(WAN/IFEX) – In a 23 October 2000 letter to President Laurent-Désiré Kabila, WAN and the World Editors Forum expressed their grave concern at the kidnapping and mock execution of journalist André Tshowa Mbuisha. According to reports, Tshowa, who works for the freedom of expression group Journaliste en danger, was kidnapped on 17 October by six […]
(WAN/IFEX) – In a 23 October 2000 letter to President Laurent-Désiré Kabila, WAN and the
World Editors Forum expressed their grave concern at the kidnapping and mock execution of journalist André Tshowa Mbuisha.
According to reports, Tshowa, who works for the freedom of expression group Journaliste en danger, was kidnapped on 17 October by six men in civilian clothes armed with Kalashnikov rifles, close to the Kinshasa/Gombe Institute of Higher Learning. Tshowa was forced into a four-wheel drive vehicle, handcuffed and made to lie on the floor.
Tshowa was taken to a building occupied by at least a dozen Congolese Armed Forces soldiers. After stripping him naked, two uniformed soldiers gave Tshowa fifty lashes before locking him in a room at the back of the main house. In the middle of the night, Tshowa was taken outside by two
soldiers to “stand trial” and was told: “You dangerous journalists constantly insult Mzee [President Kabila], you are in touch with our American enemies. You dirty the country’s image among white people. We have been given the order to kill you. Let’s see who comes to rescue you. Get on your knees and say your last prayers.”
Tshowa was pushed to his knees and a soldier referred to as “commander” pointed a pistol at his left ear. A nearby soldier fired a bullet in the air and Tshowa lost consciousness.
The following day, a soldier helped Tshowa escape by smuggling him out in the boot of a car and advised him to go into hiding.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the president:
– respectfully reminding him that it is the duty of the state to provide an environment in which journalists are able to carry out their professional duties without fear of attack and intimidation
– noting that such incidents foster a climate of fear that inhibits journalistic investigation and can promote self-censorship
– respectfully calling on him to ensure that Tshowa’s kidnapping and mock execution are thoroughly investigated and that those responsible are swiftly brought to justice
– urging him to do everything in his power to enable journalists to exercise their right to inform free from violence and intimidation
Appeals To
APPEALS TO:
His Excellency Laurent-Désiré Kabila
President of the Democratic Republic of Congo
Ngaliema, Kinshasa
Democratic Republic of Congo
c/o Embassy in USA
Fax: +1 202 234 2609
Please copy appeals to WAN.
