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MRA
CONDEMNS SEIZURE OF TELL MAGAZINES
The Media Rights Agenda condemns the weekend raid by
security agents on the premises of Academy Printers and the seizure of
copies 50,000 copies of TELL magazine.
The action is a gross violation of the provisions of
Section 36 of the 1979 constitution as amended. It is also a breach of
Nigeria’s international obligations under Article 9 of the African Charter
on Human and Peoples’ Rights, 1983 and Article 19 of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, 1948 which the Abacha Regime has also
covenanted to uphold by virtue of the provisions of the recently
promulgated Constitution (Suspension and Modification) Decree No 107 of
1993.
The MRA is concerned about the return of Abacha
Administration to the strong arm tactics of the discredited Babangida
regime in an attempt to stifle the free flow of information and ideas
despite the promise of the Head of State, General Sani Abacha, at the
inception of his government, to respect the freedom of the press.
We wish to remind the government that the pledge to uphold
press freedom implies a willingness to allow not only information and news
reports favourable to it, but also those distasteful to it even severely
critical of the government.
The action has also confirmed the fears expressed by the
human rights community at the inception of this administration that its
modus operandi would not be substantially different from that of the
Babangida administration.
This latest action, coupled with the government’s retention
of the controversial Newspapers Decree No. 43 of 1993 signifies the
intention of the Abacha regime to wage a war against the press.
The action serves to reinforce the belief that press
freedom cannot thrive under a military government but can best be
guaranteed in a democratic arrangement.
The MRA calls on the Nigerian press to stand up in defence
of their constitutional right to exist and operate within internationally
recognized standards of press freedom.
We accordingly demand the immediate release of the seized
copies of TELL magazine and a pledge by the government to tread the
path of the rule of law.
TIVE DENEDO
NATIONAL SECRETARY
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