Two years after the murder of Norbert Zongo, those responsible are still free and RSF is barred from Burkina Faso
(RSF/IFEX) – The following is an RSF press release: Paris, 7 December 2000 MURDER OF NORBERT ZONGO: TWO YEARS AFTER THE MURDER OF NORBERT ZONGO, THOSE RESPONSIBLE ARE STILL FREE AND RSF IS NOT ALLOWED TO GO TO BURKINA-FASO On the occasion of the second anniversary of the murder of journalist Norbert Zongo, on 13 […]
RSF condemns total immunity enjoyed by head of state and his brother
(RSF/IFEX) – The following is a 21 August 2000 RSF press release: For immediate release Paris, 21 August 2000 Burkina Faso Three presidential guard soldiers sentenced in the David Ouedraogo case Reporters sans frontières condemns the total immunity enjoyed by the head of state and his brother Reporters sans frontières calls on Burkina Faso authorities […]
Trial of five members of presidential guard opens
**For background information on the Zongo case, see IFEX alerts of 19 April 2000, 7 December 1999, 7 May 1999, 22 and 16 December 1998** (RSF/IFEX) – The following is a RSF press release: Paris, 16 August 2000 Burkina Faso Trial of five members of the presidential guard opens: A report on the hearings available […]
Private radio station closed by police
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Yéro Boly, minister of territorial administration and security, RSF asked that the private radio station Horizon FM be reopened. RSF recalled that in January 1999 Burkina Faso ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 19 of which guarantees the “…freedom to seek, receive and impart information […]
CPJ condemns closure of radio station Horizon FM
CPJ is condemning the 16 April 2000 closure of Horizon FM, a privately-owned radio station based in Ouagadougou. The station appears to have been closed because it criticised the government of President Blaise Compaoré for failing to adequately investigate the December 1998 murder of Norbert Zongo, editor of the newspaper “L’Indépendant”. The bullet-ridden bodies of […]
Campaigners against impunity face jail sentences
**Updates IFEX alerts of 7 and 1 December, 9 July, 7 May and 18 January 1999, 22, 16 and 15 December 1998** (ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – The following is a 16 December 1999 ARTICLE 19 press release: BURKINA FASO: Human rights defenders face gross injustice Seven human rights defenders face up to five years in prison […]
Norbert Zongo case: continuation of the inquiry
**For background information on the Zongo case, see IFEX alerts of 1 December, 9 July, 7 May and 18 January 1999, 22, 16 and 15 December 1998** (RSF/IFEX) – The following is an RSF press release and report concerning the ongoing inquiry into the death of journalist Norbert Zongo: For immediate release, Paris, 7 December […]
Journalist arrested
**For background information on previous harassment of Paulin Yaméogo, see IFEX alert of 16 September 1999** (RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to the minister of territorial administration and security, Yéro Boly, RSF requested the immediate release of Paulin Yaméogo, director of the weekly newspaper “San Finna”, which is close to the opposition. The organisation recalled […]
International Human Rights Day 1999: challenging impunity
**Updates IFEX alerts of 9 July, 7 May and 18 January 1999, 22 October, 16 October and 15 December 1998** (ARTICLE 19/IFEX) -The following is an ARTICLE 19 press release: Forward Planning Notice Re: International Human Rights Day: 10 December 1999. INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY 1999: CHALLENGING IMPUNITY The last week has seen huge demonstrations […]
RSF representatives turned back
(RSF/IFEX) – The following is an 18 September 1999 RSF letter to Burkina Faso Minister Djibrill Bassolé, protesting the turning back of the organisation’s representatives from the Ouagadougou airport on 17 September: Mr Djibrill Bassolé Minister responsible for Security Ministry of Territorial Administration and Security Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso Paris, 18 September 1999 Mr Minister, Upon […]
Journalist detained
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Security Minister Djibrill Bassolé, RSF asked that Paulin Yaméogo, editor-in-chief of the weekly “San Finna”, be released immediately. Robert Ménard, the organisation’s secretary-general, added that: “To our knowledge, this journalist did nothing more than exercise his right to inform, in accordance with the international treaties ratified by Burkina Faso.” […]
Government official rejects RSF mission on journalist’s death
(RSF/IFEX) – The following is an RSF letter to Burkina Faso Security Minister Djibrill Bassolé, further to his refusal to allow an RSF follow-up mission of inquiry into circumstances surrounding the December 1998 death of journalist Norbert Zongo: Mr. Djibrill Bassolé Minister responsible for security Ministry of Territorial Administration and Security Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso Paris, […]
Report on death of journalist Norbert Zongo submitted by Independent Commission of Inquiry
(RSF/IFEX) – The following is an RSF press release: **Updates IFEX alerts of 18 January 1999, 22 December, 16 December and 15 December 1998** Paris, 7 May 1999 For immediate release Press Release Burkina Faso: Norbert Zongo case The Independent Commission of Inquiry in which Reporters sans frontières participated has submitted its report to the […]
Violence escalates in the wake of journalist Zongo’s death
(IFJ/IFEX) – The IFJ is shocked by recent developments in Burkina since the death of Norbert Zongo. According to IFJ’s information, the authorities have been attacking those who have been calling for investigations into the death of Zongo and his companions. Tear gas and live bullets have been fired at strikers or demonstrators involved in […]
WAN calls for investigation into journalist’s death
(WAN/IFEX) – The following is a 22 December 1998 WAN press release: Paris, 22 December 1998 For immediate release WAN Calls for Investigation into African Journalists’ Death The World Association of Newspapers (WAN) has called for an investigation into the death of Norbert Zongo, Chief Editor of Burkina Faso’s private weekly L’Indépendent and head of […]
WAJA suspects foul play in death of journalist Zongo, calls for enquiry
(WAJA/IFEX) – The following is a 16 December 1998 statement by WAJA further to the death under suspicious circumstances of Burkina Faso journalist Norbert Zongo: WAJA is expressing deep shock further to the mysterious death of Norbert Zongo, editor-in-chief of the “The Independent”, a weekly publication in Ougadougou, Burkina Faso on 13 December 1998. Zongo, […]