H.E. Laurent Desire Kabila
President
Presidence de la Republique
Kinshasa
Democratic Republic of the Congo

Vienna, 12 July 2000

Your Excellency,

The International Press Institute (IPI), the global network of editors and journalists, strongly condemns the arrest of a Congolese journalist.

According to IPI’s sources, Bonane Yanganzi, managing editor of Vision, was arrested in his office in Kinshasa on July 12. In addition, the police confiscated office equipment including several computers. The police failed to disclose an explanation for their action. Vision had earlier filed a story about international police agency Interpol’ launching of enquiries against Congolese leaders. Yanganzi had prior to his arrest been appointed deputy to a 300-member transition parliament by Your Excellency’s government.

According to our sources, Yanganzi’s arrest is directly related to the reporting of Vision and therefore in violation of everyone’s right to “seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers” as guaranteed by Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. IPI believes that public debate, transparency and the exchange of ideas lie at the core of any democratic society. More than enjoying the right to report critically on issues in democratic societies, it is the reporter’s duty to do so.

IPI urges Your Excellency to do everything in Your power to ensure the immediate release of Yanganzi. Furthermore we urge you to take all necessary steps to ensure that reporters are allowed to report freely and safety on any developments in your country.

We than you for your attention.

Yours sincerely,

Johann P. Fritz
Director