(CPJ/IFEX) – Winston Ojukutu, correspondent for the BBC, was arrested on 5 November 1997. His arrest was in connection with ad-hoc interviews he held with the public on their reaction to a public statement made by the ruling Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) about their unwillingness to disarm until ECOMOG forces followed suit. Ojukutu’s whereabouts […]
(CPJ/IFEX) – Winston Ojukutu, correspondent for the BBC, was
arrested on 5 November 1997. His arrest was in connection with
ad-hoc interviews he held with the public on their reaction to a
public statement made by the ruling Armed Forces Revolutionary
Council (AFRC) about their unwillingness to disarm until ECOMOG
forces followed suit. Ojukutu’s whereabouts is not known.
In addition, a list of 13 journalists wanted by the AFRC ruling
party is reportedly in circulation. Some of those on the list
have recently been arrested and released. CPJ was unable to
confirm two names on the list. The rest are as follows:
1) Foday Fofana, “Opinion”
2) David Tambaryoh, “Punch”
3) Idrissa Conteh, “Concord Times”
4) John Forray, acting editor, “Democrat”
5) Kalilu Fofana, “Vision”
6) Johnathan Leigh, “Independent Observer”
7) Dorothy Awonoor, news editor, “Concord Times”
8) Siaka Massaquoi, columnist, “Vision”
9) Abdul Kpsowa, freelancer
10) Paul Kamara, “For Di People”
11) Pios Forray, “Democrat”
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the ruling Armed Forces Revolutionary Council
(AFRC):
immediate release
the integrity and freedom of the press
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 19 of which
recognises the freedom to inform and to be informed
agreements made between Sierra Leone and the international
community, namely: Article 19 of the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights which guarantees the right to “seek,
receive and impart information and ideas of all kind,” and
Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.
Appeals To
A.K. Sessay
Secretary to the Head of the AFRC
Freetown, Sierra Leone
Fax: +232 22 229 473Alieu Kamara
Spokesperson for the AFRC
Freetown, Sierra Leone
Fax: +232 22 228 879
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
