Burkina Faso: Journalist held without charge
After nearly a week since his arrest, N'Do Mathieu, chief editor of the weekly San Finna, is still being held in solitary confinement at the police barracks of the 'Compagnie Republicaine de Securitie (CRS)' in Ouagadougou, the capital. N'Do was picked up by security forces at the Ouagadougou International Airport on November 5, 2004 upon his return from an investigative trip to Cote d'Ivoire. The government has not given any reason for the arbitrary arrest and detention of the journalist but it is believed that his analysis on Burkina Faso's relations with its neighbors in the sub-region may have led to his ordeal. As chief editor of the San Finna, N'Do often writes about politics and institutions in Burkina Faso.
IFEX Autolist (other news of interest)
From: Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), [email][email protected]
Burkina Faso ALERT: Journalist held without charge
After nearly a week since his arrest, N'Do Mathieu, chief editor of the weekly San Finna, is still being held in solitary confinement at the police barracks of the 'Compagnie Republicaine de Securitie (CRS)' in Ouagadougou, the capital.
N'Do was picked up by security forces at the Ouagadougou International Airport on November 5, 2004 upon his return from an investigative trip to Cote d'Ivoire.
The government has not given any reason for the arbitrary arrest and detention of the journalist but it is believed that his analysis on Burkina Faso's relations with its neighbors in the sub-region may have led to his ordeal. As chief editor of the San Finna, N'Do often writes about politics and institutions in Burkina Faso.
Prior to his trip, N'Do provided several analyses on the tense relations between Burkina Faso and her neighbours - Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, and Mauritania. He denounced the position of his country in weapons and diamond trafficking in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Angola and the raging conflict in Cote d'Ivoire. He was detained for 5 hours each on those two occasions for expressing his opinions.
N'Do also advocated for the release of an opposition politician, Hermann Yameogo, who is currently detained for denouncing President Blaise Compaore's politics in the sub-region.
Efforts by local human rights organizations to have access to the detained journalist have proved futile and the state of his detention worsens.
The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) condemns the arbitrary arrest and detention of N'Do without a formal charge and the violation of his right to defense counsel.
The MFWA sees N'Do as a prisoner of conscience and urges the Government of Burkina Faso to charge him to a court of law if the government has probable reason to prosecute him for any alleged offense(s).
Meanwhile, the MFWA has referred this incident to its newly created regional Network of Lawyers for the Defense of Journalists for advise on appropriate intervention on behalf of N'Do and also to be ready to provide legal support when necessary.
Prof. Kwame Karikari
Executive Director (MFWA)
**The information contained in this autolist item is the sole responsibility of MFWA**