(RSF/IFEX) – The latest issue of the weekly newspaper “La Tribune” has been banned, apparently because it contained criticism of recent government efforts to interfere with the election of the president of the national bar association. “This shows that despite the government saying it favours a “free, strong and professional” press, it continues to use […]
(RSF/IFEX) – The latest issue of the weekly newspaper “La Tribune” has been banned, apparently because it contained criticism of recent government efforts to interfere with the election of the president of the national bar association.
“This shows that despite the government saying it favours a “free, strong and professional” press, it continues to use the notorious Article 11 of the press law to punish newspapers that mention what it sees as taboo subjects,” said RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard in a letter to Interior Minister Lemrabott Sidi Mahmoud Ould Cheikh Ahmed. At least five newspapers have been censored by the ministry since June 2001.
The Interior Ministry refused to allow the 2 July 2002 issue of the French-language weekly newspaper “La Tribune” (no.165) to be printed, in accordance with Article 11 of the press law. The decision appears to have been prompted by an article in the issue entitled “Bar Association Election”, which criticised the government’s failed attempt to prevent Mahfoudh Ould Bettah’s re-election as the association’s president at a 27 June meeting.
RSF recalls that the managing editor of “La Tribune”, Mohamed Fall Ould Oumere, was arrested on 12 April for investigating the activities of a non-officially recognised organisation called “Conscience et résistance”. He was released on 21 April (see IFEX alerts of 1 May and 16 April 2002).
