Tongan authorities refuse entry to Agence France Presse reporter

Tonga
This article is more than 28 years old

Canadian Journalists for Free Expression

22 July 1996

1 minute read

Source: Pacific Islands News Association (PINA), Suva On 18 July 1996, the Tongan Government told Agence France Presse Pacific Islands correspondent Mike Field he would not be allowed into the Kingdom of Tonga to attend the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) convention on 6 to 9 August. In response, PINA immediately appealed to Tonga’s Police […]

Source: Pacific Islands News Association (PINA), Suva

On 18 July 1996, the Tongan Government told Agence France Presse
Pacific Islands correspondent Mike Field he would not be allowed
into the Kingdom of Tonga to attend the Pacific Islands News
Association (PINA) convention on 6 to 9 August.
In response, PINA immediately appealed to Tonga’s Police Minister,
Clive Edwards, who is in charge of immigration matters. On 23
July, the chairman of the PINA convention organising committee in
Tonga met with the minister, who is appointed by the King and not
elected. The minister agreed to ask His Majesty’s Cabinet to
discuss the issue.

Recommended Action


Send appeals to the Minister of Police:
  • urging that Field be allowed entry to Tonga
  • opposing any efforts to restrict the travel of journalists or
    their right to carry out their work unhindered

    Appeals To



    
The Honourable Clive Edwards
    
Minister of Police
    
His Majesty’s Cabinet
    
Kingdom of Tonga
    
Fax: +676 23226

    Please copy appeals to the originator if possible.

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