Blogger Detained Incommunicado
PEN International protests the incommunicado detention of blogger and writer Jean Laokolé, who was arrested by a group of men in civilian clothes in the Chadian capital N’Djamena on March 22, 2013. While Laokolé’s whereabouts remain officially unknown, he was reportedly seen on March 25 in a former military camp in N’Djamena. His detention is apparently connected to a series of articles he wrote and posted on a blog in 2012 denouncing corruption, poor governance, and nepotism in Chad. He is thought to be at risk of torture and ill-treatment. PEN calls on the Chadian authorities to disclose Laokolé’s whereabouts and either to charge him with a recognizable criminal offense or to release him immediately and unconditionally.
Take Action
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Background Information
The following is the text of a petition issued by Internet Sans Frontières on April 9, 2013:
Find all articles published by Jean Laokolé on his blog here
You can read and sign ISF’s petition here
Write A Letter
- Urging the Chadian authorities to disclose the whereabouts of blogger Jean Laokolé, who has been detained incommunicado since March 22, 2013;
- Calling on them to release Laokolé immediately and unconditionally, unless he is to be charged with a recognizable criminal offence;
- Calling on them to protect Laokolé from torture and other ill-treatment.
- Urging them to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression in Chad and to protect people against any threats or intimidation based on the peaceful exercise of their human rights.
Send Your Letter To
President of the Republic
Monsieur Idriss Deby
Président de la République
Présidence de la République
BP 74, N’Djamena
Republic of Chad
Email: http://www.presidencetchad.org/nous_ecrire.php
Salutation: Dear President Deby
Republic of Chad
Minister of Justice
Republic of Chad
Please also send appeals to diplomatic representatives for Chad in your country.
***Please send appeals immediately. Check with PEN International if sending appeals after June 11, 2013***