The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) vigorously condemned the attack on journalists yesterday, by the disciples of a religious guide supporting the President of the Republic of Senegal, during an assault on the convoy of an opposition presidential candidate for the upcoming election.
Yesterday around 8 pm, the convoy of Idrissa Seck, one of the candidates to the presidential election of February 25, was attacked in Dakar, the Senegalese capital in the neighbourhood of the residence of the religious guide, Cheikh Béthio Thioune, a fervent partisan of the President of the Republic.
According to journalists assigned to cover the campaign of Seck, the disciples of Thioune armed with stones, clubs attacked the car of the reporters. The journalists, although having identified themselves, were brutalized and their laptops, mobile phones, recording materials and other personal belongings robbed. Other journalists who came to the spot shortly afterwards, were also threatened by the disciples of Thioune.
On May 4, 2006 a journalist was violently beaten by four individuals after he broadcast an interview criticizing this same religious guide.
“We vigorously protest against this deliberate aggression on these journalists, with whom we express our solidarity,” said Gabriel Baglo, Director of IFJ Africa Office. “We call on all the candidates of the presidential election to launch emergency call for calm and respect of democratic principles so that the journalists are not attack any more.”
The Union of Media Professionals of Senegal (SYNPICS) has decided to lodge a complaint in relation to the journalists attacked yesterday. SYNPICS was also informed today of death threats being issued to journalists of the private radio station, Radio Futurs Media (RFM).
The IFJ condemns all such death threats and ask the government of the Republic of Senegal to conduct investigations on these threats and the attack on the journalists.
“We call again on the government to ensure that journalists work in total safety and freedom during the elections and after,” said Gabriel Baglo.
For further information contact the IFJ: +221 842 01 43
The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 115 countries
International Federation of Journalists - Africa Office
17, Boulevard de la Republique, Dakar - Sénégal
Tel : + 221 842 01 42
Fax : +221 842 02 69
Email: ifjafrique@sentoo.sn
Email: fijafrica@sentoo.sn
Url : www.ifjafrique.org
Url : hht://www.ifj.org
