2007-2004

***06.01.2008. UPDATE JOURNALISTS KILLED IN 2007: five more in the second half of december (one in Iraq, one in India, one in Colombia, one in Philippines and one in Afghanistan). The total number for the record year 2007 is now 115. It represents a 20% increase over the figure in 2006 (96), according to the PEC Media Ticking Clock. Read our press release below. Go also to the page "Other News" to read end-of-the year reports from NUSOJ, PFUJ, FMM, IFJ, CPJ

***26.12.2007. PEC and ICPJ rejoice at the release of French journalist on Christmas eve 

The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) and the International Covenant for the Protection of Journalists (ICPJ) rejoice at the announcement made by the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) of the release on Christmas eve of French journalist Gwen Le Gouil who was kidnapped on 16 December, by gunmen in Port town of Bossasso, the capital of Bari region in North-Eastern area of Somalia. The kidnappers handed over the journalist Monday evening to two traditional elders Abdulkadir Ahmed Ibrahim and Mohammed Said Shabel who belong to same clan of the kidnappers, who later surrendered him to Puntland Ministers Ahmed Said Ow-Nur and Abdisamad Yusuf Abwan.  The PEC and the ICPJ express their sincere hope that peace would return to Somalia and that all regions would be safe for media coverage. 

***17.12.2007. MEDIA CASUALTIES IN 2007: A RECORD YEAR. Jamais autant de journalistes tués qu'en 2007, déplore la Presse Emblème Campagne (PEC) - Jamas tantos periodistas asesinados durante 2007 (English and Spanish text after French)

Press briefing in Geneva - PEC President Hedayat Abdel Nabi (left) and PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen (right) announce a record year for media casualties in 2007 (photo han)

Genève, PEC, 17 décembre - L'année écoulée a été marquée par une
nouvelle détérioration de la situation de la liberté de la presse
dans le monde. Jamais autant de journalistes ont été tués dans
l'exercice de leur métier en un an: au moins 110 depuis le 1er janvier,
contre 96 l'an dernier et 68 en 2005, a annoncé lundi la Presse
Emblème Campagne (PEC).

"L'augmentation est de 14% par rapport à 2006. C'est inacceptable",               a déclaré le secrétaire général de la PEC Blaise Lempen, en condamnant      avec la plus grande vigueur ces assassinats.

 Des journalistes ont été tués dans 27 pays au total. L'Irak est
le pays le plus dangereux, pour la cinquième année consécutive,
avec 50 journalistes tués, contre 48 l'an dernier, et un total d'au
moins 250 journalistes morts depuis l'intervention anglo-américaine
en mars 2003. Jamais un conflit n'a provoqué une telle hécatombe
parmi les employés des médias.

 Au deuxième rang, la Somalie a connu une brutale détérioration
des conditions de sécurité pour les journalistes, avec huit
journalistes assassinés cette année (un tué l'an dernier). Le Sri
Lanka vient au troisième rang, avec sept journalistes tués en
raison de l'intensification de la guerre civile dans ce pays
(quatre l'an dernier).

 La situation s'est aussi dégradée au Pakistan, où cinq
journalistes ont été tués. A égalité au 5e rang, viennent
l'Afghanistan et les Philippines, avec quatre journalistes tués
dans chacun de ces pays.

 Septième pays le plus dangereux sur la liste, Haïti avec trois
morts, à égalité avec la Colombie (3) et le Mexique (3). A noter que la situation s'est améliorée au Mexique, qui était l'an dernier le deuxième pays le plus dangereux après l'Irak, avec hui assassinats.

 Viennent ensuite le Népal (2), la République démocratique du
Congo (2), l'Erythrée (2), l'Inde (2), le Guatemala (2).

 Des assassinats ont été perpétrés également, avec une victime
dans chaque pays, au Honduras, Ouzbékistan, Salvador, Birmanie,
Etats-Unis, Paraguay, Gaza, Zimbabwe, Russie, Pérou,
Brésil, Ghana et Turquie.

 A la lecture de ces chiffres, il apparaît clairement que la
grande majorité des journalistes ont perdu la vie dans des zones de
conflit (pour l'Irak, le Sri Lanka, la Somalie, l'Afghanistan, 69
journalistes au total, soit près des deux tiers).

 "L'augmentation du nombre de victimes parmi les journalistes est
directement liée à la poursuite de graves conflits marqués par des
violations du droit humanitaire à grande échelle", a souligné Blaise Lempen.

 Dans d'autres cas, les journalistes ont été ciblés pour leurs
opinions politiques ou parce que leur témoignage dérangeait, à
l'instar d'Anna Politkovskaïa le 7 octobre 2006: par exemple Hrant
Dink le 19 janvier à Istanbul (Turquie), Edward Chikombo, au
Zimbabwe le 1er avril, François Latour le 23 mai à Port-au Prince
(Häiti), Serge Maheshe, de Radio Okapi, à Bukavu en RDC le 13 juin,
Kenji Nagai, le reporter japonais tué à Rangoun le 27 septembre.

 Pour réagir à cette détérioration, la PEC vient de lancer une
consultation mondiale sur un avant-projet de convention
internationale sur la protection des journalistes dans les zones de
conflit et de violences. Cet avant-projet a été transmis à tous les
Etats membres de l'ONU.

 La présidente de la PEC Hedayat Abdel Nabi a expliqué que ce
projet de convention, préparé par le comité directeur de la
Campagne, peut être à la base d'une amélioration des législations
nationales et s'étendre à des questions comme les salaires, lse
assurances et le droit au logement.

 "Ces questions affectent directement le travail et la sécurité
de nombreux journalistes libres, en particulier dans les pays en
développement", a déclaré Hedayat Abdel Nabi. Une fois adoptée,
cette convention rendra hommage aux journalistes qui ont risqué
leur vie, leur famille et leur profession pour révéler la vérité,
s'assurer que les victimes sont secourues et garantir la liberté
d'opinion et d'expression.

PEC MEDIA CASUALTIES 2007
A RECORD YEAR NEVER WITNESSED BEFORE

   GENEVA, PEC, December 17 – According to the Press Emblem Campaign monitoring system (the PEC Ticking Clock), never before has so many journalists been killed in one year, the total up to date is 110 as compared with 96 in 2006 and 68 in 2005. “This year’s tally represents a 14 percent increase over the 2006 figure. It is unacceptable. We strongly condemn these acts of violence”, said Secretary-General Blaise Lempen. 
   Therefore the 2007 year causality figure reflects a marked by a new deterioration for freedom of the press world wide.

   In total journalists have been killed in 27 countries led by those killed in Iraq, the most dangerous, for the fifth consecutive year, with 50 journalists killed this year against 48 last year and at least 250 since the war was launched in Iraq in March 2003.

   The situation in Iraq represents an unprecedented situation of collective slaughter and punishment of members of the media profession.

   Somalia comes second to Iraq which witnesses a brutal deterioration in the security conditions for the profession, 8 journalists killed this year against one last year.

   Sri Lanka ranks third, seven journalists killed this year against four last year due to the intensity of the civil war. 

   In addition, the continued deterioration is clear in Pakistan where 5 journalists were killed; both Afghanistan and the Philippines have seen four journalists killed in each country.

   Haiti, Columbia and Mexico flag at the sixth, seventh and eighth positions with three killed in each country. During 2006 Mexico was on of the most dangerous places for journalists with eight journalists killed. This year’s PEC monitoring of the situation shows an improvement in the situation. 

   The tally continues: Nepal, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Eritrea, India and Guatemala: two journalists killed in each country. 
   
   One journalist was killed in each of the following countries: Honduras, Uzbekistan, Salvador, Burma/Myanmar, United States, Paraguay, Gaza, Zimbabwe, Russia, Peru, Brazil, Ghana and Turkey.

   It is clear that the majority of journalists killed were killed in conflict zones: Iraq, Sri Lanka, Somalia and Afghanistan. 69 journalists of the total of 110 killed in 2007 were killed in those four dangerous conflict zones.

   PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen noted that the increase in the number of victims among journalists is directly linked to the coverage of major conflict marked by grave human rights violations of major dimensions.

   In other situations, journalists were targeted because of their political opinion, or because their coverage, the living example is that of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaia killed last year in October, and others like Hrant Dink killed January 19 this year in Istanbul, Turkey, Edward Chikombo killed one April 2007 in Zimbabwe, Francois Latour on 23 May, 2007 in Port-au Prince (Haiti), Serge Maheshe, of Radio Okapi, on 13 June, 2007 in Bukavu, the DRC, and the Japanese reporter Kenji Nagai, on 27 September 2007 in Rangoun during the peaceful demonstrations that were followed by a brutal crackdown.

   In order to face this increasing deterioration in the security situation surrounding the media profession, the PEC has launched a global campaign on a draft international convention for the protection of journalists in conflict zones, civil unrest and other situations.

    The PEC has sent out the draft convention to representatives of UN member states in Geneva.

   PEC President Hedayat Abdel Nabi stressed that this draft convention, a wide ranging exercise prepared by the PEC Board, could be the basis of improved national legislation and could expand to include other matters like wage, insurance and housing rights.

   Those are issues, she added, that gravely affect the human security of freelance journalists and are real issues in developing countries.

   “When ratified, the draft Convention, shall stand as a tribute to all journalists and media workers under attack, who are directly or indirectly targeted, and are part of the news for sometime then forgotten,” added Abdel Nabi.

   The PEC President noted that this draft when adopted will be a token gift for those journalists who have risked their lives, their families and their sacred profession to uncover the truth, to ensure that victims are reached, and to guarantee freedom of opinion and expression.

Jamás tantos periodistas fueron asesinados como durante 2007,
según la Campaña Emblema de Prensa

    Ginebra, PEC, 17 de diciembre. El año que termina ha estado
marcado por un nuevo detrioro de la situación de libertad de la
prensa en el mundo.
    Nunca antes tantos periodistas fueron asesinados en el
ejercicio de su profesión en un año: 110 desde el 1ero de enero,
contra 96 el año anterior y 68 en 2005, anunció el lunes la Campaña
Emblema de Prensa (PEC).
    "El aumento es del 14 por ciento comparado con el año anterior.
Esto es inaceptable", declaró el Secretario general de PEC, Blaise
Lempen, al condenar enérgicamente esos asesinatos.
    Los asesinatos de periodistas han tenido lugar en 27 países en
total. Por quinto año consecutivo, Iraq es el país de mayor peligro.
    En 2007 fallecieron 50 periodistas, frente a 48 el año
anterior. Desde la intervención norteamericano-británica en marzo de
2003, al menos 250 periodistas perdieron la vida. Jamás un conflicto
había provocado semejante hecatombe entre los trabajadores de los
medios de comunicación.
    En segundo lugar, sigue Somalia, país que ha conocido un brutal
deterioro de las condiciones de seguridad para los periodistas, con
ocho periodistas asesinados este año (uno en 2006). Sri Lanka ocupa
la tercera posición, con siete periodistas asesinados a causa de la
intensificación de la guerra civil en ese país (cuatro el año
precedente).
    La situación también se degradó en Pakistán, donde cinco
reporteros fueron asesinados. Igualmente comparten ese quinto lugar
Afganistán y Filipinas, con cuatro periodistas asesinados en cada uno
de esos dos países.
    En la escala de peligrosidad comparten el séptimo lugar tres
países, Haití, Colombia y México, con tres periodistas asesinados en
cada uno de ellos. En este último país, sin embargo, es bueno
destacar que ha habido una cierta mejoría en la situaci'on, puesto
que en 2006 el país latinoamericano ocupaba el segundo lugar entre
los más peligrosos, con ocho asesinatos.
    Después le siguen Népal (2), la República Democrática del Congo
(2), Eritrea (2), India (2) y Guatemala (2).
    Igualmente fueron perpetrados asesinatos en unos 14 países, con
una víctima en cada uno de ellos: Honduras, Uzbekistán, El Salvador,
Birmania, Estados Unidos, Uaraguay, Gaza, Zimbabwe, Rusia, Perú,
Brasil, Ghana y Turquía.
    Las cifras reflejan, sin lugar a dudas, que la gran mayoría de
los periodistas han perdido la vida en la zonas de conflicto. En
total, 69 periodistas fallecieron en cuatro países: Iraq, Sri Lanka,
Somalia y Afganistán, lo que representa cerca de los dos tercios de
las víctimas mortales.
    "El aumento del número de víctimas entre los periodistas está
directamente vinculado a la persistencia de graves conflictos
marcados por las violaciones del derecho humanitario a gran escala",
subrayó el Secretario general de PEC, Blaise Lempen.
    En otros casos, los periodistas han sido el blanco de ataques
por sus opiniones políticas o porque sus testimonios comprometían,
como fue el caso de Anna Politkovskaïa, el 7 de octubre de 2006; o de
Hrant Dink el 19 de enero en Istanbul (Turquía), Edward Chikombo, en
Zimbabwe, el 1 de abril, François Latour el 23 de marzo en Puerto-
Príncipe (Haití), Serge Maheshe, de Radio Okapi, en Bukabú el 13 de
junio, Kenji Nagai, el reportero japonés muerto en Rangoun el 27 de
septiembre.
    Ante esta grave situación, PEC acaba de lanzar una consulta
mundial en torno a un ante-proyecto de convención internacional sobre
la protección de los periodistas en las zonas de conflicto y de
violencias.
    Este ante-proyecto ha sido trasmitido ya a todos los Estados
miembros de las Naciones Unidas (ONU).
    La presidenta de PEC, Hedayat Abdel-Nabi, ha explicado que
"este proyecto de convención, preparado por el comité director de la
Campaña, podría servir de base para mejorar las legislaciones
nacionales y extenderse a cuestiones como los salarios, los aseguros
y el derecho a la vivienda".
    "Estas cuestiones afectan directamente el trabajo y la
seguridad de numerosos periodistas libres, en particular en los
países en desarrollo", declaró Hedayat Abdel-Nabi.
    Una vez adoptada, esta convención rendirá homenaje a los
periodistas que han arriesgado sus vidas, sus familias y su profesión
por revelar la verdad, asegurarse de
que las víctimas son asistidas y garantizar la libertad de opinión
y de expresión, subrayó la presidencia de PEC.

***NOV.2007. The Press Emblem Campaign is launching a global consultation on a draft proposal for an International Convention to strengthen the protection of journalists in zones of armed conflicts and civil unrest : English, French and Spanish Draft on our new page - click left on "draft Convention"

We are deeply concerned at the frequency of acts of violence in many parts of the world against journalists: more than 100 journalists have been killed since the beginning of this year, already a record year. We must act.

Please read the text of the draft proposal on our special new page, click left on "Draft Convention" (English, French and Spanish). We will be very pleased to receive your reaction - remarks, proposals, suggestions - on the draft. It is very important to have the best draft possible before discussing it with the governments for adoption next year.

Give us your opinion on the first draft sending an e-mail to: pressemblem@freesurf.ch. To respect confidentiality, your answer will not be published on our website. However we will do a synthesis report of the remarks later on. 

***08.11.2007. La PEC est très heureuse d'accueillir au sein de la Campagne l'ONG "Journaliste En Danger", active dans neuf pays d'Afrique. PEC welcomes the support to our Campaign of "Journaliste En Danger" (Burundi, Cameroun, Congo-Brazzaville, Gabon, Guinée équatoriale, République centrafricaine, République démocratique du Congo, Rwanda, Tchad). Please go to their website: www.jed-afrique.org 

***06.11.2007. Maria Simon Rodriguez, UN correspondent in Geneva, has joined the PEC board and is now in charge of Latin America. Her e-mail: masimon@bluewin.ch 

***04.11.2007. PEC supports a "GLOBAL ACTION DAY"
Supports Pakistani journalists, Condemns crackdown and arrests 
 
     The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) supports whole heartedly the call by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) for a "GLOBAL ACTION DAY" to support the Pakistani journalists under attack.

The PEC, in addition, strongly condemns the crackdown against journalists and media installation as well as the many arrests of journalists among a general crackdown in the context of a "mini-Martial Law," in the country.

The Geneva based NGO notes with deep regret that in the past 48 hours all the private news channels were blocked, police raided the offices of FM-99, in Islamabad, FM-103, in Karachi and Aaj, TV in Islamabad and the senior police official present outside Aaj tv, said they have similar orders for other news channels as well.

According to the PFUJ Secretary-General Mazhar Abbas this has been the worst kind of repression against media.

He announced that police and paramilitary forces have detained bureau chief of ARY, Quetta, and cameraman, arrested two brothers of ARY senior correspondent in Sukkar and threatened scores of journalists, cameramen during coverage.

Abbas added that reporters and cameramen were also beaten by the police while covering lawyers protest in Rawalpindi and also tried to snatch their cameras.

The PFUJ said that according to reports collected up to 11 a.m. on Monday, ARY office in Sukkur was raided, women staff were humiliated following arrest of two brothers of its senior correspondent, Lala Asad Pathan on Sunday night. They left the office after asking the staff to ensure that Asad should surrender.

On Monday, said Mazhar Abbas ARY bureau chief in Quetta, Sattar Kakar and his cameraman were detained by paramilitary while taking films of the protest. 

He added that scores of journalists including cameramen were threatened in the field by police and paramilitary while performing their professional duties and covering the lawyers protest in different parts of the country. They were not allowed to work freely and are facing threats. 

"All TV news channels including foreign news channels remained off air on the third day. Cable operators were told to air only Music, movies, sports, cartoon network....anything other than news," said Abbas. 

According to the PFUJ statement this crackdown is worst kind of repression against media in Pakistan in 30 years. 

"People have been deprived from their basic right to know," PFUJ said in a statement. The PEC will follow closely the emergency meeting on Tuesday at 4 p.m. in which President and General Secretaries of the affiliated Unions will attend while the Ujs have already held their meetings in different parts of the country. We call upon the PFUJ to broadcast this meeting on the Internet so that all media organizations world wide would follow it live.

The grave situation in Pakistan is another wake up call for the media community individually and on an organizational level, national, regional and international to unite and proceed with actions for a new International Convention to Protect Journalists.

***20.10.2007. SOMALIA: one more journalist killed. Bashir Nor Gedi, Acting Chairperson of Shabelle Media Network was assasinated 19 October at his home by unknown gunmen. The PEC and the ICPJ strongly condemn the attack and stand firmly in solidarity with the Somali journalists, while paying condolences to the family of Gedi, the 8th in a row to be killed in Somalia. See NUSOJ press release, a PEC member, on page "Other News".

***16.10.2007. NEW TRAGEDY IN IRAQ: FOUR JOURNALISTS KILLED. THE PEC IS DEEPLY SHOCKED. See the Iraqi journalists' syndicate press release on page "Other News" 

*******************SPECIAL BURMA************************

***02.10.2007. BURMA: the PEC welcomes EU resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council, expresses concern over information black-out 

    GENEVA, October 2 (PEC NEWS) – The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) welcomed the resolution presented by the European Union (EU) and adopted by the Human Rights Council (HRC) today and expresses concern over the information black-out that has put an end to the independent coverage of the brutalities taking place against civilians in general and the media in particular.

 The killing of our colleague Kenji Nagai must be fully investigated and the criminals brought to justice, said the PEC. 

  The PEC expresses its satisfaction that the resolution includes an explicit call to the Burmese authorities to guarantee freedom of opinion and expression for the independent media and to guarantee access to information.

   The Geneva based NGO is gratified by the statements made during the special session on Myanmar today by the French ambassador Jean-Baptiste Mattéi who condemned in the name of his country the brutal killing of the Japanese cameraman during his filming of the demonstrations, and denounced the closure of the Internet in Myanmar which made information impossible to flow to the world. Other countries, members and observers, such as the United States of America, have strongly condemned the killing of the Japanese journalist.

   European Union representative Portuguese ambassador to the UN in Geneva Francisco Xavier Esteves said that the EU members were deeeply shocked with the use of force by the Government of Myanmar including the death of one journalist last week.

   He called, among other matters, to allow unhindered access to information for the Burmese people.

   UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour stressed that through modern media and information technology an unprecedented access to news and images showed what was happening in the streets of Yangon.

   "The Government must give full account for its actions during and after the protests, including precise and verifiable information on the number of people killed and injured as well as on the whereabouts and conditions of those who were arrested," said Arbour.

   Arbour added that "in recent days a deafening silence resonates from the streets the demonstrators have not voluntarily abandoned".

   "As the protestors have become invisible, our concern only increases for the safety and well being of the monks, presumably confined to their monasteries, if not worse for hundreds of people arrested in the course of the demonstrations, and for those wounded and removed from the streets to unknown locations," stressed Arbour.   

   The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar Paulo Sergio Pinheiro on his part told the Human Rights Council that the current media and internet black-out in Myanmar is an example of the intolerable and oppressive means used by the authorities. 

   The Special Rapporteur told the representative of Japan in the Council that he expresses his solidarity with the Japanese government for the journalist which was killed during the unrest in Myanmar. 

   The PEC is very worried that an iron curtain has been imposed on the flow of information from Burma including information on those arrested. The unhindered access to information must be immediately ensured and visas granted for journalists.

   The Geneva based organization, PEC, calls upon India and China, the two powerful and influential neighbors of Myanmar, to exercise their influence to redirect the path from dictatorship to democracy.

*27.09.2007. PEC CONDEMNS STRONGLY THE KILLING OF A JAPANESE JOURNALIST IN MYANMAR, THE EXPULSION OF TWO OTHER JOURNALISTS, CALLS ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL TO HOLD A SPECIAL SESSION

GENEVA, September 27 (PEC NEWS) -- The Press Emblem Campaign condemned in the strongest possible manner the crackdown on civilians in MYANMAR, the killing of a Japanese cameraman, the expulsion of two other journalists, and calls upon the Human Rights Council to hold a special session.
 
The Geneva based NGO PEC calls upon all parties and the International Community to act quickly before it is too late. The PEC re-iterating its previous positions finds the tragic developments of today a strong warning to all parties involved in the issue of media protection in conflict zones that statements and condemnations are not enough.

Myanmar rarely issues working visas to journalists and Yangon's embassies around the world are known to keep blacklists of reporters who are routinely refused even tourist visas.

According to Kyodo news, two Bangkok-based reporters, Kazuya Endo of Kyodo and Koji Hirata of Japan's regional Chunichi Shimbun, were escorted to the airport by government officials before leaving the country on Wednesday.

Kyodo noted that Myanmar's generals accused the foreign media on Thursday of publishing a "skyful of lies" about the crackdown on anti-junta protests.

The PEC strongly calls upon member states of the Council to act now and to include in the discussion of the violations of Human Rights in Burma, the inability of journalists to conduct their profession and today the falling of a colleague.

The Inability to cover the dramatic events in Myanmar led CNN to rely on a Swedish embassy diplomat and not on a journalist.

The PEC presents its condolences to the family of the killed japanese cameraman Kenji Nagai, photo and video reporter for APF Tokyo.
The PEC expresses its dismay with statements made in Geneva Sept 26 by a UNESCO official who reiterated the same positions that would lead to no where.

The Japanese TV station Fuji showed how Kenji Nagai (APF News agency) was killed: his video camera in his hand, he was shot at point-blank rage by a Burmese soldier. A Japanese doctor said Nagai was killed by a bullet to the heart, which confirms that he was shot head on

SPECIAL BURMA: CLICK ALSO (left) ON "PRESS" AND "OTHER NEWS"

***********************************************************

***19.09.2007. All parties must put an end to targeting of journalists and media installations in Somalia 

   GENEVA, PEC NEWS – September 19 – In an escalating spiral of violence against media installation and workers in Somalia, the forces of Transitional Federal Government (TFG) attacked Tuesday the headquarters of Shabelle Media Network.

   The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) calls upon all parties to the Somali conflict to make public declarations of commitment to protect media freedom and the legitimate rights of journalists.

  The radio attack follows serious events in Somalia against journalists among them the arrest on Saturday of 14 journalists and 5 support staff, including the management of the Popular Radio.

   In another development in September so far, police have detained a journalist who was reporting on a security operation undertaken by Somalia's Ethiopian-backed government in the capital, Mogadishu.

 Another development led to the disappearance of an Internet journalist Mohamed Hussein Jimaale one week ago.

   A prominent press freedom activist and freelance journalist was forced into hiding on Monday after gunmen went looking for him at his office in the war-torn capital Mogadishu.

   Ali Moallim Isak, Organizing Secretary of the Union and a correspondent of Baidoa-based private Radio Warsan, received several threatening phone calls that day ordering him to stop speaking out against attacks on journalists or be killed.

   Up to date September has been described as the month of terror for Somali Journalists, August as the month of assassinations, making Somalia the second most dangerous place for media workers after Iraq, 7 Somali journalists killed since the beginning of 2007.

   While on the verge of a serious humanitarian crisis, the country is in dire need for independent reporting to document the drama of hundreds of thousands of displaced.

   Lack of respect for International Human Rights law calls upon the international community to move forward to put in place a new International Convention for the defense of Journalists in zones of armed conflict and civil unrest. 

****************SPECIAL EVENT ICPJ-PEC**********************

***10.09.2007. The PEC welcomes the creation of a new organization -
A joint call for a working group (en français après le texte anglais)

READ ALSO THE PRESS REPORTS on this event (French, English, Spanish and German): click left on the page Press - Read also below the final communique of the first meeting of the ICPJ.

At the press conference in Geneva, Mohammed Youssef, ICPJ president, president of the Emirates Syndicate of journalists, Moaid Al-Lamy, Iraqi Syndicate of Journalists' Secretary General and Hedayat Abdelnabi, PEC president, ICPJ coordinator (photo JH) - other photos below 

GENEVA, (PEC NEWS), Sept 10 - Three years after the adoption of the Geneva Declaration in September 2004, the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) welcomes and congratulates the group of eleven press syndicates from all over the world who decide Sunday to create a new organization: International Covenant for the Protection of Journalists (ICPJ), headquartered in Geneva.

 The new organization, which will deal with all aspects of media protection, announced with a high voice that it will fully support the PEC, work with it and strengthen its endeavors to achieve common goals for the protection of media in zones of conflict and in other situations.

