Its theme is: “Realising Access to Information in Somalia” and it brings together government officials, media professionals, civil society organizations, and international partners. They will consider how to achieve access to information legislation consistent with Article 32 of the Constitution of Somalia. Its comprehensive guarantee of freedom of information has yet to be given proper legal effect.
The forum is the culmination of a long-standing campaign by the IFJ affiliate that has included messaging on social media channels to raise awareness of the issue.
NUSOJ president, Omar Faruk Osman said: “This event is a very significant step in our campaign for effective access to information laws in Somalia. It is intended to amplify the impact of our activities up till now. An effective access to information law for Somalia would make our journalism more effective and better able to inform readers, viewers, and listeners what is being done in their name”.
In his virtual address, Somali PM Hamza Abdi Barre has strongly affirmed his full support for the realization of the constitutional right to access information. He emphasized that this right serves as a cornerstone for promoting good governance, and transparency, and fostering mutual understanding within Somalia.
In his speech, British Ambassador to Somalia Mike Nithavrianakis underscored the paramount strategic value of access to information and media freedom within Somalia, commending the diverse array of stakeholders from the government, media, and civil society for engaging in inclusive discussions at the forum regarding the realization of access to information.
In conveying the US’s unwavering backing for this initiative aimed at advancing access to information in Somalia, Charge D’Affaire Shane Dixon extended a hearty welcome during the National Forum on Access to Information, an event organized by NUSOJ and supported by the U.S. Embassy.
Also, he underscored the utmost significance of access to information in molding a prosperous, inclusive, and democratic Somalia. Dixon accentuated the vision of a nation where citizens wholeheartedly exercise their constitutional and fundamental right to access information, highlighting its central role in fostering such a vibrant society.
Ms. Isha Dyfan, the UN Independent Expert on the Human Rights Situation in Somalia, virtually addressed the National Forum on Access to Information. She eloquently stressed the imperativeness of access to information as an indispensable pillar of fundamental human rights, enshrined within the very Constitution of Somalia itself. Her remarks resonated profoundly, reaffirming the inalienable right of all Somali citizens to access information and underscoring its vital role in upholding democratic principles and fostering societal progress.
In addressing the National Forum on Access to Information, Somalia’s Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism, Daud Aweys, resolutely underscored the unwavering commitment of the government to championing and advancing universal access to information within Somalia. His impassioned speech resonated with the core values of transparency and openness, reaffirming the critical role information plays in empowering citizens and fostering democratic progress.
