"In York I wake up in the morning and can walk the streets without looking over my shoulder because I feel deep inside me there is something telling me that nobody is watching or coming after my trail in the morning."
Somali journalist Abdalle Mumin has endured displacement, violence, government oppression and even an assassination attempt in his mission to stand up for press freedom and human rights.
In May 2023, he arrived in York, where he was offered respite by the Protective Fellowship for Human Rights Defenders at Risk at the Centre for Applied Human Rights.
This Refugee Week, we caught up with Abdalle to find out more about his work, his journey and how his time in York has helped him recover a peace of mind he had long since forgotten.
He said: “My journalistic career began while in high school. Fueled by a deep-seated desire to combat injustices by exposing perpetrators and criminals, I felt a strong purpose to tell the story and speak out.
"We are there to watch, to witness, to keep guard on behalf of the community. I was looking for a profession that would give me the voice I need to preserve and work for the interest of the general community and the public.
"Over the years, I had the privilege of collaborating with diverse local, national and international communities. This provided me with the unique opportunity to witness and report firsthand on a range of issues, from the devastating impact of ruthless conflicts and human rights abuses to the challenges posed by famine and droughts that affected the lives of hundreds of thousands.
"Playing a crucial role in conveying the stories of those affected, particularly women and children, was a responsibility I undertook with pride."
