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STAND AGAINST
POLITICAL KILLINGS
(SHHRF 0091/2007, 13 August 2007)
(English version)
Sultan Hurre Human Rights Focus (SHHRF) condemns the
dreadful killing of Ali Iman Sharmarke and Mahad Ahmed Elmi, two
prominent Somali journalists who were at the height of their professional
careers. Ali Iman Sharmarke was co-founder of HornAfrik media, while Mahad
Ahmed Elmi, hosted a popular radio talk show on Capital Voice, an FM station
owned by HornAfrik Media.
Our heart goes to the family, relatives and friends of
these two audacious men. We urge you not to give in to intimidations.
Silencing the media by intimidation and assassination is another form of
what is known as ‘the culture of political assassination’.
Although the perpetrators are not yet known, such
malicious act, undoubtly, bears the hallmark of the culture of political
assassination that has continued in Somalia for the past two decades or so.
Those who died because of their convictions include Elman, Farah Dhere and
Sultan Ahmed Hurre.
It was only about a year ago when Somalis and the
international community were mourning for the shocking murder of Abdulqadir
Yahya, a man who stood for the good of his country. Yahya never though that
he will end up being killed in front of his family. Yahya’s killing was
preceded by the political assassination of Sultan Ahmed Hurre, a man who
returned to his home country but killed in public with impunity.
This latest round of killing demonstrates the extent of
Somali political killings and how the perpetrators have created an attitude
of ‘why bother your political enemies when you can eliminate (and silence
them)’. This mind-set is well known in all Somali regions and the most
successful one in this culture has the best chance of gaining the highest
takings. Today Somalia is a country whose most valuable people tend to be
victims of assassination.
A responsible and free media is an essential element in
the process of helping Somali society to reunite and solve their problems.
Suppressing the media can only exasperate Somali plight further by hindering
the much needed awareness about tolerance of social and political diversity
within Somali society.
One way Somalis can get out from this vicious circle is
to say “Enough is enough” and stand against those whose business is
political violence.
Sultan Hurre Human Rights Focus (SHHRF) |
