UNESCO Director-General condemns murder of Somali journalist Farhan James Abdulle

PARIS, France, May 7, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova today deplored the murder of Somali radio journalist Farhan James Abdulle, who was shot dead on 2 May by unidentified gunmen in the village of Garsoor in Central Somalia.

“Farhan James Abdulle was a fervent defender of press freedom, and fought for improved security for journalists,” the Director-General said. “His tragic death, on the eve of World Press Freedom Day, deprives the people of Somalia of a voice that spoke out for their right to be informed and their right to freedom of expression.

“The construction of a robust democracy is a complex task, especially in those countries emerging from conflict. Press freedom plays a vital role in this and journalists must be able to work without fearing for their lives, if they are to fulfill their responsibilities. Every effort must therefore be deployed to find the killers of Farhan James Abdulle and bring them to justice. There must be no impunity.”

Abdulle, 27, was a reporter for Radio Daljir – Galkayo branch. He is the fifth journalist to be murdered in Somalia in this year.