 Backed now by more than 32 media organizations representing around 80,000 journalists worldwide, the PEC joined today by the ICPJ appeals to the Human Rights Council and UN member States to decide quickly on establishing a working group to deal with all aspects of media protection in conflict zones and elsewhere. This effort would be in line with the goals of the Human rights council to improve the respect of human rights and humanitarian law.

 The creation of the new organization will boost the efforts to achieve a new specific convention for journalists, said the PEC.

 According to the PEC media ticking clock launched in June 2006 for the first session of the HRC, since January 2007 at least 86 journalists have been killed worldwide, out of which more than 40 in Iraq. 96 journalists were killed during 2006.

 At a ceremony in Geneva, Monday evening, the Secretary General of the Iraqi Syndicate of Journalists Moaid Al-Lamy presented the 2007 “Golden shield”: the syndicate has awarded for their action in favor of the Iraqi journalists the former president of the Human Rights Council Mexican ambassador Luis Alfonso de Alba, the new president of the HRC romanian ambassador Dorea da Costa, the High Commissionner for Human Rights Louise Arbour, the president of the PEC Hedayat Abdelnabi and the Secretary General of the PEC Blaise Lempen. The PEC nominated as honorary president of the Campaign Jean Ziegler, UN special rapporteur (Switzerland) and George Gros, Secretary General of the Press Union of the French speaking countries (UPF - France) for the support they have expressed time and again for the Campaign to protect journalists in zones of conflict.

At the ceremony in Geneva: former president of HRC Mexican ambassador Luis Alfonso de Alba receiving the "Golden Shield" from the SG of the Iraqi press syndicate Moaid Al-Lamy - below: with the current president of the HRC Romanian ambassador Dorea Romulus Da Costa (photos JH)

FOUNDING MEMBERS OF THE ICPJ:
President of the ICPJ: Mohammed Youssef, UAE Syndicate of Journalists - Iraqi Press Syndicate, Union of Sudanese Journalists, Union of West African Journalists, Iranian Syndicate of Journalists, Association of independant newspapers in Mauritania, National Union of Somali Journalists, The Federal Union of Pakistani Journalists, Tunisian Society of Journalists, Bahraini Society of Journalists, Union of Palestinian Journalists, Press Emblem Campaign.


  La PEC se félicite de la création de l'ICPJ
Appel conjoint à la création d'un groupe de travail

 Genève (PEC news), 10 septembre - Trois ans après l'adoption de la Déclaration de Genève en septembre 2004, la Presse Emblème Campagne (PEC) se félicite de la création de la Coalition internationale pour la protection des journalistes (International Covenant for the Protection of Journalists ICPJ), constituée de onze syndicats de journalistes et basée à Genève.

 La nouvelle organisation, qui traitera de tous les aspects de la protection des medias, a annoncé qu'elle travaillera étroitement avec la PEC pour renforcer la protection des journalistes dans les zones de conflit et de violences internes.

 Forte désormais du soutien de plus de 32 organisations, représentant près de 80.000 journalistes, la PEC se joint à l'ICPJ pour demander au Conseil des droits de l'homme et aux Etats membres de l'ONU de décider rapidement de la création d'un groupe de travail pour discuter de toutes les questions liées à la sécurité des journalistes dans les zones de conflit et de violences internes, dans le but de renforcer le respect des droits de l'homme et du droit humanitaire.

 La création de la nouvelle organisation va permettre de développer les efforts pour parvenir à une convention internationale spécifique aux journalistes, souligne la PEC.

 Selon la Media ticking clock, lancée par la PEC en juin 2006, 96 journalistes ont été tués l'an dernier, et 86 depuis le début de l'année, en neuf mois seulement, dont au moins 40 en Irak. Soit au total 182 journalistes morts dans l'exercice de leurs fonctions depuis la première session du Conseil le 19 juin 2006.

 Lors d’une cérémonie à Genève lundi soir, le secrétaire général du syndicat irakien des journalistes Moaid Al-Lamy a récompensé pour leur action en faveur des journalistes irakiens pendant l’année 2007 : l’ancien président du Conseil des droits de l’homme l’ambassadeur du Mexique Luis Alfonso de Alba, le nouveau président du Conseil l’ambassadeur roumain Dorea da Costa, la Haut Commissaire aux droits de l’homme Louise Arbour, la présidente de la PEC Hedayat Abdelnabi et le secrétaire général de la PEC Blaise Lempen. La PEC a pour sa part désigné deux présidents d'honneur de l'organisation: le rapporteur de l'ONU Jean Ziegler (Suisse) et le secrétaire général de l'Union internationale de la presse francophone (UPF - France) George Gros pour les remercier du soutien apporté de manière répétée à la Campagne pour renforcer la protection des journalistes dans les zones de conflit.

Sept. 2007 à l'occasion de la première réunion ICPJ-PEC: réunion des membres du comité directeur de la PEC pour la nomination des nouveaux "ambassadeurs" de la Campagne: Jean Ziegler et Georges Gros, SG de l'Union de la presse francophone (photo HAN) - Sept 2007: meeting of the PEC board for the nomination of two new "ambassadors" of the Campaign Jean Ziegler, UN special rapporteur, and Georges Gros, Secretary-General of the Union of the press of the french-speaking countries. 

ICPJ FINAL COMMUNIQUE
PRESS STATEMENT
8-9-10 SEPTEMBER 2007 MEETING 

    More than ten press syndicates have agreed in Geneva Saturday and Sunday to establish a new non-governmental organization (NGO): International Covenant for the Protection of Journalists (ICPJ) headquartered in Geneva.

   The new organization stands for “Press-Freedom-Protection”.

   The ICPJ will work on developing a new mechanism to protect media and in this context it will call upon the regional groups in the human rights council to convene a special session on media protection.

   In addition the ICPJ will call upon the Council which starts today in Geneva to establish a working group to start deliberations on a new covenant to protect journalists.

   The new organization will assist families of fallen journalists, or those abducted and others.

   The ICPJ will work on developing an insurance scheme to protect journalists.

   The new organization will make a contribution to the Peruvian journalists hit by the 15 August earthquake.

   The ICPJ condemns in the strongest possible manner violence against journalists in Iraq, Palestine, Somalia, Eritrea, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Columbia and other countries around the world.

   The participants agreed to support and work closely with the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) in its quest for the protection of journalists in zones of conflict, wars and other dangerous situations.

   The ICPJ expressed its full solidarity with the President of the Bahraini society of journalists Isa Al Shaijji in his steadfast position in defense of press freedoms against intimidation. 

***********************************************************

**04.09.2007. PEC condemns the killing of Iraqi Cameraman 

    GENEVA, (PEC NEWS) The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) condemns the killing of Al Iraqia cameraman Amir Al-Rashidy by unidentified gunmen in Mosul, 375 KM North Baghdad.

    This killing of Al-Rashidy is a clear message that there is no place in Iraq safe for media work.

   A week ahead of the Human Rights Council, this barbaric killing of a colleague highlights the global and pertinent issue of the protection of journalists in zones of conflict.

   The killing of Al-Rashidy steps up the world tally since the beginning of 2007 in media casualties to 85 journalists, out of which 40 were Iraqi journalists.

   This doubles the daily tragedy lived by Iraqi journalists and their families, and turns 40 families into victims and their children orphans. The international community must discuss additionnal measures to enhance the protection of journalists. 

***12.08.2007. PEC condemns the killing of Somali and Iraqi journalists

    GENEVA, August 12 (PEC) – The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) is outraged at the barbarous killing of Somali journalist Mahad Ahmed Elmi, Director of Radio Capital Voice in Mogadishu, and the assassination of the Managing Director of HornAfrik Radio Ali Iman Sharmarke, after his vehicle was blown up by a remote-controlled mine laid by unknown attackers.

   Two other journalists were wounded, Abdihakin Omar Jimale of Radio Mogadishu was wounded Friday night in Yaqshid district of the capital, and Journalist Sahal Abdulle who works with Reuters News Agency was injured in the detonation of Ali Iman Sharmarke vehicles.

   Secretary General of NUSOJ Omar Faruk Osman announced with grief that Mahad Ahmed Elmi and Ali Iman were the sixth and seventh media workers killed so far this year.

   Abdihakin Omar Jimale was the fourth journalist wounded in Somalia this year and Sahal Abdulle is the fifth.

   The PEC while it presents its condolences and strong condemnation to the National Union of Somali Journalists and the families of the two slain journalists, calls upon the international community to act to guarantee the protection of media workers in zones of conflict by first organizing a special session on the level of the Human Rights Council to discuss this serious issue, and two to come out with concrete steps that would lead to a new convention to protect media in zones of conflict and elsewhere.

   What aggravates the issue into a serious pattern is that during the month of July 6 Iraqi journalists were killed.

   Also in July a photographer working for the Associated Press in Iraq Talal Mohammed was kidnapped on 28 July near Baqouba, 55 km northeast of Baghdad.

***04.07.2007. THE PEC REJOICES AT THE SAFE RELEASE OF ALAN JOHNSTON - HIS RELEASE IS A WAKE UP CALL THAT NEVER AGAIN AN EXPLOSIVE BELT TIED TO THE BODY OF A JOURNALIST

 
GENEVA, July 4 (PEC NEWS) – The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) rejoices whole heartedly at the safe release of BBC Gaza correspondent Alan Johnston following more than 114 days of captivity.
   The plight of Alan Johnston, others before him, and maybe others after him, is a wake up call to the international community and the Human Rights Council (HRC), that never again must the world see a journalist in captivity with an explosive belt tied to his body, a direct threat to his right to life, freedom of opinion and expression.
   The PEC today says that Hamas and the Palestinian Authority must act as promptly as possible to bring the perpetrators of this crime of Alan Johnston to justice, impunity must not prevail.
   The euphoria surrounding today the happy ending of this tragic event must not derail the international community from the core issue, the attacks on journalists, a vivid proof of the core issue is that three Iraqi journalists were killed in the last few days.
   The PEC reiterates its call to the Human Rights Council (HRC) to hold a special session in September on the core issue of protection of journalists, which would lead to an open-ended working group to deliberate on a new convention for the protection of media in zones of conflict and in dangerous situation.
   The Geneva based NGO will start parallel talks with the International Labor Office (ILO) to find ways and means of how to move towards a new convention for the safety of workers in conflict zones.
   In addition, the PEC will conduct a joint study on the effect of the killing of journalists on their families' housing rights with the Housing and Land Rights Network of the Habitat International Coalition led by Joseph Schechla and the Iraqi Syndicate of Journalists (ISJ). 
  The case study will analyze the effect of murdering more than 225 journalists in Iraq on their families' housing rights.

***25.06.2007. Media in Sri Lanka: the PEC is very pleased to welcome a new member supporting our Campaign, the Centre for Policy Alternatives, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Consult their website: www.cpalanka.org. Read their last report on the growing crisis of freedom of expression in Sri Lanka on our page LINKS

***25.06.2007. PEC is horrified by the video showing our colleague Alan Johnston detained with explosives. We renew our solidarity with his family and all BBC journalists (read the Reuters story, click left on PRESS)

***19.06.2007. ONE YEAR OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL : 123 journalists killed - the PEC calls upon the Council to act (texte en français après le texte anglais)
                   
      GENEVA, PEC NEWS (JUNE 19) Marking the first anniversary of the creation of the Human Rights Council (HRC) June 18-2006 to June 18-2007, the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) notes that at least 123 journalists have been killed in 27 countries during that period. The PEC, supported by more than 50.000 journalists around the world, calls upon the new and the ongoing members of the Council to take action and start a serious discussion on this global neglected crisis related to freedom of expression and the right to life.

      One year after, the PEC congratulates the President of the Human Rights Council Mexican Ambassador Luis Alfonso de Alba for his text on institution building. "It is a step forward. Finally the Council must get down to work and engage seriously on human rights abuses around the world", said PEC
president Hedayat Abdel Nabi and PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen.

      The PEC believes that the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) which will cover all countries without exception opens a huge opportunity to include the situation of freedom of opinion and expression as well as the situation of journalists and their working conditions in each country for review by all countries.

      One year after the HRC's creation, the PEC believes that with the new mechanisms put in place there would be a global opportunity for re-enforcing the protection of victims of human rights worldwide. Those mechanisms will add credibility to the new United Nations body.
               
     “One major advantage of the Council is that it will convene several times which would give it a broader scope and will add to its legitimacy as compared to the previous human rights commission”, adds Blaise Lempen.

      The UN General Assembly has mandated the Human Rights Council with the task to elaborate new international norms when necessary, reminds the PEC.

       At the end of last year the Security Council adopted resolution 1738 to give serious attention to the plight of journalists in conflict zones. One way to strengthen this important resolution is to it use it as a basis for a discussion to
protect media in zones of conflict on the level of the Council.

       The PEC calls upon the members of the Council not to loose time and to deal with firmness against the serious violations to the right to life and the right to information in many countries.

Growing crisis

       The Geneva based NGO expresses its alarm at the growing number of journalists killed since the beginning of the year reaching a record number of 62 journalists in 21 countries against 35 during the same period last year.

       30 of the 62 journalists killed since the beginning of the year were killed in Iraq.

    The break down of the 123 journalists killed since the creation of the HRC one year ago ranks Iraq at the top with 60 killed, followed by Mexico: 8, the Philippines: 7, Afghanistan: 6, Somalia 5, Russia 4, Sri Lanka 3, Haiti 3 and Colombia 3.

      In Pakistan, Guatemala, India, Brazil, Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) two journalists were killed in each country. 

      While in Gaza, Zimbabwe, Peru, Ghana, Lebanon, China, Turkmenistan, Sudan, Eritrea, Turkey and Nigeria , a journalist was killed per country.

       Those figures, collected by the PEC from various sources, do not include media assistants including translators, drivers, security staff et al which if included would make the figure higher. 
             
     In Gaza BBC correspondent Alan Johnston remains in captivity breaking a three month period on June 12. The PEC calls upon the Council to take effective measures with regards to the serious issue of journalists' abduction for ransom or for other political reasons.
               
    The PEC calls upon the Council to take the necessary measures in its forthcoming session in September to deal with this global problem. The Geneva based NGO reiterates its urgent call to the Council to start discussions in an open ended working group on a new convention to fill in the current existing gaps in international humanitarian law which would be directed to the protection of media in zones of conflict.

                    UN AN DU CONSEIL DES DROITS DE L'HOMME
           123 JOURNALISTES TUES: LA PEC DEMANDE AU CONSEIL D'AGIR

     Genève, PEC news (19 juin) - A l'occasion du premier anniversaire de la création du Conseil des droits de l'homme, la Campagne (PEC) constate qu'au moins 123 journalistes ont été tués dans 27 pays depuis le 19 juin 2006. La PEC, soutenue par plus de 50.000 journalistes dans le monde, appelle les membres du Conseil à passer à l'action et à entamer une discussion sur cette crise mondiale grave et négligée en relation avec la liberté d'expression et le droit à la vie.

    Un an après, la PEC félicite le président du Conseil l'ambassadeur mexicain Luis Alfonso de Alba pour son texte sur les institutions. "C'est un pas en avant. Le Conseil peut finalement passer à l'action et traiter des violations des droits humains partout dans le monde", ont affirmé la présidente de la PEC Hedayat Abdel Nabi et son secrétaire général Blaise Lempen.
   
    La PEC croit que le mécanisme d'examen périodique universel (EPU) qui concernera tous les pays sans exception représente une occasion nouvelle d'inclure la liberté d'expression comme la situation des journalistes et leurs conditions de travail dans l'examen du respect des droits humains par chaque pays.

    Une année après la création du Conseil, la PEC estime que les nouveaux mécanismes mis en place représentent une occasion de renforcer la protection des victimes partout dans le monde. Ces mécanismes ajoutent de la crédibilité au nouvel organe de l'ONU. « Un des avantages du Conseil, par rapport à l'ex-Commission, est qu'il se réunit plusieurs fois par année et qu’il assurera un meilleur suivi », a fait remarquer Blaise Lempen.

    L'Assemblée générale de l'ONU a donné mandat au Conseil d'élaborer de nouvelles normes internationales si nécessaire, rappelle la PEC.

    A la fin de l'an dernier, le Conseil de sécurité de l'ONU a adopté la résolution 1738 condamnant les attaques contre les journalistes dans les zones de conflit. Le Conseil des droits de l'homme doit étudier en priorité les moyens de renforcer l'application de cette résolution.

    La PEC demande aux membres du Conseil de ne plus perdre de temps et d'agir avec fermeté contre les très graves violations du droit à la vie et du droit à l'information dans de nombreux pays.

Nombre croissant de victimes

   L'ONG basée à Genève est en effet consternée par le nombre croissant de journalistes tués depuis le début de cette année: un record de 62 jusqu'au 15 juin, dans 21 pays, contre 35 pendant la même période de l'an dernier.

   30 des 62 journalistes tués depuis janvier l'ont été en Irak.

Sur les 123 journalistes tués depuis le 19 juin 2006, date de l'inauguration du Conseil, l'Irak compte le plus grand nombre de victimes (au moins 60). Ce pays est suivi par le Mexique (8), les Philippines (7), l'Afghanistan (6), la Somalie (5), la Russie (4), le Sri Lanka (3), Haïti (3) et la Colombie (3).
       
     Au Pakistan, Guatemala, en Inde, au Brésil, en Angola, République démocratique du Congo, deux journalistes ont été tués. Alors qu'à Gaza, au Zimbabwe, Pérou, Ghana, Liban, en Chine, au Tukménistan, au Soudan, en Erythrée, Turquie et au Nigéria, un journaliste a été tué dans l'exercice de sa profession au cours de l'année écoulée.

    Ces chiffres, recueillis par la PEC à partir de plusieurs sources, n'incluent pas d'autres employés des medias comme les traducteurs, chauffeurs, gardiens et autres, qui, s'ils étaient inclus, alourdiraient encore le bilan.

    A Gaza, le correspondant de la BBC Alan Johnston est toujours en captivité, plus de trois mois après son enlèvement le 12 mars. La PEC demande au Conseil de prendre des mesures efficaces en relation avec ce problème dramatique de l'enlèvement des journalistes pour obtenir des rançons ou des avantages politiques.

   La PEC demande au Conseil de prendre les mesures nécessaires dès sa prochaine session en septembre pour affronter ce problème d'ampleur mondiale.
La Campagne renouvelle son appel urgent au Conseil pour qu'il entame les discussions sur une nouvelle convention dans un groupe de travail à composition non limitée afin de combler les lacunes existantes dans le droit international humanitaire et renforcer la protection des medias dans les zones de conflit.

***04.06.2007. MARKING ITS THIRD ANNIVERSARY, PEC CONDEMNS SUMMARY EXECUTIONS OF JOURNALISTS, CALLS UPON THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO ACT IMMEDIATELY TO PUT AN END TO GLOBAL ATTACKS AGAINST THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION (texte en français après l'anglais)

    GENEVA, June 4 (PEC NEWS) – Marking its third anniversary June 4, 2007, the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) is extremely worried about the growing numbers of journalists killed since the beginning of 2007, so far 55, including a record number during May: 21 journalists killed.

   Conditions of media coverage as well as that of freedom of expression have witnessed an accelerated deterioration in many countries of the world, in conflict zones and zones of civil unrest which calls for a firm response from the international community.

   Last year, 33 journalists were killed during the period January-May; this year (55 journalists killed) represents a 66 percent increase as compared to the same period last year.

   The PEC is shocked by the practice of summary executions and targeted killings of  journalists in many countries around the world: Iraq, Haiti, Somalia, Sri Lanka , Philippines, and Mexico.

   In May alone, 11 Iraqi journalists, a number working for several international media (ABC News, Newsweek, Associated Press Television) were killed in cold blood by armed men, a record figure for one month.

   The objective of those criminal acts is to suppress all independent coverage coming out of Iraq.

   The PEC has welcomed warmly the position of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour and her Deputy Kyung-wha Kang to support the work of media in Iraq in general and the plight of the Iraqi journalists in particular.

   Those views were expressed by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights when a delegation of the Iraqi Union of Journalists (IUJ) led by its Secretary-General Moaid Allamy visited Geneva last April.

   The ongoing practice in Iraq against journalists is replicated in other countries. Since the beginning of the year 3 journalists were killed in cold blood in Haiti, 3 journalists assassinated in the Philippines, 2 in Mexico and 2 others in Sri-Lanka. A cameraman was killed in cold blood in Zimbabwe, 2 journalists in Afghanistan, 1 in Russia and 1 in Turkey.

   In Gaza (one journalist killed) the situation has deteriorated considerably according to the new member of the PEC, MADA center (Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms).

      BBC correspondent Alan Johnston has been in captivity since March 12, and efforts to liberate Johnston have so far failed. The PEC calls upon the abductors to unconditionally release Johnston before June 12 which marks 3 months from his abduction by unidentified gunmen in Gaza.

   In addition, the same deterioration is marked in Somalia with 4 journalists killed since the beginning of the year.

   Looking at the very difficult situation in Somalia, the PEC praises the exceptional efforts taken by the Secretary-General of the Somali Union of Journalists (SUJ) Omar Faruk Osman who leaves no stone unturned to defend the rights of journalists to objective coverage and freedom of expression.

   The PEC congratulates warmly Omar Faruk Osman for his election last week as a member of the executive board of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

   Omar Faruk Osman was invited by the PEC to mark its second anniversary last year where he spoke out about the plight of media in Somalia. On behalf of the USJ, Omar gave his unrelenting support to the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) and its views that international humanitarian law entails gaps that lead to the rule of the jungle in conflict zones.

    Naim Tobassi, representing the Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate, was also elected to the IFJ executive board. Tobassi has marked the first anniversary of the PEC by addressing a press conference in Geneva in June 2005 where he backed the PEC Campaign. 

    PEC President Hedayat Abdel Nabi, marking the third anniversary of the PEC, said that the PEC has voiced the views of many voiceless journalists across the globe who lack the power to bring their case to the forefront of the attention of the world community.

   The plight of media today, Abdel Nabi noted, has become a core issue within the struggle for human rights globally.

   PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen noted that the media community is an indispensable witness on the ground. In his book "Massacres without Witnesses" (Xenia) just published marking World Press Freedom Day last May, Lempen adds that without the testimony of journalists political mobilization against violations of IHL would be impossible.

    "It is time now for the Council, following its fifth session that begins 11 June 2007, to start acting in favor of victims of human rights violations. Time is of essence, the Council must act, and must act now," added Lempen.

   According to the PEC Media ticking Clock, since the Human Rights Council was created 19 June 2006 up to 31 May 2007 some 116 journalists were killed worldwide. 

   The PEC renews its call to governments, members of the Human Rights Council, and others who care for the strict application of human rights and IHL worldwide to launch an open-ended working group to discuss an international convention for media protection which would cover the following elements: mechanisms for enquiry, fact finding missions, imposing sanctions, and compensation.

   The Convention, said the PEC, must include follow-up mechanisms that would pre-empt attempts by criminals to assassinate or engage in hostage taking without impunity.

   For more info on media casualties, please view the PEC Media Ticking Clock at: www.pressemblem.ch

    Many thanks for your support ! 

 ***04.06.2007. A L’OCCASION DE SON TROISIEME ANNIVERSAIRE, LA PEC CONDAMNE LES EXECUTIONS SOMMAIRES DE JOURNALISTES ET APPELLE LA COMMUNAUTE INTERNATIONALE A METTRE UN TERME AUX ATTAQUES CONTRE LA LIBERTE D'EXPRESSION                                   

   Genève, 4 juin (PEC) – La Presse Emblème Campagne (PEC) est consternée par le nombre croisant de journalistes tués depuis le début de l’année dans le monde : 55 en cinq mois, dont un record de 21 au mois de mai, soit cinq par semaine. Cette détérioration accélérée des conditions de la liberté d’expression dans plusieurs pays appelle une réponse ferme de la communauté internationale, a affirmé la Campagne à l’occasion du troisième anniversaire de sa création. 

   L’an dernier, de janvier à mai, 33 journalistes avaient été tués. L’augmentation pour les cinq premiers mois de l’année est de 66% par rapport à l’an dernier.

   La PEC est choquée par la pratique des exécutions sommaires visant à l’élimination physique des journalistes dans plusieurs pays : l’Irak, Haïti, la Somalie, le Sri Lanka, les Philippines, le Mexique. En mai, un record de 11 journalistes irakiens, dont plusieurs travaillant pour des medias étrangers (Newsweek, ABC News, Associated Press Television) ont été froidement abattus par des hommes en armes. 

    Le but de cette stratégie est clairement de supprimer toute information indépendante en Irak. 

   La PEC se félicite du soutien apporté récemment par la Haut Commissaire aux droits de l’homme Louise Arbour et son adjointe aux journalistes irakiens, à l’occasion de la visite à Genève en avril d’une délégation menée par le secrétaire général de l’Union des journalistes irakiens Moaid Allamy.

  Malheureusement, cette pratique a atteint d’autres pays : depuis le début de l’année, trois journalistes ont ainsi été éliminés à Haïti. De nouveaux assassinats sont survenus aux Philippines ( 3), au Mexique (2) et au Sri Lanka (2). Un cameraman a été froidement abattu au Zimbabwe, deux journalistes en Afghanistan, un en Russie et un en Turquie. 

  A Gaza (un journaliste tué), la situation s’est considérablement détériorée, comme en témoignent les rapports de notre nouveau membre qui a rejoint récemment la PEC, le Mada (Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms).

  Les efforts pour libérer notre confrère de la BBC Alan Johnston, kidnappé depuis le 12 mars, ont été vains jusqu’ici. La PEC lance un nouvel appel à sa libération immédiate sans conditions avant le 12 juin, qui marquerait la fin de son troisième mois de captivité par un groupe armé. 

   La situation s’est aussi gravement détériorée en Somalie (4 tués depuis janvier). La PEC salue les efforts exceptionnels du secrétaire général des journalistes somaliens Omar Faruk Osman, et le félicite pour son élection la semaine dernière au bureau exécutif de la Fédération internationale des journalistes (FIJ). Osmar Faruk Osman avait témoigné à Genève il y a un an exactement, pour le second anniversaire de la PEC, des difficultés aigues dans lesquelles travaillent nos confrères somaliens. Au nom de l’Union des journalistes somaliens, il avait apporté son soutien sans réserve à la Campagne en soulignant que le non-respect du droit international humanitaire conduit à la loi de la jungle dans les zones de conflit.

