PUBLIC AI index: AFR 34/035/2002

Distrib: PG/SC

To: Health professional coordinators

From: Medical team / Africa program

Date: 20 December 2002

Further information on

MEDICAL ACTION

Release: Hassan Bility, journalist and human rights defender

Liberia

(see original action AFR 34/015/2002, 10 September 2002)

Key words release / ill-health / incommunicado detention

Hassan Bility released

Following months of national and international pressure, Hassan Bility was released by the Liberian government and handed over to United States (US)embassy officials on 7 December. He has been flown out of the country to Accra, Ghana, and is expected to go from there to the US. He is currently receiving some medical treatment in Accra for injuries sustained as a result of torture and ill-treatment during his detention.

Hassan Bility, journalist with TheAnalystnewspaper, had been held incommunicado and without charge or trial since his arrest on 24 June 2002. He has been detained three times by the government and The Analystnewspaper has been closed down by the government twice as a result of writing and publishing articles deemed critical of the government.

The Liberian government’s treatment of Hassan Bility was publicly condemned by civil society in Liberia and other West African countries, by the European Union, the US government and numerous international non-governmental organizations, including Amnesty International.

For further information see press release Liberia: Hassan Bility released but other human rights activists remain held(9 December 2002, AFR 34/032/2002).

Recommendations

No further action is needed on behalf of Hassan Bility. Many thanks to all who participated in this action.