Togo: Three journalists released

PRESS RELEASE/UPDATE - TOGO

9 November 2001

Three journalists released

SOURCE: World Association of Newspapers (WAN), Paris

**Updates IFEX alerts of 31, 30 and 16 October 2001**

(WAN/IFEX) - The following is a WAN press release:

Paris, 9 November 2001
For immediate release

Togo Frees More Journalists

The World Association of Newspapers today welcomed the release from prison
of three Togolese journalists, bringing to four the number freed in the past
two weeks.

"If Togo has decided to empty its jails of journalists, this is indeed good
news," said Timothy Balding, Director General of the Paris-based WAN. "We
hope that the authorities will now cease to arrest and detain journalists on
spurious charges."

Journalists in Togo said the mobilisation of protests by other African
journalists, organised through the WAN African press network RAP 21, had
been an important factor in the releases. "This is once more clear evidence
that the pressure of international public opinion can free journalists. We
will continue to focus increased attention on African governments that do
not respect the basic human right of freedom of expression," said Mr
Balding.

According to reports, Togolese authorities freed Abdoul Ganiou Bawa, the
Editorial Director, and Rigobert Bassadou, the Editor-in-Chief, of the
private weekly Echos d'Afrique, who were jailed on 29 October for
"undermining honour" and "publishing false news." They were released on
presidential order ­ Mr Bawa on 2 November and Mr Bassadou on 30 October ­
and their cases dismissed.

Also freed was Alphonse Nevamé Klu, Publication Director of the weekly
Nouvel Echo, who was jailed on 13 October for "distribution of false news."
He was released on 30 October but his case is still pending.

Togo had last month freed Lucien Messan, the editorial director of Le Combat
du Peuple, who was released by presidential pardon. He had been sentenced in
June to 18 months in prison with six months suspended for "falsehood and the
use of falsehood."

A WAN delegation had met in July with Togolese officials, including Prime
Minister Agbeyome Kodjo, to urge them to stop arresting journalists and to
release Mr Messan, the most senior figure in the Togolese independent press.
It had also protested to the government against the other jailings.

WAN, the global organisation for the newspaper industry, defends and
promotes press freedom world-wide. It represents 17,000 newspapers; its
membership includes 67 national newspaper associations, individual newspaper
executives in 93 countries, 17 news agencies and eight regional and
world-wide press groups.

Inquiries to: Larry Kilman, Director of Communications, WAN, 25 rue
d'Astorg, 75008 Paris France. Tel: +33 1 47 42 85 00. Fax: +33 1 47 42 49
48. Mobile: +33 6 10 28 97 36. E-mail: [email protected]

For further information, contact Anne-Marie Stott or Larry Kilman at WAN,
25, rue d'Astorg, 75008 Paris, France, tel: +33 1 47 42 85 00, fax: +33 1 47
42 49 48, email: [email protected], [email protected], Internet:
http://www.wan-press.org

The information contained in this press release/update is the sole
responsibility of WAN. In citing this material for broadcast or publication,
please credit WAN.
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