20 January 1998
Alert
Journalist held at unknown location
Incident details
Michael Danielson
journalist(s)
detained
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - On 17 January 1998, Michael Danielson, a sports writer
for the "Independent Observer", was arrested by soldiers in Freetown. He is
still being held at an unknown location. Danielson had been in Freetown
researching a story about a soldier. In the course of his research the
soldier came to his home and assaulted him. Danielson went to military
headquarters to complain and was assured that the assault would be
investigated. However, on the evening of 17 January, the soldiers in charge
of the investigation came to Danielson's home and arrested him. It is
believed that he may be held at military headquarters, Cockrill, Freetown,
where prisoners are reported to be kept in containers. There is no definite
news of his whereabouts since his arrest. ARTICLE 19 seriously fears for the
safety of Michael Danielson. Other journalists recently arrested in Sierra
Leone have been tortured and, in at least one instance, hospitalized (see
IFEX alert of 13 January).
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
requesting information about the whereabouts of Michael Danielson and
seeking assurances that he will not be tortured or otherwise ill-treated
pointing out that he has been held without charge for longer than the 48
hours permitted under Sierra Leonean law
calling for his immediate and unconditional release, since he has
apparently been imprisoned solely for carrying out his professional
activities as a journalist, a breach of Article 19 of the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which Sierra Leone has ratified
Appeals To
Major Johnny Paul Koroma
State House
Sierra Leone
(Fax is currently out of order)
Mohammed Kandeh Bangura
Minister for Tourism, Information and Culture
Fax: +232 22 22 44 39
Tel: +232 22 24 09 11
Paolo Bangura
Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
Fax: +232 22 22 56 15
(in Brussels)
Peter Kiyembeh
Ambassador
Brussels, Belgium
Fax: + 32 27 71 82 30
the Sierra Leone diplomatic representative in your country
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.