    Naim Tobassi, représentant du Syndicat des journalistes palestiniens, a aussi été élu au bureau exécutif de la FIJ. Tobassi avait soutenu la PEC lors d’une conférence de presse à Genève pour le premier anniversaire de la Campagne, il y a deux ans.

  «Trois ans exactement après le lancement de la Campagne, le 4 juin 2004, la PEC a exprimé la voix de nombreux journalistes à travers le monde qui n’avaient pas la possibilité d’attirer l’attention de la communauté internationale », a affirmé la présidente de la PEC Hedayat Abdel Nabi. Le drame de nombreux représentants des medias, a ajouté Mme Abdel Nabi, est devenu un thème central du respect des droits humains dans le monde.

   « Les journalistes sont des témoins indispensables sur le terrain, sans lesquels il n’y a pas de mobilisation politique contre les violations du droit international humanitaire », a souligné le secrétaire général de la PEC Blaise Lempen, qui vient de publier un livre sur le sujet : « Massacres sans témoins » (éditions Xenia).

    « C’est le moment pour le Conseil des droits de l’homme, réuni pour sa cinquième session à partir du 11 juin, de passer des paroles aux actes et d’aider concrètement les victimes. Il n’est plus possible d’attendre passivement », a ajouté Lempen.

   Selon la Media ticking clock, depuis l’inauguration du Conseil des droits de l’homme le 19 juin 2006 jusqu’au 31 mai 2007, au moins 116 journalistes ont été tués dans l’exercice de leur profession. 

   La PEC appelle encore une fois les gouvernements soucieux du respect des droits humains dans le monde à lancer les travaux d’une convention internationale renforçant la protection des journalistes dans les zones de conflit et de violences internes pour établir des mécanismes d’enquête, d’établissement des faits, de sanctions, d’indemnisation et de suivi qui font actuellement défaut et permettent aux assassins et preneurs d’otages de commettre impunément leur crime.

Merci pour votre soutien !
 

***24.05.2007. NUMBER OF MEDIA KILLED: A DRAMATIC INCREASE - MAY ALONE: 5 JOURNALISTS KILLED PER WEEK - A CALL TO THE IFJ CONGRESS TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION FOR A NEW CONVENTION TO PROTECT MEDIA IN CONFLICT ZONES 

   GENEVA, May 24 (PEC NEWS) – The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) and its 28 member associations call upon the International Federation of Journalists' (IFJ) Congress, that kicks off Monday in Moscow, to adopt a resolution for concrete measures to protect journalists in conflict zones, internal violence and other circumstances.

   At least 49 journalists were killed during 20 weeks since the beginning of the year, on average 2.5 per week, and 50 percent of those killed were killed in Iraq.

   May has a remarkable dramatic turn with 15 journalists killed up to May 20, with an average of 5 per week.

   In addition, since March 12, BBC correspondent Alan Johnston remains in captivity in an unknown place in Gaza.

   The PEC calls upon the delegates participating in the IFJ Congress to reflect deeply on the brutal deterioting conditions in media work and in freedom of the press and to move towards a substantial step and call for a new international convention for the protection of journalists in conflict zones, internal violence and other conditions. 

   The new proposed convention would have the tools to establish the facts, enquiries, compensation and assistance to family victims of fallen journalist and an independent follow up mechanism to enquire into the crimes committed against journalists.

   In addition the new proposed convention would have the means of combating impunity. Some 90 percent of crimes against journalists pass without bringing their perpetrators to justice.

   This proposal will fill the current existing gap in media protection. 

***23.05.2005. JOINT COMMUNIQUE: THE PEC AND THE UIJ
WELCOME ARBOUR'S COMMITMENT - HIGH COMMISSIONER URGES IRAQI AUTHORITIES TO ADOPT ADDITIONAL MEASURES FOR THE PROTECTION OF JOURNALISTS IN IRAQ    (read the letter below)

     GENEVA, BAGHDAD , May 23, 2007 (PEC UIJ NEWS) The
Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) and the Union of Iraqi Journalists
(UIJ) welcomed the position of the United Nations High Commissioner
for Human Rights Louise Arbour for protection of media in Iraq and
for voicing her concern on the fate of Iraqi journalists.
  In a letter addresses to the Secretary-General of the UIJ
Moauad Aziz Allamy, High Commissioner Arbour expressed her concern
at the untenable situation facing Iraqi journalists.
  She said: I deeply respect and appreciate the courageous work
undertaken by both Iraqi and foreign journalists who cover the war,
which has so far claimed so many of their lives.
  The determination of journalists to provide an objective
account to the world on the situation in Iraq and the very real
dangers facing them has not gone unnoticed, she added.
  High Commissioner Louise Arbour stressed that given the
importance and the urgency of this matter, I will urge the Iraqi
authorities to adopt additional measures for the protection of
journalists in Iraq.
  The top official in charge of human rights worldwide assured
Mr. Allamy that her Office is committed to doing everything within
its mandate to promote and protect human rights in Iraq, especially
the rights to life and freedom of expression. 
 Mrs. Arbours letter was in response to a letter from the UIJ
Secretary-General dated April 19, 2007 and delivered to Deputy High
Commissioner of Human Rights Ms. Kyung-wha Kang on April 20, 2007. 
  Mr. Allamy called upon the High Commissioner to exercise her
good offices in the convening of a special session of the Human
Rights Council to discuss the protection of media in general and
the Iraqi medias plight in particular.
  The visit of the Iraqi media delegation to Geneva in April was
organized by the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC).
  Its' objective was to create concrete awareness concerning the
plight and tragedy of Iraqi journalists especially within the
community of Human Rights and the Human Rights Council (HRC).

LETTER OF HIGH COMMISSIONER LOUISE ARBOUR:

Nations Unies
Haut Commissariat aux droits de l'homme
United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights

Téléfax (41-22) 9289018
Téléphone: (41-22) 9289761
Internet: www.ohchr.org
e-mail: dwahba@ohchr.org

Palais des Nations
CH-1211 Genève 10

10 May 2007

 Dear Mr Allamy,

 Thank you for your letter of 19 April 2007 in which you
highlight the dangers facing Iraqi journalists. Teh Deputy High
Commissionner has briefed me on your meeting of 20 April 2007. I am
sincerely concerned over the untenable situation facing Iraqi
journalists, and deeply respect and appreciate the courageous work
undertaken by both Iraqi and foreign journalists who cover the war,
which has already claimed so many of their lives. The determination
of journalists to provide an objective account to the world on the
situation in Iraq and the very real dangers facing them has note
gone unnoticed.

 I have shared these concerns with relevant colleagues in OHCHR
and the United Nations Assistance Mission to Iraq (UNAMI). In this
regard, I would like to inform you that the UNAMI Human Rights
Office (HRO) actively and closely monitors the human rights
situation in Iraq, including issues regarding the right to freedom
of expression and the press, and the safety of journalists. I have
also shared your concerns with the appropriate mechanims of the
United Nations Human Rights Council, including the Special
Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom
of Opinion and Expression, Mr. Ambeyi Ligabo, and other related
procedures. I shall also bring your concerns to the attention of
the President of the Human Rights Council, Ambassador Luis Aldonso
de Alba. Furthermore, given the importance and the urgency of this
matter, I will urge the Iraqi authorities to adopt additional
measures for the protection of journalists in Iraq.

 Thank you again for your letter and I would like to assure you
that my Office is committed to doing everything within its mandate
to promote and protect human rights in Iraq, especially the rights
to life and freedom of expression.

 Yours sincerely, Louise Arbour, High Commissioner for Human
Rights

 To: Moauad Aziz Gasim Allamy
Secretary General
Union of Iraqi Journalists
Baghdad, Iraq

***12.05.2007. PEC deplores the continued abduction of Alan Johnston, today two months 

GENEVA, May 12 (PEC NEWS) – Today marks two months since the abduction of BBC correspondent Alan Johnston in Gaza. 

   The Press Emblem Campaign deplores and condemns this heinous cowardly act that does not serve anyone but the abductors.

   Johnston, 44, was seized at gunpoint in Gaza City on 12 March, joined the BBC World Service in 1991 and has spent eight of the last 16 years as a correspondent, including periods in Uzbekistan and Afghanistan.

   He has lived and worked in Gaza for three years and was the only Western reporter permanently based in the often violent Palestinian territories. 

   The PEC believes that the abduction of Alan Johnston, in the first place, is a disservice to the Palestinian people who are living a daily dire life.

   It was because Alan Johnston was following the events in Gaza and the West Bank for the BBC that the world came to discover in more details the plight of the Palestinian people.

   A recent report mentioned that one out of four journalists were killed in war zones, and the other three in peace while covering events in their own countries, the PEC, all the more finds that this statistic calls for an urgent handling of the ongoing tragedy.

   PEC president Hedayat Abdel Nabi says that plight of Johnston and his family and loved ones shows the paralysis of governments and global press associations to act for securing his freedom: this is a very serious issue.

   The Geneva based NGO, PEC, said time and again that the absence of journalists leads to a cover up of human rights violations and serious breaches of international human rights and humanitarian law, and allows a dangerous trend for impunity to prevail. 

   The PEC believes that the way out is to develop a new convention whose sole aim would be to protect journalists in conflict zones and dangerous situation including targeting journalist because of the investigative nature of the job.

   The PEC today re-iterates its call, previously flagged, for the unconditional release of Johnston as soon as possible.

   In the context of today's call and previous calls, the PEC calls upon governments to convene a special session of the Human Rights Council for media protection, a call put forward in April by a delegation of Iraqi journalists visiting Geneva, and supported by the PEC.

   The PEC hopes that if a special session convenes it would not be a debate in open air, but a debate that would conclude with concrete results including the establishment of an open-ended working group that would start its deliberations on a new Convention or additional protocol to the Geneva Conventions tailored to protect media.

***10.05.2007. TAIWANESE MEDIA - 60 th WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY

    GENEVA, May 10 (PEC NEWS) – The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) urges the World Health Organization (WHO) to find a solution for the Taiwanese journalists to cover the forthcoming 60 th World Health Assembly.
   While noting and respecting General Assembly resolutions marking the one China policy, the PEC believes that the World Health Organization (WHO) can find solutions to this problem in a manner similar to that which was reached between WHO and Taiwan for the exchange of medical and technical information.
   The question posed today is whether Dr. Margaret Chan, a Chinese national at the helm of the WHO, would help or complicate the issue of the coverage of the WHA by Taiwanese journalists.
   The media professionals of Taiwan have every year, after year, requested access and accreditation to the WHA on the basis that health is a basic human right and that disease has no borders.
  Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights reads as follows:
"Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers".
   The principles laid by the United Nations Charter also promotes the universal respect for justice, for the rule of law and for the human rights and fundamental freedoms which are affirmed for the peoples of the world, without distinction of race, sex, language or religion.
   Those fundamental rights are uniquely human and are accorded to human beings independent of their nationality or state.
   Thus, in line with the UN Charter and article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the PEC calls upon the UN system to accept the IFJ press cards of the Taiwanese journalists on the basis of their membership of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the largest recognized grouping of media world wide, as a compromise measure to allow them to cover the WHA this year. 

***02.05.2007. JOURNEE DE LA LIBERTE DE LA PRESSE 2007 - WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY 2007

  Deux journalistes tués par semaine depuis le début de l'année
dans 14 pays - Two journalists killed per week since the beginning of the year in 14 countries.

  (English after French)

PEC STATEMENT: Two journalists killed per week since the beginning of the year in 14 countries 

 Geneva, May 2 (PEC news) On the occasion of World Press Freedom
Day May 3, the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) condemns in the
strongest possible manner the high toll among journalists since the
beginning of the year.

 According to the "PEC Media Ticking Clock" on average 2
journalists were killed per week a total of at least 34 killed
while performing their mission.

 The PEC is appalled by the kidnapping March 12 of BBC colleague
Allan Johnston, in captivity in Gaza for more than seven weeks. The
PEC renews its call to all parties to secure the safe and
unconditional release of Johnston.

 Those attacks are increasing despite the fact that at the end of
2006 a positive element was introduced, Security Council Resolution
1738 which was adopted on December 23 whose main objective is to
protect media in conflict zones.

 Last year was the highest in media casualties since the Second
World War. The PEC fears that this year could surpass 2006 in media
casualties.

 As statistics show a repetition of last year is taking place:
half of the journalists killed so far (17 out of 34) have been
targeted in Iraq.

 However in some other 13 countries journalists were killed:
Afghanistan (2), Mexico (2), Philippines (2), Sri Lanka (2) and one
in Eritrea, Turkey, Haiti, Brazil, Ghana, Somalia, Russia, Perou
and Zimbabwe.

 Outside Iraq, the worst hit countries by the growing casualties
among journalists are Mexico, Philippines, Russia, Sri Lanka,
Afghanistan and Somalia.

 Presenting today his book just published: "Massacres without
Witnesses" (Xenia) at the Swiss Press Club, PEC Secretary-General
Blaise Lempen told reporters that the consequences are serious for
the media who cannot perform their work freely in many countries of
the world. Lempen added that the same serious consequences apply
for the protection of victims in general.

 "Media working in the field are essential for documenting gross
human rights violations, the media presence for mobilizing public
opinion and decision makers," says Lempen. Swiss world human rights
activist Jean Ziegler wrote the introduction of the book.

 PEC President Hedayat Abdel Nabi strongly believes that those in
most need for protection are the freelances. In Iraq itself, Abdel
Nabi adds many of the working journalists are Iraqis and
freelancers, and up to date more than 220 have died since March
2003, while 14 remain in captivity out of which four are
professional women journalists.

 On the day that celebrates Press Freedom, the PEC stands firmly
beside its proposal for a new international convention to protect
media in zones of conflict and other dangerous situations. 

 The PEC believes that the proposed convention should include the
appropriate mechanisms for registering facts, enabling independent
enquiries, applying sanctions, offering compensation to victims in
accordance with new guidelines for the rules of engagement,
warnings and identification.

 Endorsing a new convention by UN member states, says the PEC,
would lead to the establishment of a new independent organization
assigned to protect journalists.

***16.04-21.04.2007. Visit of an iraqi journalists delegation in Geneva. Visite d'une délégation de journalistes irakiens à Genève (final joint statement at the end)

Press conference at the Swiss Press Club in Geneva, at the invitation of the PEC: from left to right, Dawood Salman Hamzah Al-Ganabi, Moaud Aziz Gassim Allamy, Secretary General, Iraqi Syndicate of Journalists, Jihad Aldin Ali Zayer Hussein Al-Hreshawi (keystone) - see other pictures of the visit below

Read the press reports on this visit : click left on PRESS.

***Visit of an Iraqi delegation in Geneva: the PEC supports calls of Iraqi journalists to activate Security Council Resolution 1738 

 GENEVA, April 18 (PEC NEWS) The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC)
supports the call of Iraqi journalists addressed to the UN
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, during his visit to Switzerland, to
activate resolution 1738 on the protection of journalists in
conflict zones and others. 

 At the conclusion of the meeting of Iraqi displacement today
sponsored by UNHCR, the PEC reminds member states that there is a
current call by the Iraqi journalists to the UN, UN agencies, and
neighboring countries to assist Iraqi journalists in their daily
plight facing death and kidnapping. At least 220 journalists have
been killed since the war in Iraq in March 2003.

 The PEC also supports the call of the Secretary-General of the
Iraki syndicate of journalists, launched in a press conference in
Geneva, to hold a special session on the level of the Human Rights
Council to deal with the growing global problem of attacks against
media.

 The support of the PEC to the Iraqi journalists, members of the
PEC, comes during a visit of a delegation of Iraqi journalists in
Geneva to mobilize the cause of more than 5000 journalists in Iraq
living in daily fear, peril, danger and intimidation. During the
visit, they are scheduled to meet UN officials and ambassadors. The
Iraqi media delegation was invited in Switzerland by the PEC.

 According to various sources, at least 27 journalists has been
killed around the world since the beginning of this year. The PEC
renews also today its call for the unconditional release of Alan
Johnston, kidnapped in Gaza since March 12. 

 
 La PEC exprime son soutien à l'appel lancé au secrétaire général
de l'ONU Ban Ki-moon, à l'occasion de sa visite en Suisse, par une
délégation de journalistes irakiens pour qu'il mette en oeuvre la
résolution 1738 du Conseil de sécurité.

 Genève, 18 avril (PEC) La Presse Emblème Campagne exprime son
soutien à l'appel lancé à Genève au secrétaire général de l'ONU Ban
Ki-moon par une délégation de journalistes irakiens lui demandant
de mettre en oeuvre la résolution 1738 sur la protection des
journalistes dans les zones de conflit.

 A l'occasion de la conférence internationale convoquée par le
HCR sur les déplacés et réfugiés irakiens, la PEC a rappelé aux
gouvernements et acteurs concernés la demande des journalistes
irakiens de les assister dans leur travail et de leur fournir les
garanties indispensables à leur sécurité. Au moins 220 journalistes
ont été tués en Irak depuis le début de la guerre en mars 2003.

 La PEC soutient aussi la demande du secrétaire général du
syndicat des journalistes irakiens, Moaid Allamy, faite lors d'une
conférence de presse lundi à Genève, pour l'organisation d'une session
spéciale du Conseil des droits de l'homme sur le problème des
attaques de plus en plus fréquentes contre les medias.

 Une délégation de journalistes irakiens s'est rendue cette
semaine à Genève pour rencontrer les responsables de plusieurs
agences de l'ONU, du Haut Commissariat aux droits de l'homme ainsi
que les représentants de plusieurs gouvernements et les
sensibiliser au sort de quelque 5000 journalistes travaillant en
Irak dans des conditions très difficiles. La délégation irakienne
est en Suisse à l'invitation de la PEC.

 Selon diverses sources, au moins 27 journalistes ont été tués
depuis le début de l'année dans le monde. La PEC a renouvelé aussi
aujourd'hui son appel pour une libération inconditionnelle d'Alan Johnston,
le correspondant de la BBC kidnappé à Gaza depuis le 12 mars.

(Geneva, April 19 and April 20, 2007) The Iraqi journalists delegation with the romanian ambassador and incoming president of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) Doru Romulus Costea - with the actual president of the HRC and mexican ambassador Alfonso de Alba at the Geneva United Nations office - Moaid Allamy, Secretary-General, handed over the request of Iraki journalists to the UN Deputy High Commissionner for Human Rights Kyung-wha Kang(photos abdelnabi) 

***23.04.2007 Final Joint Statement: The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) and the Iraqi Journalists' Union (IJU) 

At the conclusion of a visit of a media delegation from the Iraqi Journalists' Union (IJU) the delegation transferred a letter to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon while in a visit in Geneva calling upon him to activate resolution 1738 issued on December 23, 2006 to highlighting the importance to protect of journalists in conflict zones.

Asked in a dinner in Geneva hosted by the Association of Correspondents of the UN (ACANU) about how he can activate Security Council resolution 1738 for the protection of media in conflict zones, Ban Ki Moon said that he is deeply concerned about the many attacks against journalists whether in the form of kidnapping and killing.

He added that as matter of principle the freedom of coverage must be protected. 

Attacking journalists by military groups or other political groups he added is against humanity and international law, noting that he is aware of the problem of Iraqi journalists whether kidnapped or whose whereabouts are unknown.

As Secretary-General, he added, "I will do whatever I can to ensure freedom of press coverage and see what I can do in my power".

During their visit to Geneva, the Iraqi media delegation held meetings with the current President of the Human Rights Council Mexican Ambassador Luis Alfonso de Alba, and incoming President of the Council Romanian Ambassador Doru-Romulus Costea.

Both ambassadors were handed letters from the Iraqi media delegation calling upon them to lend their support for the convening of a special session for media protection in general and the protection of Iraqi journalists in particular.

The Romanian ambassador, the incoming President of the Human Rights Council, noted that such a special session or event must be well prepared in order to come out with concrete results.

The Mexican ambassador supported the idea of a special session or event with great enthusiasm however he said that it was realistic to believe that such a session would take place in September and not in the June Council session which will be devoted to the institution building process of the Council. 

Both ambassadors expressed their strong sympathy to the plight of Iraqi journalists and to the importance of finding ways and means to protect their lives and work.

In addition, the Iraqi media delegation was received by the Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Ms. Kyung-wha Kang and submitted a letter to the High Commissioner Louise Arbour calling upon her to work towards the convening of a special session-event for the protection of media in conflict zones.

The Deputy High Commissioner expressed the firm belief of the High Commissioner and commitment for freedom of opinion and expression and the seriousness of the issue for the protection of media.

Mrs. Kyung-wha Kang said that the High Commissioner strongly support this cause.

The Deputy High Commissioner expressed her strong sympathy and support for Iraqi journalists in their difficult and agonizing daily experience in the context of the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Iraq.

The Iraqi media delegation met with a team from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and discussed the possibility of joining workshops for protection in the field.

In addition the Iraqi media delegation met with the IOM head of mission in Iraq Rafiq Tschannen and with the head of media relations Jean-Philippe Chauzy and discussed the possibility of holding soon a workshop on the issue of filed protection from a UN perspective.

On the sidelines of UN meetings, the Iraqi media delegation met with the World Food Program (WFP) representative in Geneva Daly Delgasmi and briefed him of the plight of families of fallen journalists who in practical terms cannot feed themselves any more because of lack of income.

Leader of the Iraqi media delegation Moaid Allamy explained during those several meetings the plight of the Iraqi people in general and that of the Iraqi journalists in particular.

He added that Iraqi journalists are facing death on a daily basis from unknown military groups and others noting that the occupying forces have taken no measure to deal with the unfolding tragedies.

Allamy praised the Iraqi Prime Minister Nour el-Maliki for allocating funds to alleviate the sufferings of Iraqi families whose head of household is a journalist and has fallen in the line of duty. 

On the sideline of their official visit to Geneva, the Iraqi media delegation attended an event at "Orient Espace", a cultural center run by an Iraqi painter Faik Al Aboudi, where an explosive debate took place on the current situation in Iraq.

The Iraqi media delegation strongly praised the efforts of the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) to mobilize the diplomatic and UN community in Geneva in favor of protection for journalists in Iraq.

Both sides agreed that the Iraqi media team will pay a second visit to Geneva to activate their demands for convening a special session-event within the Human Rights Council for media protection.

PEC-IJU

Geneva April 24, 2007                                                                       

************************************************************

***09.04.2007. Easter marked with sadness, grief and sorrow: PEC condemns killing of three more Iraqi journalists, one in Mexico and the murder of afghan reporter Ajmal Naqshbandi in less than one week

   GENEVA, April 9 (PEC NEWS) – As the Western World and many other countries celebrate worldwide the resurrection of Jesus Christ and Easter, families in Iraq, Mexico and Afghanistan are mourning the death of their loved ones. 

    On Friday a suicide truck bomb attacked the Iraqi satellite channel Baghdad TV that killed the station's deputy director, injured 12, and caused severe structural damage to the building in Baghdad's Jamia district.

   A suicide attacker driving a garbage truck packed with explosives blasted near the main entrance of Baghdad TV's offices, killing Deputy Director Thaer Ahmad Jaber and injuring 12 employees, four of whom are in critical condition, according to a statement by the Iraqi Islamic Party and CPJ sources.

   On Thursday Radio Free Iraq reporter Khamail Khalaf, who was kidnapped April 3 from Baghdad 's Yarmouk district, was found dead in Baghdad's Jamia neighborhood.

   Another Iraqi reporter Othman al-Mashhadani, 29, working Saudi Arabia 's daily newspaper Al-Watan, was abducted in western Baghdad's Al-Shouleh neighborhood on his way home from work Wednesday.

   In Mexico , an unknown gunman shot dead a reporter from Mexican television channel Televisa in the Pacific resort of Acapulco on Friday, the latest bloodshed in a city that has become a major battleground for rival drug gangs.

   Amado Ramirez, Televisa's correspondent in the once-glamorous beach resort, was shot three times in the back as he left a radio interview, the television network said in a statement read on its evening news show. On Monday, the afghan interpreter kidnapped with Italian journalist Daniele Mastrogiacomo on March 6 was murdered by Taliban extremists in Afghanistan.

   The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) condemns in the strongest possible manner continued attacks against journalists and their kidnapping which ultimately leads to their death.

   On Easter, the PEC calls upon all concerned parties to unite and join forces to foster the call for the protection of media through a new international convention.

   The PEC, calls upon all religious leadership worldwide, his holiness the Pope, the World Council of Churches, the Orthodox Churches in Egypt, Russia and Ethiopia, his holiness the Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar in Cairo, Egypt, the Shiite clerks in Qum in Iran and in Najaf in Iraq, to the Rabbis around the world, and leaders of other faiths to issue a joint statement to call upon the perpetrators to stop attacking journalists and to spare the profession of journalism the most acute violation of ones human right: the loss of life.

   Journalists by profession cover dangerous situations or are found to be in dangerous situations, in other words, it is the profession of facing death with courage.

   Since the beginning of the year 26 journalists have been killed in cold blood. 

***21.03.2007. PEC welcomes the release of Daniele Mastrogiacomo, is deeply shocked about the conditions of his detention and subsequent
liberation and reminds that BBC Gaza correspondent is still in
captivity (en français après l'anglais) 

  GENEVA, MARCH 21 (PEC NEWS) The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC)
welcomes the liberation of Italian-Swiss journalist Daniele
Mastrogiacomo from his captivity in Afghanistan on Monday, but is
deeply shocked about the conditions of his captivity and subsequent
liberation.

 Italian-Swiss journalist Daniele Mastrogiacomo was abducted by a
Taliban group for the past two weeks in Southern Afghanistan.

 Daniele Mastrogiacomo, who was moved through 15 detention
quarters, has revealed after his release, that he witnessed the
decapitating of his driver Sayed Agha. The Italian-Swiss
journalist's interpreter Adjmal Naqshbandi is reportedly still
being held hostage.

