Verklaring Hoge Vertegenwoordiger Ashton over moord op Somalische journalist Abdi (en)

The spokesperson of Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission, issued the following statement today:

'"The High Representative condemns the brutal assassination of Hassan Osman Abdi, senior journalist and Head of the Shabelle Media Network, on 28 January in Mogadishu. This follows a string of assassinations ofjournalists in Somalia under similar conditions. The High Representative expresses her sincere condolences to the families, colleagues and friends of all those assassinated for carrying out their duty. She is alarmed by the rise in the number of attacks against journalists and media workers in Somalia, a country sadly known as the most dangerous in Africa for journalists to work in. She commends the courageous work of journalists who, despite this insecurity, continue to provide independent information in Somalia.

The High Representative notes the decision of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) to conduct a thorough investigation and expects that the perpetrators will be identified and brought to justice. She calls upon the TFG to take immediate action to improve public security and to take immediate steps to address impunity, including through identifying an appropriate legal framework. The TFG has a responsibility to guarantee the safety of journalists and to allow them to carry out their vital role ofproviding independent information on events without fear of violence. Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right and the cornerstone of a free and democratic society, crucial for the free flow of information to which everyone is entitled and a vital component in the protection of all other freedoms and liberties. "