Brussels, 5 July 2018 - The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)has adopted the adoption of the European Parliament on the Somali government to the press secretion of journalists and trade unions, in particular the IFJ affiliate in Somalia, the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), the country's journalists' union and its leader.

The resolution of the European Parliament on the human rights situation in Somalia and the European Parliament on the strength of denounces and violations of freedom of association, the targeting of journalists, attacks on the freedom of the crimes committed against Somali journalists.

The European Parliament strongly condemns "the grave violations of freedom of association and freedom of expression against Somalia's free and independent trade unions and in particular, the longstanding repression against the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) [...] and demands the end The Secretary of State of the Attorney General of Mr. Omar Faruk Osman, Secretary General of NUSOJ "and urges" the Federal Government of Somalia to respect and uphold the international rule of law, and fully accept and implement the decisions of the International Labor Organization (ILO) on case 3113 ".

It also "deplores State and non-State actors" violations of the freedom of expression in Somalia; considers any intimidation, harassment, detention or killing or journalists and civil society activists as absolutely unacceptable; asserts that freedom of expression and thought is indispensable for the development of a strong and democratic society; calls on the Government of Somalia to ensure the right to freedom of expression is fully respected ".

The resolution in the wake of ongoing concern expressed by Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) about the targeting of NUSOJ and its leaders, including arbitrary detention, the independence of the union. European parliamentarian unanimously and collectively expressed their concern that "freedom of expression continues to be severely limited in Somalia [...] and trade union and workers" rights activists face intimidation, reprisals and harassment on a daily basis, stigmatization and smear campaigns against unionists are common place in Somalia ".

IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger welcomed the resolution. He said: "Somalia remains one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists and their leaders. We call on the Somali government to stop the press and uphold the decisions of the ILO and respect international law ".

The unanimous adoption of this resolution by Europe's legislative body proves once again the enormity of the fusion of the freedom of expression and freedom of association against NUSOJ members and leaders which the IFJ has long documented. The abuses have also been validated by the UN Laboratory body, the ILO, and today's vote in Somalia but also those who conceal or ignore these improper human rights abuses.

IFJ has pledged to continue to support NUSOJ and to mount international campaign to protect the union and journalists, and Somalia's endangered media community.