lesotho: Journalist denied access to information

IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
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ALERT - LESOTHO

28 May 2003

Journalist denied access to information

SOURCE: Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), Windhoek

(MISA/IFEX) - Thabo Thakalekoala, sub-editor of "Mopheme", a weekly
English-language newspaper in Lesotho, has repeatedly been denied
information relating to the treatment of Katleho Malataliana, a former
member of the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF). Malataliana was arrested in
November 1998, along with other LDF members, and later convicted of mutiny
against senior officers and the government.

Thakalekoala's investigation into the circumstances surrounding
Malataliana's hospitalisation began after he received several tips from
family members and other patients at the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital about
the prisoner's ill-treatment. Malataliana was transferred from Maseru
Central Prison, where he had been incarcerated since 1999, in early April
2003 after he suffered a stroke.

Thakalekoala has been investigating reports of possible human rights
violations against Malataliana since being told that he was handcuffed and
had his legs chained to his hospital bed. An armed guard was also positioned
at the door to Malataliana's hospital room. On 12 May, Thakalekoala visited
the hospital, where he personally witnessed Malataliana's ill-treatment.

On 15 May, Thakalekoala's attempts to get an official response from the
Director of Prisons were unsuccessful. He then attempted to get information
from the commander of Maseru Central Prison, where he was informed by an
officer, Lebitsa Lebitsa, that the commander would not comment on "internal
matters." The Transformation Resource Centre (TRC) of Lesotho, a well-known
human rights non-governmental organisation (NGO), has also refused to take
up the matter since, according to the NGO, its work relates to human rights
education rather than advocacy and lobbying for change.

That same day, Tokoloho Khutsoane, information officer for the Lesotho Red
Cross Society, informed Thakalekoala that the issue was not within its
jurisdiction, but instead fell within the mandate of the International
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) since the former LDF personnel were
considered to be political prisoners. Khutsoane referred Thakalekoala to the
ICRC's deputy head of mission, Pierre Dobbs, who is based in Pretoria, South
Africa. However, there has been no response to date to Thakalekoala's
queries.

When Thakalekoala contacted the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, he was
informed that the minister, Refiloe Masemene, was out of the country on
official business. Thakalekoala subsequently approached MISA's Lesotho
chapter (Miles) about this issue. Miles hopes, through issuing an alert, to
publicise the matter to seek external intervention to assist Malataliana.

For further information, contact Zoe Titus or Kaitira Kandjii, Regional
Information Coordinator, MISA, Street Address: 21 Johann Albrecht Street,
Mailing Address; Private Bag 13386 Windhoek, Namibia, tel: +264 61 232975,
fax: +264 61 248016, e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected],
Internet: http://www.misa.org/

The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility of MISA.
In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit MISA.
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