The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNCHR) have joined increasing calls for the unconditional release of journalist Stanis Bujakera who has been detained by the authorities since Friday.
Bujakera has been illegally detained at Gombe Military Court cells for five days despite past the 48 hours prescribed by the Congolese law for accused persons to be released on bail before undergoing trial.
The UNCHR have since shown concern and demanded for the release of Bujakera immediately like many other local and international organizations as well as foreign embassies.
“We are very concerned by the continued detention of Stanis Bujakera and call for his immediate and unconditional release,” UNCHR spokesperson Seif Magango said.
“It is essential that journalists are not hindered in their work and that freedom of the press and freedom of expression are respected at all times.”
The UNCHR have since become the first United Nations institution to express it’s concern over the unlawfully prolonged detention of Bujakera.
Arrested last Friday, Bujakera is facing charges including publication and dissemination of false information relating to the case of the assassination of former Transport Minister Cherubin Okende.
