Media Release
8 June 2008

IFJ Demands Action to Protect Journalists After Killing of Somali Leader

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today condemned the shooting of a leading journalist and union leader in Somalia and called for "action not words" from the international community to protect journalists and to take urgent action to restore the rule of law.

The IFJ has strongly backed the protest of the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) whose Vice President Nasteh Dahir Farah, was gunned down by gunmen in the southern town of Kismayu earlier today.
 
The union says he was the victim of a targeted assassination as he returned to his home. He was attacked by an armed gang who shot him several times in the stomach and chest. Nasteh, who worked for the BBC Somali Service and for Reuters died within minutes of being admitted to hospital.

"Once again a leading journalist has been struck down in appalling circumstances," said Jim Boumelha, IFJ President. "It's time for action not words from governments to address the crisis in Somalia and to protect our people." 

Omar Faruk Osman, a member of the IFJ Executive Committee and President of the NUSOJ, said Nasteh was killed by an unidentified group and no-one had claimed responsibility. "We are convinced he was targeted because his life had already been threatened," he said.

He said that the lack of any viable governing authority in Somalia meant that there is no effective rule of law. "No-one is protecting journalists."

Three days ago the union had appealed to the UN Security Council to recognise the crisis facing Somali Journalists, whose lives are regularly threatened.

"There could not be more brutal nor convincing evidence of the need for an urgent international response," said Boumelha. "We mourn the loss of a brave union leader, but we also demand action to secure the safety of all of our colleagues in Somalia."
 
In January journalist Hassan Kafi Hared, 36, was killed after remote-controlled mine exploded inside a road in Siyad Village of Northern part of Kismayu. Two doctors working for Medecins Sans Frontieres and their Somali driver also died.  The killers have not been found.

For more information contact the IFJ at +32 2 235 2207
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 120 countries worldwide