(RSF/IFEX) – RSF is protesting the arbitrary arrest of a journalist in the Cabo Delgado region. According to RSF’s information, Fernando Quinova, a correspondent with the Social Communication Institute in the Cabo Delgado region (Chiure district), was arrested and arbitrarily detained for twenty three days. On 27 October 1998, Radio Mozambique broadcast a report in […]
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF is protesting the arbitrary arrest of a journalist in the
Cabo Delgado region. According to RSF’s information, Fernando Quinova, a
correspondent with the Social Communication Institute in the Cabo Delgado
region (Chiure district), was arrested and arbitrarily detained for twenty
three days. On 27 October 1998, Radio Mozambique broadcast a report in which
Quinova denounced the treatment of Cabral Manica during his arrest for
stealing. The presumed delinquent was tortured to death by police officers.
According to the journalist, members of the police force wanted revenge for
the offence they suffered when this information was broadcast, and detained
Quinova without trial nor under anyone’s orders. During his detention he was
subject to poor treatment by police officers: he was a victim of extortion
by police officers who demanded money to allow him access to sunlight. He
managed to escape from prison and walked in the bush for two weeks before
finally reaching the city of Pemba on 25 January 1999.
**Updates IFEX alert of 28 January 1999**
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the President:
the
journalist be identified and punished
Civil
and Political Rights, Article 7 of which states that no one shall be subject
to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading penalties
Appeals To
His Excellency Joaquim Alberto Chissano
President
Avenida Julius Nyerere 2000
Caixa Postal 285
Maputo, Mozambique
Fax: +258 49 20 68
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
