(CPJ/IFEX) – CPJ is strongly protesting the 28 April 1999 assault by a soldier on Josefa Lamberga, a reporter with the Luanda bureau of the Voice of America (VOA). CPJ is expressing concern that this attack follows a 1 March statement, issued by the Ministry of Social Communication, that defined journalists’ reporting on draft evasion […]
(CPJ/IFEX) – CPJ is strongly protesting the 28 April 1999 assault by a
soldier on Josefa Lamberga, a reporter with the Luanda bureau of the Voice
of America (VOA). CPJ is expressing concern that this attack follows a 1
March statement, issued by the Ministry of Social Communication, that
defined journalists’ reporting on draft evasion as a criminal act.
**For background on other cases involving journalists reporting on military
service see IFEX alert of 19 April 1999**
On 28 April, Lamberga, attempting to report on draft evasion by Angolan
citizens, was denied entry into a military recruiting center in Luanda.
Lamberga returned to her vehicle, but was prevented from driving away by an
unidentified soldier who ordered her out of her vehicle. The soldier
reprimanded the journalist for reports in the local media, and on VOA, that
quoted or aired the viewpoints of draftees who claimed that white or mulatto
citizens use wealth and political connections to avoid military service. The
corporal then struck Lamberga twice in the face.
The Ministry of Social Communication announcement that preceded the assault
on Lamberga stated, “Publishing news and broadcasting radio programs
inciting young
people to evade the military draftâ¦constitutes a grave violation of the
press law, or the military law, and of other ordinary laws of the country,
making their perpetrators liable to sanctions of the law.” The communication
also stated, “Those who insist on prevaricating, face the sanction of the
law including, among others, the cancellation of the license to publish and
withdrawal of the license to broadcast.”
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the President:
Communication has equated reporting news on draft evasion as an act of
incitement
journalist
receive, and impart information and ideas of all kinds, as guaranteed by
Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 19 of the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and Article 9 of the
African Charter of Human and People’s Rights, to all of which the Republic
of Angola is a signatory
position
would also constitute a grave violation of these freedoms
into the attack on Lamberga
blatant attack on press freedom is brought to justice, and to ensure that
the Ministry of Social Communications ceases its threats against the press
Appeals To
His Excellency Jose Eduardo dos Santos
President of the Republic of Angola
Gabinete da Presidencia da Republica
Luanda, Angola
Fax: + 244 2 339 855
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
