(RSF/IFEX) – RSF is protesting the detention of a journalist since July 1998. According to RSF’s information, Oscar Kangoa, a journalist with the weekly “Umoja”, was jailed on 2 July after being sentenced on 31 May to a twelve-month prison sentence for “slander against authorities.” The journalist had written an article, published some weeks earlier, […]
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF is protesting the detention of a journalist since July
1998. According to RSF’s information, Oscar Kangoa, a journalist with
the weekly “Umoja”, was jailed on 2 July after being sentenced on 31 May
to a twelve-month prison sentence for “slander against authorities.” The
journalist had written an article, published some weeks earlier,
concerning Justice Minister Mwenze Kongolo’s wedding to a North American
citizen. The journalist had expressed surprise concerning the number of
invited guests from the United States, apparently attending at the
newly-appointed minister’s expense. Kangoa was allegedly not given the
right to defend himself at his trial. Moreover, the journalist states
that he was treated with brutality by the police officers who arrested
him.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the President:
nothing more than carry out his information work, as guaranteed by the
Democratic Republic of Congo’s constitution and a number of
international treaties, notably the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights
Mlbakulu Pambu Diambu, are at present unfairly detained (see IFEX alert
of 25 May 1998)
Appeals To
Mr. Laurent-Désiré Kabila
President
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
Fax: +243 88 02120 / +1 202 234 2609
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
