**For background to other harassment of “Mauritanie- Nouvelles”, see IFEX alerts dated 27 and 13 March 1996, and others** On 24 July 1996, the French- and Arab-language editions of the independent weekly “Mauritanie-Nouvelles” were prevented from being distributed. The printed copies are to be held at the printing press for four days by officials from […]
**For background to other harassment of “Mauritanie-
Nouvelles”, see IFEX alerts dated
27 and 13 March 1996, and others**
On 24 July 1996, the French- and Arab-language editions of the
independent weekly “Mauritanie-Nouvelles” were prevented from
being distributed. The printed copies are to be held at the
printing press for four days by officials from the Ministry of
the Interior, which refused to issue an acknowledgement of
receipt (“recepisse de distribution”) for the copies, thus
preventing their circulation. No official reason was given to
explain the action. “Mauritanie-Nouvelles” had just resumed
operation after being suspended for three months (see IFEX
alerts).
On 23 July, the privately-owned weekly “La Tortue” was subject to
the same measure by the Ministry of the Interior, which also
refused to explain its action.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
against “Mauritanie-Nouvelles” and “La Tortue” are lifted
immediately, and that measures are taken so that further
harassment of the Mauritanian press does not occur
Appeals To
His Excellency Ould Sid Ahmed Taya
President of the Republic
Nouakchott, Mauritania
Fax: +222 2 52636
Dah Ould Abdel Jelil
Minister of the Interior
Nouakchott, Mauritania
Fax: +222 2 51547
or care of the Mauritanian diplomatic representative in your
country
(in France)
Fax: +33 1 40 72 82 96
(in Canada)
Embassy of the Republic of Mauritania
45 O’Connor Street, Suite 1500
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 1A1 Canada
Fax: +1 613 237 3287
Please copy appeals to the originator if possible.
