Human Rights Center Condemns the Arrest and Continued Detention of Journalist Abdikani Baylood and Poet Ismail Jiheye

The Human Rights Center strongly condemns the arrest and continued detention of journalist Abdikani Baylood and poet Ismail Jiheye, who were arrested on 28 and 29 August in Hargeisa in connection with poetry reportedly critical of the President of Somaliland.

The Center is deeply concerned that these arrests and the continued detention of the two individuals constitute a serious infringement on freedom of expression, artistic expression, and media freedom. The Constitution of the Republic of Somaliland expressly guarantees fundamental rights and freedoms that are directly relevant to this case.

Article 32 — Freedom of Public Demonstration, Expression of Opinion, Press and Other Media protects citizens’ freedom to express their opinions and specifically recognizes the freedom of the press and other media as fundamental freedoms of expression. The Constitution further provides that the press and other media are independent and prohibits acts intended to subjugate them.

The Constitution also protects individual liberty. Article 25 provides that no person shall be deprived of liberty except in accordance with the law and recognizes fundamental guarantees concerning rights and freedoms.

The Human Rights Center is increasingly concerned about what it observes as a growing pattern of arrests and restrictions affecting journalists, artists, writers, and other citizens exercising their right to freedom of expression in Somaliland.

Such developments are deeply concerning because the protection of freedom of speech and media freedom is not merely a matter of political preference. It is a constitutional obligation.

The Human Rights Center therefore calls upon the relevant authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Abdikani Baylood and Ismail Jiheye.

Yasmin Omar H. Mohamoud
Chairperson of the Human Rights Center

Hargeisa, Somaliland
hrcsomaliland@gmail.com
Twitter: @hrcsomaliland