 His newspaper "La Repubblica" has revealed that Daniele
Mastrogiacomo was freed in an exchange done by the Afghan
government releasing five men affiliated with the Taliban.

 The PEC finds this exchange a dangerous precedent which
transforms journalists into means of exchange; this to the PEC is
unacceptable.

 If Afghanistan is added to the no-go list of countries where
media work is extremely unsafe, conflict regions will remain
without attention, without coverage, without witnesses and
violations of human rights will drop from the agenda of political
mobilization.

 The PEC warns that the absence of media coverage in conflict
zones could increase the toll of gross human rights violations,
because they will be committed unnoticed.

 Alan Johnston, the Gaza BBC correspondent is still in captivity
since March 12, this development also threatens that events in the
Occupied Palestinian Territories (oPt) will pass without coverage
if it turns to a "no go zone" and a "no law zone".

 The PEC appeals to the international community and specifically
to the Human Rights Council to act to find ways and means of moving
out of this crisis. 

  La PEC salue la libération du journaliste istalo-suisse Daniele
Mastrogiacomo en Afghanistan. Elle est profondément choquée par les
conditions de sa détention et de sa libération et déplore qu'un
correspondant de la BBC reste en captivité depuis dix jours à Gaza

 Genève, 21 mars (PEC news) - La Presse Emblème Campagne (PEC)
salue la libération de Daniele Mastrogiacomo, mais est profondément
choquée par les conditions de sa détention aux mains d'un groupe
taliban pendant deux semaines dans le sud de l'Afghanistan.

 Le journaliste italo-suisse, détenu dans quinze endroits
différents, a raconté après sa libération avoir assisté à la
décapitation de son chauffeur Sayed Agha. Son interprète Adjmal
Naqshbandi est en outre toujours détenu.

 Son journal "La Repubblica" a révélé que le gouvernement de
Romano Prodi et les autorités de Kaboul ont accepté en échange de
sa libération les conditions des preneurs d'otages, soit la
libération de cinq responsables talibans. La PEC considère que cet
échange est un mauvais précédent. Cela transforme les journalistes
en monnaie d'échange, met en garde la Campagne. C'est inacceptable.

 La PEC redoute qu'après ce tragique enlèvement, l'Afghanistan
s'ajoute à la liste des pays interdits dans les faits aux medias.
Dès lors, sans information sur le conflit, il n'y aura pas non plus
de mobilisation politique pour le résoudre et les violations des
droits humains risquent de s'y multiplier.

 La PEC déplore en outre que l'on reste sans nouvelles du
correspondant de la BBC Alan Johnston enlevé le 12 mars à Gaza. Les
territoires palestiniens risquent aussi de devenir une zone
interdite et de non-droit.

 La PEC appelle la communauté internationale, et en particulier
le Conseil des droits de l'homme, à réagir pour trouver les moyens
de sortir de cette crise.

***16.03.2007. Marking the 4 th anniversary of the Iraq war: the Iraqi Syndicate of Journalists says some 200 journalists killed in Iraq since March 2003. The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) expresses solidarity with the families of the victims and condemns the killings of journalists and the loss of the Housing Rights of their families   

   GENEVA, March 16 (PEC NEWS) – Marking the 4 th anniversary of the Iraq war next week, the Iraqi syndicate of journalists (IRSJ) announced the death of some 200 journalists members of its syndicate since March 2003.

   Through the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), the IRSJ, while remembering all its fallen members today, appeals to the United Nations, the Human Rights Council, all humanitarian organizations and agencies and to all concerned parties to stand by the Iraqi journalists, to put an end to those injustices, to compensate the families of victims and to bring the perpetrators of such crimes to justice.

    The Iraqi Syndicate of Journalists communicated to the PEC that it has tried time and again to reach UN officials to explain the current tragedy, the daily threats and the conditions of work that led many Iraqi journalists to move out of Iraq itself.

   However, the IRSJ stressed, without doubt that its attempts to contact UN officials have failed.

   Acknowledging the heavy loss in life for their members while carrying the burden of their profession, the Iraqi syndicate of journalists stressed that a campaign of terror and intimidation has been orchestrated against its members. Communicating its plight and tragedy to the world and the Human Rights Council, through a the PEC, the IRSJ added that tens of Iraqi journalists were either abducted or arrested.

   This heavy toll has affected the human rights families of slain journalists, kidnapped or arrested, let alone the gross violation of the basic right to life of some 200 journalists killed in the line of duty while performing a profession whose basic ingredient is to confront death with courage.

   The slain journalists, according to the IRSJ, were targeted by all parties in the current Iraq conflict.

   In this respect, the IRSJ stresses that the slaying of some 200 Iraqi journalists represents an unprecedented historical massacre and proves that the American occupying force has not attended to its obligations under the Geneva Conventions to protect civilians.

   The IRJS, through the PEC, brings to the attention of the Human Rights Council that many of those families have turned homeless, citing the example of the slain journalist Sarmad Soliman, his mother, wife and four children, after his death, are now living without an income.

   The Iraqi journalist, whose members' amount to 5000 journalists, said that many of its members have been displaced or have left their homes.

   The IRSJ cited many examples of families affected emotionally and financially by the death of the household head, among them the family of the slain journalist Hussein Al Zubaidi, the family of father and son who were also killed in 2006: Ismail and Ammar Ismail Taher, both worked for the New York Times.

   The 4 th anniversary of the war, a bloody war for Iraqi journalists, said their syndicate, did not pass without a major serious event when the US forces attacked this year their headquarters and confiscated all the equipment and destroyed the furniture.

   Up to date, the IRSJ says the equipment has not yet been returned including computers and satellite communication systems which are the lifeline for the profession.

   The Iraqi Syndicate of journalists expressed hope that peace and stability would return to Iraq coupled with the end of occupation. 
     

 

***13.03.2007. PEC CONDEMNS THE ABDUCTION OF BBC CORRESPONDENT IN GAZA , THE SECOND IN A WEEK AFTER ITALIAN SWISS JOURNALIST IN AFGHANISTAN   

    The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) condemns for the second time in a week the kidnapping of journalists by unidentified groups following the kidnapping Monday of BBC correspondent Alan Johnston in Gaza. 

     Palestinian Interior Minister Said Sayam said that this is a criminal act that is condemned by the Palestinian government and the Palestinian people.

   The BBC is the only Western television network that has a permanent presence in Gaza, where it is common for kidnappers to target journalists. 

   Most other journalists moved out of the impoverished territory last year as fighting between rival Hamas and Fatah factions intensified.

  The abduction of Johnston is the second in a row in one week after the abduction of Italian Swiss journalist Daniele Mastrogiacomo in Afghanistan.

   The PEC re-iterates its call for the immediate and unconditional release of both journalists in Gaza and Afghanistan.

   The Geneva based NGO finds it ironic that the Human Rights Council currently meeting in Geneva has not yet taken serious consideration of the issue of the protection of journalists in conflict zones.

   As the world approached the fourth anniversary of the Iraq war, Iraqi journalist casualties so far some 190 journalists, would hope that abduction and killings of journalists would call upon the Council to take serious steps and put an end to the study approach of issues of such paramount importance to the human rights of journalists.

   The PEC has repeatedly requested from the Council to establish a working group to start deliberations on a draft convention for the protection of journalists in conflict zones and other dangerous situation. The call remains open till the Council reacts. 

***8.03.2007. The PEC calls for the immediate release of Daniele Mastrogiacomo and strongly condemns his abduction (communiqué en français après le texte anglais) 

To sign the petition for Mastrogiacomo, please go to: www.repubblica.it 

 GENEVA, March 8 (PEC NEWS) The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) calls
for the immediate release of abducted Italian-Swiss Journalist
Daniele Mastrogiacomo in Afghanistan and condemns the abduction of
the journalist colleague in the strongest possible manner.

 Carrying out his usual coverage of war zones, Daniele
Mastrogiacomo, at 52, was accused by the Taliban to be carrying
spying activities while she was reporting for his Italian newspaper
La Repubblica.

 Daniele Mastrogiacomo, a seasoned war correspondent, has covered
for 27 years other war zones in Israel, the Occupied Palestinian
Territories, Lebanon and Iraq.

 The Swiss Italian journalist was carrying out the core of the
profession to inform the general public on the ongoing tragedy in
Afghanistan.

 The PEC stresses, that without independent witnesses narrating
the events, such crisis would pass unattended and neglected with
silence and indifference.

 A Swiss national Daniele Mastrogiacomo's mother cried out
appealing to the abductors of her son: "Daniele is only a
journalist. Full stop. A journalist who has always serviced the
profession, his newspaper and the readers".

 The Geneva based NGO expresses its worry at the growing number
of kidnapped journalists, some 50 have been kidnapped so far since
2003 in Iraq, others in Gaza and elsewhere.

 In other parts of the world like the Caucuses and Columbia such
practice is exercised to curtail the right to information and
silence journalists. 

 From the beginning of this year at least 16 journalists have
been killed when exercising their profession.

 UN Security Resolution 1738, adopted on December 24 and which
condemned attacks against Journalists, though a step forward,
remains a dead message and needs further re-enforcement by
follow-up mechanisms to better protect journalists while covering
dangerous situations and others.   

 
La PEC demande la libération immédiate du journaliste
italo-suisse Daniele Mastrogiacomo kidnappé en Afghanistan et
dénonce les enlèvements de plus en plus fréquents de journalistes

 Genève, 8 mars (PEC) La Presse Emblème Campagne (PEC) demande la
libération immédiate du journaliste italo-suisse Daniele
Mastrogiacomo, kidnappé par les Talibans dans le sud de
l'Afghanistan depuis dimanche avec ses deux assistants afghans. La
PEC condamne cet enlèvement de la manière la plus ferme.

 Accusé par les Talibans d'être un espion, Daniele Mastrogiacomo
(52 ans) réalisait un reportage pour le journal italien « La
Repubblica » dans la province d'Helmand. Reporter depuis 27 ans
dans de nombreuses zones de conflit (Israël, Gaza, Liban, Irak),
Mastrogiacomo tentait courageusement d'informer l'opinion publique
sur la tragédie qui se poursuit en Afghanistan.

 Sans témoins indépendants sur place, ces crises risquent
malheureusement de se perpétuer dans le silence et l'indifférence,
déplore la PEC.

 "Daniele est un journaliste. Un point c'est tout. Un journaliste
qui a toujours servi seulement son métier, son journal et ses
lecteurs", a affirmé sa mère de nationalité suisse dans un appel
aux ravisseurs.

 La PEC s'inquiète du nombre croissant d'enlèvements de
journalistes. Une cinquantaine d'entre eux ont été enlevés depuis
2003 en Irak, plus d'une douzaine l'an dernier à Gaza. Dans
d'autres régions comme le Caucase et la Colombie, cette pratique
sévit au détriment du droit à l'information du public.

 Depuis le début de l'année, déjà 16 journalistes au moins ont
perdu la vie en faisant leur métier. La résolution 1738 condamnant
les attaques contre les journalistes adoptée par le Conseil de
sécurité de l'ONU le 23 décembre, bien qu'elle soit un pas en
avant, reste lettre morte, constate avec regret la PEC. Elle
nécessite l'élaboration de mécanismes d'application et de suivi
pour renforcer la protection des journalistes.

***06.03.2007. The PEC welcomes the Sambrook report "Killing the Messenger" and condemns strongly the continued killings of journalists -The PEC, a member of the Commission of Inquiry, hopes that the report will move the global protection effort for journalists a step further
(communiqué en français après le texte anglais)

 Geneva/London, March 6, (PEC news) - The Press Emblem Campaign
(PEC) welcomed the publication today in London of the report of the
Global Inquiry chaired by BBC's director of Global News Richard
Sambrook, in conformity with the Geneva Declaration adopted in
September 2004.

 The PEC highlights the killing of two Iraqi journalists just
before the publication of the report and strongly condemns their
loss of life.

 Mohan al-Zaher, managing editor of Al-Mashreq, was killed near
his home in Baghdad on Sunday while the killers were attenting to
kidnapp him. Another Iraqi journalist Jamal al-Zubaidi, the
managing editor of the Baghdad newspaper Al-Safir was found dead
after disappearing for a week.

 Since the beginning of the year, at least 15 journalists have
been killed in the line of duty.

 The PEC, a member of the Sambrook Commission of Inquiry, hopes
that the report sponsored by the International News Safety
Institute (INSI) published today in London will mark a new chapter
towards mobilizing the international community for a better legal
protection safeguarding journalists from attacks on their lives.
The magnitude of this problem can no longer be hidden nor ignored,
says the PEC.

 The Commission of Inquiry chaired by Richard Sambrook was agreed        upon and launched in Geneva by the meeting sponsored by the PEC in September 2004.

 The inquiry undertaken by INSI in conjunction with Cardiff
University unveils that one thousand journalists and support staff
have been killed around the world in the past decade, an average of
two a week.

 In two-thirds of cases the killers were not even identified, and
probably never will be. "The figures show it is virtually risk free
to kill a journalist", said Richard Sambrook, Inquiry Chairman, BBC
Director of Global News, and Rodney Pinder, Director INSI.

 The bloodiest ten countries over the past 10 years were Iraq,
Russia, Colombia, Philippines, Iran, India, Algeria, the former
republics of Yugoslavia, Mexico and Pakistan.

 The commission examined a number of themes preoccupying the
media profession among them the recognition of journalists as
neutral observers, a culture of impunity, lack of understanding
between media and military (there is scope for an international
code which sets out best practise), and lack of training.

 The commission has discussed the creation of a press emblem. It
has left the issue open. "In any case, the media are free to chose
wether to use a press emblem, but should be aware of the
consequences of operating without one", said the report.

 The PEC will publish shortly a new report in support of an
international convention to enhance the protection of journalists.
The Geneva based NGO believes that it is time for governments to
act.

 To read the full report, go to: www.newssafety.com

COMMUNIQUE en français

 La PEC salue la publication du rapport de la commission Sambrook
"Killing the Messenger" et condamne la poursuite des assassinats de journalistes - La PEC, membre de la commission d'enquête, espère que le rapport de l'INSI va pousser la communauté internationale à adopter de
nouvelles mesures en faveur de la protection des journalistes

 Genève/Londres, 6 mars 2007 (PEC) - La Presse Emblème Campagne
(PEC) salue la publication, aujourd'hui à Londres, du rapport de la
commission d'enquête sur la protection des journalistes présidée
par Richard Sambrook, directeur du service international de la BBC,
conformément à la Déclaration de Genève adoptée en septembre 2004.

 La PEC déplore que deux journalistes irakiens de plus aient été
tués, juste quelques jours avant la publication du rapport et
condamne fermement ces nouveaux assassinats.

 Mohan al-Zaher, directeur de Al-Mashreq, a été tué dimanche près
de son domicile à Bagdad, alors que ses assassins essayaient de le
kidnapper. Un autre journaliste irakien, Jamal al-Zubaidi,
directeur au journal de Bagdad Al-Safir, a été retrouvé mort après
avoir disparu une semaine auparavant.

 Depuis le début de cette année, au moins 15 journalistes ont été
tués dans l'exercice de leurs fonctions à travers le monde.

 La PEC, membre de la commission d'enquête présidée par Richard
Sambrook, espère que l'étude publiée aujourd'hui à Londres et
conduite par l'International News Safety Institute (INSI) avec le
concours de l'Université de Cardiff, marquera une nouvelle étape
dans la mobilisation de la communauté internationale contre les
attaques commises à l'encontre des journalistes.

  La création de la commission d'enquête avait été décidée lors de la conférence de Genève organisée par la PEC en septembre 2004.

 
 L'étude dirigée par l'INSI pendant deux ans, complétée par de nombreux témoignages, démontre l'ampleur du problème.

 Elle révèle que plus de mille employés des medias ont été tués
au cours des dix dernières années, soit deux par semaine en
moyenne.

 Les deux tiers d'entre eux ont été assassinés. Dans deux tiers
des cas, les assassins n'ont pas été identifiés et ne seront
probablement jamais poursuivis. "Il est pratiquement sans risque de
tuer un journaliste", affirment dans l'introduction au rapport
Richard Sambrook, le président de la commission d'experts et
directeur du service international de la BBC, et le directeur de
l'INSI Rodney Pinder.

 Les dix pays les plus meurtriers ont été au cours de ces dix
dernières années l'Irak, la Russie, la Colombie, les Philippines,
l'Iran, l'Inde, l'Algérie, les républiques de l'ex-Yougoslavie, le
Mexique et le Pakistan.

 La commission a identifié plusieurs thèmes de préoccupation: la
remise en cause du statut de neutralité des journalistes, la
culture de l'impunité, le manque de compréhension entre les medias
et les militaires, justifiant l'élaboration d'un code de conduite
international, ainsi qu'une formation souvent insuffisante.

 La commission a examiné la création d'un emblème de presse. Elle
laisse la question ouverte, en estimant notamment que "les medias
sont libres d'utiliser un emblème, tout en étant conscients des
conséquences de travailler sans".

 La PEC publiera pour sa part prochainement un nouveau document
pour soutenir le renforcement de la protection des journalistes sur
le plan international. L'ONG basée à Genève croit que pour les
gouvernements, le moment est venu d'agir.

 Pour le rapport complet, voir: www.newssafety.com

***21.02.2007. The PEC strongly condemns the attack by US military against the headquarters of the Iraqi Syndicate of Journalists

 GENEVA, February 21 (PEC) -- The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC)
condemned strongly Wednesday the storming by US forces of the
Baghdad offices of the Iraq Syndicate of Journalists (ISJ), a PEC
founding member.

 According to information received by the PEC from the ISJ, the
US forces, when attacking Monday evening the ISJ headquarters,
destroyed furniture and arrested state-employed security guards,
and confiscated 10 computers and other material.

 Recalling the unanimous adoption of security-council resolution
number 1738 condemning attacks on journalists, the PEC reminds all
parties to the conflict in Iraq and US forces that the US
government has endorsed this important resolution.

 The PEC, which is shocked at this attack which passed uncovered
by satellite major TV stations, reminds the US, that the resolution
states that media equipment and installations constitute civilian
objects, and in this respect shall not be the object of attack or
of reprisals, unless they are military objectives. 

 This unwarranted attack on the headquarters of the Iraqi
syndicate of journalists urges member states and the media
community to unite towards taking serious steps for a new
convention to protect media and their installations in war zones
and other dangerous situations.

 The Iraqi syndicate of journalists has requested from the Iraqi
government a quick inquiry into the attack of Monday, and the PEC
supports their call.

 There is an urgency today that after successive attacks world
wide against journalists and their installations that the Human
Rights Council adopts a stronger resolution on the Freedom of
Opinion and Expression.

 This strong resolution would include the creation of an open
ended working group to start as soon as possible governments'
deliberations on a new convention to consolidate UN Security
Council resolution. In the absence of a new convention for the
protection of journalists and their installations the UN Security
Council resolution stands idle.

 Impunity with regards to those crimes has become the common
practice. This allows perpetrators of such crimes to escape justice
and judgment.

 According to ISJ figures some 190 Iraqi journalists and their
assistants have been killed as the world approaches the fourth
anniversary of the war in Iraq on March 20, 2007. 

 Last year was the deadliest since World War II. From the
beginning of this year at least 10 journalists have been killed in
several parts of the world (for more details see the Media ticking
clock on our website: www.pressemblem.ch ).

***19.02.2007. PEC CONDEMNS THE KILLING OF SOMALI JOURNALIST - at least 10 journalists already killed in 2007

   GENEVA , February 19 (PEC NEWS) -- The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) condemned strongly the brutal killing of Somali Radio Journalist Ali Mohammed Omar on Friday February 16. 

The tragic event, which is appalling, took place when Ali Mohammed Omar, who worked for the most influential Independent Radio Station in Baidoa, Warsan Radio, as a newscaster and a technician, was attacked by three unidentified assailants in the evening of the Friday as he was on his way to his home. 

The PEC, the Geneva based NGO calling for new legal instruments of protection to protect journalists and media workers and assistants, presents its most sincere condolences to his family and to the Secretary-General of the National Union of Somali Journalists Omar Faruk Osman. 

This NGO based organization calls upon Somali authorities to start a serious investigation and bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice. 

This and similar crimes against journalists requires a move by the Human Rights Council to establish an open-ended working group to start discussions of how to provide the profession of journalism with legal provisions that would make their work more secure and their life safer and legally insure the rights of their families in case of death. 

Since the beginning of this year, already 10 journalists have been killed in the line of duty (see for details the Media ticking clock on: www.pressemblem.ch ) 

***19.01.2007. La PEC condamne l'assassinat du journaliste turc d'origine arménienne Hrant Dink à Istanbul (english after the french)

 Genève, 19 janvier (PEC) La Presse Emblème Campagne (PEC)
condamne l'assassinat du journaliste turc d'origine arménienne
Hrant Dink (53 ans), tué aujourd'hui par balle par un inconnu à Istanbul.
La PEC demande aux autorités turques de faire toute la lumière sur cet
assassinat.

 "On lui a tiré dessus devant le siège du journal, il est mort",
a déclaré en pleurs une employée de l'hebdomadaire "Agos", journal
d'expression arménienne que dirigeait M. Dink, citée par l'AFP.

 Selon les chaînes de télévision, quatre balles l'ont touché,
dont deux à la tête, le tuant sur le coup devant les locaux du
journal situés à Sisli, sur la rive européenne de la métropole.

 M. Dink a fait l'objet de plusieurs poursuites en raison de ses
propos sur les massacres d'Arméniens commis sous l'empire ottoman,
qu'il a à plusieurs reprises qualifiés de génocide. L'an dernier,
il avait été condamné à six mois de prison avec sursis pour un
article évoquant des thèses nationalistes arméniennes. Sa position
lui a valu l'hostilité des milieux nationalistes turcs.

Troisième décès en 2007

 Il s'agit du troisième décès confirmé de journaliste depuis le
1er janvier, déplore la PEC, alors que l'année 2006 a été la plus
meurtrière pour les journalistes depuis la Seconde guerre mondiale,
avec 96 tués (dont 48 en Irak) (voir notre page Media Ticking Clock).

 La PEC rappelle aux gouvernements que la résolution 1738 adoptée
le 23 décembre par le Conseil de sécurité de l'ONU condamne les
attaques délibérées contre des journalistes, demande à toutes les
parties d'y mettre fin et souligne que les Etats ont l'obligation
de traduire en justice les responsables de tels crimes.

  La PEC appelle le Conseil des droits de l'homme à traiter en urgence de la question à sa prochaine session en mars, à diligenter une étude sur la protection des journalistes, comme demandé par le rapporteur de l'ONU sur la liberté d'expression Ambeyi Ligabo, et à lancer les discussions sur une nouvelle convention internationale pour renforcer la protection des journalistes.

***19.01.2007. The PEC today condemned the killing of Hrant Dink, a Turkish-Armenian journalist, shot outside his offices in Istanbul.

The Press Emblem Campaign condemned the killing of the Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, 53, who was gunned down by an unidentified man today outside his newspaper in Istanbul. The PEC urges the Turkish government to ensure that a thorough investigation identifies those responsible and bring those who planned this attack to justice.

Dink, the editor of the weekly newspaper Agos, was killed by several shots fired at him shortly after midday as he was outside the premises of his privately-owned newspaper in Sisli, a district on the European side of Istanbul.

A well-known journalist, Dink was the target of several trials over his views on the massacre of Armenians under the Ottoman Empire in 1915. In 2005, he received six-month suspended sentence for humiliating the Turkish identity. He was brought to trial again in September 2006 over an interview he gave in which he referred to the massacres in Anatolia during the First World War as genocide. He faced a possible three-year prison sentence.

The PEC while strongly condemning this murder, regrets the fact that it is the third in a row against journalists since the beginning of the year. 2006 was the deadliest year in media casualties since the Second World War with at least 96 journalists killed in the line of duty (see our page Media ticking Clock).

The PEC reminds governments of the adoption in late December of the UN Security Council Resolution number 1738 condemning deliberate attacks on journalists. The text also called upon States to put an end to impunity and bring those responsible to justice.

The PEC urges the Human Rights Council to prioritize this issue at its next session in march, to launch urgently a study on the protection of journalists, as requested by the UN Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression Ambeyi Ligabo, as well deliberations on a new convention to protect journalists.

***24.12.2006. UPF and PEC: UN Security-Council Resolution 1738 to enforce protection of journalists a historic step forward - Protection des journalistes: l’Union de la presse francophone et la Presse Emblème Campagne saluent comme un pas en avant historique l'adoption d’une résolution par le Conseil de sécurité de l'ONU (communiqué en français après l'anglais). 

