(RSF/IFEX) – The whereabouts of Anthony Swaray, a freelance journalist arrested on 14 January 1998, are still unknown. Swaray was arrested along with Desmond Conteh, a reporter for the newspaper “We Yone”, on suspicion of providing information to the clandestine radio station 98.1 FM. Conteh was released on 21 January (see IFEX alert of 26 […]
(RSF/IFEX) – The whereabouts of Anthony Swaray, a freelance journalist
arrested on 14 January 1998, are still unknown. Swaray was arrested along
with Desmond Conteh, a reporter for the newspaper “We Yone”, on suspicion of
providing information to the clandestine radio station 98.1 FM. Conteh was
released on 21 January (see IFEX alert of 26 January 1998).
Further, David Koroma and Sylvanus Kanyako, reporters for the “Herald
Guardian,” are still being held at the Criminal Investigation Department
(CID). Both Koroma and Kanyako were arrested on 10 January 1998, probably in
connection with an article published the day before urging parents not to
send their children to school because of insecurity in the country. These
journalists are reported to have been bruised as a result of ill-treatment
while in custody and David Koroma is said to have been admitted to hospital
(see IFEX alerts of 13 and 21 January 1998).
As well, on 16 January 1998, the magazine “Standard Times” was banned for an
indefinite period due to an article considered “offensive to the junta”. The
article quoted the deposed president Ahmed Tejan Kabbah and criticised
France and China for supporting the junta. Previously, on 12 November 1997,
national radio had announced the decision of the military authorities to
temporarily suspend the magazine. (See IFEX alerts of 19 and 25 November 1997).
Finally, the authorities have renewed their warning that newspapers wishing
to keep their publishing licenses would have to submit to annual
registration requirements by the end of January. This measure was dropped at
the end of 1997, following a large number of protest demonstrations in the
country against the restrictive requirements.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
Civil and Political Rights, Article 19 of which guarantees the freedom to
inform and to be informed
David Koroma immediately released and to ensure that they are protected from
ill-treatment while in custody
registration requirements dropped
Appeals To
Major Johnny Paul Koroma
State House
Freetown
Sierra Leone
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
