Free Expression Groups’ Forum launched in Somalia
26-01-2007 (Paris)
Forty Somali media organisations, civil society and human rights groups have allied to create the «Somali Forum for Freedom of Expression» (SOFFE). The decision came at the end of a four-day roundtable held in Mogadishu from 19 to 22 January 2007.
The event was organized by the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) with the support of UNESCO’s International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC).
During the roundtable, more than 50 participants from the media professional community and the civil society from throughout the country talked about the conditions of the media, obstacles facing freedom of expression advocacy organisations, as well as ways of enhancing collaborations among stakeholders and the role of civil society in promoting freedom of expression. Joined by representatives from Somalia's Transitional Federal Government, UNESCO and UNDP, the participants also debated on the safety of journalists and media’s role in defending human rights.
The meeting produced a workplan for the SOFFE, the Forum’s Statute and a final declaration. The advocacy groups’ representatives cooperatively pledged «to work together in a spirit of solidarity, democracy, and equality to make the Somali Forum for Freedom of Expression an instrument for protecting and promoting freedom of expression, and to be capable to realize its set objectives.»
An Executive Council of fifteen members was elected according to geographical and professional criteria. Ahmed Mohammed Ali «Kiimiko», Chairperson of the Somali Human Rights Defenders Network (SOHRIDEN), was chosen as President of the SOFFE, while Mowlid Haji Abdi, Director-General of the SBC radio-television station, was elected as vice-president.
«It is our pleasure to host this vital meeting which has produced excellent results - said Omar Faruk Osman, the Secretary-General of NUSOJ in his closing remarks - Now, we have a stronger and more united voice that is advocating freedom of expression». The journalists’ representative concluded that «an enormous challenge is before us, but I hope we have the energy to face it.»
During the roundtable, more than 50 participants from the media professional community and the civil society from throughout the country talked about the conditions of the media, obstacles facing freedom of expression advocacy organisations, as well as ways of enhancing collaborations among stakeholders and the role of civil society in promoting freedom of expression. Joined by representatives from Somalia's Transitional Federal Government, UNESCO and UNDP, the participants also debated on the safety of journalists and media’s role in defending human rights.
The meeting produced a workplan for the SOFFE, the Forum’s Statute and a final declaration. The advocacy groups’ representatives cooperatively pledged «to work together in a spirit of solidarity, democracy, and equality to make the Somali Forum for Freedom of Expression an instrument for protecting and promoting freedom of expression, and to be capable to realize its set objectives.»
An Executive Council of fifteen members was elected according to geographical and professional criteria. Ahmed Mohammed Ali «Kiimiko», Chairperson of the Somali Human Rights Defenders Network (SOHRIDEN), was chosen as President of the SOFFE, while Mowlid Haji Abdi, Director-General of the SBC radio-television station, was elected as vice-president.
«It is our pleasure to host this vital meeting which has produced excellent results - said Omar Faruk Osman, the Secretary-General of NUSOJ in his closing remarks - Now, we have a stronger and more united voice that is advocating freedom of expression». The journalists’ representative concluded that «an enormous challenge is before us, but I hope we have the energy to face it.»
© Omar Faruk Osman
Participants of the meeting© Omar Faruk Osman
Related themes/countries
· Freedom of Expression: News Archives 2007
· News Archives: 2007
· Somalia: News Archives 2007
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Contact
- Sylvie Coudray, UNESCO, Division of Freedom of Expression, Democracy and Peace
- Andrea Cairola, UNESCO, Division of Freedom of Expression, Democracy and Peace
- UNESCO
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