Madagascar: Information on the current human rights situation and on the treatment of AREMA party supporters and members
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 November 1994 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | MDG18974.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Madagascar: Information on the current human rights situation and on the treatment of AREMA party supporters and members, 1 November 1994, MDG18974.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ace56b.html [accessed 21 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. |
According to a March 1993 article in Jeune Afrique, former Malagasy president Didier Ratsiraka formed a new political party called ARES (Avant-Garde pour le redressement économique et social, or the Vanguard for Social and Economic Recovery), which replaced his former party, AREMA (Avant-Garde de la révolution malgache or the Vanguard of the Malagasy Revolution) (24 Mar. 1993, 1). Other sources state that ARES succeeded the "defunct" AREMA (Radio France Overseas 3 Mar. 1993, 21; BBC 5 Mar. 1993; Africa Research Bulletin 1-31 Mar. 1993, 10923). Ratsiraka was the ARES secretary-general (ibid.).
However, there are more recent references to AREMA, including two references to a statement signed by its secretary general, Didier Ratsiraka, condemning the use of force by the authorities in Toliara (Radio Madagascar Network 3 June 1993, 38; BBC 5 June 1993). An August 1994 BBC report also refers to a four-day regional congress held by AREMA, led by its secretary-general, Didier Ratsiraka (23 Aug. 1994). For further information, please consult the attachments.
Information on the current (1993-1994) treatment of AREMA party supporters and members could not be found among the sources currently available to the DIRB.
According to a March 1993 broadcast by the Radio Madagascar Network, President Zafy granted a "general amnesty to all political prisoners and to all those punished for [word indistinct] crimes" (27 Mar. 1993, 20). Please refer to page 159 of Country Reports 1993, available at your Regional Documentation Centre, for general information on the human rights situation in Madagascar. Further information on the current human rights situation in Madagascar could not be found in the sources currently available to the DIRB.
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Africa Research Bulletin [Oxford]. 1-31 March 1993. "Former Preseident Creates New Party."
BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 23 August 1994. "Party of Former President Ratsiraka Holds Congress." (NEXIS)
. 5 June 1993. "Madagascar: Ratsiraka's Party Condemns What It Calls Use of Force in Toliara." (NEXIS)
. 5 March 1993. "Madagascar: Ratsiraka Forms New Party." (NEXIS)
Jeune Afrique [Paris]. 24 March 1993. Sennen Andriamirado. "Madagascar: les atouts de Zafy." (DIRB country file).
Radio France Overseas [Mayotte, in French]. 3 March 1993. "Outgoing President Ratsiraka Launches Party." (FBIS-AFR-93-042 5 Mar. 1993, p. 21)
Radio Madagascar Network [Antananarivo, in Malagasy]. 3 June 1993. "AREMA Issues Statement on Toliara Incidents." (FBIS-AFR-93-106 4 June 1993, p. 38)
. 27 March 1993. "Zafy Grants Political Amnesty in Inaugural Speech." (FBIS-AFR-93-058 29 Mar. 1993, pp. 19-20).
Attachments
Africa Research Bulletin [Oxford]. 1-31 March 1993. "Madagascar: Former President Creates New Party," p. 10923.
Agence France Presse (AFP) [Paris, in English]. 28 January 1994. "Madagascar: Rioters Burn Homes, Shops of Indians, Pakistanis." (FBIS-AFR-94-020 31 Jan. 1994, pp. 30-31)
. 1 April 1993. "'Rebel Forces,' Commandos Clash in Antsiranana." (FBIS-AFR-93-062 2 Apr. 1993, pp. 23-24)
BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 23 August 1994. "Party of Former President Ratsiraka Holds Congress." (NEXIS)
. 5 June 1993. "Madagascar: Ratsiraka's Party Condemns What It Calls Use of Force in Toliara." (NEXIS)
. 5 March 1993. "Madagascar: Ratsiraka Forms New Party." (NEXIS)
Jeune Afrique [Paris]. 24 March 1993. Sennen Andriamirado. "Madagascar: les atouts de Zafy." (DIRB country file).
The Indian Ocean Newsletter [Paris]. 27 March 1993. No. 568. "Madagascar: Pre-Election Manoeuvres," p. 1.
Kessing's Record of World Events [Cambridge]. June 1993. Vol. 39, No. 6. "Madagascar: Legislative Elections, " p. 39500.
Radio France Overseas [Mayotte, in French]. 3 March 1993. "Outgoing President Ratsiraka Launches Party." (FBIS-AFR-93-042 5 Mar. 1993, p. 21)
Radio Madagascar Network [Antananarivo, in Malagasy]. 3 June 1993. "AREMA Issues Statement on Toliara Incidents." (FBIS-AFR-93-106 4 June 1993, p. 38)
. 7 April 1993. "Deputy Prime Minister Clarifies Antsiranana Situation." (FBIS-AFR-93-067 9 Apr. 1993, p. 28)
. 27 March 1993. "Zafy Grants Political Amnesty in Inaugural Speech." (FBIS-AFR-93-058 29 Mar. 1993, pp. 19-20).
. 11 March 1993. "President Zafy on Violence in Antsiranana." (FBIS-AFR-93-048 15 Mar. 1993, pp. 19-20)
Additional Sources Consulted
Africa Report [NY]. Bimonthly. 1993 to present.
Amnesty International Reports. 1993, 1994.
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. 1993. 1994.
DIRB "Amnesty: Madagascar" country file. 1989 to present.
Foreign Broadcast International Service (FBIS). Daily. 1993 to present.
Human Rights in Developing Countries Yearbook. Yearly. 1993, 1994.
Human Rights Watch World Report. Yearly. 1993, 1994.
The Indian Ocean Newsletter [Paris]. Weekly. 1993 to present.
Jeune Afrique [Paris]. Bimonthly. 1993 to present.
Lawyers Committee for Human Rights. Critique: Review of the U.S. Dept. of State's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. 1993.
New African [London]. Monthly. 1993 to present.
People in Power. October 1994.
World Human Rights Guide. 1992.
On-line search of media sources.
