Burundi: Jailing of journalist a travesty of justice

“A prosecutor in the eastern city of Cankuzo yesterday requested life imprisonment for journalist Hassan Ruvakuki and 22 other people who are charged with ‘participating in acts of terrorism’ by a new rebel group operating in the east of the country. A reporter for Bonesha FM and the Swahili service of Radio France Internationale, Ruvakuki has been held since 28 November, after interviewing an alleged member of the rebel group, which is reportedly based in neighbouring Tanzania. … ‘It has already been demonstrated that this court is neither competent nor impartial, so the request for life sentences is just further evidence that the trial is a travesty orchestrated by the government,’ Reporters Without Borders said.”

Committee to Protect Journalists, 8 May 2012: “‘Conducting an interview is not an act of terrorism. Burundian authorities are misusing the law to punish a journalist for airing material they did not like,’ said CPJ East Africa Consultant Tom Rhodes. ‘The arrest and prosecution of Hassan Ruvakiki has been marked by a lack of fairness and due process. The case should be dropped immediately.’” See also RFI, 29 Dec 2011 and RFI, 9 May 2012.

Bemba Trial website (The Hague), 8 May 2012, Wakabi Wairagala, “The second victim to testify against Jean-Pierre Bemba today dismissed video footage shown in court by the defense that described as ‘liberators’ soldiers belonging to the accused’s Movement for the Liberation of Congo (MLC). Judes Mbetingou said the footage consisting of interviews Radio France Internationale (RFI) journalist Gabriel Kahn conducted with residents of Sibut town was ‘staged.’” See previous post about same subject.

The Daily Observer (Banjul), 9 May 2012, Sheriff Janko & Aji Fatou Faal: “The first bi-lingual French & English lessons on two Gambian radio stations namely; UniqueFM and City Limits produced by Radio France International (RFI) has begun. The programme, which will run from Mondays to Fridays on the two FM radios starting at 08:00 am with repeated editions in the evening, is designed to further enhance the Francophone environment as well as promote the use of French Language in The Gambia.”

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Posted by admin on Jun 22 2012. Filed under Journalists Killed, SOMALI NEWS. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry