**Updates IFEX alerts of 22 February and 13 January 2000, 17 December, 30, 25, 16, 3 and 2 November, 28, 22, 20, 19 and 18 October 1999** (CPJ/IFEX) – CPJ is strongly condemning the prosecution of free-lance journalist Rafael Marques, whose trial date has been set for 9 March 2000. CPJ believes that the charges […]
**Updates IFEX alerts of 22 February and 13 January 2000, 17 December, 30, 25, 16, 3 and 2 November, 28, 22, 20, 19 and 18 October 1999**
(CPJ/IFEX) – CPJ is strongly condemning the prosecution of free-lance journalist Rafael Marques, whose trial date has been set for 9 March 2000. CPJ believes that the charges of criminal defamation pressed against Marques, and his continued harassment by the Angolan government, reflect President José Eduardo dos Santosâ deep-seated disregard for freedom of expression, an internationally-recognized human right. Based on this record, we have little confidence that Marques will receive a fair trial. CPJ intends to monitor developments closely.
Marques was arrested on the morning of 16 October 1999 at his Luanda home on charges of defamation. The charges stem from an article, published in a July edition of the independent weekly newspaper “Agora”, in which he referred to Eduardo dos Santos as a “dictator.” Police held Marques for nearly six weeks at the “Labortorio de Criminalista” prison in Luanda. On 26 October, the Angolan attorney general rejected his bail application without explanation.
Marques was released on 25 November, on condition that he not leave Luanda. He was also forbidden to speak to journalists or make public statements. On 15 December, the Luanda Provincial Court transferred his case, without explanation, to the Supreme Court of Angola.
Around the same time, members of the presidentâs government began a campaign of verbal abuse against Marques. During a 19 January parliamentary debate on press freedom, for example, Mendes de Carvalho, a legislator from the presidentâs political party, stated that if Marques, twenty-eight, continued to criticize the president, he would not live to the age of forty.
Marques has been charged under Angola’s notorious Law 7/78, also known as the Law on Crimes Against State Security. As Eduardo dos Santos is no doubt aware, Law 7/78 violates Article 35 of the 1992 Angolan Constitution, which guarantees the right to freedom of expression.
CPJâs sources in Luanda believe that the judge in the case is under tremendous political pressure to rule against Marques regardless of the evidence. CPJ fears that a guilty verdict is already a foregone conclusion.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the president:
Appeals To
His Excellency José Eduardo dos Santos
President of the Republic of Angola
Gabinete da Presidencia da Republica
Luanda, Angola
Fax: + 244 2 392 733 / 391 476 / 331 898
