On 3 October 1996, the Littoral Appeals Court in Douala sentenced “Le Messager Popoli” journalists Pius Njawe and Eyoum Ngangue to six months’ imprisonment and a 100,000 CFA (US$ 200) fine, and one year in prison and a 300,000 CFA (US$ 600) fine, respectively, invalidating a 27 February 1996 verdict from the Douala Court of […]
On 3 October 1996, the Littoral Appeals Court in Douala sentenced
“Le Messager Popoli” journalists Pius Njawe and Eyoum Ngangue to
six months’ imprisonment and a 100,000 CFA (US$ 200) fine, and one
year in prison and a 300,000 CFA (US$ 600) fine, respectively,
invalidating a 27 February 1996 verdict from the Douala Court of
First Instance under which the two had only been fined. The court
also issued a warrant for the arrest of Njawe and Ngangue, who
were charged with abusing/insulting the President and members of
the National Assembly (“outrage par injure fait au president de la
Republique ainsi qu’aux membres de l’Assemblee Nationale”) and for
disseminating “false news” (“propagation de fausses nouvelles”)
after the publication of a satirical article in “Le Messager
Popoli” in December 1995.
The prosecution of Njawe, Ngangue and “Le Messager Popoli” was
undertaken by the public prosecutor’s office without any complaint
having been received from the President or members of the National
Assembly. Under the law, such statements are necessary for alleged
abuses made via the press. The appeal of the February decision was
launched in a similar manner by the prosecution, which called for
prison terms for the two. The Douala Court of Appeals verdict
followed comments made by former Minister of Justice/Keeper of the
Seals Douala Moutome, who expressed outrage to Douala judicial
officials and the public at the leniency of the 27 February
decision. Moutome also threatened Judge Awana, who pronounced the
February verdict, with disciplinary action and said he received
instructions from “high up” (“[de] la haute hierarchie”) to
rectify the matter.
According to FIEJ, these latest incidents against Njawe and
Ngangue are only a few in a series of government attacks on the
Cameroonian press.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the Cameroonian President:
Ngangue
decision is overturned and that media workers in Cameroon be
allowed to carry out their professional duties unhindered
newspapers on issues of editorial content are grave attacks on the
right to inform and be informed, guaranteed by the Cameroonian
Constitution
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter
Appeals To
His Excellency Paul Biya
President of the Republic of Cameroon
Place de l’Unite
Yaounde, Cameroon
Fax: +237 23 30 22/22 16 99
Please copy appeals to the originator if possible.
