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MRA Condemns Arrest of
Newswatch Editor
The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) is dismayed by the continued
wave of harassment of Senior Editorial and Management Staff of Newswatch
Communication Limited, Publishers of Newswatch Magazine.
Specifically, the MRA is concerned about the arrest last
week of Mr. Dan Agbese, Editor-in-chief of the Magazine and the Week of
Mr. Ray Ekpu and Mr. Yakubu Mohammed which we view as a fresh attempt to
suppress critical opinion.
This renewed onslaught on the Press makes nonsense of
assurances by the Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana, that this
Government would not harass Journalists and Media Houses. It also
ridicule the pledge by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister
for Justice, Dr. Olu Onagoruwa, that no one would be subjected to
administrative detentions.
The actions amount to a violation of the principles of free
speech and freedom of the Press enshrined in Section 36 of the 1979
Constitution, Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and People’s
Rights and Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
It is ironic that an administration that has been in
existence for barely five months has recorded so many violation of Press
freedom.
Since it is our view that the Government’s action portends
and amounts to a series of massive violations of Human Rights, we are
asking the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, in accordance
with Article 58 of the African Charter, to refer the matter to the
Assembly of Heads of State and Government for consideration.
In the interim, we demand the immediate release of Mr.
Agbese, Mr. Ekpu and Mr. Mohammed.
TIVE DENEDO
NATIONAL SECRETARY
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