Senegal / IFJ Calls for Investigation after Senegalese Police Assault Two Journalists

DAKAR, Sénégal, June 23, 2008/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today called for an investigation into the “brutal assault” of two sport journalists who were attacked by a dozen police officers at a stadium in Dakar on Saturday.

 ”The violence these police officers used was outrageous and unnecessary,” said Gabriel Baglo, the Director of IFJ Africa office. “We condemn this brutal assault and call on the government and the police authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to bring the officers responsible to justice.”

 Boubacar Campbell Dieng, a reporter with Radio Futurs Médias, and Kara Thioune of West Africa Democracy Radio were violently beaten by a dozen police officers on Saturday at Leopold Sedar Senghor stadium in the capital city.

According to the Union of Information and Communication Professionals of Senegal (SYNPICS), the journalists were beaten in an area where the media are allowed to interview the players and the teams’ staff.

After the football game between the Senegalese and Liberian national teams, Dieng and Thioune, along with other journalists, were trying to access the players. Police officers were angered by the complaints from some reporters who said they should be allowed to do their jobs without police interference. The pair were singled out by officers and violently beaten with “electric batons,” handcuffed and briefly detained before being released and treated in hospital.

SYNPICS has decided to lodge formal complaints against the police. The IFJ is supporting their complaint.

SOURCE : International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)