22 July 1996

Alert

Tongan authorities refuse entry to Agence France Presse reporter




Source: Pacific Islands News Association (PINA), Suva




On 18 July 1996, the Tongan Government told Agence France Presse
Pacific Islands correspondent Mike Field he would not be allowed
into the Kingdom of Tonga to attend the Pacific Islands News
Association (PINA) convention on 6 to 9 August.
In response, PINA immediately appealed to Tonga's Police Minister,
Clive Edwards, who is in charge of immigration matters. On 23
July, the chairman of the PINA convention organising committee in
Tonga met with the minister, who is appointed by the King and not
elected. The minister agreed to ask His Majesty's Cabinet to
discuss the issue.

Recommended Action


Send appeals to the Minister of Police:
  • urging that Field be allowed entry to Tonga
  • opposing any efforts to restrict the travel of journalists or
    their right to carry out their work unhindered





    Appeals To



    The Honourable Clive Edwards
    Minister of Police
    His Majesty's Cabinet
    Kingdom of Tonga
    Fax: +676 23226






    Please copy appeals to the originator if possible.






    Source:

    Canadian Journalists for Free Expression
    PO Box 407
    555 Richmond St. W., Suite 1101
    Toronto, ON M5V 3B1
    Canada
    cjfe @ cjfe.org
    Phone: +1 416 515 9622
    Fax: +1 416 515 7879
     

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