IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
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PRESS RELEASE/UPDATE - TOGO

9 May 2002

IFJ denounces intimidation and terror campaign against journalists

SOURCE: International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Brussels

**Updates IFEX alert of 17 April 2002**

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an 8 May 2002 IFJ press release:

The IFJ denounces a campaign of intimidation and terror against journalists
in Togo

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the world's largest
journalists' organisation, condemns the increased persecution of and threats
against Togolese journalists.

Koffi Augustin Amégah, publisher of Reporter des Temps Nouveaux, has been in
hiding since 18 April 2002, following the Togolese police's setting off of a
genuine "manhunt" against him. Mr. Amégah is being sought by the authorities
following his newspaper's publication of comments by a soldier who condemned
the seizure of 2,000 copies of La Tribune du Peuple, which is close to the
opposition. Despite Mr. Amégah's denial of any wrongdoing, the Togolese
police appear determined to obtain a forced confession from him concerning
his assumed sources.

Mr. Kodjo Afatsao Siliadin, publication director of La Tribune du Peuple,
also faces serious threats. The seizure of his weekly was ordered by the
Togolese interior minister, General Sizing Walla, after Mr. Siliadin was
accused of writing "disparaging remarks" (according to Article 108 of the
new Togolese Press Code) in an article published in his newspaper's 4 April
2002 edition. In the article, the author criticised the attack by Togolese
Armed Forces soldiers on a blacksmith accused of theft.

"The seizure of the newspaper and the threats to Kodjo Afatsao Siliadin's
and Koffi Amégah's lives are a flagrant violation of press freedom and the
free exercise of the journalism profession," stated Aidan White, the IFJ's
General Secretary. "This cycle of repression and terror targeting
journalists is unacceptable."

These obstacles to the right to inform are not isolated incidents either.
There have been several other cases in recent weeks in Togo. On 8 April,
hundreds of copies of Motion d'Information newspaper were seized. The next
day, 9 April, thousands of copies of the publication Le Regard were also
confiscated.

The IFJ firmly condemns the Togolese government's conduct, urges it to stop
seizing newspapers and put an immediate end to the threats weighing against
journalists Kodjo Afatsao Siliadin and Augustin Amégah. These attacks on the
press, which encourage self-censorship by the media, pose a challenge to
Togolese citizens' fundamental right to freedom of expression.

The IFJ is the world's largest journalists' organisation, with 500,000
members in 103 countries.

For further information, contact the IFJ, tel: +322 235 2200, or Mahmoun
Faye, 17, Boulevard de la République - BP. 21722, Dakar, Senegal, tel: +221
842 0142, fax: +221 842 0269, e-mail: [email protected], Internet:
http://www.ifj.org/

The information contained in this press release/update is the sole
responsibility of IFJ. In citing this material for broadcast or publication,
please credit IFJ.
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