Kingdom of Tonga: Two journalists and a parliamentarian jailed over media criticism of Government Minister

Index Number: ASA 40/001/1996
Date Published: 1 October 1996
Categories: Asia And The Pacific, Tonga

Amnesty International is concerned at the detention for 30 days on 19 September 1996 by the Legislative Assembly of a Member of the Assembly, Mr 'Akilisi Pohiva, and two journalists of the Times of Tonga, Mr Filokalafi 'Akau'ola and Mr Kalafi Moala. They were imprisoned after the publication of the text of an impeachment motion against the Minister of Justice. Amnesty International is calling for their immediate and unconditional release as prisoners of conscience, imprisoned for their role in peaceful public criticism of the Minister of Justice.