GOOD NEWS: Herizo Andriamanantena was released from prison and placed under judicial supervision requiring him to report to the relevant authorities every 15 days. Rija Andriamalala and Carine Rakotomanantoanina were released 5 days later, on 29 April, and also placed under judicial supervision with the same requirements as the one placed on Herizo. Nomena Elia Ratsihorimanana has also been released but not placed under judicial supervision. This means that all 4 detained activists have been released. While this is a positive development, 3 of the 4 activists’ release is not unconditional. Meanwhile, Harnelle Rakotobe and Arimamy Todisoa have told us they have not experienced any further threats of arrest.
Activists in Madagascar are being targeted in a crackdown against youth-led protests and activism, in violation of their rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly. Herizo Andriamanantena, Carine Rakotomanantoanina, Rija Andriamalala, and Nomena Elia Ratsihorimanana are being arbitrarily detained on vague charges, while Harnelle Rakotobe and Arimamy Todisoa risk the same fate after having been subject to baseless accusations. Authorities must immediately release all those detained solely for exercising their human rights, and end the ongoing harassment, intimidation, threats and crackdown in the country.
NO FURTHER ACTION IS REQUESTED. MANY THANKS TO THOSE WHO SENT APPEALS.
Dear Michael Randrianirina,
I am deeply concerned by your government’s intensifying campaign of repression against young activists and civil society members. This concern is evident in the cases of Herizo Andriamanantena, Carine Rakotomanantoanina, Rija Andriamalala, and Nomena Elia Ratsihorimanana who have been arbitrarily detained and charged under overly broad and misused “criminal conspiracy”, “threat to national security”, and “destabilization of the state” laws. Harnelle Rakotobe and Arimamy Todisoa have been threatened with the same fate.
These cases reflect a broader pattern of repression by the authorities that have been marked by intimidation, arbitrary detention and enforced disappearances. These authoritarian practices constitute clear violations of the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, and are aimed at entrenching a climate of fear and silencing peaceful dissent.
I urge you to immediately and unconditionally release Herizo Andriamanantena, Carine Rakotomanantoanina, Rija Andriamalala, and Nomena Elia Ratsihorimanana, and all other activists detained solely for exercising their human rights – and end the threat of detention and prosecution of Harnelle Rakotobe and Arimamy Todisoa. I also urge you to end arbitrary arrests and politically motivated charges and to uphold everyone’s human rights.
Yours sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
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SIERRA LEONE: RISK OF REPATRIATION FOR THREE U.S. DEPORTEES
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