(RSF/IFEX) – RSF reports that according to its information, the 12 January 1998 edition of the independent newspaper “Le Calame” has been censored. The copies of the newspapers were held at the Ministry of the Interior. The authorities have not provided any explanation for taking this measure. The seizure of the papers seems to be […]
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF reports that according to its information, the 12 January
1998 edition of the independent newspaper “Le Calame” has been censored. The
copies of the newspapers were held at the Ministry of the Interior. The
authorities have not provided any explanation for taking this measure. The
seizure of the papers seems to be related to an article on the banned
opposition movement “Forces de Liberation Africaine de Mauritanie” (African
Liberation Forces of Mauritania).
In another case, the independent weekly newspaper “Mauritanie Nouvelles” has
been suspended for three months. The editions in French and Arabic were
seized by officials of the Ministry of the Interior. The newspaper had
already been suspended for an equal length of time on the eve of the
presidential elections. “Mauritanie Nouvelles” was to reappear on Monday 12
January 1998. In total, the independant paper has been banned for 10 months
in the last two years. The editors fear that this new suspension will bring
nothing less than the closing down of their paper. In 1997, the authorities
censored twelve times and suspended three publications. All these measures
were taken using Article 11 of the Press Law, which permits the Ministry of
the Interior to seize any publication, without any explanation.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to President Ould Sid Ahmed Taya:
and “Mauritanie Nouvelles” lifted
Appeals To
Ould Sid Ahmed Taya
President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania
Nouakchott, Mauritania
Fax: +222 2 568 90
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
