UPR NGO Working Group condemns Press Freedom curtailment :: Mmegi Online

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) NGO Working Group, comprising Botswana Council of NGOs (BOCONGO), DITSHWANELO – The Botswana Centre for Human Rights, Kuru Family of Organisations, Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals of Botswana (LeGaBiBo) and MISA – Botswana Chapter and Rainbow Identity Association (RIA) is concerned about the current state of Freedom of Information and Press Freedom in Botswana.

On 7 May, 2015, the UPR NGO Working Group learnt of the arrest of staff members and lawyer of the private newspaper the Botswana Gazette.

Officials from the Botswana anti-corruption institution, the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC), raided the Botswana Gazette offices and arrested its Managing Editor (Shike Olsen), Editor (Lawrence Seretse), one of its journalists (Innocent Selatlhwa) and the paper’s lawyer (Joao Salbany). (Mail and Guardian online: http://m.mg.co.za/article/2015-05-07-botswana-gazette-journalists-arrested-over-story#.VUtxLGPHUSI.twitter. Accessed 7 May, 2015). They were all released from custody on 7 May, 2015. Attorney Unoda Mack represents the Botswana Gazzette. Parliamentary Leader of the Opposition, Attorney Duma Boko, represents Joao Salbany ( Mmegi. Vol. 32 No. 69. 8 May 2015, pg 4).

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