 GENEVA, December 24 (UPF/PEC) – The French-speaking countries' Press Union (UPF) and the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) welcomed today the unanimous adoption of a UN Security Council Resolution 1738 for the protection of journalists in armed conflicts and consider the resolution a historic step forward. 
  The two organizations, working together since more than two years to reach a better level of protection for journalists, salute France and Greece for introducing this resolution.
The unanimous adoption of security-council resolution number 1738 condemning attacks on journalists proves that the international community at the helm was not a bystander when hundreds of journalists were targeted in many countries across the globe, and killed in cold blood.
  The UPF and the PEC underline that resolution 1738 requests the UN Secretary-General to include as a sub-item in his next report on the protection of civilians in armed conflict the issue of the safety and security of journalists, media professionals and associated personnel. 
  This is an important step to monitor between now and the next reporting period of the UN Secretary-General crimes against journalists. 
  The resolution recalls also that media equipment and installations constitute civilian objects, and in this respect shall not be the object of attack or of reprisals, unless they are military objectives.   
  This is an important development in view of the amount of destruction of media installations during the Lebanon war and in other war zones.
  Both organizations find the text appropriate in strengthening the reaffirmation of the commitments of states to respect international law and thus sparing journalists the suffering of the brunt of war.
   Though the resolution acknowledges that journalists, media professionals and associated personnel's jobs is a dangerous professional mission in areas of armed conflict yet it affirms that it will address the issue of protection of journalists in armed conflict strictly under the agenda item "protection of civilians in armed conflict". 
  The UPF and the PEC believe that the dangerous nature of the journalism profession in armed conflict and elsewhere calls for a specific kind of protection and not a general one.     
   The UPF and the PEC will work with other interested parties on monitoring the progress of the implementation of this historic resolution during the coming months. 
  Both organizations, in this context, call upon UN member states to take up those follow-up measures by requesting the human rights council to implement firmly, in letter and spirit, the Security-Council resolution and to establish a working group to start its deliberations on an international convention to protect media in armed conflicts.
  Such follow-up measures would allow the establishment of commissions of Inquiry, compensations, sanctions, and identification of the perpetrators of such heinous crimes against the journalists.
  More than 94 journalists and media workers have been killed this year alone, an increase of more than 38 percent as compared to last year, making 2006 the deadliest in media casualties higher than that of world war two.
  Impunity with regards to those cruel crimes has become the common practice, which allowed perpetrators of such crimes to escape justice and judgment.
  Both organizations hope that the new resolution will pave the way for further action to end the practice of impunity. 
  The UPF and the PEC firmly believe that the real work has begun to move on the core issues to protect media in armed conflicts, situations of civil unrest and other threatening situations. 
  The full text of the resolution 1738 is available below 
 
Protection des journalistes: l’Union de la presse francophone et la Presse Emblème Campagne saluent comme un pas en avant historique l'adoption d’une résolution par le Conseil de sécurité de l'ONU.

 Genève, 24 décembre (PEC/UPF) - L'Union internationale de la presse francophone (UPF) et la Presse Emblème Campagne (PEC) ont salué aujourd’hui comme un pas en avant historique l'adoption par le Conseil de sécurité de l'ONU de la résolution 1738 sur la protection des journalistes dans les conflits armés.
  Les deux organisations qui travaillent ensemble depuis deux ans pour renforcer la protection des journalistes dans les zones de conflit, félicitent la France et la Grèce pour avoir introduit ce projet de résolution.
  L’adoption unanime de la résolution 1738 condamnant les attaques contre les journalistes prouve que la communauté internationale ne reste pas passive lorsque des centaines de journalistes sont tués dans plusieurs pays à travers le monde.
L’UPF et la PEC soulignent que la résolution 1738 demande au secrétaire général de l’ONU d’inclure dans ses prochains rapports sur la protection des civils dans les conflits armés la question de la sécurité des journalistes et des employés des medias. Cette disposition permettra un suivi plus systématique des crimes commis contre les journalistes par les Nations Unies. 
Les deux organisations soulignent que le texte rappelle de manière pertinente au plus haut niveau politique aux Etats leurs obligations de respecter le droit international humanitaire et d’épargner les civils. Elles relèvent également avec satisfaction que le texte affirme que les installations et équipements des medias sont des biens civils et ne doivent pas faire l’objet d’attaques, un rappel bienvenu après la destruction d’équipements de medias au Liban et dans d’autres situations de conflits. 
   L’UPF et la PEC notent également que la résolution reconnaît que le travail des journalistes et employés des medias est une mission dangereuse dans les zones de conflit et que cette problématique doit être examinée strictement dans le contexte de la protection des civils dans les conflits armés. Les deux organisations estiment que la nature dangereuse de l’exercice de cette profession requiert ainsi une protection spécifique et non générale.
  L'UPF et la PEC vont étroitement surveiller, avec les autres parties concernées, les progrès dans l’application par les Etats de cette résolution historique au cours des prochains mois.
   Dans ce contexte, elles appellent les Etats membres de l'ONU à donner suite à cette résolution en demandant au Conseil des droits de l'homme de créer un groupe de travail pour commencer les discussions sur une convention internationale afin de renforcer la protection des medias dans les conflits armés. Une telle convention permettrait d’améliorer la sécurité des journalistes et de lutter contre l'impunité par des mécanismes appropriés de suivi, d'enquête, de dédommagements, de sanctions et d'identification des auteurs de ces crimes. 
Au moins 94 journalistes ont été tués cette année, une hausse de 38% par rapport à l'année précédente, et le bilan le plus élevé recensé depuis la Seconde guerre mondiale. L'UPF et la PEC ont l'espoir que la résolution de l'ONU contribue à lutter contre le règne de l'impunité qui permet aux criminels d'échapper à la justice dans de nombreux pays.
  L’UPF et la PEC pensent que le vrai travail a commencé sur la question-clef de la protection des medias dans les zones de conflit et de violences internes.

Lire ci-dessous le texte complet de la résolution 1738 (en français après l'anglais).
   

***23.12.2006. SECURITY COUNCIL CONDEMNS ATTACKS AGAINST JOURNALISTS IN CONFLICT SITUATIONS,

UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTING RESOLUTION 1738 (2006)

Deeply concerned at the frequency of acts of violence, including deliberate attacks, in many parts of the world against journalists, media professionals and associated personnel, in armed conflicts, the Security Council today condemned such attacks and called on all parties to put an end to such practices.

Unanimously adopting resolution 1738 (2006), the Council recalled, without prejudice to the war correspondents’ right to the status of prisoners of war under the Third Geneva Convention, that journalists, media professionals and associated personnel engaged in dangerous professional missions in areas of armed conflict shall be considered civilians, to be respected and protected as such.

In that connection, the Council recalled its demand that all parties to armed conflict comply with their obligations under international law to protect civilians in armed conflict. It also emphasized the responsibility of States in that regard, as well as their obligation to end impunity and to prosecute those responsible for serious violations. All parties in situations of armed conflict were urged to respect the professional independence and rights of journalists, media professionals and associated personnel as civilians.

Further to the text, the Council reaffirmed its condemnation of all incitements to violence against civilians in situations of armed conflict, as well as the need to bring to justice those who incite such violence. When authorizing missions, the Council also indicated its willingness to consider, where appropriate, steps in response to media broadcast inciting genocide, crimes against humanity and serious violations of international humanitarian law.

The meeting was called to order at 12:42 p.m. and adjourned at 12:45 p.m.

Resolution

The full text of resolution 1738 (2006) reads as follows:

“The Security Council,

“Bearing in mind its primary responsibility under the Charter of the United Nations for the maintenance of international peace and security, and underlining the importance of taking measures aimed at conflict prevention and resolution,

“Reaffirming its resolutions 1265 (1999), 1296 (2000) and 1674 (2006) on the protection of civilians in armed conflict and its resolution 1502 (2003) on protection of United Nations personnel, associated personnel and humanitarian personnel in conflict zones, as well as other relevant resolutions and presidential statements,

“Reaffirming its commitment to the Purposes of the Charter of the United Nations as set out in Article 1 (1-4) of the Charter, and to the Principles of the Charter as set out in Article 2 (1-7) of the Charter, including its commitment to the principles of the political independence, sovereign equality and territorial integrity of all States, and respect for the sovereignty of all States,

“Reaffirming that parties to an armed conflict bear the primary responsibility to take all feasible steps to ensure the protection of affected civilians,

“Recalling the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, in particular the Third Geneva Convention of 12 August 1949 on the treatment of prisoners of war, and the Additional Protocols of 8 June 1977, in particular article 79 of the Additional Protocol I regarding the protection of journalists engaged in dangerous professional missions in areas of armed conflict,

“Emphasizing that there are existing prohibitions under international humanitarian law against attacks intentionally directed against civilians, as such, which in situations of armed conflict constitute war crimes, and recalling the need for States to end impunity for such criminal acts,

“Recalling that the States Parties to the Geneva Conventions have an obligation to search for persons alleged to have committed, or to have ordered to be committed a grave breach of these Conventions, and an obligation to try them before their own courts, regardless of their nationality, or may hand them over for trial to another concerned State provided this State has made out a prima facie case against the said persons,

“Drawing the attention of all States to the full range of justice and reconciliation mechanisms, including national, international and “mixed” criminal courts and tribunals and truth and reconciliation commissions, and noting that such mechanisms can promote not only individual responsibility for serious crimes, but also peace, truth, reconciliation and the rights of the victims,

“Recognizing the importance of a comprehensive, coherent and action-oriented approach, including in early planning, of protection of civilians in situations of armed conflict. Stressing, in this regard, the need to adopt a broad strategy of conflict prevention, which addresses the root causes of armed conflict in a comprehensive manner in order to enhance the protection of civilians on a long-term basis, including by promoting sustainable development, poverty eradication, national reconciliation, good governance, democracy, the rule of law and respect for and protection of human rights,

“Deeply concerned at the frequency of acts of violence in many parts of the world against journalists, media professionals and associated personnel in armed conflict, in particular deliberate attacks in violation of international humanitarian law,

“Recognizing that the consideration of the issue of protection of journalists in armed conflict by the Security Council is based on the urgency and importance of this issue, and recognizing the valuable role that the Secretary-General can play in providing more information on this issue,

“1.   Condemns intentional attacks against journalists, media professionals and associated personnel, as such, in situations of armed conflict, and calls upon all parties to put an end to such practices;

“2.   Recalls in this regard that journalists, media professionals and associated personnel engaged in dangerous professional missions in areas of armed conflict shall be considered as civilians and shall be respected and protected as such, provided that they take no action adversely affecting their status as civilians. This is without prejudice to the right of war correspondents accredited to the armed forces to the status of prisoners of war provided for in article 4.A.4 of the Third Geneva Convention;

“3.   Recalls also that media equipment and installations constitute civilian objects, and in this respect shall not be the object of attack or of reprisals, unless they are military objectives;

“4.   Reaffirms its condemnation of all incitements to violence against civilians in situations of armed conflict, further reaffirms the need to bring to justice, in accordance with applicable international law, individuals who incite such violence, and indicates its willingness, when authorizing missions, to consider, where appropriate, steps in response to media broadcast inciting genocide, crimes against humanity and serious violations of international humanitarian law;

“5.   Recalls its demand that all parties to an armed conflict comply fully with the obligations applicable to them under international law related to the protection of civilians in armed conflict, including journalists, media professionals and associated personnel;

“6.   Urges States and all other parties to an armed conflict to do their utmost to prevent violations of international humanitarian law against civilians, including journalists, media professionals and associated personnel;

“7.   Emphasizes the responsibility of States to comply with the relevant obligations under international law to end impunity and to prosecute those responsible for serious violations of international humanitarian law;

“8.   Urges all parties involved in situations of armed conflict to respect the professional independence and rights of journalists, media professionals and associated personnel as civilians;

“9.   Recalls that the deliberate targeting of civilians and other protected persons, and the commission of systematic, flagrant and widespread violations of international humanitarian and human rights law in situations of armed conflict may constitute a threat to international peace and security, and reaffirms in this regard its readiness to consider such situations and, where necessary, to adopt appropriate steps;

“10.  Invites States which have not yet done so to consider becoming parties to the Additional Protocols I and II of 1977 to the Geneva Conventions at the earliest possible date;

“11.  Affirms that it will address the issue of protection of journalists in armed conflict strictly under the agenda item “protection of civilians in armed conflict”;

“12.  Requests the Secretary-General to include as a sub-item in his next reports on the protection of civilians in armed conflict the issue of the safety and security of journalists, media professionals and associated personnel.”

END 

VERSION FRANçAISE. Résolution 1738 adoptée par le Conseil de sécurité à sa 5613e séance, le 23 décembre 2006

Le Conseil de sécurité,

Ayant présente à l’esprit la responsabilité principale que la Charte des Nations
Unies lui a assignée de maintenir la paix et la sécurité internationales, et soulignant qu’il importe de prendre des mesures pour prévenir et régler les conflits,

Réaffirmant ses résolutions 1265 (1999), 1296 (2000) et 1674 (2006) relatives
à la protection des civils en période de conflit armé, et sa résolution 1502 (2003) sur la protection du personnel des Nations Unies, du personnel associé et du personnel humanitaire dans les zones de conflit, ainsi que ses autres résolutions et les déclarations de son président ayant trait à la question,

Réaffirmant son attachement aux buts énoncés dans la Charte des Nations
Unies, à l’Article 1 (par. 1 à 4) et aux principes également y énoncés, à l’Article 2 (par. 1 à 7), notamment en ce qui concerne les principes de l’indépendance
politique, de l’égalité souveraine et de l’intégrité territoriale de tous les États, ainsi que le respect de la souveraineté de tous les États,

Réaffirmant qu’il incombe au premier chef aux parties à un conflit armé de
prendre toutes les mesures voulues pour assurer la protection des civils touchés,

Rappelant les Conventions de Genève en date du 12 août 1949, en particulier
la troisième Convention de Genève en date du 12 août 1949 relative au traitement des prisonniers de guerre et les Protocoles additionnels du 8 juin 1977, en particulier l’article 79 du Protocole additionnel I relatif à la protection des journalistes en mission professionnelle périlleuse dans les zones de conflit armé,

Soulignant qu’il existe en droit international humanitaire des règles prohibant
les attaques dirigées intentionnellement contre des civils qui, en période de conflit armé, constituent des crimes de guerre, et rappelant qu’il est impératif que les États mettent un terme à l’impunité des auteurs de ces attaques,

Rappelant que les États parties aux Conventions de Genève ont l’obligation de
rechercher les personnes présumées avoir commis, ou avoir donné l’ordre de
commettre, une infraction grave auxdites Conventions et qu’ils doivent les déférer à leurs propres tribunaux, quelle que soit leur nationalité, ou peuvent, s’ils le préfèrent, les remettre pour jugement à un autre État intéressé à la poursuite, pour autant que celui-ci ait retenu contre lesdites personnes des charges suffisantes,

Appelant l’attention de tous les États sur l’arsenal de mécanismes de justice et
de réconciliation, y compris les tribunaux pénaux internes, internationaux et
« mixtes » ainsi que les commissions vérité et réconciliation, et notant que ces
mécanismes peuvent favoriser non seulement l’établissement de la responsabilité
d’individus à raison de crimes graves, mais aussi la paix, la vérité, la réconciliation et la réalisation des droits des victimes,

Conscient de l’importance que revêt, pour la protection des civils en période
de conflit armé, une démarche globale, cohérente et privilégiant l’action, y compris au début des préparatifs.

Soulignant à cet égard la nécessité d’adopter une stratégie
générale de prévention des conflits, qui s’attaque aux causes profondes des conflits armés de manière exhaustive afin d’améliorer durablement la protection des civils, y compris par la promotion du développement durable, de l’élimination de la pauvreté, de la réconciliation nationale, de la bonne gouvernance, de la démocratie, de l’état de droit et du respect et de la protection des droits de l’homme,

Gravement préoccupé par la fréquence des actes de violence perpétrés dans de nombreuses régions du monde contre des journalistes, des professionnels des médias et le personnel associé, en particulier les attaques délibérées commises en violation du droit international humanitaire,

Déclarant que s’il examine la question de la protection des journalistes en
période de conflit armé, c’est parce que c’est une question urgente et importante, et

estimant que le Secrétaire général peut jouer un rôle utile en fournissant des
renseignements supplémentaires sur la question,

1. Condamne les attaques délibérément perpétrées contre des journalistes,
des professionnels des médias et le personnel associé visés ès qualité en période de conflit armé, et demande à toutes les parties de mettre fin à ces pratiques;

2. Rappelle à cet égard que les journalistes, les professionnels des médias et
le personnel associé qui accomplissent des missions professionnelles périlleuses
dans des zones de conflit armé doivent être considérés comme des personnes civiles et doivent être respectés et protégés en tant que tels, à la condition qu’ils n’entreprennent aucune action qui porte atteinte à leur statut de personnes civiles, et sans préjudice du droit des correspondants de guerre accrédités auprès des forces armées de bénéficier du statut de prisonnier de guerre prévu par l’article 4.A.4 de la troisième Convention de Genève;

3. Rappelle également que le matériel et les installations des médias sont
des biens de caractère civil et, en tant que tels, ne doivent être l’objet ni d’attaque ni de représailles, tant qu’ils ne constituent pas des objectifs militaires;

4. Réaffirme qu’il condamne toutes les incitations à la violence contre des
civils en période de conflit armé, réaffirme aussi que tous ceux qui incitent à la
violence doivent être traduits en justice, conformément au droit international
applicable, et se déclare disposé, lorsqu’il autorise le déploiement d’une mission, à envisager, le cas échéant, des mesures à prendre à l’égard des médias qui incitent au génocide, à des crimes contre l’humanité et à des violations graves du droit international humanitaire;

5. Rappelle l’injonction qu’il a adressée à toutes les parties à un conflit
armé de se conformer strictement aux obligations mises à leur charge par le droit international concernant la protection des civils, y compris les journalistes, les professionnels des médias et le personnel associé;

6. Demande instamment aux États et à toutes les autres parties à un conflit
armé de tout faire pour empêcher que des violations du droit international
humanitaire soient commises contre des civils, y compris des journalistes, des
professionnels des médias et le personnel associé;

7. Souligne que les États ont la responsabilité de s’acquitter de l’obligation
que leur fait le droit international de mettre fin à l’impunité et de traduire en justice quiconque est responsable de violations graves du droit international humanitaire;

8. Demande instamment à toutes les parties concernées, en période de
conflit armé, de respecter l’indépendance professionnelle et les droits des
journalistes, des professionnels des médias et du personnel associé qui sont des
civils;

9. Rappelle que le fait de prendre délibérément pour cible des civils et
d’autres personnes protégées et de commettre des violations systématiques,
flagrantes et généralisées du droit international humanitaire et du droit des droits de l’homme en période de conflit armé peut constituer une menace contre la paix et la sécurité internationales, et se dit une fois de plus disposé à examiner les situations de ce type et à prendre, le cas échéant, des mesures appropriées;

10. Invite les États qui ne l’ont pas encore fait à envisager de devenir parties
dès que possible aux Protocoles additionnels I et II de 1977 se rapportant aux
Conventions de Genève;

11. Affirme qu’il examinera la question de la protection des journalistes en
période de conflit armé exclusivement au titre de la question intitulée « Protection des civils en période de conflit armé »;

12. Prie le Secrétaire général de consacrer une section de ses prochains
rapports sur la protection des civils en période de conflit armé à la question de la sûreté et de la sécurité des journalistes, des professionnels des médias et du
personnel associé.

***19.12.2006. PEC press statement: 2006 a record year for media casualties (text in english after the french) - Communiqué PEC. 2006 année record : jamais autant de journalistes tués

 Genève, PEC, 19 décembre - Selon la Presse Emblème Campagne,
jamais autant de journalistes ont été tués en une seule année: 94
depuis le 1er janvier - 59 en six mois, depuis le 19 juin, date de
l'inauguration du Conseil des droits de l'homme. La PEC a dénoncé
aujourd'hui à Genève cette tendance alarmante.

 L'Irak est le pays le plus meurtrier (48), devant le Mexique
(8), la Russie (4), le Sri Lanka (4), les Philippines (4), le
Pakistan (3) et la Colombie (3). Suivent la Chine (2), l'Inde (2),
l'Angola (2), le Liban (2) devant l'Equateur (1), le Venezuela (1),
la Somalie(1), la RDC (1), le Soudan (1), le Brésil (1).

 Comparativement à l'année 2005, avec 68 employés des medias
tués, l'augmentation annuelle du nombre de victimes est de 38%.
                                                                                                            Le nombre de victimes en Irak cette année (48) a doublé par
rapport à 2005 (24).  Jamais aucun conflit n'a fait autant de
victimes parmi les journalistes depuis la Seconde guerre mondiale:
au moins 103 journalistes ont été tués en Irak dans l'exercice de
leurs fonctions depuis avril 2003.

 Mais la situation en Irak n'est pas la seule à être inquiétante.
Dans plusieurs pays, des assassinats ont eu lieu cette année en
toute impunit: huit journalistes ont été éliminés au Mexique, pays
dont l'ambassadeur assure la présidence du Conseil des droits de
l'homme.

 Une dérive préoccupante est aussi constatée en Russie, avec
l'assassinat de quatre journalistes, dont Anna Politkovskaïa le 7
octobre, au Pakistan (trois tués), aux Philippines (quatre). La
sécurité des journalistes n'est pas assurée dans des pays en
conflit comme le Sri Lanka, la Colombie, le Liban, la Somalie et
l'Afghanistan.

 "Le nombre grandissant de victimes est la conséquence de la
violation du principe de la distinction entre civils et militaires,
que ce soit en Irak, au Liban ou en Somalie. Les civils sont
devenus des cibles", a affirmé le secrétaire général de la PEC
Blaise Lempen.

 "Dans la grande majorité des cas, les journalistes ont été tués
par des acteurs non-étatiques: groupes d'insurgés en Irak, groupes
paramilitaires ou réseaux criminels en Amérique latine, services de
sécurité plus ou moins parallèles en Russie", a ajouté Blaise
Lempen. "Cela explique le règne de l'impunité. Mais ce sont les
gouvernements qui sont responsables du respect de la loi sur leur
territoire", a -t-il souligné.

 La PEC note en même temps des développements positifs cette
année, grâce à la mobilisation des associations de journalistes: le
rapport du rapporteur de l'ONU sur la liberté d'expression Ambeyi
Ligabo, le projet de résolution du Canada au Conseil des droits de
l'homme demandant une étude de l'ONU sur la sécurité des
journalistes (reporté à 2007) et le projet de résolution au Conseil
de sécurité de l'ONU présenté en décembre par la France et la Grèce
sur le même sujet (encore en discussion).

 La présidente de la PEC Hedayat Abdel Nabi a appelé le Conseil
des droits de l'homme à prendre des mesures concrètes en 2007 en
créant un groupe de travail destiné à discuter d'un projet de
convention renforçant la protection des journalistes dans les zones
de conflit armé et de violences internes. Les journalistes ont une
mission essentielle pour témoigner des violations des droits de
l'homme et du droit humanitaire, rappelle la PEC.

PEC PRESS RELEASE

   GENEVA, December 19 (PEC NEWS) According to the Press Emblem
Campaign (PEC), this year has set a record for media casualties, 94 to-date and 59 in six months since the inauguration of the new Human Rights Council on June 19. Today in Geneva, the PEC denounced this unabated trend.

 The Iraq conflict is still the most deadliest conflict for the
third consecutive year killing 48 journalists in 2006 alone,
followed by Mexico: 8, Russia: 4, Sri Lanka: 4, the Philippines:
4, Pakistan: 3, Columbia: 3, China: 2, India: 2, Angola:2,
Lebanon:2, Ecuador: 1, Venezuela: 1, Somalia:1, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC): 1, Sudan: 1, Brazil: 1. 

 Compared to 2005, this dramatic turn has marked an increase of
38 percent in media casualties which stood at 68 in 2005.

  The number of media casualties in Iraq this year has doubled
that of 2005 from 24 to 48. Since the invasion of Iraq in 2003, at
least 103 journalists have been killed in Iraq while performing
their work. This marks the Iraqi conflict as the most deadly for
journalists since the Second World War.

 However, Iraq is not the only case of serious media casualties.
Eight journalists were killed, without their perpetrators being brought to judgment, in Mexico, country currently chairing the new Human Rights Council. 

 Another alarming case is that of assassinating four journalists
in Russia among them Anna Politkovskaia on October 7, in Pakistan
another three were killed, and in the Philippines four were killed.
There is no protection of journalists in conflict zones like
Sri Lanka, Colombia, Lebanon, Somalia and Afghanistan .
 
PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen noted that the majority of
media casualties resulted from the inability to distinguish between
civilian and military actors whether it is in Iraq, Lebanon or
Somalia. In the majority of cases, he added, journalists were
killed by militias, insurgents (as in Iraq), paramilitary groups
and security services (in other countries and regions such as Latin
America). This, he said, explains the impunity that prevails.
However, he added, it is the governments that are responsible for
implementing the rule of law on their territories.

 A number of positive developments have taken place this year,
among them the report of the UN Special Rapporteur for the Freedom
of Expression Ambeyi Ligabo, the draft decision presented by Canada
to the Human Rights Council to undertake a study on the issue of
the security of journalists in war zones (deferred to 2007), and
the draft resolution presented in december to the UN Security
Council by France and Greece with the same goal (still pending).

 PEC President Hedayat Abdel Nabi urged the Human Rights Council
to take a short cut and translate those positive developments in
the form of establishing a working group in 2007 to start
deliberations on a legal binding instrument to protect media in
zones of conflict.

 The Geneva base NGO believes that one of the prime
responsabilities of the media is to unveil the truth and report
closely on human rights violations across the globe. In addition
the media represents the moral monitor following the
implementation of International Humanitarian Law.
 

***7.12.2006. PEC welcomes a move by the United Nations Security Council on security of journalists. La PEC se félicite du dépôt d'un projet de résolution au Conseil de sécurité de l'ONU, le 5 décembre, sur la sécurité des journalistes. Le projet, présenté par la France et la Grèce, avec le soutien du Danemark, du Royaume-Uni et de la Slovaquie, condamne toutes les attaques ciblant les journalistes dans les situations de conflit armé et appelle toutes les parties à mettre fin à ces pratiques. La PEC partage entièrement les propos de l'ambassadeur de France Jean-Marc de La Sablière déclarant à New York qu'"il est temps d'envoyer un message très fort aux parties en conflit pour leur rappeler leur obligation d'empêcher, d'enquêter sur et de punir toutes les formes de violence contre les journalistes". La PEC espère que les autres membres du Conseil de sécurité de l'ONU donneront rapidement suite à cette initiative et que le Conseil incitera les Etats à prendre des mesures pratiques. La PEC rappelle qu'elle s'était adressée il y a un an officiellement au Quai D'Orsay à Paris pour demander à la France de réagir aux meurtres de plus en plus nombreux de journalistes à travers le monde. 

***28.11.2006. Human Rights Council: the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) regrets a missed opportunity for media protection (en français après l'anglais)

  Geneva, PEC news, Nov 28 - The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC)
believes that the Human Rights Council has missed an opportunity to
put the issue of media protection at the forefront of its agenda by
failing to act on a draft text presented by Canada, and in this
context its strongly regrets this missed opportunity.

  The Geneva based NGO welcomes the Canadian text on freedom of
opinion and expression, which was co-sponsored by Romania, Ghana,
Denmark, Nicaragua, Netherlands, Argentina and the United States of
America.

