted freedom of expression. He was released on October 16 and re-arrested on October 18 and developed multiple health issues while in detention. He was released on bail on October 22 on the condition that he would not travel outside of the country and that he would cease his work and expressive activities.
Mr. Mumin and his colleagues at SJS continue to be silenced and frustrated in their advocacy and journalistic work. The letter highlights the chilling effect that Mr. Mumin’s prosecution and the other forms of intimidation from the government have had on freedom of expression and civic space in the country more broadly. Beyond dropping all charges, the organizations urge authorities to respect international human rights law and to create a safe environment for journalists and activists to do their work and exercise their human rights.
The joint letter is available here.