(IFJ/IFEX) – In a 30 April 2001 letter to President Blaise Compaoré, IFJ expressed its deep concern over the recent arbitrary arrest of a dozen journalists, students, and private individuals at the Norbert Zongo Press Centre (NZPC). According to IFJ’s information, on 26 April, a group of twenty policemen raided the NZPC, arrested approximately twelve […]
(IFJ/IFEX) – In a 30 April 2001 letter to President Blaise Compaoré, IFJ expressed its deep concern over the recent arbitrary arrest of a dozen journalists, students, and private individuals at the Norbert Zongo Press Centre (NZPC).
According to IFJ’s information, on 26 April, a group of twenty policemen raided the NZPC, arrested approximately twelve journalists, students and private individuals, and herded them into a police van. No explanation or reason was given.
IFJ reminded President Compaoré of the Norbert Zongo case (see IFEX alerts of 5 April, 30 and 9 March and 6 February 2001, 19, 18, and 7 December, 22 and 16 August and 19 April 2000, 17, 7 and 1 December, 22 September, 9 July, 7 May and 18 January 1999, 22, 16 and 15 December 1998), which crystallises the concerns of many people in Burkina Faso and the international community about press freedom and the rule of law under the current government. There is overwhelming evidence to suggest that Zongo was murdered simply for doing his duty as a journalist. This tragedy has been compounded by the government’s unwillingness to tolerate criticism about its handling of the Zongo affair.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the president:
– urging him to ensure that Zongo’s murderers are brought to justice, and that the journalists, students and private individuals are released immediately
Appeals To
President Blaise Compaoré
Ouagadougou State House
Burkina Faso
Fax: + 226 31 49 26
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
