(WAN/IFEX) – In a 2 November 2000 letter to President Benjamin William Mkapa, WAN expressed its serious concern over the arrest of journalist Ally Saleh. According to reports, police in Zanzibar arrested Saleh, the BBC’s Swahili Service correspondent, on 1 November. A senior police officer stated that Saleh had been arrested on charges of “kidnapping […]
(WAN/IFEX) – In a 2 November 2000 letter to President Benjamin William Mkapa, WAN expressed its serious concern over the arrest of journalist Ally Saleh.
According to reports, police in Zanzibar arrested Saleh, the BBC’s Swahili Service correspondent, on 1 November. A senior police officer stated that Saleh had been arrested on charges of “kidnapping and indecent assault of two women in collaboration with two other people suspected of being supporters of the opposition Civic United Front”. Saleh had conducted broadcast interviews with two women who claimed to have information about illegal voting in the widely-discredited general elections held on 29 October.
WAN is concerned that Saleh’s arrest might be related to his professional activities as a journalist. His arrest follows a statement by the ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi, accusing certain media organisations of misreporting the polls.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the president:
– calling on him to ensure that a swift but thorough investigation into Saleh’s arrest is carried out and that, if the allegations prove to be unfounded, he is immediately released
– urging him to do everything in his power to create an environment in which all journalists are able to fully exercise their right to freedom of expression
Appeals To
APPEALS TO:
His Excellency Benjamin William Mkapa
President
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
c/o H.E. High Commissioner to United Kingdom
E-mail: Balozi@tanzania-online.gov.uk
Please copy appeals to WAN.
