Alert

Journalist arrested in Matadi

Incident details

Mbakulu Pambu Diambu

journalist(s)

detained

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF is protesting the arrest of a journalist in Matadi
(Lower-Congo region). According to RSF's information, ,
president of the local division of the Congolese Press Union (Union de la
presse du Congo, UPC) and journalist with the private station
Radio-télévision Matadi (RTM) was arrested at the end of November 1998. He
is detained at the offices of the National Information Agency (Agence
nationale de renseignements) in Matadi and has been brought before the
Kinshasa military court, where he will soon be tried for breach of state
security. The journalist is accused of having hosted a television show in
which he welcomed representatives of the rebellion as his guests, who were
active, at the time, in that part of the country.

**New case and update to IFEX alerts of 4 December, 3 June, 29 May, 7 May,
27 February and 12 February 1998**

RSF also recalls that two other journalists are currently detained in
Kinshasa. Albert Bonsange Yema, 54, who suffers from diabetes, is still
detained, having been sentenced on 21 May to twelve months imprisonment and
a heavy fine for breach of state security. He is editor of "L'Alarme"
newspaper. Jean José Monzango Akonga, 65, journalist with "L'Alarme", is
also still detained, having been sentenced on 20 November to pay US$50 bail.

Recommended Action

Send appeals to the President:

asking him to ensure that Mbakulu Pambu gets a fair and impartial trial
before a civil court

without commenting on the details of the case, urging him to immediately
and unconditionally release the journalist should this matter be related to
a violation of press laws

reminding him that the Democratic Republic of Congo has ratified the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 19 of which
guarantees the free flow of information

asking him to respect the agreements pledged by his country to the
international community and ensure that others also respect these agreements

urging him to do everything in his power to ensure the journalists'
unconditional release

Appeals To


Mr. Laurent-Désiré Kabila
President of the Republic
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

Fax your letters of protest care of the DRC diplomatic representative in
your country.

(in France)
Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo
Fax: +33 1 42 89 80 09

(in Canada)
Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo
18 Range Road
Ottawa, Ontario
K1N 8J3 Canada
Fax: +1 613 747 9152