United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS)
PRESS RELEASE
1 February 2012
UN Special Representative for Somalia condemns murder of radio station director
(Mogadishu
)-The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia, Dr. Augustine P. Mahiga has strongly condemned the murder of Hassan Osman Abdi, the Director of Radio Shabelle, who was shot dead on Saturday, 28 January in Mogadishu.
“I am shocked and saddened by the killing of Hassan Abdi, one of the most prominent journalists in Somalia,” SRSG Mahiga said. “I send my deepest condolences to his family and friends.”
The SRSG welcomed the public condemnation of the killing by the President of Somalia, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, and called for the Transitional Federal Government to conduct a “full, independent investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice.”
The United Nations Political Office for Somalia is working with the Transitional Federal Government and its offices in providing constitutional guarantees necessary to safeguard freedom of expression and the protection of journalists in the country.
“Fostering media independence and pluralism is an essential part of the process of establishing lasting peace and stability in Somalia,” Dr. Mahiga added.
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For more information, please contact: Nick Birnback/Susannah Price, Public Information Office
UN Political Office for Somalia (Nairobi, Kenya)
Tel: +254 20 762 6898 / 6805 or +254739976888 / 733902020
Please visit: www.unpos.unmissions.org
