Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
Voice of America is funded by the US Federal Government and content it
exclusively produces is in the public domain.
August 13, 2007

UN Official Condemns Killing of Somali Journalists
--------------------------------------------------

http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=189843C:A6F02AD83191E160C3CD29CC398963249574F7DCC14957C0 Eric
Laroche calls for decisive action to ensure freedom and safety of
media in Somalia





UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia Erick Laroche chats with
handicapped girl in an internally displaced camp situated on the
outskirts of Mogadishu, 1 Aug. 2007The UN resident and humanitarian
coordinator for Somalia has “strongly condemned” the killings of two
Somali journalists. Eric Laroche is calling for “decisive action to
ensure the freedom and safety of the media.”

Radio HornAfrik journalist Mahad Ahmed Elmi was shot dead Saturday,
while HornAfrik founder and chairman Ali Iman Sharmarke was killed
when his car passed a roadside bomb as he returned from his
colleague’s funeral.

>From Nairobi, Laroche spoke to VOA English to Africa Service reporter
Joe De Capua about the deaths of the Somali journalists.

“First, let me express my personal sympathy to the families and
colleagues of those two journalists. I think it’s very, very
unfortunate and we are all very much shocked at what has happened to
them. I want also to express my solidarity with members of all these
media professions that do some vital work. Because people have the
right to know, particularly in Somalia,” he says.

He says the two “respected” journalists had worked closely with NGOs
to raise awareness about such things as HIV/AIDS and landmines.

“There have been six journalists that have been killed in Somalia
since the beginning of the year…. It also shows that it is so
difficult to do this work in Somalia. And it shows that these people
need to be fully protected. And it’s very important that they keep
having freedom of information and freedom of media in Somalia,”
Laroche says.

As for his call for decisive action to protect the media, he says, “I
think the Transitional Federal Government has the responsibility to
ensure this protection. I think it is really important that – and they
have started doing it – they have to conduct immediately an impartial
investigation, in spite of the difficulties…to work and to make sure
the authority of the Transitional Federal Government is going to be
seen in Mogadishu. I think it is very important that somehow these
media have to be respected and have to be protected. It is really
important.”

Current draft legislation is being considered in Somalia to ensure
freedom and protection of the media. “How to we do that in practice? I
must say it’s very difficult…because the violence against the media
and against journalists comes from all parties to the conflict. And I
think we have to have enhanced respect for these people that are doing
an essential job,” he says.

Asked whether he sees any improvement in Somalia, the UN officials
says, “It’s very difficult for me to say that…. The characteristic of
Somalis is one day it’s up and the day after it’s down. And it’s
always like this…. I think you need to look at the trend…. They all
talk about Mogadishu, but in fact, Mogadishu is not Somalia, frankly
speaking. So, in the rest of Somalia, I think the situation is
evolving on a reasonable track. But Mogadishu is definitely a major
problem.”





Feedback



We'd like to hear what you have to say. Let us know what you think of
this report and other news and features on our website. Email your
views about what is happening in Africa to: africa@voanews.com.Please
include your name and phone number if you would like us to include
your comments on our programs.




.