CONFIDENTIAL
MADAGASCAR
Report by Central and Southern African Department
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Imprisonment without trial
Rating suggested
by Post
was common in 1971 and 1972 but when General Ramanantsoa assumed power in 1972 he released more than 2,000 poli- tical prisoners. There have been other occasions since then of imprisonment without trial. In September this year 125 supporters of a political party were arrested and, although many have been released, 18 are still in detention with- out trial.
Allegations of the use of torture and brutality during questioning have occa- sionally been made against the military and the police, but these have never been substantiated. The authorities usually blame such allegations on one tribal group trying to score off another.
Slavery was eradicated in Madagascar long before independence in 1960.
Radio, television and the main daily newspaper are all government controlled and contain no criticism of the regime. Press censorship was imposed in February 1975 after the assassination of the Head of State, Colonel Ratsimandrava, and in August that year a law was introduced which enables a journal or newspaper to be suspended for up to 6 months if any three issues offend the censor. Freedom of speech is restricted by a law for- bidding incitement to riot, to civil, tribal or religious warfare, or the des- truction or looting of public property, for which the death penalty is allowed.
The civilian Malagasy judiciary, which is based on French traditions, has continued to function satisfactorily despite the changeover to military rule in 1972. Justice is generally fairly administered and the courts are not thought to be corrupt. Civilian Appeal Courts have in the past reduced or remitted sentences imposed by military tribunals.
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CONFIDENTIAL