SAHRDN condemns barbaric shooting and persecution of journalist in Lesotho

THE Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (SAHRDN), a coalition of Southern African HRDs organisations, has expressed outrage and sadness over the attack on Lloyd Mutungamiri, the Editor of The Lesotho Times newspaper in Lesotho, who was shot at his home on Saturday 09 July 2016.

The organization in a statement said Mutungamiri, who is fighting for his life at a hospital in the capital Maseru, was attacked by some unidentified assailants around 23:00 hours on Saturday 09 July 2016.

"Prior to the shooting, Mutungamiri and Keiso Mohloboli, a journalist at The Lesotho Times newspaper had been interrogated on 23 June 2016 over the publication of an article entitled "Exit strategy for Kamoli" in The Lesotho Times newspaper edition of 23-29 June 2016 and forced to disclose their sources. The article referred to Lieutenant General Tlali Kamoli, who is the current Commander of the Lesotho Defence Forces (LDF)," said the organization.

"Besides Mutungamiri and Mohloboli, the publisher of The Lesotho Times newspaper was also charged with defamation and crimen injuria on 5 July 2016.b SAHRDN condemns the barbaric shooting of Mutungamiri and the persecution of media practitioners in Lesotho which is clearly aimed at intimidating, silencing and suppressing media freedom and freedom of expression in Lesotho at this critical time in the country's history, when citizens in that that country desperately need impartial information."

The organisation said such a callous attack puts responsibility on the government of Lesotho to publicly condemn this and other attacks on the media and launch a thorough, independent and impartial investigation into the shooting of Mutungamiri and make the findings of the investigation public and for suspected perpetrators to be brought to justice in accordance with international law.

"To date, SAHRDN is unaware of any investigation that has been instituted and led to the arrest and prosecution of those believed to be responsible for the shooting of Mutungamiri. A thorough investigation into this unwarranted attack on a media practitioner and the prosecution of those who masterminded it should send a message to would be perpetrators that such attacks won't be executed and cannot continue with impunity," SAHRDN said.

"SAHRDN reminds Lesotho authorities that ensuring respect for human rights very often relies on impartial and rigorous media coverage. Without exposure and public scrutiny, abuses can flourish under a veil of secrecy and denial. Therefore, SAHRDN; urges the government of Lesotho to take urgent steps to guarantee the security and safety of all media practitioners and human rights defenders in Lesotho and ensure that they are able to carry out their activities without fear of harassment, intimidation or being maimed. Urges the government of Lesotho to fully implement the recommendations of the SADC Commission of Enquiry and outline a clear roadmap for all actions necessary to fulfill them," said the organisation.

"Notes that while SADC established a Commission of Enquiry to try and help end the conflict in Lesotho, the regional bloc should show leadership and condemn the trend of repression, criminalisation, prosecution and persecution of HRDs in Lesotho."