Media Reform: Agreement for the Reform and Civil Concord
Implementations
Media Reform – 2001
Although the Djibouti constitution provides for freedom of the press, the Government restricts this right in practice. Opposition leaders practice self-censorship and refrain from popular demonstrations in order to avoid government crackdowns.1
- “Country Reports on Human Rights Practices- Djibouti,” U.S. State Department, 2002, accessed February 24, 2011, http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2002/18180.htm.
Media Reform – 2002
There are reported restrictions on freedom of the press and limited freedom of assembly.2
Media Reform – 2003
According to a news report, Daher Ahmed Farah, editor of the newspaper “Le Renouveau” was arrested in Djibouti on the morning of 20 April 2003, and placed in solitary confinement at Gabode prison.3 As of 2003, Djibouti had not ratified the international covenant on civil and political rights.4
- “Djibouti; Editor of Opposition Newspaper Arrested Again,” Africa News, April 23, 2003.
- “DJIBOUTI: COUNTRY PROFILE,” Africa Review World of Information, September 23, 2003.
Media Reform – 2004
According to reports, the Djiboutian government restricted freedom of the press and freedom of assembly in 2004.5
- “Country Reports on Human Rights Practices- Djibouti,” U.S. State Department, 2004, accessed February 24, 2011 http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2004/41600.htm.htm.
Media Reform – 2005
The Djiboutian authorities shut down the Radio France Internationale’s (RFI) on January 14, 2005 for its reporting on an ongoing French legal inquiry into the 1995 death in Djibouti of Bernard Borrel, a French judge.6
Media Reform – 2006
Government restrictions on media continued. The U.S. State Departments reports opposition leaders self-censoring, limited freedom of assembly, and government crackdown of demonstrations.7
- “Country Reports on Human Rights Practices- Djibouti,” U.S. State Department, 2006, accessed February 24, 2011, http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78731.htm.
Media Reform – 2007
Government restrictions on media continued. The U.S. State Departments reports opposition leaders self-censoring, limited freedom of assembly, and government crackdown of demonstrations.1
Media Reform – 2007
It was reported that the government silenced the only opposition newspaper, Le Renouveau, for its news report “published on 1 February about a businessman who reportedly paid an indemnity to the national bank governor, who happens to be President Ismaël Omar Guelleh’s brother-in-law.”8
- “Djibouti; Police Arrest Brother And Cousin of Opposition Weekly’s Managing Editor,” Africa News, February 7, 2007.
Media Reform – 2008
No further developments observed.
Media Reform – 2009
No further developments observed.
Media Reform – 2010
No further developments observed.