  The PEC believes that the endorsement of the US of this text on
security of journalists in armed conflict is a positive development
and a step forward.

  The text called upon the Council to request the Special
Rapporteur on the freedom of opinion and expression to include in
his next report to the Human Rights Council a focus on the issue of
security of journalists.

  The focus, according to the deferred Canadian proposal, would
include in particular situations of armed conflict, taking into
account information provided by States and intergovernmental and
non-governmental organizations, including national press
associations.

  Canada, in the absence of consensus within the 47 member
countries of the Council, deferred the text to a future session.

  Diplomatic tactics delaying action on the text further
complicates the situation of journalists in the field who are the
only losers. Journalist's victims of targeted attacks in armed
conflicts and elsewhere will carry the brunt of this delay.

  The text, while reasonable, needs to be strengthened by calling
for the establishment of a working group to deliberate on a new
convention to protect media professionals and their assistants in
zones of conflict and elsewhere. The PEC believes that this is the
only practical shortcut that would lead to a serious discussion to
protect journalists in conflict zones, civil unrest and other
situations that threaten their profession and life.

  The PEC urges the Council to expedite its decision, a move that
would accelerate the process for the protection of journalists and
would safeguard the freedom of expression.

More than 50 journalists killed in six months

  This urgency is highlighted by the fact that in less than six
months, more than 50 journalists were killed since the inauguration
of the Human Rights Council on June 19.

  Among the 52 journalists killed some 16 were killed in October,
on average one journalist every two days. The majority were killed
in Iraq , others in Russia , Mexico , Pakistan , Afghanistan ,             Somalia , Columbia , Lebanon (Israël) and Sri Lanka .

  Authorities in those countries must act against leaving the
killers unchecked and allowing impunity to be the rule of the game.

  Since the beginning of this year some 87 media workers were
killed which makes of the current year the most deadly for the
profession since the Second World War.

  This massacre must stop.

  For the Media Ticking Clock updates visit: www.pressemblem.ch .

  The PEC calls upon the Special Rapporteur on the freedom of
expression to take into account in his next report the spirit of
the Canadian proposal to the March 12 to April 6 session, with
considerable attention to the conclusions and recommendations of
the June PEC report on the same issue.

  In addition, the PEC calls upon the 47 member states of the
Council to use the PEC report as a base for their work in the
future on protection of media in conflict zones and elsewhere.


 
  Conseil des droits de l'homme: La PEC regrette une occasion manquée pour la protection des journalistes

  Genève, PEC, 28 novembre - La Presse Emblème Campagne (PEC)
regrette l'occasion manquée par le Conseil des droits de l'homme de
mettre à son agenda la question de la sécurité des journalistes en
ne donnant pas suite à un texte présenté par le Canada.

  L'ONG basée à Genève a accueilli favorablement une proposition
du Canada sur la liberté d'expression, soutenue notamment par les
Etats-Unis, la Roumanie, le Ghana, le Danemark, le Nicaragua, les
Pays-Bas et l'Argentine. Le fait que les Etats-Unis aient soutenu
un texte sur la sécurité des journalistes est un développement
positif et un pas en avant.

  Le texte demandait au rapporteur spécial de l'ONU sur la liberté
d'expression "d'accorder dans son prochain rapport au Conseil une
place importante aux journalistes, notamment à la question de la
sécurité des journalistes, en particulier dans les situations de
conflit armé, en tenant compte des informations fournies par les
Etats et les organisations intergouvernementales et non
gouvernementales, notamment les associations de presse nationales".

  Mais le Canada a dû retirer sa proposition de décision, en même
temps qu'un autre projet sur l'impunité, en l'absence de consensus
au sein des 47 pays membres du Conseil, et a annoncé le report de
son examen à une autre session du Conseil.

  Les manoeuvres politiques de retardement n'aident pas les
victimes sur le terrain. Les journalistes victimes d'attaques dans
plusieurs pays en supporteront les conséquences, déplore la PEC.

  La proposition raisonnable du Canada doit être renforcée en
demandant la création d'un groupe de travail pour discuter d'une
convention internationale sur la protection des journalistes dans
les zones de conflit armé et de violences internes. La PEC estime
qu'il s'agit de la seule possibilité d'améliorer la situation pour
défendre la liberté d'expression et demande au Conseil d'accélérer
le processus.

    Plus de 50 journalistes tués en six mois

  Le problème est urgent: en moins de six mois, depuis le 19 juin,
date de l'inauguration du Conseil des droits de l'homme, au moins
52 journalistes ont été tués dans leur fonction, dont un record de
16 en octobre, soit un tous les deux jours. La majorité l'a été en
Irak , mais la Russie , le Mexique , le Pakistan , l' Afghanistan ,
la Somalie , la Colombie , le Sri Lanka, le Liban (Israël)  se trouvent    aussi sur cette liste noire.

  La PEC demande aux autorités de ces pays d'agir avec
détermination et célérité afin de poursuivre les responsables de
ces actes criminels et d'éviter que l'impunité devienne la règle.

  Depuis le mois de janvier, au moins 87 employés des medias ont
été tués, ce qui fait de 2006 l'année la plus meurtrière depuis la
Seconde guerre mondiale. Ce massacre doit cesser. Pour les
dernières statistiques, consultez notre site : www.pressemblem.ch ,
Media ticking clock.

  La PEC appelle le rapporteur de l'ONU sur la liberté
d'expression à tenir compte de la proposition du Canada dans son
rapport pour la prochaine session du 12 mars au 6 avril, en se
fondant sur les conclusions et recommandations du rapport que la
PEC a elle-même soumis aux Etats en juin 2006 sur les moyens de
renforcer la protection des journalistes.

  La PEC appelle enfin les Etats membres de l'ONU concernés par la
liberté d'expression à utiliser le rapport de la PEC comme base
pour des discussions.

    For the PEC board - pour le comité de la PEC
   Hedayat Abdelnabi - Blaise Lempen

***31.10.2006. PEC briefs staff at Congressional Human Rights Caucus (CHRC) in Washington DC.

 On the issue of "Protecting Journalists in Armed Conflicts: Would an International Convention Make a Difference", on Friday October 27, 2006 Hedayat Abdel Nabi of the International Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) briefed senior staffers of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus (CHRC) in Washington DC. An extensive dialogue took place where senior staff members of the Caucus spearheaded by Director, Human Rights Caucus, Democratic Professional Staff Hans-Joachim Hogrefe, Maryamu Aminu, and attended by Fay Johnson, John Brodtke and Kerry Gladstone and others. One of the ideas explored was to hold a second briefing on the third anniversary of the PEC in June 2007 to report on the progress of the campaign and arguments for and against. The announcement described the PEC as supported by more than 50,000 journalists around the world and seeks for the adoption of an international emblem for journalists which would be guaranteed by an International Convention ratified by as many countries as possible, so that the media, like humanitarian workers, would be better able to perform their jobs in the field and especially in situations of armed conflict. In separate meetings Abdel Nabi briefed Sean OBlack of the Congressional Caucus for Freedom of the Press and Gregory Simpkins of the subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations.     

***20.10.2006. LAUNCH OF THE MEDIA CASUALTY TICKING CLOCK -
LANCEMENT DE L'HORLOGE DES VICTIMES AU SEIN DES MEDIAS
(en français après l'anglais)

    GENEVA, OCTOBER 20 (PEC NEWS) Amidst the growing number of
attacks against media workers, the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) is,
of today, issuing a monthly casualty ticking clock to register the
number of journalists and co-workers killed simply because of their
profession, since the first session of the Human Rights Council on
June 19.

   The PEC media casualty clock shows that the first 20 days of
October have witnessed one of the highest casualty rate among media
workers, a total of 15 in Iraq, Russia and Afghanistan.

   Among the deadly attacks registered was the attack on the Iraqi
TV station Shaabiya, the killing of the Russian journalist Anna
Politkovskaya, a well known and acclaimed human rights defender,
and two German journalists Karen Fischer and Christian Struwe in
Afghanistan, another Russian journalist Anatoly Voronin, and an
Iraqi journalist Raed Qaies.

   At least 35 journalists have been killed since the launching of
the Human Rights Council, June 19. And since the beginning of the
year, at least 72 media workers have been killed in the line of
duty.

   Till now, 2006 has recorded the highest media casulties since
the Vietnam war and the Second world war.

   Marking the epidemic of the ticking bomb against the media
workers which undermines the essence of the freedom of expression,
the PEC believes that governments and all concerned organizations
restrict themselves only to condemnation statements.

   The objective of the PEC is to remind on a daily basis
governments and all concerned parties of the escalating tragedy
facing media workers in deadly working zones and others.

   Time is of essence, action must be taken to reinforce the
protection of media workers to eliminate impunity and to allow them
as credible witnesses to continue their work.

   The PEC supported by more than 50,000 journalists will update
the Media Clock on a monthly basis. To view the clock, go to:
www.pressemblem.ch, section Media ticking clock (click left)

   
   
  LANCEMENT DE L'HORLOGE DES VICTIMES AU SEIN DES MEDIAS
   Augmentation des victimes parmi les journalistes: la PEC lance
une "horloge des medias"


   Genève, 20 octobre (PEC) Pour protester contre l'augmentation
des victimes parmi les employés des medias à travers le monde, la
Campagne pour un emblème de presse (PEC) lance aujourd'hui sur son
site web: www.pressemblem.ch, la "media ticking clock". Elle
recensera désormais toutes les victimes connues parmi les
journalistes et leurs collaborateurs, tués dans l'exercice de leur
profession, à partir de la première session du Conseil des droits
de l'homme, inauguré le 19 juin à Genève.

   L'horloge montre qu'au cours des 20 premiers jours d'octobre, au
moins 15 journalistes sont morts en Irak, Russie et Afghanistan, un
des bilans les plus élevés de l'année.

   Parmi ces attaques, celles qui ont tué plusieurs membres de la
télévision irakienne Al Shaabiya, l'assassinat à Moscou d'Anna
Politkovskaya, une célèbre militante des droits de l'homme, deux
journalistes allemands en Afghanistan, Karen Fischer et Christian
Struwe, un autre journaliste russe Anatoly Voronin.

   Au moins 35 journalistes ont été tués depuis l'inauguration du
Conseil des droits de l'homme, le 19 juin, soit en quatre mois
seulement. Et depuis le début de l'année, au moins 72 employés des
medias sont morts sur le champ de bataille de l'information.

   Jusqu'ici, 2006 est l'une des années les plus meurtrières pour
les journalistes depuis la guerre du Vietnam et la Seconde guerre
mondiale.

   Pour dénoncer cette épidémie, qui entrave la liberté de la
presse dans le monde entier, l'horloge sera actualisée désormais
chaque mois et rappelera à toutes les parties concernées la
tragédie subie par des individus désireux seulement de faire leur
travail.

   Le temps presse. La PEC, soutenue par plus de 50.000
journalistes dans le monde, demande d'agir pour renforcer la
protection des journalistes, éliminer l'impunité, leur permettre de
témoigner des violations des droits de l'homme et du droit
humanitaire pour mieux le faire respecter.

   Pour voir l'horloge, regardez sous "Media ticking clock" (cliquez à gauche)

***8.10.2006. THE PEC IS SHOCKED, OUTRAGED AND APPALLED BY
THE KILLING OF ANNA POLITKOVSKAYA IN RUSSIA -
JOURNALISTS' RIGHTS UNDERMINED BY COUNCIL'S PARALYSIS 

  GENEVA, PEC NEWS, OCTOBER 8 – The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) while condemning strongly the death of three journalists on Saturday, says it is shocked, outraged and appalled at the ongoing tragedy facing members of the media profession.

   The crime committed against Russian journalist Anna
Politkovskaya on Saturday in Moscow highlights the notion that killing journalists is targeting the noble aims of the profession.

   Politkovskaya (born in 1958) was famous for unveiling human rights abuses committed by Russian armed forces in Chechnya and had been under constant threat for seven years since 1999. Despite these threats she continued to write and in 2003 published her book on Chechnya "A Dirty War".

   Two years ago Politkovskaya fell seriously ill as she attempted to fly to Beslan to cover the hostage crisis there, leading to speculation that she had been deliberately poisoned to stop her from reporting on the crisis.

   Politkovskaya, who worked for the newspaper Novaya Gazeta, was the winner of numerous international awards for her courage, including the 2004 Olaf Palme Award that was set up by the family of the murdered Swedish prime minister. The prize was given to Politkovskaya to honor her work for the "long battle for human rights in Russia".

    Another two journalists were killed on the same day in Afghanistan.

   Gunmen ambushed two German journalists traveling in northern Afghanistan on Saturday killing them both. The two journalists Karen Fischer (30) and Christian Struwe (38) were working on a documentary for Deutschwelle.   
Unidentified insurgents sprayed their vehicle with bullets, 80 miles north of Kabul. The two were traveling from Baghlan province to the central province of Bamiyan.

   Those tragic incidents took place one day after the second session of the Human Rights Council adjourned.

   The killing of the three journalists in one day and many others since the Council was established this year, shows clearly that human rights law and its supreme body, the Council, stand idle in dealing with those tragedies.

   The Council met for three weeks and adjourned even without adopting a weak decision recommending a new study on those tragedies to be undertaken by the UN Special Rapporteur for freedom of opinion and expression.

   Time is of essence, the Council cannot watch journalists falling in the cross fire without acting. It must find a way to come out of its paralysis.

   The Council must act speedily by creating a short cut to deal with this serious breach of human life, of freedom of expression, and threats against unveiling the truth.

   The short cut is simple: create an open-ended working group to start discussing a draft convention to defend media in war zones, civil unrest or those killed for reasons related to the profession. 

    The PEC calls upon members of the Council to put aside their differences which have led to the paralysis of the second session and improve the draft decision to a draft resolution establishing the working group.

   Impunity has become the rule of the game. It is now time for the International Community to put an end to it.

***25.09.2006. La PEC se félicite du soutien apporté à la Campagne par les assises de la presse francophone à Bucarest et par le secrétaire
général de l'Organisation internationale de la Francophonie Abdou
Diouf.

   Dans ses conclusions à ses 38èmes Assises internationales
réunies à Bucarest (Roumanie) du 18 au 24 septembre 2006, l'Union
internationale de la presse francophone (UPF), membre de la PEC, a
en effet proposé "la création, au Conseil des droits de l'Homme, à
Genève, d'un groupe de travail à composition ouverte, visant à
étudier les moyens de renforcer la protection des journalistes et
la liberté d'expression dans les zones de conflits armés".

   Pour sa part, le secrétaire général de l'OIF Abdou Diouf, a
affirmé dimanche dans son discours de clôture: "Vous m'avez fait
parvenir récemment un document riche et très intéressant sur "le
renforcement de la protection des journalistes et la liberté
d'expression dans les conflits armés" réalisé par l'Association
"Campagne pour un emblème de presse" et activement soutenue par de
nombreuses organisations dont la vôtre. J'apporte mon soutien à
cette initiative qui se situe bien dans le prolongement de la
Résolution sur le sujet adoptée par le Sommet de Ouagadougou.
J'appuie votre idée d'ouvrir le débat avec le nouveau Conseil des
droits de l'homme à Genève et vous pouvez compter sur notre
Représentation permanente pour vous aider. Je vous encourage à
poursuivre ce travail et à amplifier encore la mobilisation des
organisations des droits de l'Homme et des opinions publiques".

   Abdou Diouf a poursuivi: "J'ai systématiquement condamné au nom
de la Francophonie les enlèvements, les meurtres, les agressions
inacceptables contre les journalistes, dans nos pays bien sûr, mais
également ailleurs dans le monde. Du Liban à Haïti, du continent
africain au Proche-Orient et à l'Asie, nous devons tout mettre en
oeuvre pour réduire les risques contre ces actes odieux dont les
journalistes sont trop souvent victimes et qui viennent s'ajouter à
la répression parfois brutale qui s'exerce encore, je le dis avec
tristesse mais sans résignation, dans beaucoup de pays
francophones". La PEC salue les propos du secrétaire général de l'OIF, le remercie pour son soutien et engage les pays de l'OIF à passer des paroles aux actes. Plus d'informations sur: www.presse-francophone.org

***21.09.2006. La Campagne pour un emblème de presse salue la
proposition du rapporteur de l'ONU sur la liberté d'expression
Ambeyi Ligabo au Conseil des droits de l'homme de créer un groupe
d'experts pour discuter du renforcement de la protection des
journalistes. La PEC soutient entièrement sa proposition comme un
premier pas et demande aux pays membres du Conseil de prendre
rapidement une décision afin de défendre le droit d'accès à
l'information (english after the french)

   S'exprimant le 21 septembre en séance plénière du Conseil des
droits de l'homme de l'ONU, réuni à Genève du 18 septembre au 6
octobre, le rapporteur a souhaité que le Conseil charge un groupe
d'experts "de préparer une étude globale sur les causes et les
conséquences de la violence contre les journalistes et les
dispositions légales disponibles pour y remédier".

   Selon M. Ligabo, 84 travailleurs des medias ont été tués dans
l'exercice de leur fonction entre le 1er janvier et le 17 août de
cette année. Alors qu'en Afrique et sur le continent européen, les
chiffres sont dans la moyenne, la situation est extrêmement
sérieuse en Asie et en Amérique latine et "absolument consternante
au Moyen-Orient", a déclaré l'expert de l'ONU.

   Présentant son rapport annuel, le rapporteur a affirmé "suivre
avec un grand intérêt le débat sur le renforcement de la sécurité
des journalistes et la proposition de création d'un emblème de
presse". Répondant aux questions des gouvernements, notamment de la
Finlande au nom de l'Union européenne et de la Norvège, M. Ligabo a
précisé qu'il y un problème d'impunité et d'application du droit
existant.

   "Il y a des lacunes graves dans l'application du droit et les
dispositions législatives sont parfois trop faibles pour garantir
la sécurité des journalistes", a relevé le rapporteur.

   "La création d'un groupe d'experts par le Conseil des droits de
l'homme pour examiner la question de la sécurité des journalistes
permettrait d'avoir une vue d'ensemble, de dégager des
recommandations concrètes que le Conseil pourrait examiner. Ce
serait un grand pas en avant si ce Conseil pouvait élaborer un
mandat", a déclaré l'expert de l'ONU.

   La PEC remercie le rapporteur pour sa proposition et l'engage à
poursuivre dans ses efforts afin de convaincre les gouvernements de
remplir leurs obligations internationales, conformément aux
Conventions de Genève et à la Déclaration universelle des droits de
l'homme.

The PEC welcomes and supports whole heartedly Ligabo's proposal for an expert working group 

  The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) welcomes Thursday the proposal presented to the Human Rights Council by UN Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression Ambeyi Ligabo to establish a group of experts to discuss the protection of journalists.

   The PEC wholeheartedly supports the proposal of Mr. Ligabo and calls upon member states of the HCR to move into that direction in order to consolidate its defense of the right to access to information.

   Ligabo proposed today to the second session of the HRC the establishment of an expert group to undertake a global study on the causes and consequences of violence against journalists and the legal instruments available to remedy the situation.

   According to Ligabo 84 media workers have been killed since January to August 17, and described the situation serious in Asia and Latin America, and appalling in the Middle East

   He added, while presenting his report to the Council that he is following with great interest the debate on reinforcing better security conditions for the media and the proposal to create a new legally recognized press emblem.

   Responding to questions form the representatives of Finalnd representing the European Un ion (EU) and Norway, Ligabo noted that there is a problem of impunity concerning the application of existing law.

   Ligabo stressed that there are serious gaps in the application of the law and that current legislation are often very weak to ensure the security of journalists.

   He added that the creation of an expert group by the Human Rights Council to discuss the security of journalists allows for a new global outlook, and for developing recommendations which could be discussed by the Council.

   This step, he stressed, would be a step forward especially if the Council can develop a new legal mandate.

   The PEC in this regard expresses its sincere thanks to the Special Rapporteur and requests Mr. Ligabo to be actively engaged in convincing the governments, members of the Council, to abide by their international obligations in line with the Geneva Conventions and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

***18.09.2006. PEC statement. The Human Rights Council must act:
33 journalists were killed in only 3 months since the first
session of the Human Rights Council.
2006 is becoming a record year for journalists killed
In the first 9 months, the figure of killed journalists has
surpassed that of 2005. The media massacre must stop

Geneva (18 September) (PEC) Addressing the second session of the
UN Human Rights Council (HRC) which kicks off today in Geneva, the
Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) expresses its profound worry at the
continued deterioration of the conditions of work of journalists in
wars, internal conflicts and that of civil unrest.

Journalists are under attack only because of their profession.
Up to date no solution has been reached to solve the continued
tragedy of journalists including the violation of their right to
life.

The PEC has appealed to the Human Rights Council, during its
first session, to act in order to improve the protection of
journalists.

So far the PEC has not received any response which renders the
situation shameful, disrespectful to human rights, humanitarian
law, and the freedom of expression.

We, members of the Press Emblem Campaign, supported by more than
50.000 journalists around the world, believe that the HRC is the
appropriate organ to launch the discussion in an open-ended working
group to take concrete steps.

Condemnation speeches and studies are not enough. Killing of
journalists are now well documented by press organizations.

Since the first session of the HRW, June 19, 28 journalists were
killed in: Angola (2), Brazil (1), China (2), Colombia (2), DRCongo (1)
Guatemala (1), Iraq (8), Kazakhstan (1), Lebanon (1), Mexico
(1), Pakistan (2), Philippines (1), Russia (1), Somalia (1), Sri
Lanka (1), Sudan (1), Turkmenistan (1). Other 5 media assistants
were killed: 2 in Sri Lanka, 1 in Afghanistan, 1 in Lebanon, 1 in
Somalia.

The PEC calls upon member states of the HRC and the Special
Rapporteur entrusted with the freedom of expression Mr. Ligabo to
give serious attention to this unresolved problem.

A clock count on all journalists killed since the inauguration
of the HRC will be undertaken by the PEC board, in a similar move
like that of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL),
carried within the Ottawa process for mine victims.

The Ottawa process is a living example of success where world
public opinion has made a difference in developing a binding treaty
in favor of landmine victims.

Today, in Geneva, parallel to the second session of the HRC, the
7th meeting of the Parties to the Ottawa treaty has kicked off,
thus marking the continued efforts by the process to clear the
world from landmines and to alleviate the suffering of landmine
victims' survivors.

Media organizations must follow suit in the absence of a special
Convention to protect journalists in war zones and zones of civil
unrest.

Since the beginning of this year, at least 51 journalists were
killed and 17 media assistants: this toll, 68 media workers killed
is already higher than the record year of 2005 (with at least 63
media employees killed).

The massacre of media must stop.

We urge governments to comply with International Law and the
Universal Declaration on Human rights and move forward to establish
a working group on the sidelines of the Human Rights Council to
deliberate on a draft convention for the protection of journalists.

The PEC board

***07.09.2006. PEC condemns murder of sudanese newspaper editor

The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) strongly condemns the recent
kidnapping and beheading of Sudanese newspaper editor Mohammed Taha
Mohammed Ahmed in Khartoum and urges that the perpetrators be
brought to justice.

Mr Mohammed Taha, the 50-year-old editor-in-chief of the
privately-owned daily Al-Wifaq, was kidnapped by masked gunmen
outside his home on 5 September. Police found his decapitated body
the following day.

Mr Mohammed Taha was detained for several days in May 2005 and
his paper was closed for three months after he published an article
considered blasphemous. He apologized publicly. Six months ago,
unidentified assailants set fire to the offices of Al-Wifaq, badly
damaging the building.

The situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate. In Darfur, the
freedom of movement is worsening every day, according to UN
sources. The PEC calls on the President of Sudan Omar El Bechir to
release arbitrarily imprisoned journalists and to ensure that
journalists can work freely in the country without any form of
intimidation or harassment.

***28.09.2006. THE PEC WELCOMES THE RELEASE OF TWO FOREIGN
JOURNALISTS IN GAZA - TWO OTHER JOURNALISTS WOUNDED

   GENEVA, August 28 (PEC) The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) welcomed
Sunday the release of New Zealander cameraman Olaf Wiig, 36, and US
correspondent Steve Centanni, 60, who work for the American Fox
News Channel, after two weeks of captivity in Gaza.

   The two journalists were ambushed August 14 near the
headquarters of the Palestinian security services. Hamas and other
militant groups had condemned the abduction. John Moody, a senior
vice president of Fox, said he was not aware of any conditions
agreed for the release of the reporters.

   The PEC, while following the escalating attacks against
journalists, congratulates the two colleagues on their safe return,
and believes that one of the ways to deal with this escalation is
to speed up with the establishment of an open ended governmental
working group to discuss the idea of a new convention to protect
media in zones of conflict and civil unrest.

   Militants in the Palestinian Gaza Strip freed the two kidnapped
journalists after forcing them at gunpoint to say in a videotape
they had converted to Islam. A previously unknown group called the
Holy Jihad Brigades had made a sweeping demand for the United
States to free Muslim prisoners in exchange for the release of the
men.

   In a news conference, both men said they hoped their kidnapping
would not scare the foreign media away from Gaza. "That would be a
great tragedy for the people of Palestine, and especially for the
people of Gaza," said Wiig. Theirs was one of the longest
abductions of foreigners in Gaza in years.

TWO JOURNALISTS WOUNDED

   On Sunday, in a separate incident, Israeli forces killed two
gunmen in Gaza and wounded seven Palestinians. Among seven
Palestinians wounded were two journalists caught in the missile
strike on a Reuters vehicle that the army said it failed to
identify.

   Fadel Shana, a Reuters cameraman for several years, regained
consciousness in hospital. He was also hit in the hand by shrapnel.
Sabbah Hmaida, who works for a local news Web site, was wounded in
the legs.

   The Israeli army said the vehicle was hit because it was acting
suspiciously in an area of combat and had not been identified as
belonging to the media, according to Reuters.

   "During the operation, there was an aerial attack on a
suspicious vehicle that drove in a suspicious manner right by the
forces," army spokeswoman Captain Noa Meir said. "This car was not
identified by the army as a press vehicle," she said. "If
journalists were hurt, we regret it."

