A/HRC/21/61 law, which called for the establishment of children’s courts, pretrial detention centres and rehabilitation centres remained unimplemented. F. Freedom of expression and the media 75. Democratic freedoms, including the freedom of opinion and expression, were restricted throughout Somalia. In such a repressive environment, all parties, State or nonState, sought to control and restrict the scope of freedom of opinion and expression on grounds ranging from protection of the national interest, State security through to public morality. It affected the work of, inter alia, journalists, who in all parts of Somalia were subjected to harassment, intimidation, unlawful or arbitrary arrest and detention at the hands of both Government authorities and/or militia groups. Several journalists received threats to life or were assassinated because of their work and the information they disseminated. 76. In Somaliland, the authorities maintained tight control over the media. There was only one State-controlled radio station, which operated under strict Government guidelines. The Government of Somaliland had consistently prohibited the establishment of private FM stations. At the end of 2011 and in January 2012, a spate of arrests and harassment of journalists was reported, with the notable case of 21 journalists arrested on 15 January while protesting against the closure of a television station. 77. In Puntland, despite the President’s stated commitment to greater openness, the media still faced restrictions in their coverage of political and security issues. A prominent radio journalist and member of the National Union of Somali Journalists was shot dead by three men in Gaalkacyo on 2 May 2012. No arrests for the killing have been reported. In another incident, on 24 May, a journalist working with Radio Shabelle was shot dead by four unknown assailants. This recent assassination brought the number of journalists assassinated in Somalia since the beginning of 2012 to six. 78. On 3 March 2012, the police raided the premises of Codka Nabadda, a private radio station broadcasting from Boosaaso, Puntland, confiscated radio and other equipment and closed down the station. The station director was arrested and remained in detention, without charge, until the end of April. The raid was reportedly conducted following a news story broadcasted by the radio station, in which it was reported that clashes had erupted between the Puntland administration and militants affiliated to Al-Shabaab near the Galgala area (Bari region). 79. On 5 March 2012, equipment belonging to reporters of Universal TV and Raxanreeb online radio and to a photographer for the Eastern Television Network were confiscated by the security officers working for the Puntland Deputy Security Minister. This incident apparently took place after the journalists covered a press conference called by General Abdullahi Said Samatar. The equipment was returned several days later. The General, who is a former Minister for Security, has political ambitions and intends to run for presidential office. 80. While the Constitution of Puntland guarantees the right to freedom of expression, the Media Law of 1999 prohibited the media from disseminating, inter alia, reports that threatened or damaged the security, economy, dignity and general interests of Puntland. Anyone who acted contrary to these provisions was liable to prosecution. A clear definition of what would threaten or damage the security of Puntland was not provided and, as such, the law was open to abuse. 14