(RSF/IFEX) – In a 24 August 1999 letter to Minister of Internal Affairs and Local Government Charles Margai, RSF protested the threats made to two journalists in Freetown. RSF asked the minister “to use your authority to thoroughly investigate the aggression and condemn the individuals concerned.” Robert Ménard, the organisation’s secretary-general, added: “Our organisation urges […]
(RSF/IFEX) – In a 24 August 1999 letter to Minister of Internal Affairs and
Local Government Charles Margai, RSF protested the threats made to two
journalists in Freetown. RSF asked the minister “to use your authority to
thoroughly investigate the aggression and condemn the individuals
concerned.” Robert Ménard, the organisation’s secretary-general, added: “Our
organisation urges you to ensure the security of all journalists in Sierra
Leone, and reminds you that Sierra Leone has ratified the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 19 of which protects press
freedom and the right to inform.”
According to RSF’s information, on 20 August, three members of the
Revolutionary United Front (RUF), Dennis Mingo, Mike Lamin and S.P. Kanu,
attacked the offices of the newspaper “For Di People”. They ransacked the
offices and beat Paul Kamara, the editor. The RUF members had taken offence
at an article published in the Monday 16 August edition of the newspaper,
saying they had demanded money from the government for staying in Freetown
and that they wasted money. That same day, an ECOMOG soldier, Major Anthony,
threatened Jonathan Leigh, the managing editor of the “Independent
Observer”. The newspapers published an article on 18 August accusing ECOMOG
soldiers of being inefficient against thieves. Leigh had stated that ECOMOG
soldiers preferred the company of prostitutes to ensuring the security of
the city. Major Anthony told the journalist that he would kill him when
given the order to arrest him.
