Rights
group says defamation case has been dropped against prominent Angolan
journalist
By LYNSEY CHUTEL, Associated Press
JOHANNESBURG
(AP) — A prominent Angolan journalist, jailed for his criticism of the
government, has been released, a human rights group said on Thursday.
The
criminal case against Rafael Marques de Morais has been stopped, the Robert F.
Kennedy Human Rights group said. The reasons for the action are still unclear,
said the group. Marques had been out on bail.
"This
is an absolutely stunning turnaround," said Jeffrey Smith, Africa director
of the Robert F. Kennedy group, lauding Marques' courage. "He stood face
to face with Angola's most powerful and dangerous men, and he did not
blink."
The
journalist and human rights activist went on trial in March this year after a
group of generals accused him of defamation, according to Marques' news
website, Maka Angola.
The
generals' accusations stem from Marques' 2011 book, "Blood Diamonds:
Torture and Corruption in Angola." In it, Marques alleges more than 100
killings and 500 torture cases carried out by a private security firm owned by
the generals, according to Maka Angola. Marques also accuses the Angolan Armed
Forces of human rights abuses that took place in the country's diamond mining
regions.
Marques
asked the Angolan attorney general to investigate the allegations, according to
an article on Maka Angola. The attorney general interviewed the alleged
victims, but set the case aside. The generals in turn laid multiple charges of
libel and defamation against Marques.
Marques
faced up to nine years in jail or could have been fined up to $1.2 million in
damages.
The
walrus and the carpenteer
By
Lewis Carrol
The
sun was shining on the sea,
Shining
with all his might:
He
did his very best to make
The
billows smooth and bright—
And
this was odd, because it was
The
middle of the night.
The
moon was shining sulkily,
Because
she thought the sun
Had
got no business to be there
After
the day was done—
“It’s
very rude of him,” she said,
“To
come and spoil the fun!”
The
sea was wet as wet could be,
The
sands were dry as dry.
You
could not see a cloud, because
No
cloud was in the sky:
No
birds were flying over head—
There
were no birds to fly.
The
Walrus and the Carpenter
Were
walking close at hand;
They
wept like anything to see
Such
quantities of sand:
“If
this were only cleared away,”
They
said, “it WOULD be grand!”
“If
seven maids with seven mops
Swept
it for half a year,
Do
you suppose,” the Walrus said,
“That
they could get it clear?”
“I
doubt it,” said the Carpenter,
And
shed a bitter tear.
“O
Oysters, come and walk with us!”
The
Walrus did beseech.
“A
pleasant walk, a pleasant talk,
Along
the briny beach:
We
cannot do with more than four,
To
give a hand to each.”
The
eldest Oyster looked at him.
But
never a word he said:
The
eldest Oyster winked his eye,
And
shook his heavy head—
Meaning
to say he did not choose
To
leave the oyster-bed.
But
four young oysters hurried up,
All
eager for the treat:
Their
coats were brushed, their faces washed,
Their
shoes were clean and neat—
And
this was odd, because, you know,
They
hadn’t any feet.
Four
other Oysters followed them,
And
yet another four;
And
thick and fast they came at last,
And
more, and more, and more—
All
hopping through the frothy waves,
And
scrambling to the shore.
The
Walrus and the Carpenter
Walked
on a mile or so,
And
then they rested on a rock
Conveniently
low:
And
all the little Oysters stood
And
waited in a row.
“The
time has come,” the Walrus said,
“To
talk of many things:
Of
shoes—and ships—and sealing-wax—
Of
cabbages—-and kings—
And
why the sea is boiling hot—
And
whether pigs have wings.”
“But
wait a bit,” the Oysters cried,
“Before
we have our chat;
For
some of us are out of breath,
And
all of us are fat!”
“No
hurry!” said the Carpenter.
They
thanked him much for that.
“A
loaf of bread,” the Walrus said,
“Is
what we chiefly need:
Pepper
and vinegar besides
Are
very good indeed—
Now
if you’re ready Oysters dear,
We
can begin to feed.”
“But
not on us!” the Oysters cried,
Turning
a little blue,
“After
such kindness, that would be
A
dismal thing to do!”
“The
night is fine,” the Walrus said
“Do
you admire the view?
"It
was so kind of you to come!
And
you are very nice!”
The
Carpenter said nothing but
“Cut
us another slice:
I
wish you were not quite so deaf—
I’ve
had to ask you twice!”
“It
seems a shame,” the Walrus said,
“To
play them such a trick,
After
we’ve brought them out so far,
And
made them trot so quick!”
The
Carpenter said nothing but
“The
butter’s spread too thick!”
“I
weep for you,” the Walrus said.
“I
deeply sympathize.”
With
sobs and tears he sorted out
Those
of the largest size.
Holding
his pocket handkerchief
Before
his streaming eyes.
“O
Oysters,” said the Carpenter.
“You’ve
had a pleasant run!
Shall
we be trotting home again?”
But
answer came there none—
And
that was scarcely odd, because
They’d
eaten every one.
