Articles by ARTICLE 19
Human Rights Leader On Trial
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – On 5 February 1998, Khemais Ksila, vice-President of the Tunisian Human Rights League (LTDH), will be tried on criminal charges because he announced that he would go on hunger strike after the Tunisian authorities had him dismissed from his job and confiscated his passport. Mr Ksila was arrested on 29 September 1997 […]
Two men detained
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – On 30 January 1998, Michael Lawson, a student at Fourabhay College University, Freetown, was arrested and detained along with another unidentified man for having allegedly supplied information to a clandestine radio station. It seems that no criminal charges have been brought against the two men, who have already been held beyond the […]
Journalist forced into hiding, newspaper suspended
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – Sorie Sudan Sesay, a senior journalist for the “Independent Observer”, has been forced into hiding following the issue of a warrant for his arrest in connection with an article claiming that Iranian soldiers were due to come to Sierra Leone. As well, “The Democrat” suspended publication in recent days following threats from […]
Concern over new law which would curb freedom of religious expression
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – Following is the full text of a 29 January 1998 letter sent by ARTICLE 19 to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. The letter expresses concern at a new law under consideration in Turkey which would curb freedom of religious expression. “ARTICLE 19 is extremely concerned about reports that a […]
Supreme Court revokes amendments to press law
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – On 26 January 1998, the Jordanian Supreme Court decided to revoke the May 1997 amendments to the 1993 Press and Publications Law. The Court decided that the May 1997 Law was unconstitutional because it was enforced without the ratification of the Jordanian Parliament. On 28 January, ARTICLE 19 pledged to continue supporting […]
Two additional “Herald Guardian” journalists reported arrested; “We Yone” journalist arrested; freelance journalist arrested
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – According to Article 19, at the time of the arrest of “Herald Guardian” newspaper journalist Sylvanus Kanyako (see IFEX alert), jounalists David Koroma and Mohamed Kallon were also arrested. The three were arrested by officers of the National Intelligence Service at the newspaper’s offices. According to ARTICLE 19’s information, the reason for […]
ARTICLE 19 condemns banning of politcal party
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – On 16 January 1998, ARTICLE 19 unequivocally condemned the banning by Turkey’s constitutional court of the Welfare Party and the prohibition of its leaders from political activity. Said Essoulami, head of ARTICLE 19’s Middle East programme, responded to this action by commenting that “today, four million Turkish citizens have been disenfranchised. Experience […]
Journalist held at unknown location
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – On 17 January 1998, Michael Danielson, a sports writer for the “Independent Observer”, was arrested by soldiers in Freetown. He is still being held at an unknown location. Danielson had been in Freetown researching a story about a soldier. In the course of his research the soldier came to his home and […]