**Updates IFEX alerts of 7 and 3 February, 20 and 17 January 2000** (CPJ/IFEX) – CPJ is protesting in the strongest terms against the ongoing harassment of Kabral Blay-Amihere, president of the West African Journalists’ Association and editor of “The Independent” newspaper. Blay-Amihere was first arrested by armed soldiers on 13 January 2000. The soldiers […]
**Updates IFEX alerts of 7 and 3 February, 20 and 17 January 2000**
(CPJ/IFEX) – CPJ is protesting in the strongest terms against the ongoing harassment of Kabral Blay-Amihere, president of the West African Journalists’ Association and editor of “The Independent” newspaper.
Blay-Amihere was first arrested by armed soldiers on 13 January 2000. The soldiers intercepted Blay-Amihere’s car while he was driving in the capital Accra, and then drove him to a military base where he was held among criminals. He was interrogated about an editorial he had written in “The Independent”, in which he called for a boycott of the traditional 31 December military parade, describing it as a relic from the days when the army controlled all state agencies and affairs in Ghana.
No official charges were pressed against Blay-Amihere, who was released some twenty-four hours later. He was however compelled to publish a statement in “The Independent”, prepared by the army. In the statement, he apologized for his “irresponsible” take on the 31 December military parade.
On 3 February, Blay-Amihere was summoned to the Criminal Investigation Department of the Ghana Police, where police told the editor they were investigating him for possible sedition charges in connection with the same article. Blay-Amihere was released after being interrogated for several hours. Under Ghana’s 1960 Criminal Code, any person found guilty of sedition faces a minimum prison sentence of five years.
CPJ is deeply troubled by the treatment of Blay-Amihere, which is in clear breach of his rights as a journalist. Under Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, complaints against the media should be dealt with by the non-governmental National Media Commission, and it is only in exceptional cases that the police may take action directly against the media. The treatment of Blay-Amihere appears to be wholly unjustified under the law.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the president:
– strongly urging His Excellency to ensure that the harassment and intimidation of Blay-Amihere cease immediately, and furthermore that all journalists in Ghana are free to practice their profession without fear of reprisal
Appeals To
APPEALS TO:His Excellency Jerry Rawlings
President of the Republic of Ghana
The Castle
PO Box 1627, Accra
Ghana
Fax: +233 21 664 089Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