   According to Reuters, however, the missile struck the "P" of the
bright red "PRESS" sign on the roof of the armour-plated Reuters
car as Gaza cameraman Fadel Shana hurried to film an Israeli raid.
Shana saw only a sheet of flame and the doors of the vehicle fly
open.

   Shana recounted how he had rushed out to film after hearing of a
suspected Israeli air strike in the Shijaiya neighbourhood, a
militant stronghold. He was searching for the site, which he
estimated to be some 1,200 metres from the nearest Israeli
soldiers, when the missile struck.

   "I suddenly saw fire and the doors of the jeep flew open. I did
not know what happened," said Shana. "I was acting as normal. As
always, I abided by the journalistic rules. I drove normally, I did
not get out of the car."

   The car was labelled on all sides as a press vehicle.

   Michael Lawrence, Reuters Managing Editor for Europe, Middle
East and Africa, said: "We are deeply concerned at this attack on a
clearly marked press vehicle as journalists were doing their job to
report the story from Gaza".

   "We understand that the army says it had no intention of
targeting the media, but this incident is totally unacceptable and
we urge a careful examination of how this happened to ensure there
is no repeat."

   The Foreign Press Association described the attack as
"outrageous targeting" of the vehicle and rejected the army's
"excuses". The PEC strongly condemns this incident and asks for a
full investigation.

***15.08.2006.THE PRESS EMBLEM CAMPAIGN DEPLORES THE KIDNAPPING OF TWO FOREIGN JOURNALISTS IN GAZA 

    The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) deplores the kidnapping of New Zealander journalist Olaf Wiig, 36, who works for the US television network Fox News, and US reporter Steve Centanni by Palestinian gunmen.

   The PEC calls upon the abductors for the immediate release of the two foreign journalists. 

   The two journalists were ambushed while parked in their vehicle near the headquarters of the Palestinian security services.

   The PEC, while following the escalating attacks against journlaists, wish the two colleagues a safe return, and believes that one of the ways to deal with this escalation is to speed up with the establishment of an open ended governmental working group to discuss the idea of a new convention to protect media in zones of conflict and civil unrest.

   The Geneva based NGO, supported by 50,000 journalists around the world, welcomes the statement of Ghazi Hamad, a spokesman for the Hamas-led Palestinian Government, who called for the immediate release of the men.

   Hamad stressed that the kidnapping is totally rejected, immoral and is not a the national interest. 

***10.08.2006. PEC PRESS RELEASE - WAR IN LEBANON AND ISRAEL         The PEC calls for safe media corridors and a notification system for journalists - read also after the press release a statement on the subject of Jan Egeland, UN humanitarian coordinator 

 GENEVA -August 10 (PEC) -- The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), in the wake of the restrictions imposed on the press to cover the conflict in
southern Lebanon, calls for the establishment of a notification system for media coverage and movement of journalists.

   The PEC fears that with the green light announced Wednesday by
Jerusalem to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to extend their
operations in Lebanon and the retaliations of Hezbollah in Israel,
that journalists can no more cover the hostilities and inform the world about the true picture on the ground.

   The organization based in Geneva and supported by 50,000 journalists believes that the media is facing the same problems confronted by humanitarian organizations in the war zone.

   The PEC is urging the international community to study a system of
notification, which would allow the journalists, and supporting staff to travel safely in zones of conflict.

   The media convoys would enjoy the protection of
a legally binding procedure which would permit them to move freely
and to benefit of "media corridors" until the belligerents agree to a cease-fire.

   An IDF spokesperson announced on Monday this worrying
announcement:


 "IDF SPOKESPERSON ANNOUNCEMENT

 Limitations on travel in southern Lebanon

 To the members of the foreign press,

  The IDF has announced a limitation on travel in any kind of
vehicle in all areas south of the Litani River in Lebanon. The
limitation took effect at 22:00 on August 7th 2006 and will remain
in place until further notice.
Information regarding the limitations was communicated to the
population in southern Lebanon via media outlets and leaflets as
well as through local channels.
Passage of humanitarian convoys continues throughout all of
Lebanon in coordination with the IDF.
We would like to stress that these limitations apply to
journalists as well.
Please understand that this is a combat zone from which
terrorists operate, and as such, we cannot guarantee the safety of
journalists in the area.
In fact, we have asked civilians in the area to leave for their
own safety.

 The IDF will do its utmost to keep civilians, and journalists
among them, out of harm's way.
However, we are obligated to remind you that journalists are
acting at their own risk and are requested to comply with the
recommendations provided to the civilian population.
We urge you also to heed the advice of your own country's
consular advisors as to safety during the conflict."
                                                                                                      The International Federation of Journalists has stated: "We
cannot allow any side to create a secret war in which their military
operations are not open to proper scrutiny".
Aidan White adds: "The IDF has to recognize that the journalists
have the right to cover events in southern Lebanon and that is must
treat them as non-combatants and forbid the targeting of clearly
marked media vehicles". 

   The PEC, therefore, underscores the need for a recognized
emblem with legally binding consequences to enhance the protection
of the press in war zones and other situations of civil unrest.

  After the bombing of media and satellite transmission installations in Lebanon, the PEC does not want to see a repeat of the events in Iraq.

   In Iraq access to information is difficult, foreign journalists can no longer move safely, and it is the Iraqi journalists who are facing the brunt of the war.
Thus coverage of the war is drastically hindered. 

   The PEC firmly believes that the core work of journalism is to attend to events on the spot, report the facts, and distinguish between what is real and what is propaganda, thus presenting an objective view of the situation.

   This is all what journalism is about: credible reporting and honest coverage.   

In an interview to a group of journalists, Jan Egeland supports a notification system for the press in Lebanon in order to be protected 

(PEC) – The top UN humanitarian coordinator Jan Egeland said Thursday in Geneva that he supports the notion that the press must have a notification system in war zones, because they should have a right to see and report what is happening.

   "So there should be some kind of notification system for them, because the truth has to come out here, there is a lot of misunderstanding of what is really going on, and only journalists can describe how much suffering has come to bear on the civilian, and it is terrible now go areas 'in Southern Lebanon' apply to everybody including the press," he added. 

   He stressed, in answer to a question, that it is very important that the press is able to report on 'our' work and therefore a 'notification system' where the press can wave a flag and be protected is very important and "I support it". 

***8.08.2006. PEC PRESS STATEMENT - four journalists killed in Iraq in ten days: toll rises to 135 journalists and media staff killed since March
2003

GENEVA, August 8 (PEC) The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) condemns
the killing of an Iraqi journalist Mohammad Abbas Al Hamad on
Monday August 7, 2006. His death brings the number of media victims
of the war in Iraq since March 2003 to 135 journalists and media
staff, according to IFJ.

Shot in his house by gunmen in the Al Adel district of Baghdad,
Al Hamad, 28, worked for the Iraqi newspaper Al Baiyenah Al Jadeda,
which is critical of political corruption and the political parties
in Iraq.

"This crisis of targeting journalists in Iraq has reached such
proportions that the international community needs to react up to
the level of the United Nations to put pressure on Iraq and the
military authorities to provide more protection for journalists
under attack", said IFJ General Secretary Aidan White.

In view of the fact that traditional paths will not solve the
plight of media in conflict zones, the PEC reiterates its call for
a UN working group to start deliberations on a new draft convention
to protect media in zones of conflict and civil unrest.

Last week, three other Iraqi journalists were killed in what
appeared to be targeted attacks. Abdul Wahab Abdul Razeq Ahmad Al
Qaisie was found dead July 31, ten days after he was abducted by
masked militiamen in Baghdad. He was the editor-in-chief of Iraqi
magazine Kol Al Dounia and worked as a freeleancer for European
newspapers.

Adel Najee Al Mansouri, a reporter for Iranien TV channel Al
Alam, was found dead August 1rst, after armed men took him from his
house in Baghdad. The fourth journalist killed since the beginning
of the month was Riyad Atto, the editor of the newspaper in
Talafar.

The PEC offers its condolences to the Iraqi Journalists
Syndicate (IJS), member of the PEC since its creation in 2004.

The PEC strongly condemns such acts of violence committed in
impunity and calls upon all concerned parties to react and to
investigate such crimes. The future of democracy and the rule of
law in Iraq are at stake, as the freedom of the press in the Middle
East. No conflict was so deadly for journalists since World War II.

***07.08.2006. PRESS STATEMENT - THE PEC CONDEMNS THE TARGETING OF THE NATIONAL UNION OF SOMALI JOURNALISTS (NUSOJ)

GENEVA, AUGUST 7 (PEC) The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) condemns
today strongly the attack on a vehicle transporting the leaders of
the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) to Mogadishu from
Baidoa.

Union's officials Omar Faruk Osman and Fahad Mohammed Abukar
were traveling on Friday to Mogadishu from Baidoa. During this
attack, the driver of the vehicle Madey Garas was shot at the head,
and died on the spot, while Fahad Mohammed Abukar, the vice
chairperson of NUSOJ supreme council was injured by one of the
fragments of the bullet, which went through the head of Madey
Garas.

According to the NUSOJ Secretary-General Omar Faruk Osman this
accident happed around 9:30am local time at a place, which is 45Km
out of Baidoa. Two bodyguards of the union's vehicle opened fire to
the attackers, and forced to escape to the bush.

The application of the law of armed conflict is a must in
Somalia, and in this context the PEC reminds the media community
again of its stand for the need to supplement current provisions of
international humanitarian law with a new convention or an
additional protocol that would guarantee safety of passage and work
for media workers and their assistants like translator, drivers and
others in war zones and zones of internal military conflict.

The NUSOJ is an active member of the PEC, and the PEC presents
its condolences to its leadership for the death of the driver, and
welcomes with great happiness their safe arrival in Mogadishu.
NUSOJ Secretary-General Omar Faruk Osman was in Geneva June 12 for
the press conference to present the PEC report on the means to
enhance the protection of journalists

***26.07.2006. The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) calls upon the
UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression to undertake an
independent enquiry into the strikes against media installations
and the killing of and attacks against journalists in Lebanon

   
   GENEVA, JULY 26 (PEC) The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) calls upon
the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression, Ambeyi Ligabo,
to undertake an independent investigation into the attacks by the
Israeli military forces that destroyed Saturday the transmission
towers of a number of private television stations, including Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation (LBCI), Future TV, as well as a number of private radio stations in Fatqa and farther up on Mount Sannine.

   Television footage from Fatqa showed a cloud of thick black
smoke billowing into the sky from the towers, which were engulfed
in flames.

   Transmission towers for televisions, including Hezbollah's
Al-Manar and the privately run New TV, as well as mobile telephone
networks were also destroyed in Terbol in northern Lebanon.

   It was the latest in a series of Israeli strikes on radio and
television transmitters, particularly that of Al Manar TV and Al
Nour Radio of Hezbollah.

   The Al Manar building was destroyed on Sunday, July 16, 2006.

   Soleiman Shidiac, LBC1's CEO was killed during the strike
against his station; two other employees of LBC1 were injured.

   On Sunday, an Israeli Apache helicopter targeted freelance
photographer Layal Nejib, 23 years old, who worked for Al-Jaras
magazine and supplied many agencies with photos of the Lebanon war.

   Layal Najib, according to the LBC correspondent in Sour, was on
her way back from Qana Al Roumadeya, when an Israeli rocket
targeted her car. She was instantly killed.

   Lebanese minister for telecommunications Marwan Hamadeh said the
Israelis are looking to destroy sound and image in Lebanon -- the
last weapons this country has -- after bombarding infrastructure.

   "A new line has been crossed in the escalation in the attacks on
Lebanese infrastructure, and it's even more intolerable because the
Israelis are trying to isolate the citizens from each other by
targeting telecommunications," he said.

   Those continued attacks and strikes hinder the dispassionate
reporting of the Lebanese war and transform it into one-sided
coverage.

   By also targeting on Saturday the TV crews of Al Jazeera and Al
Arabiya, two stations providing 24-hour coverage of the Lebanese
war, the Israeli forces are attempting to reduce coverage of the
war to that of media channels operating from Northern Israel.

   A joint statement issued by six Special Rapporteurs including
Ligabo noted that the wounding of media professionals, destruction
of media infrastructure, and restrictions on access to war zones
pose a threat to the freedom of information and expression.

   Earlier, the Israeli authorities detained several times TV crews
of Al Jazeera operating out of Northern Israel, and injured an Al
Jazeera cameraman in Gaza.

   According to Al Jazeera, correspondent Jivara Al Budeiri was in
the process of filming a live report when the team was interrupted
by a fast-approaching Israeli military vehicle. What followed next
was confusing, but there was firing, and technician Wael Tantous
was slightly injured.

   Human Rights High Commissioner Louise Arbour said that the
"Indiscriminate shelling of cities constitutes a foreseeable and
unacceptable targeting of civilians; similarly, the bombardment of
sites with alleged military significance, but resulting invariably
in the killing of innocent civilians, is unjustifiable.

   "International humanitarian law is clear on the supreme
obligation to protect civilians during hostilities. This obligation
is also expressed in international criminal law, which defines war
crimes and crimes against humanity".

   She stressed that "International law demands accountability".

   "The scale of the killings in the region, and their
predictability, could engage the personal criminal responsibility
of those involved, particularly those in a position of command and
control," noted Arbour.

   The PEC calls upon Mr. Ligabo to undertake this independent
study and to clearly identify the nature of the actions committed
by the Israeli forces during the current war in Lebanon.

   In addition, the PEC and its members, call upon Mr. Ligabo to
present the results of this investigation to the President of the
Human Rights Council and later to present a detailed report to the
next session of the Human Rights Council in September.

***16.07.2006. PEC press release. Targeted attacks against media
in Lebanon must be brought to the ICC as war crimes

   GENEVA (PEC) The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) holds the Israeli
Defense Forces (IDF) responsible for the destruction of the
headquarters of Al Manar TV station in Lebanon and the bombing of
the radio station Al Nour.

   The PEC, in its strong condemnation of those attacks, classifies
them as targeted attacks. Such attacks, whatever the media's
political or religious convictions, are inadmissible.

   The PEC believes that statements are not enough, and that
targeted attacks against the media must be brought to the
International Criminal Court (ICC) as war crimes.

   In the midst of such destruction, the PEC believes that Lebanon
has other priorities at the moment to deal with, and therefore
requests the Arab League and the Arab Federation of Journalists, on
behalf of the Al Manar and Al Nour TV and Broadcasting, to take the
case against the IDF to the ICC.

   Six journalists in Lebanon were injured during the current
Israeli attacks, three from New TV.

   Reporter Bassel Al-Aridi, cameraman Abd Khayyat and assistant
cameraman Ziad Sarwan were injured when their vehicle was hit by
shots fired from an Israeli helicopter as they crossed a bridge in
the south of the country, where they had gone to cover the
fighting.

   According to Reporters without Borders, this took place during
an Israeli air raid aimed at cutting lines of communication and
destroying bridges.

   New TV said: "The three journalists did not hear the helicopter
arrive and do not remember what happened after the shots were
fired, recovering consciousness in hospital."

   The station added that their vehicle was clearly marked with the
New TV logo.

   One of the injured journalists said the New TV vehicle sustained
more damage than any other, "which suggests to us that it was a
targeted attack against our vehicle."

   Three employees of Al-Manar, the TV station operated by the
Lebanese branch of Hezbollah, sustained minor injuries earlier when
the station in the Shiite suburb of Haret Hreik in south Beirut
came under attack by an Israeli air raid.

   According to news reports issued Sunday, the station's building
was destroyed, however its broadcasting was not interrupted.

   Another Al-Manar correspondent was meanwhile hit during the
bombardment of Qasmiye Bridge in the south of the country
yesterday.

   International Federation of Journalists' (IFJ) General Secretary
Aidan White commented on these developments by saying that the
IFJ's concern here is that when one side decides to take out a
media organization because they regard its message as propaganda,
then all media are at risk.

   "In conflict situations, unarmed journalists cannot be treated
as combatants, irrespective of their political affiliations," he
stressed.

   Finally, the PEC also strongly condemns the shooting of
Palestinian photographer Mohammad Az Zanoun, shot by Israeli forces
while taking photographs in Gaza during the recent Israeli military
operations.

***Juillet 2006. Official reactions to the PEC report. Réactions
officielles au rapport de la PEC présenté en juin à l'occasion de
la première session du Conseil des droits de l'homme de l'ONU. La
PEC remercie l'UNESCO, la Haut Commissaire aux droits de l'homme Louise Arbour et le rapporteur de l'ONU sur la liberté d'expression Ambeyi Ligabo pour leurs engagements, leurs suggestions et leurs
encouragements. Nous publions ci-dessous les trois lettres à la PEC. 

Nations Unies
Haut Commissariat aux droits de l'homme

   7 juillet 2006

   "Cher Monsieur,

   Je voudrais vous remercier chaleureusement de m'avoir envoyé une
copie du "Rapport au Conseil des droits de l'homme sur les moyens
de renforcer la protection des journalistes", un document de valeur
que j'ai lu avec grand intérêt, où vous avez d'ailleurs eu la
bienveillance de mentionner ma modeste contribution à la cause d'un
journalisme plus sûr et donc plus libre. Je voudrais ajouter que, à
mon avis, il serait capital de regrouper un maximum des forces et
d'énergie autour de l'idée d'entamer, dans le meilleur délai, une
initiative globale sur la sécurité et la protection des
journalistes.

   Certes, une convention internationale constituerait un moyen
formidable de garantir une couverture légale aux journalistes qui
travaillent sur le terrain. D'autre part, l'histoire des droits de
l'homme nous apprend que l'adoption et la ratification d'un pacte
international sont des processus extrêmement longs.

   Cela dit, il faudrait commencer ce chemin avec grande cohésion
en cherchant à marquer des étapes intérimaires essentielles comme,
entre autres, l'adoption d'un emblème international pour la Presse
et l'adoption par l'Assemblée générale des Nations Unies d'un
document sur la protection des journalistes qui puisse être utilisé
pour toute initiative future.

   J'espère pouvoir, si vous le voudriez bien, discuter ce sujet,
qui me tient beaucoup à coeur, personnellement avec vous et toute
autre personnalité engagée dans cette bataille, lors d'une de mes
prochaines visites à Genève.

   Je vous prie de croire, cher Monsieur, à l'expression de mes
considérations".

 Ambeyi Ligabo
   Rapporteur spécial sur la liberté d'opinion et d'expression

Nations Unies - Haut Commissaire aux droits de l'homme

17 juillet 2006

"Messieurs,

je voudrais vous remercier vivement de m'avoir envoyé, en date du 13 juin 2006, une copie du "Rapport au Conseil des droits de l'homme sur les moyens de renforcer la protection des journalistes", préparé par votre organisation.

La sécurité des médias demeure un des principaux éléments permettant d'assurer une information pluraliste et de promouvoir la liberté d'expression, à une époque marquée par de nombreux conflits armés et par la polarisation des opinions et des esprits.

J'ai examiné avec attention le rapport, que vous avez également fait parvenir aux diverses parties concernées. Entre autres, le Rapporteur spécial sur la promotion et la protection du droit à la liberté d'opinion et d'expression, M. Ambeyi Ligabo, a examiné cette question dans le cadre de son mandat. Il a notamment remarqué que l'identification des coupables et l'imposition de sanctions appropriées contribuent à renforcer l'état de droit et à consolider la confiance du citoyen ordinaire dans les institutions de l'Etat.

Pour ma part, je veillerai à ce que la sauvegarde des droits et des prérogatives des journalistes et des autres professionnels qui travaillent dans ce secteur, particulièrement la protection de ceux qui agissent sur le terrain, demeure une constante préoccupation pour mon bureau.

Je vous prie de croire, Messieurs, à l'expression de ma parfaite considération".

Louise Arbour - High Commissionner for Human Rights 

UNESCO - Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information

19 June 2006

"Dear Mrs Abel Nabi,

on behalf of the Director-General, I would like to thank you for your letter of June 2006 and the attached report, in which you refer notably to the objective of the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) to create a legally recognized and binding Press Emblem to further the safety and protection of journalists in conflict zones.

Please be assured that the propositions outlined in your report will be taken into careful consideration. The safeguarding and enhancement of the safety and protection of journalists form part of UNESCO's mandate and count among the Oganization's core objectives. In this context, I would also like to draw your attention to the existing international conventions and instruments to whose reinforcement and implementation UNESCO stands deeply committed. We will contact you when we complete the analysis and assessment of PEC's suggestions in the context of UNESCO's mandate and objectives.

Yours sincerely",

Abdul Waheed Khan, Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information

***23.06.2006. THE PEC STRONGLY CONDEMNS THE KILLING OF A SWEDISH JOURNALIST IN SOMALIA

GENEVA, JUNE 23 (PEC) The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) expresses
its shock at the killing of a Swedish journalist working for the
Swedish daily newspaper Aftonbladet on Friday at a rally in Mogadishu.

The PEC in its outrage at this sad development condemns the
killing of the journalist and stands in solidarity with the Swedish
association and the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), a
PEC member.

The photographer, Martin Adler, was covering a demonstration organised by Islamic courts who took the city from U.S.-backed warlords on June 5. Since
then, various Western journalists have gone into the city,
previously considered too dangerous to visit.

"He is dead, he was shot in the chest," said Hidig Ahmed, a
driver accompanying a group of foreign journalists in the city. Martin Adler was
a veteran war photographer who worked in many conflict countries. He also extensively worked for London based ITN and Channel Four News.

The death of the Swedish freelance photographer marks the first death this
year of a foreign journalist in Somalia. On February 9, 2005 BBC's
Kate Peyton, 39 years of age, was killed hours after reaching the
Somali capital.

Each time a journalist is killed, the PEC reiterates its appeal
to governments to start working on a new convention to protect
journalists in conflict zones.

Since the beginning of the year at least 38 media workers have
been killed while on duty, this mass tragedy must stop.

***12.06.2006. SPECIAL REPORT TO THE FIRST SESSION OF THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL - "Arguments in favour of a new international Convention on the protection of journalists in zones of conflict" (79 pages). PEC Press conference at the Swiss Press Club, in Geneva. If you want the whole report, please send and e-mail to: info@pressemblem.ch. You will receive the report by mail.

PRESS RELEASE (english and french). The PEC warns of a serious protection gap in International Humanitarian Law and calls upon the Human Rights Council to act fortwith

    Geneva, June 12 (PEC) In a new report issued today, the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) says that the increase in death casualties and abductions among journalists in the past several years lie in a crisis of serious magnitude that engulfs existing International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

    The report adds that existing provisions of international humanitarian law in zones of conflict and civil unrest are insufficient.

    The PEC believes that the existing laws must be supplemented to protect media workers.

    According to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) at least 150 journalists died last year some in cold blood and others accidentally.

    This year alone more than 40 journalists have died, 22 in Iraq , 5 in the Philippines, one in Pakistan, and 11 in Latin America .

    During the month of May at least 15 journalists were killed that is a ratio of one journalist every two days.

    The conflict in Iraq has been the most deadly during the past three years, more deadly for the media that the Second World War and 20 years of war in Vietnam.

    In Iraq alone over more than three years 90 media workers have been killed, 30 every year, a ratio of one every 12 days.

    The PEC comprehensive special study is released today ahead of the first session of the Human Rights Council which will convene on June 19.

    The study denounces the gap in protection for civilians in general and journalists in particular.

    The PEC calls upon members of the Human Rights Council to prioritize the question of freedom of expression and access to information and to start its deliberations on a new international convention for the protection of journalists in zones of conflict and civil unrest.

    The PEC board calls upon the new Human Rights Council to give priority to this major problem, in conformity with article 19 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and relevant international instruments and norms.

    The campaign calls upon the elected members of the new Council to divorce themselves from a culture of impunity, which was a tradition during the past years and has led to numerous violations of the Geneva Conventions.

     The media victims are increasing in conflict zones and civil unrest worldwide from Nepal to Iraq, from Columbia to the Philippines , and from the Caucuses to Sri Lanka.

    Media coverage in conflict zones and civil unrest worldwide is facing increasing duress as well as difficulties in the field for journalists to accomplish their work properly.

    In addition access to information is diminishing.

    The study shows that dangers and risks for media workers in the war against terror has increased in the recent past because of the complexity of the situation in the field involving a number of actors, including non-state actors who openly carry terrorist acts.

    The new PEC study analyzes the evolution of military conflicts and the erosion of international humanitarian law, and shows that the distinction between the military and civilians, which award media workers protection, is no longer respected.

    PEC Secretary-General, Blaise Lempen noted that media workers and civilians have become targets.

    In a news conference at the Swiss Press Club, marking the second anniversary of the PEC, Lempen stressed that in internal armed conflicts, which represent the majority of conflicts today; humanitarian law does not provide a special protection to media workers.

    Lempen, who is the author of the report, says that the field has witnessed confusion between military and civilian targets and the Palestine Hotel attack in Baghdad on April 8, 2003, three years ago, is a living proof of that confusion.
  "We are facing a humanitarian law crisis, an acute crisis in the protection of civilians. Journalists, because of their special task have to take risks and confront danger, and therefore are the frontline targets," said Lempen.

    The PEC study underlines that impunity allows actors in the field to commit war crimes. Existing humanitarian law mechanisms lack the ability to react to such crimes.

    Lempen explained that respect for law will continue as long as abuses continue without recognition.

    "Journalists have an essential role to play as witnesses for events whether abuses, violations of the law, those who commit such violations, and ensuring that humanitarian law is respected. But access to information is often restricted," said Lempen.

    The Geneva based campaign was founded in June 2004 and includes a wide-ranging membership of some 50,000 journalists represented by 25 media syndicates.

 

***31.05.2006. THE MEDIA SAGA CONTINUES: PEC CONDEMNS THE APPALLING KILLING OF 15 JOURNALISTS IN MAY ALONE, ONE EVERY TWO DAYS

   GENEVA, MAY 31 (PEC) The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) is
appalled: the media saga continues with 15 journalists killed and
many injured making May one of the deadliest months for the
profession.

