djibouti: Editor of opposition newspaper arrested again

IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
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ALERT - DJIBOUTI

23 April 2003

Editor of opposition newspaper arrested again

SOURCE: Reporters sans frontières (RSF), Paris

(RSF/IFEX) - Daher Ahmed Farah, editor of the newspaper "Le Renouveau" and
president of the Movement for Democratic Renewal and Development (Mouvement
pour le renouveau démocratique et le développement, an opposition party),
was arrested in Djibouti on the morning of 20 April 2003 and placed in
solitary confinement at Gabode prison.

The authorities have once again chosen the most repressive means to punish a
journalist, noted RSF. The organisation believes that Farah did nothing more
than express his opinion. RSF recalled that according to a United Nations
document, "as punishment for the peaceful expression of an opinion, a prison
sentence constitutes a serious human rights violation." The organisation
also urged the authorities to do everything in their power to ensure the
journalist's prompt release and to introduce measures guaranteeing press
freedom in the country.

According to information collected by RSF, Farah is being detained in cell
13 at Gabode prison, in Djibouti. His family was allowed to visit him. The
journalist has not been officially charged, but according to several
witnesses, General Zakaria Cheik Ibrahim reportedly filed a complaint
against "Le Renouveau" after it published an article that was critical of
him. In its 17 April edition (issue 475), the newspaper had targeted the
general in accusing the army of lacking "neutrality" and recalling that the
armed forces "must not take sides."

Farah has been jailed several times in the last few years. In most cases, he
was charged with violating the press law and handed a prison sentence or
fine. On 15 March, he was detained for one day and fined for "undermining
the army's morale".

For further information, contact Jean-François Julliard at RSF, rue Geoffroy
Marie, Paris 75009, France, tel: +33 1 44 83 84 84, fax: +33 1 45 23 11 51,
e-mail: [email protected], Internet: http://www.rsf.org

The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility of RSF.
In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit RSF.
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