(RSF/IFEX) – RSF is worried about the legal investigation opened by the public prosecutor against the journalist Tatiana Vaksberg. According to RSF’s information, on 14 January 1999, the prosecutor of the Republic, Ivan Tatarchev, asked his department to open a legal investigation on Vaksberg, a journalist with the Bulgarian section of Radio Free Europe, accusing […]
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF is worried about the legal investigation opened by the
public prosecutor against the journalist Tatiana Vaksberg. According to
RSF’s information, on 14 January 1999, the prosecutor of the Republic, Ivan
Tatarchev, asked his department to open a legal investigation on Vaksberg, a
journalist with the Bulgarian section of Radio Free Europe, accusing her of
“attacking honour and dignity” and “insulting the authority of the state”
(articles 146 and 148 of the Criminal Code). If found guilty, the journalist
faces two years in prison. Vaksberg made a critical commentary on Tatarchev,
broadcast on 28 October 1998, suggesting that the prosecutor was responsible
for the impunity of many criminals in the country and might be prosecuted
himself for failing to perform his duties.
Background Information
Many journalists were taken to court by the authorities in 1998 for press
offences under articles 146 (attacking honour and dignity), 147 (libel) and
148 (insulting the authorities) of the Criminal Code, which provides for
penalties of between six months and two years in prison.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the President:
jailed because of what they have written
calling
on him to use all his influence to bring Bulgarian legislation into line
with European standards in this respect, especially those which his country
subscribed to when it joined the Council of Europe
concerned,
reminding him that sentencing a person to a term of imprisonment for a press
offence is regarded by international bodies responsible for human rights as
out of proportion to the damage sustained by the victim
Nations High Commission on Human Rights emphasised that “detention, as
punishment for the peaceful expression of an opinion, is one of the most
reprehensible ways to enjoin silence and, as a consequence, a grave
violation of human rights”
sentences in cases involving the media
and to put an end to the harassment which many journalists in his country
have been subject to
Appeals To
Mr. Petar Stoyanov
President of Republic of Bulgaria
Sofia, Bulgaria
Fax: +359 27 67 32 26
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
