The International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH) and its member organizations in Niger, the Nigerien Association for the Defence of Human Rights (ANDDH) and France, the French League of Human Rights (LDH) are deeply concerned about the state of freedom of opinion and expression prevailing in Niger, when it comes to information on the conflict between the State Niger in the Niger Movement for Justice (MNJ).
Thus, September 23, 2007, Moussa Kaka, Niger journalist, director of the private station Radio Saraouniya corresponding in Niger for Radio France Internationale (RFI) was charged with "complicity in undermining the authority of the State" for having carried out a series of reports on the MNJ. For exercising his duty of disclosure, he faces life in prison. FIDH and ANDDH strongly denounced the indictment and imprisonment of Kaka they consider arbitrary [1].
Similarly, Ibrahim Manzo Diallo, managing editor of the fortnightly Private Air Info, published in Agadez (north), was arrested Oct. 9, 2007 and charged three weeks later for 'conspiracy'. Under warrant, he was transferred to the civil prison of Adage. His case is under investigation. The authorities accuse him of having engaged in "illegal reporting" with the MNJ, based on wiretaps. Two French journalists
Thomas Dandois and Pierre Creisson, on assignment in Niger for the Franco-German channel Arte, are also incarcerated since December 17, 2007. They were charged with 'infringements to the state security' to have turned a 'report illegal' on the MNJ, according to the government. They were holding a visa and permission to film a report about bird flu. FIDH and LDH ANDDH deplore the disproportionate nature of the charge imposed on these two journalists.
The FIDH and LDH ANDDH call:
Niger authorities:
To proceed with the immediate and unconditional release of journalist Moussa Kaka and Ibrahim Manzo Diallo insofar as the charges against them are based on the contacts maintained with the rebels to carry out their duty of disclosure;
To ensure that two French journalists the right to a fair trial including equal treatment before the law and proportionality of prosecutions compared to the facts.
To comply with the provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and in particular Article 9 (2) which states that "everyone has the right to express and disseminate his opinions" and and provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, in force since 1986 in Niger, and in particular Article 19 (1) which states that "no person shall be molested for his opinions" and 19 (2) that "everyone has the right to freedom of expression, which right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, or any other media of his choice. "
The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights:
To take up the issue of freedom of expression in Niger and, particularly, the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression in Africa to respond publicly about the arrests.
Thus, September 23, 2007, Moussa Kaka, Niger journalist, director of the private station Radio Saraouniya corresponding in Niger for Radio France Internationale (RFI) was charged with "complicity in undermining the authority of the State" for having carried out a series of reports on the MNJ. For exercising his duty of disclosure, he faces life in prison. FIDH and ANDDH strongly denounced the indictment and imprisonment of Kaka they consider arbitrary [1].
Similarly, Ibrahim Manzo Diallo, managing editor of the fortnightly Private Air Info, published in Agadez (north), was arrested Oct. 9, 2007 and charged three weeks later for 'conspiracy'. Under warrant, he was transferred to the civil prison of Adage. His case is under investigation. The authorities accuse him of having engaged in "illegal reporting" with the MNJ, based on wiretaps. Two French journalists
Thomas Dandois and Pierre Creisson, on assignment in Niger for the Franco-German channel Arte, are also incarcerated since December 17, 2007. They were charged with 'infringements to the state security' to have turned a 'report illegal' on the MNJ, according to the government. They were holding a visa and permission to film a report about bird flu. FIDH and LDH ANDDH deplore the disproportionate nature of the charge imposed on these two journalists.
The FIDH and LDH ANDDH call:
Niger authorities:
To proceed with the immediate and unconditional release of journalist Moussa Kaka and Ibrahim Manzo Diallo insofar as the charges against them are based on the contacts maintained with the rebels to carry out their duty of disclosure;
To ensure that two French journalists the right to a fair trial including equal treatment before the law and proportionality of prosecutions compared to the facts.
To comply with the provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and in particular Article 9 (2) which states that "everyone has the right to express and disseminate his opinions" and and provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, in force since 1986 in Niger, and in particular Article 19 (1) which states that "no person shall be molested for his opinions" and 19 (2) that "everyone has the right to freedom of expression, which right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, or any other media of his choice. "
The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights:
To take up the issue of freedom of expression in Niger and, particularly, the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression in Africa to respond publicly about the arrests.
Niamey, Paris, January 15, 2007
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