1 May 2001

Alert

IFJ protests journalists' imprisonment


Incident details

Nobert Zongo

journalist(s)

killed


(IFJ/IFEX) - In a 30 April 2001 letter to President Blaise Compaoré, IFJ expressed its deep concern over the recent arbitrary arrest of a dozen journalists, students, and private individuals at the Norbert Zongo Press Centre (NZPC).




According to IFJ's information, on 26 April, a group of twenty policemen raided the NZPC, arrested approximately twelve journalists, students and private individuals, and herded them into a police van. No explanation or reason was given.

IFJ reminded President Compaoré of the Norbert Zongo case (see IFEX alerts of 5 April, 30 and 9 March and 6 February 2001, 19, 18, and 7 December, 22 and 16 August and 19 April 2000, 17, 7 and 1 December, 22 September, 9 July, 7 May and 18 January 1999, 22, 16 and 15 December 1998), which crystallises the concerns of many people in Burkina Faso and the international community about press freedom and the rule of law under the current government. There is overwhelming evidence to suggest that Zongo was murdered simply for doing his duty as a journalist. This tragedy has been compounded by the government's unwillingness to tolerate criticism about its handling of the Zongo affair.

Recommended Action


Send appeals to the president:
- urging him to ensure that Zongo's murderers are brought to justice, and that the journalists, students and private individuals are released immediately




Appeals To


President Blaise Compaoré
Ouagadougou State House
Burkina Faso
Fax: + 226 31 49 26

Please copy appeals to the source if possible.









Source:

International Federation of Journalists
International Press Centre, Residence Palace
Bloc C, second floor, Rue de la Loi, 155
1040 Brussels
Belgium
Phone: +32 2 2352207
Fax: +32 2 2352219
 

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More on this case

Call to combat impunity on 12th anniversary of journalist's murder 15 December 2010 Police summon heads of Collective against Impunity two days after march on 10th anniversary of journalist's murder 16 December 2008 Protesters rename Ouagadougou avenue after slain journalist on 10th anniversary of murder 16 December 2008 Killers of journalist Norbert Zongo still not brought to justice nine years after his death 7 December 2007 President's brother launches libel lawsuit against bi-monthly after being implicated in Zongo murder 8 January 2007 Prosecutor refuses to reopen Zongo murder investigation 25 October 2006 RSF presents new evidence in Zongo murder case 20 October 2006 Appeal court upholds judge's decision to drop all charges in Zongo case 18 August 2006 Outrageous denial of justice in the 1998 murder of journalist Norbert Zongo 21 July 2006 Six years after journalist Norbert Zongo's murder, investigation remains stalled and impunity prevails 13 December 2004 Devastating new testimony against Presidential Guard in Norbert Zongo murder case 15 December 2003 Four years of impunity for the killers of journalist Norbert Zongo 13 December 2002 Three years of impunity for journalist Norbert Zongo's killers; RSF holds the authorities responsible for the fate of Marcel Kafando, the only person jailed in connection with the case 12 December 2001 President Blaise Compaoré's visit to France: RSF activists beaten up in front of Socialist Party headquarters; fourteen members of the organisation arrested 16 October 2001 French courts refuse to hear complaint against Burkina Faso president 12 October 2001 RSF files complaint against Blaise Compaoré with French authorities 11 October 2001 Special briefing on Zongo affair on CPJ website 5 April 2001 CPJ demands full investigation into editor's murder 30 March 2001 Thirty-five African newspapers affiliated with the "Press and Democracy" network appeal for an end to impunity in Burkina Faso 9 March 2001 Police occupy and close Norbert Zongo National Press Centre 19 December 2000 Demonstration in memory of journalist Norbert Zongo banned 18 December 2000 Two years after the murder of Norbert Zongo, those responsible are still free and RSF is barred from Burkina Faso 7 December 2000 RSF condemns total immunity enjoyed by head of state and his brother 22 August 2000 Campaigners against impunity face jail sentences 17 December 1999 Norbert Zongo case: continuation of the inquiry 7 December 1999 International Human Rights Day 1999: challenging impunity 1 December 1999 RSF representatives turned back 22 September 1999 Government official rejects RSF mission on journalist's death 9 July 1999 Report on death of journalist Norbert Zongo submitted by Independent Commission of Inquiry 7 May 1999 Violence escalates in the wake of journalist Zongo's death 18 January 1999 WAN calls for investigation into journalist's death 22 December 1998 WAJA suspects foul play in death of journalist Zongo, calls for enquiry 16 December 1998 IFJ protests killing of journalist Zongo 16 December 1998 Journalist found dead 15 December 1998

Burkina Faso

Radio host suspended for attending opposition meeting 2 June 2011 Mob prevents state TV journalists from covering labour meeting 25 March 2011 Angry university students attack state TV crew 23 March 2011 Call to combat impunity on 12th anniversary of journalist's murder 15 December 2010 See all alerts: Burkina Faso


 
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