Chadian officials expel visiting RFI reporter
| Publisher | Reporters Without Borders |
| Publication Date | 25 June 2015 |
| Cite as | Reporters Without Borders, Chadian officials expel visiting RFI reporter, 25 June 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5592a52640b.html [accessed 22 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Reporters Without Borders condemns Radio France Internationale journalist Laurent Correau's sudden forcible expulsion from Chad yesterday, five days after he arrived on a reporting visit. "We are outraged by this RFI reporter's arbitrary and violent deportation," Reporters Without Borders secretary-general Christophe Deloire said. "The brutality with which a journalist from one of the continent's highest profile international radio stations has been treated is astounding.
"Chad may contribute to the international community's security efforts but that does not give it a blank cheque to violate human rights including media freedom. It is important that Chad's international partners stop tolerating its autocratic behaviour."
According to RFI reports this morning, Correau was arrested by men identifying themselves as members of the border police as he was dining in his N'Djamena hotel with Human Rights Watch spokesman Reed Brody.
After an angry exchange of words, police reportedly slapped both Correau and Brody. Correau was then forced to go to the airport and board a flight to Paris last night. The French ambassador went to the airport but was not allowed to speak to him.
Correau arrived in Chad on 18 June to prepare a series of reports before the start of former Chadian leader Hissène Habré's trial in Senegal. RFI said he registered with the authorities and was given permission to start working "pending the official permit."
RFI's local correspondent was summoned to the communication ministry after Correau's deportation.
The expulsion has drawn attention to Chad's arbitrary treatment of journalists, of which there is no shortage of recent examples. Mahamat Ramadane, the editor of the newspaper Al-Widha, spent most of 22 June in detention after police arrested him while he was photographing a police operation. He was finally released after the Union of Chadian Journalists interceded. Mbayrabé Ouaye, the editor of the newspaper Le Haut-Parleur, was arrested on 12 June without any prior summons as a result of a libel suit by the president's brother, Salaye Deby.
Last month, the head of the local branch of the National Security Agency in the southern town of Sarh threatened journalists with community radio station Lotiko after they reported the possible misuse of fuel.
Chad is ranked 135th out of 180 countries in the 2015 Reporters Without Borders press freedom index.
Photo: GEORGES GOBET - AFP
