HUMAN RIGHTS EXPERT STRONGLY CONDEMNS KILLING OF JOURNALIST IN MOGADISHU

14 February 2005

The Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia issued the following statement on 10 February in Nairobi:

The Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia, Dr. Ghanim Alnajjar, has expressed deep concern and strong condemnation over the killing of BBC correspondent Kate Peyton yesterday and the grenade attack on Hornafrik Media Inc premises on the night of Friday 28 January 2005, both in Mogadishu.

“Such attacks on media outlets constitute a serious violation of Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. A free an independent press which does not fear any party is a main pillar of any political settlement,” Dr. Alnajjar said. “The media must be allowed to perform its duties without trepidation and I call upon the perpetrators of these acts to renounce all methods of intimidation immediately.”

Dr. Alnajjar is in the region on his annual mission to assess the situation of human rights in Somalia.

* *** *