Update: Environmental Rights Defender To Appeal Suspended Sentence

Malagasy environmental human rights defender Raleva has been released after the Mananjary Tribunal in Madagascar handed him a two-year suspended sentence on 26 October. His conviction came after he publicly challenged a Chinese gold mining company to provide proof that it had the necessary permits to continue its mining activities in Mananjary. He is appealing the sentence.

Malagasy environmental human rights defender Raleva has been released after the Mananjary Tribunal in Madagascar handed him a two-year suspended sentence on 26 October. His conviction came after he publicly challenged a Chinese gold mining company to provide proof that it had the necessary permits to continue its mining activities in Mananjary. He is appealing the sentence. 1) TAKE ACTION Write a letter, send an email, call, fax or tweet:

• Calling on the authorities to quash the conviction and sentence against Raleva since it is related solely to the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression and his human rights work;
• Urging the authorities to ensure the criminal justice system is not misused to target or harass human rights defenders and ensure a safe and enabling environment in which it is possible to defend and promote human rights without fear of punishment, reprisal or intimidation;.

Contact these two officials by 13 December 2017:

Madame la Ministre de la Justice Mme RASOLO Elise Alexandrine, 43 Rue Joel Rakotomolala Faravohitra – Antananarivo Madagascar Email: [email protected] Salutation: Son Excellence

Charge d’Affaires Velotiana Rakotoanosy Raobelina, Embassy of Madagascar 2374 Massachusetts Ave NW Washington DC 20008 Tel: 202 265 5525 Fax: 202 265 3034 Email: [email protected] Salutation: Dear Ambassador

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