**Updates IFEX CH alert dated 21 April 1995** Edina Ndejembi, the freelance journalist charged with “obstructing the police” was acquitted by Moshi magistrates on 26 June 1995. Her case had previously been adjourned on three occasions, much to the inconvenience of the journalist, who had to travel 600-or-so kilometres from Dar es Salaam to Moshi […]
**Updates IFEX CH alert dated 21 April 1995**
Edina Ndejembi, the freelance journalist charged with
“obstructing the police” was acquitted by Moshi magistrates on 26
June 1995. Her case had previously been adjourned on three
occasions, much to the inconvenience of the journalist, who had
to travel 600-or-so kilometres from Dar es Salaam to Moshi for
each hearing. The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)
managed to raise funds to pay for her lawyer.
Meanwhile, the cases against 10 other Tanzanian media workers
remain outstanding. Editor of the Kiswahili daily newspaper
“Majira”, Sam Makila, together with the paper’s publishers
Rashidi Mbuguni and Richard Nyaulawa, are charged with sedition
and withholding information after Makila refused to reveal the
source of a story exposing the cash-strapped government’s plans
to spend U$130 million on radar equipment. If found guilty, the
three could face up to 10 years in prison for withholding
information which in the state considers “detrimental to the
national interest”, and for publishing information that would
“make the people hate the government”. The three have pleaded not
guilty and are due to appear in court again on 5 July.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to Tanzanian authorities:
workers mentioned above appear to be in breach of international
human rights treaties and standards, including the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on
Human and People’s Rights
and that the authorities desist from using such legislation in a
bid to silence critics, particularly as Tanzania is approaching
elections
international human rights treaties and standards
Appeals To
The Right Honourable Philip Marmo
Minister of Information and Broadcasting
PO Box 1516
Dar-es Salaam, Tanzania
Fax: +255 51 46227 or +255 51 44645
Please copy appeals to the originator if possible.
