PUBLIC AI Index: AFR 52/008/2007

04 April 2007

Further Information on UA 26/07 (AFR 52/002/2007, 02 February 2007) and follow-ups (AFR 52/003/2007, 19 February 2007; AFR 52/004/200, 8 March 2007) - Prisoners of conscience/incommunicado detention/fear of ill-treatment/legal concern

SOMALILAND Yusuf Abdi Gabobe (m), aged in his late 50s ] Journalists for the Haatuf
Ali Abdi Dini (m) ] Media Network
Mohamed Omar Sheikh Ibrahim (m) ]

On 29 March the President of Somaliland issued a decree pardoning Haatuf journalists Yusuf Abdi Gabobe, Ali Abdi Dini and Mohamed Omar Sheikh Ibrahim. The three men were released from Mandera prison, where they had been serving sentences ranging from 24 to 29 months after they were found guilty on 4 March of "reporting false information about the government, discrediting the president and his family and creating inter-communal tension." A fourth Haatuf journalist who was convicted in his absence of the same offences has also been pardoned.

The presidential decree pardoning the four men was issued as an EU delegation arrived in Somaliland. The delegation travelled to Mandera prison, and was there to meet the Haatuf journalists as they were released. The journalists were greeted by a crowd of relatives, friends, journalists and human rights activists who gathered in front of the prison on hearing the news of the presidential pardon.

Amnesty International welcomes the release of the Haatuf journalists, who were prisoners of conscience imprisoned solely for exercising their right to freedom of expression.

No further action is requested from the UA network. Many thanks to all who sent appeals.