ACTING RIGHTS CHIEF EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER EVENTS AFFECTING EXERCISE OF FREE EXPRESSION, PROTECTION OF JOURNALISTS

24 October 2003



The following statement was issued today by the acting United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Bertrand Ramcharan:

Following the odious killing of Radio France Internationale(RFI) journalist Jean Hélène on Tuesday in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, there is today further cause for concern regarding the exercise of the right to freedom of expression and the protection of journalists with the announced expulsion from Senegal of another RFI correspondent, Sophie Malibeaux. In the case of Jean Hélène, I call on the Ivoirian authorities to carry out a full and transparent investigation into the killing and to bring the author or authors to justice swiftly. In the case of Ms. Malibeaux, I am requesting further information from the Senegalese authorities regarding the circumstances of the expulsion.

I take this opportunity to send my condolences to the family of Jean Hélène and to his colleagues at RFI.