Togo

(WAN/IFEX) – The following is a WAN press release: Paris, 30 October 2001 Togo Frees Jailed Journalist The World Association of Newspapers today welcomed the release of prominent Togolese journalist Lucien Messan, whose case drew international attention to the government’s campaign to silence the independent press. Mr. Messan, 55, the editorial director of Le Combat […]

(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to the minister of the interior, General Sizing Walla, RSF protested the detention of Alphonse Nevamé Klu, publication director of the weekly “Nouvel Echo”. RSF urged the minister to release the journalist immediately. “Even if a journalist makes a mistake that undermines a person’s honour or esteem, arresting him in […]

(CPJ/IFEX) – In an 11 July 2001 letter to President Gnassingbé Eyadéma, CPJ stated that it is disturbed by the recent government seizure of the entire print run of the private Lomé-based weekly “Le Combat du Peuple” and the sentencing of Lucien Messan, the paper’s editor-in-chief, to 18 months in prison. On 2 July, according […]

(WAN/IFEX) – The following is a WAN press release: Paris, 4 July 2001 For immediate release WAN Meets Togolese Prime Minister, Calls for Journalist’s Release A delegation from the World Association of Newspapers has met with the Togolese Prime Minister, Agbeyome Kodjo, in Lomé to urge him to release imprisoned journalist Lucien Messan, the most […]

(IPI/IFEX) – In a 3 July 2001 letter to Togolese President Gnassingbe Eyadema, IPI expressed its profound concern over the decision of the Togolese authorities to seize the print-run of an opposition newspaper. According to information provided to IPI, on 2 July, a group of armed men, some of whom were dressed in military uniform, […]

(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to the justice minister in charge of the promotion of democracy and the rule of law, General Seyi Mémène, RSF protested the eighteen-month prison sentence given to Lucien Messan, editorial director of the weekly “Le Combat du Peuple”. RSF asked the minister to refer the matter to the competent authorities […]

(WiPC/IFEX) – WiPC is deeply dismayed to learn of the prison sentence handed down to Lucien Messan, editorial director of the weekly “Le Combat du Peuple”. Messan was given an eighteen- month sentence (six months of which is suspended) on 5 June 2001 for “falsehood and the use of falsehood.” The verdict was based on […]

(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Interior Minister General Sizing Walla, RSF protested the arrest of Lucien Messan, editorial director of the weekly “Le Combat du peuple”. RSF asked the minister to withdraw his complaint and refer the matter to the appropriate authorities so that the journalist is released immediately. “The motive for his arrest […]

(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to the minister of the interior and security, General Sising Walla, RSF protested the seizure of copies of the weekly “Le Regard”, a newspaper which has close ties to the opposition. The organisation asked that the seizure of newspapers be stopped. Recalling that copies of six different newspapers were seized […]

(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to the minister of the interior and security, General Sizing Walla, RSF protested the seizure of the two opposition weeklies “Le Combat du Peuple” and “Le Scorpion”. RSF asked that “the seized copies of the newspapers be returned to their owners” and that “the authorities stop harassing the newspapers’ managing […]

(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Minister of Communications and Public Training Koffi Panou, RSF protested the 17 July 2000 seizure of thousands of copies of the weekly “Le Combat du Peuple”, in Lomé. The organisation asked to be informed of the motives behind the measure. Recalling that copies of “Le Combat du Peuple” were […]

(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter addressed to the president of the Court of Appeal, Abdoulaye Yaya, RSF protested the three-month prison sentence against Hippolyte Agboh, managing editor of the private weekly “L’Exilé”. RSF asked Yaya for no prison sentence to be pronounced against the journalist during the appeal trial, and for the weekly “L’Exilé” to […]

(CPJ/IFEX) – In a 10 May 2000 letter to President Gnassingbe Eyadéma, CPJ stated that it was disturbed by the continued detention of Hippolyte Agboh, publisher of the private weekly “L’Exilé”, who is being prosecuted on criminal defamation charges. CPJ is equally concerned about the recent spate of reprisals against news organisations that have criticised […]

(WAJA/IFEX) – The following is a 22 April 2000 UJIT press release: Togolese private media under seige: An editor-in-chief is arrested and imprisoned, two others pursued, publications seized 1. On Thursday 13 April 2000, all copies of issue 27 of the weekly “l’Exilé” were seized by agents of the general information office of the national […]

(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Togolese State Prosecutor Atara N’Dakéna, RSF requested the release of Hippolyte Agboh, editor of the weekly “L’Exilé”. While not wishing to comment on the substance of the case, and while reminding journalists of their duty to verify information, RSF asked the State prosecutor to “see to it that Hippolyte […]

(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Gilchrist Olympio, president of the opposition party Union of Forces for Change (Union des forces du changement, UFC), RSF condemned an attack against state media journalists and technicians. RSF, which hopes to see those responsible for the attacks brought to justice, called on Olympio to do everything possible to […]