Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Somalia marked Human Rights Day on Monday (December 10th) in a ceremony at Mogadishu's Aden Adde International Airport, UN-funded Radio Bar-Kulan reported.
Minister of Information and Telecommunications Abdullahi Ilmoge Hirsi paid tribute to 18 journalists killed in Somalia this year, the deadliest year for Somali journalists, promising that the government will protect all media workers.
Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia Mohamat Annadif also reiterated the commitment of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) to protect the rights of Somali civilians.
"A secure environment free of violence, hunger and intimidation is a necessary precondition for the full enjoyment of human rights," Annadif said in a press statement. "AMISOM is today helping the Somali government and security forces create such an environment within Somalia and to confront those who would wish to deny freedom and liberty to the Somali people."
Annadif said AMISOM soldiers regularly undergo training on relevant aspects of international human rights law. AMISOM has also implemented strict no-fire zones in Mogadishu, designed to keep safe areas with high concentrations of civilians, he said.
"Respect for human rights is a fundamental aspect of our training efforts as we work to build up the capacity of the Somali national security forces," he said.