**Updates IFEX alert of 23 December 1999** (RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to the minister of communications and civic training, Koffi Panou, RSF requested the release of Roland Kpagli Comlan, editor of the newspaper “L’Aurore” in Lomé. While critical of the journalist’s error, RSF recalled that sentencing people to prison for violating press laws is […]
**Updates IFEX alert of 23 December 1999**
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to the minister of communications and civic training, Koffi Panou, RSF requested the release of Roland Kpagli Comlan, editor of the newspaper “L’Aurore” in Lomé. While critical of the journalist’s error, RSF recalled that sentencing people to prison for violating press laws is considered by international human rights bodies as “disproportionate” to the suffering of the victim. “Which explains why today, no democratic state passes prison sentences in press-related cases,” added Robert Ménard, the organisation’s secretary-general.
According to information compiled by RSF, on 23 December 1999, Kpagli Comlan was arrested at his residence and taken to the national police station in Lomé. He is accused of publishing an article in the 15 December edition of the weekly which stated that a secondary school pupil had been killed by police officers. The police officers had come to break up a student meeting which was being held in a classroom on 7 December. During the clash, the girl was beaten and lost consciousness. The announcement of her death was made at a press conference held by student unions. In fact, the girl did not die. She stated on national television that she had regained consciousness while in hospital.
