(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Minister of Justice Eddington Varmah, RSF protested the arrest of Sam O. Dean, editor of the “Monrovia Guardian”. RSF asked the minister to refer the matter to the competent authorities to ensure that the journalist is released immediately. The organisation reminded the minister that the United Nations special rapporteur […]
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Minister of Justice Eddington Varmah, RSF protested the arrest of Sam O. Dean, editor of the “Monrovia Guardian”. RSF asked the minister to refer the matter to the competent authorities to ensure that the journalist is released immediately. The organisation reminded the minister that the United Nations special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression said in January 2000 that “imprisonment as punishment for the peaceful expression of an opinion constitutes a serious violation of human rights.” “In one year eight journalists have been detained in Liberia, making this country one of the most repressive in West Africa regarding press freedom matters,” explained RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard. The organisation also called on the authorities to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantees freedom of expression.
According to information gathered by RSF, on 20 August 2001, Dean was arrested by Monrovia police and taken to police headquarters. He has been charged with “criminal malevolence.” He is accused of publishing an article which reported that police chief Paul Mulbah was summoned by the House of Representatives for “explanations.” A representative accused the police chief of “flogging” her. Mulbah complained to the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) about the newspaper’s “sensationalism” and “misleading” reports. Dean spent two nights in detention sleeping on the bare floor. His colleagues have not been allowed to visit him.
