Senegal: Two journalists given four-month sentences for defamation
The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN condemns the prison sentences handed out to journalists Mamadou Oumar Ndiaye and Pape Ndiaye in April 2002 for "defamation" and "insult". Mamadou Oumar Ndiaye and Pape Ndiaye, publication director and reporter respectively with the Dakar-based weekly Le Témoin, were each sentenced to four months' imprisonment without parole and fined a total of three million CFA francs (approx. US$4,110). The verdict stemmed from a complaint lodged by Victor Cabrita, the director of the Sainte Marie de Hann Catholic school, following a September 2001 article in Le Témoin that alleged financial malpractice at the school. The article also included remarks made by union members to the effect that Cabrita was "a slave driver and a racist". The two journalists are appealing the judgment.
Subject: Senegal: Two journalists given four-month sentences fordefamation
Date: Friday, May 03, 2002 9:56 AM
RAPID ACTION NETWORK
3 May 2002
RAN 26/02
Senegal: Two journalists given four-month sentences for defamation
The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN condemns the prison
sentences handed out to journalists Mamadou Oumar Ndiaye and Pape Ndiaye in
April 2002 for "defamation" and "insult".
Mamadou Oumar Ndiaye and Pape Ndiaye, publication director and reporter
respectively with the Dakar-based weekly Le Témoin, were each sentenced to
four
months' imprisonment without parole and fined a total of three million CFA
francs (approx. US$4,110). The verdict stemmed from a complaint lodged by
Victor
Cabrita, the director of the Sainte Marie de Hann Catholic school, following
a
September 2001 article in Le Témoin that alleged financial malpractice at
the
school. The article also included remarks made by union members to the
effect
that Cabrita was "a slave driver and a racist".
The two journalists are appealing the judgment.
The case comes to court again on 6 June 2002 due to the fact that Cabrita
lodged
two separate complaints about the article.
On World Press Freedom Day it is sad to have to report the jailing of two
journalists in yet another example of the heavy-handed tactics used against
the
press in many parts of the world. Whilst making no comment on the details of
this case, International PEN reiterates its belief that
instances of alleged defamation and libel should be dealt with by civil
rather
than criminal
courts, and that custodial sentences are wholly inappropriate in such cases.
International PEN calls upon the Senegalese authorities to release Mamadou
Oumar
Ndiaye and Pape Ndiaye immediately and to drop all pending criminal charges
against them.
Please send appeals:
- Urging the Senegalese authorities to release Mamadou Oumar Ndiaye and Pape
Ndiaye immediately and to deal with any further charges through the civil
courts.
Appeals to:
President Abdoulaye Wade
Office of the President
Avenue Roume, BP 168
Dakar
Fax: +221 821 8660
For further details contact Dixe Wills at the Writers in Prison Committee
London
Office: 9-10 Charterhouse Buildings, London EC1M 7AT UK Tel: + 44 (0) 20 72
53
32 26 Fax: + 44 (0) 20 72 53 57 11 e-mail: [email protected]
Dixe Wills
Africa and Americas Researcher
Writers in Prison Committee
International PEN