Two international NGO’s are demanding the Cameroonian Government to unconditionally drop what it terms, ‘non denunciation charges’ against three journalists who are due to appear at the Yaoundé Military Tribunal today January 22 2016.
In a statement issued January 21 2016, Amnesty International and Reporters Without Borders said the journalists, Baba Wame, Rodrigue Ndeutchoua Tongue, and Félix Cyriaque Ebolé Bola,
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remained professional in their approach to handling information and want Yaounde authorities to put a halt to its repeated obnoxious practice of muzzling the press in Cameroon.
Below is a full statement issued by Amnesty and RWB….
Cameroon: Authorities must drop “non-denunciation” charges against three journalists
Cameroonian authorities must immediately and unconditionally drop all charges against three journalists accused of failing to disclose information and sources, Amnesty International and Reporters Without Borders said on the eve of their trial before a military court.
Journalists Baba Wame, Rodrigue Ndeutchoua Tongue, and Félix Cyriaque Ebolé Bola are due to appear before a military court in Yaoundé tomorrow. They are the first journalists charged for the crime of ‘non-denunciation’ to be tried in a military court.
The journalists had been investigating a story about allegations of collusion between elements of the security forces and a leader of an armed group from Central African Republic that had been accused of previously attacking a town in the east of Cameroon. They were charged with failing to share information that could harm national security.
“Charging journalists for abiding by the ethical standards of their profession is a violation of the right to freedom of expression, and a worrying development in Cameroon,” said Stephen Cockburn Amnesty International West and Central Africa Deputy Regional Director.
If convicted, the three journalists could be sentenced to jail terms between one and five years and/or a fine between 50,000 to 5 million CFA (approximately US$832 - US$8,325).
Having received documents about the alleged affair, the journalists had written to the police to get more information. Receiving no reply they abandoned the investigation and did not publish the story.
They were originally charged in October 2014 under Article 107 of Cameroon’s Criminal Code, and placed under judicial control, registering with the police each week and prevented from publishing in the media. The journalists deny they uncovered any information that could undermine security and say they wish to protect their sources.
“Cameroon’s Criminal Code should be reformed in conformity with international standards to protect freedom of expression and the confidentiality of sources. The public have a right to information and national security must not be used as a pretext to stop journalists from doing their job,” said Cléa Kahn-Sriber, Reporters Without Borders Africa Desk Manager.
Cameroon has ratified both the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, both of which provide protections for journalists and their sources.
For more information or to request and interview please contact:
· For Amnesty International, in Dakar (Sénégal), Sadibou Marong on +221 77 658 62 27. Email : sadibou.marong@amnesty.org
· For Reporters Without Borders, Cléa Kahn-Sriber on +33 1 44 83 84 76 Email : afrique@rsf.org / afrique2@rsf.org
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