(RSF/IFEX) – On 24 December 1997, Pius Njawe, editor-in-chief of “Le Messager”, was arrested at the newspaper’s offices by men in civilian clothing and taken to judicial police headquarters in Douala. No official explanation was given for Njawe’s arrest. According to his colleagues, the action is thought to be linked to an article that appeared […]
(RSF/IFEX) – On 24 December 1997, Pius Njawe, editor-in-chief of
“Le Messager”, was arrested at the newspaper’s offices by men in
civilian clothing and taken to judicial police headquarters in
Douala. No official explanation was given for Njawe’s arrest.
According to his colleagues, the action is thought to be linked
to an article that appeared in the 22 December edition of the
newspaper that reported on heart problems that President Paul
Biya allegedly suffered during the final of the Cameroon Cup
soccer match.
Elsewhere, on 18 December, the editorial team of “Le Messager”
was threatened and insulted by individuals who claimed to be
members of Biya’s family. In its 16 December edition, the
satirical newspaper “Le Messager Popoli” had published a series
of cartoons of the First Lady.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 19 of which
recognises the right to inform and to be informed
taken by Cameroon in the international community
immediate and unconditional release of Pius Njawe
Appeals To
His Excellency Paul Biya
President of the Republic of Cameroon
Palais de l’Unite
Yaounde, Cameroon
Fax: +237 23 30 22/+237 22 16 99Peter Mafany Musonge
Prime Minister
Immeuble Etoile
1000 Yaounde, Cameroon
Fax: +237 23 57 65
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
