Journalists, lawyers call for capacity support to fight state abuses

A forum of journalists and lawyers in Mogadishu has called for the empowerment of journalists and the general public on their rights and obligations during arrest and prosecution to fight abuses by the state.

The forum organized by Goobjoog Media Group and Garmaal Law Firm in Mogadishu observed that journalists were facing gross abuses by security agencies and state apparatus including the judiciary noting it was important for them to understand the legal processes. The one-day forum covered capacity building on rights of the accused person and freedoms guaranteed by the constitution.

Goobjoog Media Group Director Hassan Mohamud said the training was instrumental in enabling journalists to understand how the legal system works and steps they can take to avoid abuses by the state.

“We have put in place this training to enable you to understand your rights, how you can defend yourself when you appear before a judge and when being cross-examined by prosecutors,” said Mohamud. “How do you deal with your lawyer, what will you be told, will you be intimidated?”

Mohamud noted that in some instances, journalists are testified against by the same people they are working for. “This is what the poet Gaariye says, someone, you’re talking to has stabbed you again; he has hit your back.”

Lawyer Mohamed Genboon who represented Goobjoog Editor Abdiaziz Gurbiye during his arrest and trial elaborated on the justice system, the constitutional rights of journalists, how police and prosecutors are supposed to conduct themselves and the role of lawyers.

He noted the law protects the accused from being forced to sign documents such as confessions.

Speaking for the first time since their released, Gurbiye and Radio Higsi Editor Mohamed Abuja recounted their experiences with the police, prosecutors, jail and courts. Abuja had been in detention for more than five months before he was freed last month for lack of evidence. Police had accused him of belonging to the militant group Al-Shabaab.

“They said you are Al-Shabaab but I told them I was not. They quoted the hadith but I declined because I understand the hadith and the verses.” Abuja noted that the police were pressing him to confess membership of Al-Shabaab.

On his part, Gurbiye reiterated the need for journalists to understand the constitutional guarantees on press freedom.

“Freedom of the press is guaranteed by the constitution according to Article 18. Freedom of Expression and Opinion and Article 32. The right to information, privacy policy, and The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. But if you see someone negotiating with it, he is a dictator,” said Gurbiye.

He thanked journalists and the public for pressing the government to release him and his colleague.

The forum organisers said the trainings will continue to ensure all journalists in the country are reached and understand their rights within the law.