A Somalian court has dropped charges against a woman sentenced for alleging she was raped by security forces.
The woman was originally given a one-year jail sentence, alongside Abdiaziz Abdinur, the journalist who had interviewed her about her ordeal, for 'falsely accusing a government body of committing a crime that damages state security.'
In a move described by Human Rights Watch (HRW) as a 'serious defeat for media freedom', the journalist's sentence was reduced to six months, although it is unclear what specific laws he is found to have violated.
HRW Africa Director Daniel Bekele said:
“The court acquitted a woman who should never have been charged while upholding an unjust conviction of a journalist,”
“After this case, who in their right mind would suggest to a victim of government abuse that they report the crime? Or tell their story to a journalist?”
“The government has argued that justice should run its course in this case, but each step has been justice denied,”
“Quashing the case and unconditionally releasing Abdiaziz Abdinur will show that this government is ready to focus on protecting freedom of expression and encouraging victims of sexual violence to come forward.”
