(WAJA/IFEX) – In a 13 November 2000 letter to President Charles Taylor, WAJA protested the continued harassment of personnel of the “New Democrat” newspaper in Liberia. According to reports, the entire staff of the newspaper has fled the country as a result of intimidation and acts of harassment engaged in by security agents. The newspaper […]
(WAJA/IFEX) – In a 13 November 2000 letter to President Charles Taylor, WAJA protested the continued harassment of personnel of the “New Democrat” newspaper in Liberia.
According to reports, the entire staff of the newspaper has fled the country as a result of intimidation and acts of harassment engaged in by security agents. The newspaper was able to survive threats and harassment in the past, but the sustained pressure put on the publication since the beginning of 2000 has now resulted in the employees escaping into exile in Ghana and Guinea.
The list of attacks and harassment against the newspaper has ensured that some journalists have been prevented from discharging their legitimate duty of informing the Liberian people. WAJA expressed its concern at prevailing conditions that have made it difficult for those journalists to practice their profession in their country of birth.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the president:
– expressing your concern over prevailing conditions that have made it difficult for some journalists to practice their profession in their country of birth
– respectfully reminding him that the state ought to ensure that journalists are able to carry out their duty without fear and intimidation
– respectfully asking him to ensure that those responsible for harassing these journalists are disciplined, in order to deter others from engaging in similar acts
– calling on him to ensure that all forms of violence against journalists in Liberia are stopped, in order that those who have left can return home to continue informing the people of Liberia
Appeals To
APPEALS TO:
H.E. President Charles Taylor
President of the Republic of Liberia
Executive Mansion
Monrovia, Liberia
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
