(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Minister of the Interior Ibrahim Mazou, RSF requested the release of three journalists with the private weekly “L’Enquêteur”. “We remind you that in January 2000, the United Nations’ special rapporteur on freedom of opinion and freedom of expression stated that imprisonment as punishment for the peaceful expression of an […]
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Minister of the Interior Ibrahim Mazou, RSF requested the release of three journalists with the private weekly “L’Enquêteur”. “We remind you that in January 2000, the United Nations’ special rapporteur on freedom of opinion and freedom of expression stated that imprisonment as punishment for the peaceful expression of an opinion is a serious violation of human rights,” noted Robert Ménard, the organisation’s secretary-general. “Moreover, the forty-eight hour limit for detention in police custody without charge has expired, and in addition to being contrary to Niger’s international commitments, this detention is illegal under Niger’s laws,” added Ménard.
According to information collected by RSF, Sumana Maïga, founder of “L’Enquêteur”, as well as Dahirou Gouro and Salif Dago, chief editor and journalist, respectively, with the weekly, were arrested between 23 and 25 October. They are being held at the criminal investigation department’s offices in Niamey. The three men are accused of “disturbing public order”. On 3 October, “L’Enquêteur” published an article about a dispute between Niger and Benin concerning the island of Lété. The incriminating article stated that Benin had closed its border and that Niger had sent troops to the area. The information had already been published in several Beninese newspapers.
