Human Rights Defender Thomas Razafindremaka sentenced to two years in prison
On 21 November 2023, human rights defender Thomas Razafindremaka was sentenced to two years in prison and a 100,000 ariary fine by the Antananarivo Criminal Court for fraud and usurpation of title.
Thomas Razafindremaka was provisionally released on 27 February 2020.
On 16 February 2020, human rights defender Thomas Razafindremaka was arrested by the Gendarmerie of Ihosy. He is charged with extortion, usurpation of office and fraud.
Thomas Razafindremaka is a human rights defender fighting against corruption in the Ihorombe region of Madagascar. He is the president of "Gny To tsy mba Zainy" (GTZ) and leader of the human rights commission of Rohy Madagasikara, organisations fighting against corruption, and promoting the rule of law and good governance. He is also a member of the Ihorombe Regional Civil Society Organisations Platform (Pfnoscm Madagascar).
On 21 November 2023, human rights defender Thomas Razafindremaka was sentenced to two years in prison and a 100,000 ariary fine by the Antananarivo Criminal Court for fraud and usurpation of title.
Thomas Razafindremaka is a human rights defender fighting against corruption in the Ihorombe region of Madagascar. He is the president of "Gny To tsy mba Zainy" (GTZ) and leader of the human rights commission of Rohy Madagasikara, organisations fighting against corruption, and promoting the rule of law and good governance. He is also a member of the Ihorombe Regional Civil Society Organisations Platform (Pfnoscm Madagascar).
On 21 November 2023, human rights defender Thomas Razafindremaka was sentenced to two years in prison for fraud and usurpation of title. This is an intimidation strategy that has been denounced by grassroots organisations in Madagascar, who have demanded that authorities drop all charges against the human rights defender. Civil society organisations see this case as an example of the retaliation faced by those who call out corruption and are taking the opportunity to stress once again the need for legislators to adopt new laws in protection of whistle-blowers.
The human right defender Thomas Razafindremaka has been the subject of excessive judicial harassment since the beginning of September 2023 for exercising his right to freedom of expression to call for accountability and report corruption within the government.
On 16 February 2020, Thomas Razafindremaka was previously arrested and detained under similar charges of usurpation of office and fraud after filing a complaint against the President of the District Electoral Commission, and the deputy candidate of Ihosy, concerning alleged corruption during the legislative elections of 27 May 2019.
Front Line Defenders expresses its concern for the safety of human rights defenders in Madagascar, acknowledging that all human rights defenders should be able to carry out their work freely and safely without fear of harassment, threats, or restrictions. It also expresses its concerns at the targeting of human rights defender Thomas Razafindremaka as it considers these recent acts of judicial harassment against him to be in retaliation to his legitimate work in defence of human rights. The organisation also calls on the Madagascar authorities to review the decision of the Antananarivo Criminal Court and to drop all charges against human rights defender Thomas Razafindremaka.
On 16 February 2020, human rights defender Thomas Razafindremaka was arrested by the Gendarmerie of Ihosy. He is charged with extortion, usurpation of office and fraud.
Thomas Razafindremaka is a human rights defender fighting against corruption in the Ihorombe region of Madagascar. He is the president of "Gny To tsy mba Zainy" (GTZ) and leader of the human rights commission of Rohy Madagasikara, organisations fighting against corruption, and promoting the rule of law and good governance. He is also a member of the Ihorombe Regional Civil Society Organisations Platform (Pfnoscm Madagascar).
On 16 February 2020, Thomas Razafindremaka was arrested by the Gendarmerie of Ihosy. He is currently detained at the Ihosy prison, and is charged with extortion, usurpation of office and fraud. The human rights defender believes he has been targeted due to his work denouncing corruption and abuse of power by members of the judiciary and the National Gendarmerie in the Ihorombe region and the surrounding areas. The first hearing of his case is scheduled for 17 March 2020 at the Ihosy Tribunal.
In 2019, Thomas Razafindremaka filed a complaint to the authority mandated with fighting corruption within the National Gendarmerie. The complaint concerned corruption and torture allegedly perpetrated by the Superintendent of Gendarmerie of Tritriva, Soamatasy District. He also lodged a complaint against the President of the District Electoral Commission and the deputy candidate of Ihosy, concerning alleged corruption during the legislative elections of 27 May 2019.
In a letter sent on 6 January 2020 to the Ministry of Justice’s Directorate for the Promotion of Integrity, Thomas Razafindremaka raised concerns about the work ethic of several employees of the Ihosy court, including the investigating judge, the president of the court and the prosecutor. He also questioned the length of the judges' mandate.
Front Line Defenders is seriously concerned about the detention of, and charges against, Thomas Razafindremaka as it strongly believes that they are directly linked to his peaceful and legitimate work in defence of human rights, in particular his activities denouncing corruption.
