MISA’s Angola representative reports that Jonas Savimbi, leader of the UNITA rebel movement, and Holden Roberto, who heads the opposition FNLA, have both spoken on the need for media freedom in their country. Speaking on the rebel movement Radio Vorgan on 15 March 1995 in a speech delivered to mark the 29th anniversary of the […]
MISA’s Angola representative reports that Jonas Savimbi, leader
of the UNITA rebel movement, and Holden Roberto, who heads the
opposition FNLA, have both spoken on the need for media freedom
in their country. Speaking on the rebel movement Radio Vorgan on
15 March 1995 in a speech delivered to mark the 29th anniversary
of the founding of UNITA, Savimbi apparently stressed the need
for media freedom in Angola, as he said this was important for
UNITA to win seats in parliament. According to MISA, UNITA is
believed to be responsible for the deaths and detention of
journalists during Angola’s 20-year civil war, during which time
the movement has consistently abused media freedom.
Meanwhile, Roberto said in a speech thought to have been
delivered on 14 March that media freedom was essential for
Angola’s transition to democracy.
Recommended Action
Please write to UNITA representatives:
cause
journalists still being detained by the movement and the issuing
of information about others whose whereabouts are unknown
Appeals To
the UNITA representative in your region (preferable)
or Fernando Bahekeni
UNITA
PO Box 2207
Windhoek, Namibia
If anyone has contact details for FNLA, MISA and the IFEX
Clearing House would appreciate receiving them, so that letters
can also be sent to Holden Roberto urging him to put his verbal
support for media freedom into action. Contact MISA at
dlush@wn.apc.org.
PLEASE NOTE NEW PHONE AND FAX NUMBERS
