Articles by ARTICLE 19
Ninth anniversary of fatwa against Salman Rushdie
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – In a 12 February 1998 press release, ARTICLE 19 states that, in the run up to the ninth anniversary of the fatwa threatening the lives of writer Salman Rushdie and his associates, the International Rushdie Defence Committee has written to European Union (EU) President Robin Cook asking if it would be possible […]
Writer/religious scholar detained since 1996
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – ARTICLE 19 is extremely concerned about the continuing detention without charge or trial of Shaikh Abd al-Amir Mansur al-Jamri, a 60-year old writer and religious scholar. According to ARTICLE 19’s information, Shaikh al-Jamri, a former member of Bahrain’s National Assembly, dissolved by the Amir in 1975, has been a prominent campaigner for […]
Renewed detention of journalist; continued closure of radio station
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – According to ARTICLE 19, Baboucar Gaye, proprietor of Citizen FM radio, was detained on 10 February 1998, and the enforced closure of the radio station continued on 11 February 1998. Background Information Gaye was arrested, along with Ebrima Sillah, news editor of Citizen FM radio, by the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) on […]
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 […]