DRC: Radio programme host arrested and detained in Bukavu
Télesphore Namukama, a radio programme host with Héritier de la Justice (Heir of Justice), a human rights organisation based in Bukavu, principal city of South Kivu province, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, was arrested on 12 February 2004 by Security and Intelligence Services (Direction de la sécurité et du renseignement, DSR) agents. Namukama also hosts the Swahili-language radio programme "Plaidons pour la justice" ("Let us plead for justice") with the Bukavu-based station Radio Sahuti ya Réhéma (The Voice of Mercy). The DSR has accused the host of "Plaidons pour la justice" of "sowing anxiety within the local population" in the 10 February broadcast of his programme. In the programme, Namukama discussed the recent discovery of arms caches in Bukavu, which cost former provincial governor Xavier Ciribanya his job. Drawing lessons from the situation, Namukama concluded that it is unlikely that peace will return to South Kivu province in the foreseeable future.
IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
_________________________________________________________________
ALERT - DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
12 February 2004
Radio programme host arrested and detained in Bukavu
SOURCE: Journaliste en danger (JED), Kinshasa
(JED/IFEX) - Télesphore Namukama, a radio programme host with Héritier de la
Justice (Heir of Justice), a human rights organisation based in Bukavu,
principal city of South Kivu province, in eastern Democratic Republic of
Congo, was arrested on 12 February 2004, at 3:00 p.m. (local time), by
Security and Intelligence Services (Direction de la sécurité et du
renseignement, DSR) agents. The DSR is the local equivalent of the
Kinshasa-based National Intelligence Agency (Agence nationale des
renseignements, ANR). Namukama also hosts the Swahili-language radio
programme "Plaidons pour la justice" ("Let us plead for justice") with the
Bukavu-based station Radio Sahuti ya Réhéma (The Voice of Mercy).
The DSR has accused the host of "Plaidons pour la justice" of "sowing
anxiety within the local population" in the 10 February broadcast of his
programme. In the programme, Namukama discussed the recent discovery of arms
caches in Bukavu, which cost former provincial governor Xavier Ciribanya his
job. Drawing lessons from the situation, Namukama concluded that it is
unlikely that peace will return to South Kivu province in the foreseeable
future.
JED's Bukavu correspondent reported that Namukama was still under
interrogation at the DSR's offices at 6:00 p.m. on 12 February.
Following the broadcast of Namukama's programme, DSR agents occupied Radio
Sahuti ya Réhéma's studio on 10 and 11 February.
For further information, contact D. M'Baya Tshimanga, president, Journaliste
en danger (JED), B.P. 633 Kinshasa 1, Democratic Republic of Congo, tel.
+243 99 29 323/+243 81513 05 85, fax: +243 88 01 625, e-mail:
[email protected], [email protected], Internet:
http://www.jed-congo.org
The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility of JED.
In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit JED.
_________________________________________________________________
DISTRIBUTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
EXCHANGE (IFEX) CLEARING HOUSE
489 College Street, Toronto (ON) M6G 1A5 CANADA
tel: +1 416 515 9622 fax: +1 416 515 7879
alerts email: [email protected] general e-mail: [email protected]
Internet site: http://www.ifex.org/
_________________________________________________________________