RSF files complaint against Blaise Compaoré with French authorities
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has asked the French state prosecutor to open a preliminary investigation against Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaoré, on the occasion of his visit to France. The president is expected to arrive in France on 11 October 2001. Represented by lawyer Sophie Coupry, RSF wants the French courts to examine Compaoré’s responsibility for […]
IFJ protests journalists’ imprisonment
(IFJ/IFEX) – In a 30 April 2001 letter to President Blaise Compaoré, IFJ expressed its deep concern over the recent arbitrary arrest of a dozen journalists, students, and private individuals at the Norbert Zongo Press Centre (NZPC). According to IFJ’s information, on 26 April, a group of twenty policemen raided the NZPC, arrested approximately twelve […]
Special briefing on Zongo affair on CPJ website
(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 4 April 2001 CPJ press release: Special Briefing On Burkino Faso and the Zongo Affair Now On CPJ Web Site New York, April 4, 2001 – A special report on the circumstances surrounding the 1998 murder of Norbert Zongo, editor of the weekly L’Indépendant in the Burkina Faso capital, […]
CPJ demands full investigation into editor’s murder
(CPJ/IFEX) – In a 29 March 2001 letter to President Blaise Compaoré, CPJ expressed deep concern that justice is not being served in the murder case of Norbert Zongo, late editor of the weekly “L’Indépendant” in the capital, Ouagadougou. The government has declared tomorrow an official Day of Forgiveness for all citizens to reflect on […]
Thirty-five African newspapers affiliated with the “Press and Democracy” network appeal for an end to impunity in Burkina Faso
(RSF/IFEX) – The following is an 8 March 2001 RSF press release: Thirty-five African newspapers, members of the “Press and Democracy” network, appeal for an end to impunity in Burkina Faso At the same time as Norbert Zongo’s family is announcing its refusal to participate in the “National Day of Forgiveness”, organised in Burkina Faso […]
Police occupy and close Norbert Zongo National Press Centre
(WAN/IFEX) – In an 18 December 2000 letter to President Blaise Compaore, WAN and the World Editors Forum expressed their serious concern at the police occupation of the Norbert Zongo National Press Centre. According to reports, on 13 December 2000, the Norbert Zongo National Press Centre, which was to host the International Press Freedom Festival […]
Demonstration in memory of journalist Norbert Zongo banned
(WAJA/IFEX) – The following is a 12 December 2000 WAJA press release: On 12 December 2000, in Ouagadougou, the organising committee of the International Festival for Freedom of Expression and Press Freedom in West Africa decided to place the first stone of a memorial pillar in Sapouy, about 100 kilometres south of Ouagadougou, where Norbert […]
Two years after the murder of Norbert Zongo, those responsible are still free and RSF is barred from Burkina Faso
(RSF/IFEX) – The following is an RSF press release: Paris, 7 December 2000 MURDER OF NORBERT ZONGO: TWO YEARS AFTER THE MURDER OF NORBERT ZONGO, THOSE RESPONSIBLE ARE STILL FREE AND RSF IS NOT ALLOWED TO GO TO BURKINA-FASO On the occasion of the second anniversary of the murder of journalist Norbert Zongo, on 13 […]
RSF condemns total immunity enjoyed by head of state and his brother
(RSF/IFEX) – The following is a 21 August 2000 RSF press release: For immediate release Paris, 21 August 2000 Burkina Faso Three presidential guard soldiers sentenced in the David Ouedraogo case Reporters sans frontières condemns the total immunity enjoyed by the head of state and his brother Reporters sans frontières calls on Burkina Faso authorities […]
Trial of five members of presidential guard opens
**For background information on the Zongo case, see IFEX alerts of 19 April 2000, 7 December 1999, 7 May 1999, 22 and 16 December 1998** (RSF/IFEX) – The following is a RSF press release: Paris, 16 August 2000 Burkina Faso Trial of five members of the presidential guard opens: A report on the hearings available […]
CPJ condemns closure of radio station Horizon FM
CPJ is condemning the 16 April 2000 closure of Horizon FM, a privately-owned radio station based in Ouagadougou. The station appears to have been closed because it criticised the government of President Blaise Compaoré for failing to adequately investigate the December 1998 murder of Norbert Zongo, editor of the newspaper “L’Indépendant”. The bullet-ridden bodies of […]
Private radio station closed by police
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Yéro Boly, minister of territorial administration and security, RSF asked that the private radio station Horizon FM be reopened. RSF recalled that in January 1999 Burkina Faso ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 19 of which guarantees the “…freedom to seek, receive and impart information […]
Campaigners against impunity face jail sentences
**Updates IFEX alerts of 7 and 1 December, 9 July, 7 May and 18 January 1999, 22, 16 and 15 December 1998** (ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – The following is a 16 December 1999 ARTICLE 19 press release: BURKINA FASO: Human rights defenders face gross injustice Seven human rights defenders face up to five years in prison […]
Norbert Zongo case: continuation of the inquiry
**For background information on the Zongo case, see IFEX alerts of 1 December, 9 July, 7 May and 18 January 1999, 22, 16 and 15 December 1998** (RSF/IFEX) – The following is an RSF press release and report concerning the ongoing inquiry into the death of journalist Norbert Zongo: For immediate release, Paris, 7 December […]
Journalist arrested
**For background information on previous harassment of Paulin Yaméogo, see IFEX alert of 16 September 1999** (RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to the minister of territorial administration and security, Yéro Boly, RSF requested the immediate release of Paulin Yaméogo, director of the weekly newspaper “San Finna”, which is close to the opposition. The organisation recalled […]
International Human Rights Day 1999: challenging impunity
**Updates IFEX alerts of 9 July, 7 May and 18 January 1999, 22 October, 16 October and 15 December 1998** (ARTICLE 19/IFEX) -The following is an ARTICLE 19 press release: Forward Planning Notice Re: International Human Rights Day: 10 December 1999. INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY 1999: CHALLENGING IMPUNITY The last week has seen huge demonstrations […]