SAHARA PRESS SERVICE

Vienna, 30/06/04 (SPS) The International Press Institution (IPI) energetically condemned the recent expulsion, by Morocco, of two Norwegian journalists, reported Spanish press agency EFE in its Monday's edition.
 
In an open letter sent to Mohamed VI of Morocco by its President, the Austrian Johann P. Fritz, IPI energetically condemned this act, which is a violation to "the international declaration on Human Rights, thanks to which everyone has got the right to search, receive and defend information and ideas through all means and anywhere".
 
"This fundamental right should include journalists who inform on the situation in Morocco", added the letter.
 
The Institution "energetically insists" on Moroccan King to do his utmost to assure a review of the decision of expulsion "to the benefit of all journalists".

It should be recalled that Reporters Without Borders (RWB) denounced, in the 16th of June, the expulsion by Morocco of the two Norwegian journalists, Tor Dagfinn Dommersnes and Fredrik Refvem, who were planning, according to corresponding information, to contact Ali Salem Tamek, former Saharawi political prisoner and human rights activist, in Rabat.

They were also projecting to realise reports, for Norwegian newspaper 'Stavanger Aftenbladet', on the political situation in Morocco, on Western Sahara's conflict and on illegal immigration to Europe.

It is worth recalled too, that it is not the first time foreign journalists are expelled from Morocco, in particular when the authorities find out that they are trying to meet with Saharawi activists, or report on Western Sahara's conflict.

On the 5th April 2004, Norwegian journalist Erik Hagen was deported from El Aaiun (occupied capital of the SADR) to Mauritania. Police arrested the journalist who was heading towards El Aaiun to meet Saharawi human rights activists and former political prisoners.

On another hand, French freelance journalist Catherine Graciet and her compatriot photographer Nadia Ferroukhi, were deported to Agadir While they were planning to visit El Aaiun for the same up mentioned reasons, and were questioned at length by Moroccan authorities then deported to France last January the 28. (SPS)

040/090/100/TRD 301243 June 04 SPS