SOCOTU Calls for Immediate Release of Goobjoog Editor

Somali Congress Of Trade Union strongly condemns for unreasonable detention of Goobjoog journalist, Abdiazizi Ahmed Gurbiye and call for immediate release.

The Editor was arrested on 14th April 2020 following an order from the office of the president, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo.

Gurbiye was accused of a statement he posted on his Facebook Account which states a ventilator donated to martini hospital transferred to the office of the president without prioritizing the agency.

“The statement cannot justify by any means of the journalist arrest, therefore, Somali Congress of Trade Union strongly condemns the risking attack,  detention sustained act of intimidation”. Said Somali congress of trade Union in a statement.

The federal of Somali journalist (FESOJ) has also strongly condemned the unlawful arrest of the journalist, and the decision to undermine media work and their investigations.

“We indeed deplore the absurd charges pressed against Goobjoog Deputy Director Abdiaziz Ahmed Gurbiye,” said Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu FESOJ Secretary-General

“We believe the use of criminal defamation charges against journalists and other critics will violate their right to freedom of expression and media freedom” he added

According to the UN Human Rights Committee stated that the State should consider decriminalizing defamation and that, even in the most serious cases imprisonment is never an appropriate penalty to the defendants so far the country faces insecurity objections.

Goobjoog News