Somaliland human rights center criticizes court’s order to remand detained journalists

In an exclusive interview with CBA TV, Somaliland human rights center chairperson Yasmin Omar defended 15 journalists who were detained in Hargeisa on 13th April over covering a prison riot in Somaliland’s capital Hargeisa.

She described the arrest as “un constitutional” and denounced Maroodijeeh regional court’s order to remand the detained journalists for another five days in police custody. Yasmin noted that the constitution guarantees reporters to access information without fear of censorship and harassment.

She expressed pessimism about the current situation on freedom of speech and expression in Somaliland. Yasmin also revealed youth arrested in Burao for expressing their ideas in social media platforms.

On the afternoon of Wednesday, security personnel — including police and intelligence officers — arrested a group of at least 15 journalists, working for several local private media outlets and two international outlets, who were covering a fight between inmates and guards at a prison in Hargeisa.