IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
_________________________________________________________________

ALERT - DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

2 December 2002

Two journalists arrested and detained in Kinshasa

SOURCE: Journaliste en danger (JED), Kinshasa

(JED/IFEX) - On 2 December 2002, at around 10:30 a.m. (local time), officers
from the Congolese National Police Special Services Branch arrested
journalist Paulette Kimuntu and cameraman Kadima Baruani in front of the
South African embassy in Kinshasa. Both journalists work for the private
television station Radiotélévision Kin-Malebo (RTKM). Kimuntu and Baruani
were taken to the Police Special Services prison in Kin-Mazière. A JED
representative went to the prison at around 1:30 p.m., but was unable to
meet with the detained journalists, who were waiting to be questioned.

The authorities have yet to provide an official explanation for the
journalists' arrest and detention. The journalists were arrested just as
they were arriving in front of the South African embassy in order to film a
demonstration organised there by a self-described "free and independent"
civil society group. The demonstration was linked to Congolese political
negotiations that are currently underway in Pretoria, South Africa.

The protest organisers wanted to voice their displeasure over what they
termed "the cheating" in the choice of delegates from civil society groups
that have been meeting in Pretoria since 29 November. They described the
delegates as "spokespersons for the Kinshasa government." Police were
positioned throughout the streets adjacent to the South African embassy as
of the morning of 2 December.

The two journalists were arrested at the same time as Paul Nsapu and Sabin
Banza, two of the protest organisers.

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 99 29 345, fax: +243 12 21974, 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/
_________________________________________________________________