The European Union (EU) Parliament issued a statement through its Chairperson of the Subcommittee on Human Rights asking for the unconditional and immediate release of a Somaliland journalist from detention.
The government of Somaliland has detained the journalist, Abdimalik Musse Oldon, since April 17, 2019. Several organizations, including Amnesty International and politicians have criticized the Somaliland authorities for his detention.
Maria Arena, who chairs the EU’s Parliament Subcommittee on Human Rights, issued the statement yesterday. In it, Arena had also urged the Federal Government of Somalia to release the journalists it had detained on trumped up charges.
According to authorities in Somaliland, Oldon was arrested for disseminating false news while spreading anti-national propaganda. Arena’s statement called on the government to release Oldon “unconditionally” and “immediately.”
Oldon’s colleagues, friends, and family have continuously complained of inability to access the journalist. Other journalists and organizations fighting for the welfare of journalists in the country have constantly asked the government to set him free.
Last month, reports appeared suggesting that Oldon was sick. At the time, his colleagues, friends, family and doctors suspected that the symptoms he was displaying are those closely associated with COVID-19.