FXI+on+dropping+of+sedition+charges+in+Harrismith

Freedom of Expression Institute
Sable Centre, 41 De Korte Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg PO Address: PO Box 30668 Braamfontein 2017 South Africa TEL: (27-11) 403-8403/4 FAX: (27-11) 339 4109 E-mail: fxi@fxi.org.za Web: http://fxi.org.za/** =NPA boss intervenes and withdraw sedition charges against Harrismith 13- Sunday Times- 05-06-2005 pg13. = The decision by the National Prosecution Authority director, Mr. Pikoli, to intervene and call for the withdrawal of the sedition charges against the Harrismith 13 is a clear indication and vindication that the decision to prosecute was based on shoddy police investigations influenced by malice - to intimidate into submission people who embark on democratic public protest- which have become common in the country - to raise awareness on issues of lack of delivery of essential basic services. It is not inconceivable to think that the decision to withdraw the sedition charge was based on mounting public pressure and media reports on the novelty of the sedition charge in a democratic post apartheid south Africa - the last time anyone was charged with sedition was under the oppressive apartheid regime. The FXI - which seek to protect and foster the rights to freedom of expression, access to information and to oppose all form of censorship - would like to reiterate its earlier position, that the sedition charge was not supposed to have been brought against the Harrismith 13 at all - and therefore do not see any reason to celebrate the withdrawal of the charge. Instead, the very fact that a charge of sedition could be laid against communities that voice their genuine dissatisfaction against failed governmental policies is a worrying indication that those who voice their grievances through public protest are increasingly being intimidated by the authorities. This comes in the wake of another misguided attempt to intimidate communities - the employment of the intelligence agencies to probe and investigate the so-called third force that is allegedly fermenting uprisings. The FXI would like to call for the complete withdrawal of all charges against the Harrismith 13. It is our considered view that instead of laying intimidator charges against protesting communities the state needs to address the legitimate grievances raised by various dissatisfied communities in the country. Resorting to intimidation and harassment flies in the face of our democratic constitution and the bill of rights which guarantees both political and socio-economic rights of all our people - degrading poverty and rampant unemployment are the real reasons behind the uprising.
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