Information on the treatment of members of the Movement for Democratic Renewal and Development (Mouvement pour le renouveau démocratique et le développement - MRD) by the authorities was scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

Several sources reported that Daher Ahmed Farah, president of the MRD as well as editor of a newspaper called Le Renouveau djiboutien, was arrested and jailed in 2003 for having criticized the deputy head of the army (ADI 24 June 2003; AFP 10 July 2003; AI 14 July 2003; Country Reports 2003 25 Feb. 2004; HRW 30 July 2003; IRIN 16 July 2003). In a 3 May 2003 article, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) stated that Farah "was constantly harassed in 2003, [had been] arrested four times and [spent] about 60 days in prison" (see also International Freedom of Expression Exchange Clearing House 6 May 2003). Country Reports 2003 added that the police had seized equipment from Farah's house and from the headquarters of the MRD, "although no search warrant was shown" (25 Feb 2004, Sec. 1f; see also RSF 3 May 2003).

Information on the treatment of other members of the MRD could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Agence djiboutienne d'information [Djibouti, in French]. 24 June 2003. "Djibouti Media Executive Acquitted in Libel case." (BBC International Reports/Dialog)

Agence France-Presse (AFP). 10 July 2003. "Nouvelle incarcération d'un journaliste et membre de l'opposition." (Dialog)

Amnesty International (AI). 14 July 2003."Djibouti: Jailed Outspoken Opposition Leader Must Be Released." AI Index: AFR23/001/2003. http://web.amnesty.org/library/print/ENGAFR230012003 [Accessed 7 Apr. 2005]

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2003. 25 February 2004. "Djibouti." United States Department of State. Washington, DC. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2003/27724.htm [Accessed 7 Apr. 2005]

Human Rights Watch (HRW). 30 July 2003. "Djibouti: Release Jailed Opposition Leader." http://hrw.org/press/2003/07/djibouti073003.htm [Accessed 7 Apr. 2005]

Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN). 16 July 2003. "Amnesty Calls for Release of Opposition Leader." http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=35417&SelectRegion=Horn_of_Africa&SelectCountry=DJIBOUTI [Accessed 7 Apr. 2005]

International Freedom of Expression Exchange Clearing House (IFEX). 6 May 2003. "RSF Calls On Authorities to Release Editor as Newspaper is Seized Again." http://www.Allafrica.com/stories/printable/200305060792.html [Accessed 7 Apr. 2005]

Reporters Without Borders (RSF). 3 May 2003. "Djibouti - 2004 Annual Report." http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=10151 [Accessed 7 Apr. 2005]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: Attempts to contact the Djiboutian Human Rights League were unsuccessful within the time constraints of this Response.

Publications: Coubba, Ali. 1995. Le mal djiboutien : Rivalités ethniques et enjeux politiques. Paris: L'Harmattan.

_____. 1993. Djibouti: Une nation en otage. Paris: L'Harmattan.

Internet sites, including: AllAfrica.com, Africa Confidential, Country Reports 2004, Danish Immigration Service, Djiboutian Human Rights League (LDDH), European Country of Origin Information Network (ECOI), Freedom House, Jeune Afrique/L'Intelligent, Norwegian Refugee Council, United Kingdom - Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND), World News Connection (WNC).