(WiPC/IFEX) – The WiPC of International PEN welcomes the news of Maria Nyenetue’s reappearance in early September 2002. Nyenetue was reported missing on 20 August, when she travelled to the town of Klay in the hope of visiting Hassan Bility, the father of her child. It now transpires that she was arrested because of her […]
(WiPC/IFEX) – The WiPC of International PEN welcomes the news of Maria Nyenetue’s reappearance in early September 2002. Nyenetue was reported missing on 20 August, when she travelled to the town of Klay in the hope of visiting Hassan Bility, the father of her child. It now transpires that she was arrested because of her connection to Bility and released without charge about two weeks later.
Meanwhile, Bility, editor of “The Analyst” newspaper, has still not been brought to trial and his whereabouts remain unknown. The two men with whom he was arrested on 24 June are being held at the National Security Agency and are able to receive visits from their families.
Bility was detained amidst claims by Information Minister Reginald Goodridge that he was running a Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) “terrorist cell” and was engaged in the attempted overthrow of the government. Five attempts to force the authorities to produce him have failed and there are fears that he is being tortured or mistreated in custody. Bility also suffers from malaria.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
– calling on them to release Bility as a matter of urgency or, at the very least, allow a lawyer and his family to visit him
Appeals To
Dr. Charles Taylor
President of Liberia
Office of the President, Executive Mansion
P. O. Box 10-9001, Capitol Hill
1000 Monrovia 10, Liberia
Fax: +231 226 076 or +231 228 026
Counsellor L. Koboi Johnson
Minister of Justice
Ministry of Justice
Ashmun St
PO Box 9006
Monrovia, Liberia
Fax: +231 227 872
Please copy appeals to the Liberian embassy or representative in your country and to the source if possible.
