11 April 2012

IFJ backs red-armband campaign after Tunisian journalists attacked

The IFJ has strongly condemned the Tunisian government following the physical assault of at least 14 journalists in two separate incidents this week.

The news comes on the eve of a campaign day (Thursday 12 April), organised by the Syndicat National des Journalistes Tunisiens, when journalists are being asked to wear red armbands to symbolise their opposition to attempts to crack down on journalists' rights.

The latest attacks occurred in Sfax on Sunday 8 April and Tunis on Monday 9 April during demonstrations against the policies of the Al-Nahda dominated government, including a recent ban on protests in the capital.

Both demonstrators and journalists covering the protests, which were organised around Tunisia's Martyr's Day, were beaten by security forces and, according to witness reports, by ‘Al-Nahda affiliated militia'.

‘It is outrageous that Tunisia's people should be subjected to such violence, which is clearly intended to stop critical voices from being heard,' said IFJ president Jim Boumelha. ‘The authorities should immediately open a public investigation into the attacks to bring the guilty to justice.'

Security forces used batons and tear gas to disperse protesters, human rights activists and journalists who were covering the demonstration. The Syndicat National des Journalistes Tunisiens (SNJT), an IFJ affiliate, strongly condemned the violence, in which it says at least 14 journalists have been beaten. The SNJT's board said such repressive attacks were a clear indicator of the return of brutal practices seeking to undermine freedom of speech, to deprive people from their right to information and to prevent journalists from doing their jobs.

The IFJ has given its support to the SNJT's campaign to fight back and protect the gains of the revolution. The IFJ and the SNJT are jointly calling on all journalists in Tunisia to carry the red armband in their media houses on Thursday 12 April. They have also called on all media and journalists' organisations in Tunisia and beyond to express their opposition to these attacks on media freedom and to express solidarity with the Tunisian people and media community.

For more information, please contact IFJ on +32 2 235 22 05
The IFJ represents more than 600.000 journalists in 134 countries

http://www.ifj.org/en/articles/ifj-backs-red-armband-campaign-after-tunisian-journalists-attacked#

08 October 2010

IFJ Calls for Immediate Release of Ailing Tunisian Journalist

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today expressed its grave concern over the well-being of Tunisian journalist Fahem Boukaddous and urged his immediate release. Boukaddous, whose health has sharply deteriorated in prison, is serving a four year jail term following his conviction in March for "forming a criminal association liable to attack persons".

"We are very concerned about Boukaddous who needs urgent medical treatment unavailable to him in prison," said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary. "Boukaddous has already been denied his freedom as punishment for his independent journalism. Without immediate action his long term health is under threat."

According to family sources, Boukaddous, correspondent for the satellite channel ‘Tunisian Dialogue' has difficulties breathing and speaking and his asthma attacks have increased. The family has also complained of police harassment who monitor their movements and keep an intimidating watch near the family home and commercial premises.

The journalist was sentenced to four years in January and his conviction was upheld by a Court of Appeal in July. He was prosecuted following his reporting of public demonstrations against unemployment and corruption in the mining town of Gafsa in 2008.

In a show of solidarity, leaders of the syndicat national des journalistes tunisiens (SNJT), an IFJ affiliate, organised a demonstration outside the Gafsa prison where Boukaddous is detained on 18 September but the police stopped the gathering and turned away demonstrators.

The IFJ is also calling on the European Parliament to help secure the release of Boukaddous. The Parliament held a hearing on the situation of human rights in Tunisia during its January session in Strasbourg.

"We look to European Union institutions to leverage their pressure to save the journalist's life," added White. "But they need to act fast as his life is in danger."

According to the IFJ, the authorities continue to use the courts as a means of repression against journalists as the case of journalist Mouldi Zouabi demonstrated this week. The journalist of Radio Kalima has been remanded in custody since July in a case where he is the victim of an assault by a man who attacked him in April. Police decided not to charge the aggressor, claiming insufficient evidence. Instead, they are accusing Zouabi of violent behavior and actual bodily harm. The case was sent to a higher court on 6 October, exposing the journalist to up to two years in jail. His lawyers have resigned to protest multiple breaches of due process.

For more information, please contact IFJ on + 32 2 235 22 07 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting + 32 2 235 22 07 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

The IFJ represents more than 600.000 journalists in 125 countries

NB/ You are reading the 77th Edition of the "Tunisian Journalist" Blog.

The last Edition was illegally censored in Tunisia.

29 July 2010

IFJ Condemns Harassment of Journalists' Leader in Tunisia

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today accused the authorities in Tunisia of engaging in a "relentless campaign" of intimidation and harassment of a journalists' leader.

The IFJ says Zied-el-Heni, a member of the leadership of the Syndicat national des journalistes tunisiens (SNJT) and of the steering committee of the African Federation of Journalistes (FAJ), the IFJ regional group, is the victim of a campaign to undermine independent journalism.

"There is no let up in the authorities' targeting of independent journalists in Tunisia," said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary. "Zied has been reporting to the police, only to be sent home hours later and without being spoken to. The campaign against him is relentless and unacceptable."

According to SNJT, an IFJ affiliate, Zied was summoned by police twice this week and was made to wait for seven hours on 27 July before being sent home without anyone talking to him. The journalist has been a victim of attacks on independent media before. He was assaulted in October 2009 and his blog has been repeatedly blocked and censored.

His latest difficulties reportedly arise from his criticism of the Appeal Court ruling which upheld the conviction of fellow journalist Fahem Boukaddous who was sentenced on 7 July to four year prison sentence for "forming a criminal association liable to attack persons".

The trial of Boukaddous was marred by concerns over the lack of due process, including a refusal to hear from the defence. The journalist was in hospital during the trial and his health has worsened since.

The IFJ is backing SNJT criticism of police action and called on the Government to ensure Zied's rights. The Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) recently submitted a petition, supported by the SNJT and IFJ, to the African Union Summit calling on the continent's leaders to make journalism safer in Africa and to respect journalist's rights.

"It is high time for Tunisian authorities to heed that call and the demands of Tunisian journalists," added White. "Tunisian people have a right to independent information and our colleagues are determined to enforce it. All forms of harassment should end and detained journalists set free."

For more information contact the IFJ at +32 235 2207

The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 125 countries worldwide

Page link

http://www.ifj.org/en/articles/ifj-condemns-harassment-of-journalists-leader-in-tunisia

© International Federation of Journalists . Belgium

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