Djibouti, January 26, 2014
The arrests follow a pace where it is very difficult to report on the real and objective situation of human rights abuses and the obstacles to freedom. At the time of going to press this release and according to the information we have collected:
1. Abdoulfatah Abdulaziz Issa and Sheikh Mohamoud, arrested Friday, January 24, 2014 at Ambouli, are still being held in the police of the 3rd district of the capital.
2. Waberi Omar Hassan Abdi Boo Miguil Mahdi Ali Elmi Elmi Robleh Abdourazak Hamza Farah Boo, Boo Eleyeh Farah Yusuf Aden Omar, Kadar Ali Affasseh Yacin Hassan Farah, Aicha Dirir Bileh, Djama Aouled Saada, Aden Ali Gedi and Djima Hagah Guelleh, arrested this morning Sunday, January 26, 2014 by the police Balbala are currently in custody. They are all activists USN (opposition coalition).
3. Maydaneh Abdallah Okieh journalist Voice of Djibouti and part of the USN, was arrested this Sunday, January 26, 2014 at noon by the gendarmerie. His equipment was confiscated and he is currently detained in North Brigade Djibouti in Section Research and Documentation (SRD). This is not the 1st time Maydaneh stopped. Moreover, he was detained on 2 occasions in the central prison Gabode during 2013
The ODDH calls for public authorities to release all political prisoners to find a way out to the post-election crisis.
The ODDH is deeply concerned about the increase in arbitrary arrests of citizens, opponents and human rights defenders.
The ODDH recommends to comply with the constitutional provisions on the protection of citizens, respect for fundamental freedoms, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights as well as ‘the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Act for democracy, dignity and justice.
