IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
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ALERT - CÔTE D'IVOIRE

7 February 2003

Journalist detained by rebels in western Côte d'Ivoire

SOURCE: Reporters sans frontières (RSF), Paris

(RSF/IFEX) - A reporter from the independent daily "Soir Info" was detained
by rebels on 6 February 2003 in Man (western Côte d'Ivoire). RSF urges the
three rebel groups that operate in the city to do everything possible to
secure the journalist's prompt release.

"Press freedom can no longer be taken for granted in Côte d'Ivoire. With
each passing day, journalists are taking more risks to cover the news," said
Robert Ménard, the organisation's secretary-general. "The rebels, who have
boasted about their enormous respect for human rights, must release this
journalist and ensure that media professionals can work with a sense of
security in areas under their control," he added.

According to information collected by RSF, on 6 February, rebel forces
arrested René Dessonh, a reporter with the newspaper "Soir Info", in Kouibly
(30 kilometres from Man). The rebels who detained the journalist are most
likely members of one of two western-based rebel groups, the Ivorian Popular
Movement of the Great West (Mouvement populaire ivoirien du Grand-Ouest,
MPIGO) or the Movement for Justice and Peace (Mouvement pour la justice et
la paix, MJP). The previous evening, the journalist had travelled to Man to
cover a meeting of the three Ivorian rebel groups. According to "Soir Info"
management, youths reportedly accused Dessonh of being a spy after
recognising him at a roadblock. He was then reportedly detained by rebels
and driven to Man. No one has received any information from him since and
his place of detention is unknown.

RSF recalls that the three Ivorian rebel groups signed the Linas-Marcoussis
treaty, in which all parties to the conflict pledged to respect human rights
and press freedom.

For further information, contact Jean-François Julliard at RSF, rue Geoffroy
Marie, Paris 75009, France, tel: +33 1 44 83 84 84, fax: +33 1 45 23 11 51,
e-mail: [email protected], Internet: http://www.rsf.org

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