   15 journalists were killed this month, one every two days, and
many others injured. Since the beginning of the year, already 33
media employees were killed on duty. The PEC condemns in the
strongest possible manner these crimes and calls upon the
governments to take urgent measures.

   IRAQ

   Nine journalists were killed in Iraq this month. Two CBS TV
journalists were killed Monday, Paul Douglas, 48, and British
freelance soundman James Brolan, 42, when a car bomb exploded as
they were working on a story about American troops in Iraq.
American journalist Kimberly Dozier had survived the roadside bomb
however her two colleagues were killed.

   Another six journalists, all Iraqis, died during the course of
the month in cold blood and/or targeted car bombs. On Wednesday May
31, gunmen killed the Iraqiya station's Ali Jaafar, a sports
anchorman for Iraqi state television. Several journalists from the
government-funded station have been targeted by insurgents waging a
violent campaign to topple US-backed Iraqi leaders.

   Three journalists are still hostages in Iraq: Reem Zeid and
Marwan Khazaal of the Iraqi TV station Al-Sumariya and Salah Jali
al-Gharrawi, an employee of the Baghdad bureau of the Agence
France Presse (AFP).

   SRI LANKA

   In Sri Lanka Marketing manager of the newspaper Uthayan, Suresh
Kumar, 35, and another employee, Ranjith Kumar, 28, were shot dead
May 2. Two others sustained bullet wounds and several computers
were destroyed. Uthayan has already been the target of militia
attacks in the past.

   PHILIPPINES

   An outspoken journalist in the Philippines, Fernando Dong was
killed earlier this month. UNESCO's Director-General Koïchiro
Matsuura also condemned the murder on May 22 of a reporter working
for the Palawan-based radio DYPR in Puerto Princesa, and the
killing of Albert Orsolino, who was shot and killed by in his car
in Calooncan City by two unknown assailants on 16 May. Since the
beginning of the year, five journalists were killed in the
Philippines, the second most dangerous place after Iraq.

   PAKISTAN

   The Secretary-General of the Pakistan Federal Union of
Journalists (PFUJ) Mazhar Abbas reported that a young cameraman of
a respected Sindhi language TV channel Kawaish Television Network,
KTN Munir Sangi was killed in what PFUJ suspect a targeted killing
as he went to cover the clash between the two tribes in Sindh's
district of Larkana, home town of former premier Benazir Bhutto.

   PALESTINE

   The continued attacks against journalists which left dozens
injured continued. Two of the many injured in zones of conflict
were Palestinians who were injured during the Israel raid in
northern Gaza Tuesday. Mahmoud AL Bayed and Yehya AL Madhoun were
covering the raid when they were injured.

   EGYPT

   While in Cairo the security crackdown against the opposition
bloggers and journalists continues unabated.

   PEC SECOND ANNIVERSARY

   The Press Emblem Campaign, which celebrates its second
anniversary, will present a new 80 pages report on Monday June 12
at 11:00 AM at the Swiss Press Club in Geneva.

   The report warns that existing international instruments do not
fit the changing nature of conflicts nor its multifaceted character
in a globalized village.

   From Somalia, the Secretary-General of the National Union of
Somali Journalists (NUSJ) Omar Faruk Osman will be the PEC's guest
speaker at the press conference. Osman will talk about the saga of
Somali journalists caught in the current conflict.

***24.05.2006. La PEC s'inquiète de la détérioration des conditions de travail des journalistes aux Philippines: avec cinq journalistes tués depuis le début de l'année, les Philippines sont le deuxième pays le plus dangereux après l'Irak (neuf journalistes tués). La PEC se joint à l'UNESCO pour dénoncer cette dégradation (voir communiqué du directeur général de l'UNESCO en page "links")

***22.05.2006. Iraq: documents seen by The Times show three
countries paid ransoms in spite of denying it in public. Read below
the article of the newspaper: "How $45m secretly bought freedom of
foreign hostages" by Daniel McGrory.

   France, Italy and Germany sanctioned the payment of $45 million
in deals to free nine hostages abducted in Iraq, according to
documents seen by The Times.

   All three governments have publicly denied paying ransom money.
But according to the documents, held by security officials in
Baghdad who have played a crucial role in hostage negotiations,
sums from $2.5 million to $10 million per person have been paid
over the past 21 months. Among those said to have received cash
ransoms was the gang responsible for seizing British hostages
including Kenneth Bigley, the murdered Liverpool engineer.

   The list of payments has also been seen by Western diplomats,
who are angered at the behaviour of the three governments, arguing
that it encourages organised crime gangs to grab more foreign
captives.

   In theory we stand together in not rewarding kidnappers, but in
practice it seems some administrations have parted with cash and so
it puts other foreign nationals at risk from gangs who are
confident that some governments do pay, one senior envoy in the
Iraqi capital said.

   More than 250 foreigners have been abducted since the US-led
invasion in 2003. At least 44 have been killed; 135 were released,
three escaped, six were rescued and the fate of the others remains
unknown.

   A number of other governments, including those of Turkey,
Romania, Sweden and Jordan, are said to have paid for their
hostages to be freed, as have some US companies with lucrative
reconstruction contracts in Iraq. At least four businessmen with
dual US and Iraqi nationality have been returned, allegedly in
exchange for payments by their employers. This money is often
disguised as expenses paid to trusted go-betweens for costs that
they claim to incur.

   The release this month of Rene Braunlich and Thomas Nitzschke,
two German engineers, for a reported $5 million payment prompted
senior Iraqi security officials to seek talks with leading Western
diplomats in the capital on how to handle hostage release.

   When the men returned home, Alaa al-Hashimi, the Iraqi
Ambassador to Germany, revealed that the German Government handed
over a large amount to free the pair after 99 days in captivity.
The kidnappers are understood to have asked for $10 million.

   Liam Fox, the Shadow Defence Secretary, called last night for an
immediate end to the practice. The idea that Western governments
would have paid ransoms is extremely disturbing, he said. It is
essential that governments never give in to blackmail from
terrorists or criminals if security is ever to be maintained.

   Michael Moore, a Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman,
said: These governments have created a kidnappers charter. Everyone
from outside Iraq working in the country becomes more vulnerable as
a result.

   Police say that about 30 people a day are abducted in Baghdad.
Most Iraqis taken are returned once their families pay a ransom. An
Iraqi counter-terrorism official, who asked not to be named, said
that local experts are usually excluded from negotiations involving
Westerners. He said: Too often governments and their military keep
secrets from each other , and certainly from us, and do what they
want including paying out millions, no matter what their stated
policy on ransoms.

   Western diplomats claim that the reason for their secrecy is the
suspicion that some in the Iraqi security apparatus are too closely
associated with militias and some of the criminal gangs to be
trusted.

   The family of Bayan Solagh Jabr, who was Interior Minister until
the announcement on Saturday of a provisional government, was among
the victims of the kidnap gangs when his sister, Eman, was abducted
in January. She is said to have been freed a fortnight later after
a ransom was agreed. Mr Jabr is now Finance Minister.

   The mutual distrust is hindering efforts to wage an effective
war against the underworld gangs responsible for most of the
abuctions of Westerners, the Baghdad official said.

   At least two crime gangs are alleged to have sold on some of
their foreign captives to militant groups who use the hostages for
propaganda purposes rather than obtaining ransoms.

   Britain has never paid to free its citizens, despite pressure
from the employees of some hostages, but is understood to have paid
intermediaries expenses for their efforts to make contact with the
kidnappers.

   British officials have been criticised for giving the kidnappers
of the peace activist Norman Kember time to escape to avoid the
risk of a gun battle with Special Forces troops sent to rescue him
and his two fellow captives from a house in central Baghdad in
March.

   Only when Jill Carroll, an American journalist, was freed eight
days later did intelligence experts discover that she had been held
by the same notorious crime family, who were working with Abu Musab
al-Zarqawi, the wanted al-Qaeda leader in Iraq. That revelation
infuriated US officials in Baghdad, who had let Britain take the
lead in tracing and freeing Professor Kember, 74, and his two
Canadian colleagues.

   FBI agents are investigating claims that this gang sold some of
its hostages, including American contractors and aid workers, to
militant Islamic groups. The gang is reported to have had a hand in
organising the abduction of three British hostages, Margaret
Hassan, Mr Bigley and Professor Kember, and three Italian
journalists.

   Figures involved in secret talks to resolve hostage cases told
The Times that Mrs Hassan, an aid worker who had converted to Islam
and taken Iraqi citizenship, was murdered soon after Tony Blair
made it clear in a television broadcast seen on an Arab satellite
channel that the Government would not pay a ransom. Wealthy
benefactors had signalled their readiness to pay for her release.

   A key figure in brokering some of the deals has been Sheikh
Abdel Salam al-Qubaisi, a militant Sunni cleric and senior figure
in the Association of Muslim Scholars. Professor Kember and his
party had just visited the group when he was abducted last
November.

   WHAT THEY SAID

   FRANCE: When Florence Aubenas was freed in June 2005 a
government spokesman, Jean-François Cope, said: There was
absolutely no demand for money. No ransom was paid

   ITALY: on January 30 this year Gianfranco Fini, then Italian
Foreign Minister, denied that Italy paid between $6m and S10m to
free Giuliana Sgrena. Italy did not pay any ransom to obtain the
freedom of Giuliana Sgrena in Iraq or any other hostage. There is
never a quid pro quo

   GERMANY: Frank Walter Steinmeier, the German Foreign Minister,
was asked if paying a ransom for Susanne Osthoff had compromised
the security of other German hostages. He replied: The problem is
not ransom payments, but the reporting of them. That was seen in
Germany as indirect confirmation that ransoms were paid

   WHAT THEY PAID

   FRANCE: $25 million. Florence Aubenas: held for 157 days, freed
June 2005. Ransom $10 million. Christian Chesnot and Georges
Malbrunot: freed December 2004. Ransom $15 million

   ITALY: $11 million. Giuliana Segrena: taken February 2005, freed
March 2005. Ransom $6 million. Simona Pari and Simona Torretta:
taken September 2004, freed 20 days later. Ransom $5 million.

   GERMANY: $8 million. Susanne Ostloff: taken November 25, 2005,
and freed three weeks later. Ransom $3 million. Rene Braunlich and
Thomas Nitzschke: taken January 24, 2006, and freed on May 2.
Ransom $5 million.

   BRITAIN No ransom paid. Kenneth Bigley: taken September 16,
2004; seen being beheaded on video released on November 16.
Margaret Hassan: abducted October 19, 2004; murdered on November
16.

***1.05.2006. PRESS STATEMENT - WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY
The Press Emblem Campaign denounces the recent scandalous
deterioration of press freedom in many countries and a growing
worrisome climate of insecurity in zones of conflict and civil
unrest (version française après le texte en anglais)

GENEVA, May 1 - Marking World Press Freedom Day May 3, the Press
Emblem Campaign (PEC) condemns in the strongest possible manner
attacks against journalists which have recently intensified.

Assaults against journalists, while intensifying in quantity and
quality in Egypt, Iraq, Latin America, Nepal, Pakistan, Palestine
as well as other countries, represent a growing worrisome climate
facing the media community worldwide, and reflect a further
deterioration in their working conditions in zones of conflict and
civil unrest.

Some 50,000 journalists, members of the PEC Campaign worldwide,
call upon the new Human Rights Council to quickly address this
dramatic situation and prioritize the protection of journalists
during its deliberations.

The PEC reminds the States of their obligations in line with
international humanitarian law to protect civilians and calls for a
reinforcement of the international rules and freedom of coverage in
the form of a new draft convention to protect journalists which
acknowledges a recognized emblem.

The Campaign, which works for a better protection of journalists
in zones of conflict and civil unrest, will publish next June, for
the first meeting of the Human Rights Council, a special report
documenting and analyzing the numerous violations of the Geneva
Conventions and the means to prevent a further deterioration of the
freedom of the press and expression in zones of conflict and
internal unrest.

Since the beginning of the year, at least 26 journalists
have been killed: eight in Iraq, 11 in South America (4 in Mexico, 2
in Ecuador, 1 in Columbia, 1 in Venezuela, 1 in Brazil, 1 in
Guyana, 1 in Dominican Republic), 1 in China, 1 in India, 3 in
Philippines, 1 in Sri Lanka, 1 in Russia.

The Campaign reminds all that the year 2005 was the deadliest in
media casualties in a decade. At least 63 journalists and 5 media
assistants were killed last year, while 1300 were threatened or
assaulted.

PEC members across the world and especially in Israel,
Palestine, Iraq, Nepal, Pakistan, Somalia and South America
have alerted the world to the continued deterioration of the
working conditions of journalists under duress from security forces
and often turning into serious violence as well as violations of
the human rights of journalists.

Egypt

The reports coming out of Egypt indicate that after a one day
detention the Al Jazeera satellite station bureau chief Hussein
Abdul Ghani was released. Abdul Ghani was detained by Egyptian
security forces in the Sinai while covering the attacks there
against Dahab and other places. The prominent satellite anchorman
told his channel Al Jazeera, after his release, that he did not
sleep for 40 hours and was mistreated, however he noted that
interrogators did register the mistreatment by security forces.
Abdul Ghani added that he was not allowed to contact his family or
TV station during most of his detention period.

The PEC condemns in the strongest possible manner such actions
that hinders free coverage and bears negatively on human rights. In
addition, the same strong condemnation applies to the detention of
Egyptian opposition journalist Mohammed Abdul Qudoos, who was
detained also for his critical views on the democratic process in
his country. Abdul Qudoos is a member of the governing board of the
Egyptian Syndicate of journalists.

Palestine-Israel

There are also alarming reports that Israeli soldiers have
attacked Palestinian journalists covering unrest in the West Bank
city of Nablus on at least two occasions last month.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on April
17, soldiers fired at a group of cameramen and photographers
covering an Israeli army raid on a house in the Old City of Nablus.
Nasser Ishtayeh and Abdal Ruhman Khabeisa of the Associated Press,
Jaffar Ishtayeh of Agence France-Presse, and Abdel Rahim Qusini and
Hassan Titi of Reuters said they were filming the raid, and clashes
between soldiers and stone-throwing youths, from a distance of
about 500 yards (meters), beside an AP vehicle that was clearly
marked "PRESS". The story of the Palestinian journalists and
others who came under fire is particularly alarming.

According to the CPJ Titi placed a video camera on a stand one
meter from the car. Israeli soldiers fired at the camera forcing
the journalists back into the vehicle, which also came under fire.
The Foreign Press Association in Israel (FPA) protested to the army
on April 25 over the shooting.

Israel Defense Forces spokesman Capt. Jacob Dallal said the army
was taking the incident "very seriously"; and investigating it.
Nasser Ishtayeh told CPJ that an Israeli army jeep tried to run him
over along with other Palestinian journalists who were trying
to cover an army action yesterday.

The journalists were on a main road reporting on the eviction of
families from a building during a military raid in the al-Makhfiyeh
neighborhood of Nablus. A soldier threatened the journalists and
sped toward them in a jeep, forcing them from the road.

On April 22, Reuters cameraman Ashraf Abu Shaweesh was hit
byrubber bullets when filming clashes between Palestinian
protesters and the Israeli army in Nablus. Shaweesh, who was
wearing a vest that identified him as a journalist, became involved
in a verbal confrontation with a soldier. Later he was hit twice,
in the leg and chest, by rubber bullets.

The FPA said it viewed the incident with grave concern. In those
incidents the journalists were wearing phosphorus green vests
labeled "PRESS". The PEC, in this regard, believes that wearing the
phosphorous green vests labeled "PRESS" is not enough to provide a
legal protection for media. The logo "PRESS" must be acknowledged
by an international convention to protect media in zones of
conflict and civil unrest. Such a convention if reached would bind
governments and security forces to observe their responsibilities
and not attack journalists who are wearing the recognized emblem.

The PEC condemns and deplores these actions which endanger the
lives of journalists and call for credible investigation into these
incidents by the IDF.

Iraq

In Iraq, the situation of journalists has further deteriorated,
with eight of our colleagues killed by armed groups since the
beginning of the year. The journalists are targeted and the ability
for the press to move around the country is more and more
restricted.

The PEC condemns the recent murder of Koussai Kahdban, an Iraqi
journalist with local radio station Al-Bilad, who was shot by
gunmen on 22 April in Baghdad. His death brings the number of
journalists and media assistants killed in Iraq since the start of
the war in March 2003 to 88, a record number for a conflict since
World War II.

Nepal

In Nepal, the PEC condemns the intimidation tactics and
detention of Nepalese journalists before and during the recent
unrest. At least 61 journalists have been arrested since 14 April.
Some of them are still being held for participating in a peaceful
demonstration against arrests and police violence.

Several dozen Nepalese journalists have also been badly injured
while covering anti-government protests. The security forces have
been given orders to fire on anyone who does not respect the
curfew, while the independent media have not been able to obtain
passes that would allow them to work freely. Fifteen journalists
were injured during a gathering in supportof free expression and
democracy on 15 April.

Federation of Nepalese Journalists Secretary-General Mahendra
Bista said: "The police action seemed to have been prepared. Most
of the victims sustained head injuries. It was an act of
barbarism". Several radio stations have also been censored".

The World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters and
journalists representing ten media organizations condemned the
renewal of a draconian government ordinance that poses a serious
threat to the survival of the Nepalese media. The PEC calls on the
authorities and the security forces to stop all violence against
journalists.

Africa

In Africa , PEC member, the National Union of Somali Journalists
(NUSOJ), described the situation facing journalists there as bleak.
In a report presented to the Union's Supreme Council on 21 April,
the NUSOJ said that many media workers are being deprived of their
legitimate right to join the national union or other existing
associations by unprecedented pressures from the media owners.

Journalists in Somalia, said the report, have still no working
contracts, working hours are higher than internationally accepted
standard of labor hours, payments are made overdue, unjust actions
of dismissing and unfairness for opportunities and other benefits
that the media institutions provide for their personnel. The report
marks Mogadishu City , where numerous privately owned media outlets
operate, as the most terrible place that journalists'liberties are
denied, said Omar Faruk Osman, the NUSOJ Secretary General.

Pakistan

According to PEC member Mazhar Abbas, Secretary-General of The
Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), journalists are under
threat in the tribal areas. The new wave of terror has made working
conditions most difficult in the tribal areas of North West
Frontier Province and in southwest Baluchistan.

PFUJ on several occasion had expressed its concern over the
continued threat facing Journalists working in the tribal areas
including "fixers and stingers"; working for foreign newspapers and
news agencies. Mazhar Abbas says that the PFUJ strongly suspect the
foul play of intelligence agencies in these threats while the
alleged militant groups are also very frustrated.

In the past, he added, also extremist groups had targeted
Journalists in Pakistan including political, ethnic and Islamic
extremists. PFUJ have received reports that some of the stingers
had left their houses and refused work under the prevailing
situation. All are under serious threats from all quarters in the
tribal areas.

Latin America

In Latin America, the Latinamerican Observatory for the freedom
of expression (felatracs), a recent new member of the PEC, has been
informed of the killing of 11 journalists in 4 months since January
(14 in 12 months in 2005): 4 in Mexico, 2 in Ecuador, 1 in Brazil,1
in Columbia, 1 in Guyana, 1 in Venezuela, 1 in Dominican Republic.
(for detrails see: www. felatracs.org)

So, as we celebrate World Press Freedom Day, the picture is
bleak and needs immediate action from those who care about the media
profession. Urgent action is needed from the Human Rights Council
and the international Community, so that at least some progress
could be achieved and that such progress contributes to a change in
the current climate of threat, death and intimidation for
journalists.

The PEC board.

Based in Geneva, the PEC is supported by 25 journalists
associations, most of them in zones of conflict, representing more
than 50.000 journalists in around 50 countries.

VERSION EN FRANçAIS

COMMUNIQUE - JOURNEE MONDIALE DE LA LIBERTE DE LA PRESSE

La PEC dénonce le scandale de la déterioration récente de la
liberté de la presse dans plusieurs pays et un climat de plus en
plus inquiétant d'insécurité dans les zones de conflit et de
violences internes.

Genève, 1er mai 2006 - A l'occasion de la Journée mondiale de la
liberté de la presse le 3 mai, la Campagne pour un emblème de
presse (PEC) condamne de manière énergique l'intensification
récente des attaques à l'encontre de journalistes en Irak,
Palestine, au Népal, en Amérique latine, au Pakistan, en Somalie et
en Egypte.

Les attaques dont sont victimes en grand nombre les journalistes
représentent un climat de plus en plus inquiétant pour les
journalistes, avec une grave détérioration de leurs possibilités
d'exercer leur profession dans les zones de conflit armé et de
violences internes.

La PEC rappelle aux Etats leurs obligations conformément au
droit international humanitaire, notamment la protection des
civils, et les exhorte à renforcer les règles en vigueur par une
nouvelle convention internationale sur la protection des
journalistes dans les zones de conflit, incluant la reconnaissance
d'un emblème de presse.

La Campagne, dont le but est de renforcer la protection des
journalistes dans les pays en conflit ou connaissant des violences,
demande au nouveau Conseil des droits de l'homme de faire de cette
problématique l'une de ses priorités.

Le PEC publiera en juin, pour la première réunion du Conseil, un
rapport spécial documentant et analysant les nombreuses violations
des Conventions de Genève ainsi que les moyens de prévenir une
détérioration supplémentaire de la liberté d'expression.

Depuis le début de l'année, au moins 26 journalistes ont été
tués, selon nos sources: huit en Irak, 11 en Amérique latine
(quatre au Mexique, deux en Equateur, un en Colombie, un au
Vnezuela, un au Brésil, un en Guyana, un en République
dominicaine), un en Chine, un en Inde, trois aux Philippines, un au
Sri Lanka, un en Russie.

Pour mémoire, l'année 2005 a été l'année la plus meurtrière pour
les journalistes depuis dix ans, avec au moins 63 d'entre eux tués
et 1300 agressions de toute nature recensées.

Les membres de la Campagne à travers le monde nous ont alerté
ces derniers mois de graves violations en Israël/Palestine, en
Irak, au Népal, en Amérique latine, au Pakistan, en Somalie, en
Egypte. Alors que nous célébrons une nouvelle Journée de la liberté
de la presse, la situation est des plus inquiétantes et requiert une
réaction ferme de la communauté internationale.

Pour la suite du communiqué (détails sur les pays) voir la version anglaise.

La PEC, basée à Genève, est soutenue par 25 associations de
journalistes, pour la plupart des pays en conflit, représentant
plus de 50.000 journalistes dans environ 50 pays. Pour
informations: 0041 (0) 79.333.65.70 ou 0041 (0) 79.435.15.14.

***26.04.2006. The situation is also deteriorating in the occupied palestinian territories. Read the CPJ report on attacks by israeli soldiers in Nablus - page "links"

***22.04.2006. Omar Faruk Osman, Secretary General of the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), PEC member,  sends us this press release: Journalistic Freedoms and Rights Are Immensely Desecrated By Media Employers, and Immediate Action Is Required. 

The National Union of Somali Journalists, NUSOJ, fears for the essential rights of journalists in the country. In a report presented to the union's supreme council on Friday, 21 April 2006, by its executive committee, many media workers are being deprived of their legitimate right to join the national union or other existing associations by unprecedented pressures from the media proprietors.
 
The report noticeably stated that journalists in Somalia have still no working contracts, and are employed orally; working hours are higher than internationally accepted standard of labour hours, payments are made overdue, unjust actions of dismissing and unfairness for opportunities and other benefits that the media institutions provide for their personnel. Many employers infringe these indispensable privileges by denying the rights of workers to engage in collective bargaining.
 
The breach of rights of journalists increased poor quality and corruption in the profession. The report marks Mogadishu city, where numerous privately owned media outlets operate, as the most terrible place that journalists' liberties are denied. "Moneyed Employers decline these rights just to maximize profit sinfully" said Omar Faruk Osman, the NUSOJ Secretary General.
 
Media employers skimpy knowledge of the journalistic profession and labour rules show them that the company's profit can be increased without respecting and protecting labour rights, which is absolutely odd, the secretary general said in his presentation.
 
The report also indicates that as a minimum of two Radio stations in Mogadishu oblige each reporter to bring 3 or 2 reports daily. For example, if the reporter does not bring 2 reports today, US$5 would be subtracted from his/her salary. This caused to encourage journalists to report falsified information, which afflicts the culture of good journalism. You may not wonder to see journalist creating news in his/her home and recording fabricated voice from member(s) of his/her family or neighbour.
 
Following the ousting of the Siad Barre government in early 1990s, numerous private media institutions were founded, but rarely cover diverse issues and concerns of the people because of the political inclinations of the media employers. Many Reporters are not free to report political or public news that the media owner does not support. "This is dreadful news about persons who commend themselves of creating private media in a country ravaged by wars" said Mohammed Barre Haji, the NUSOJ President before the council.
 
Many members of the union do not declare to their media executives their relationship with the union, because they fear to be sent away. "Journalists are the wheels of the media institutions, and is, therefore, crucial their rights to be accepted otherwise genuine journalistic freedom is dying out" the president added. The Supreme council urged the employers to end these violations instantly. Journalistic freedoms and rights are immensely desecrated by Media employers, and immediate Action is required said the council finally.


Omar Faruk Osman
Secretary General
National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ)

***20.04.2006. As we approach another World Press Freedom Day on 3 May, there is no improvement in South America. Our PEC members remind us of our 11 colleagues killed since the beginning of this year, the same number than in 2005.

11 PERIODISTAS ASESINADOS EN
AMÉRICA LATINA-CARIBE EN LO QUE VA DEL 2006

De enero a la fecha han sido asesinados 11 periodistas en América Latina-Caribe. La cifra es estremecedora si se tiene en cuenta que durante todo el 2005 se registró la muerte de 14 comunicadores sociales.

México ocupa el primer lugar en esta nada honrosa estadística, con cuatro colegas victimados. Ecuador lamentó las muertes de dos periodistas, sucedidas ambas en Guayaquil, a menos de 24 horas de diferencia.

Otras cuatro ejecuciones se han realizado en Brasil, Colombia, Guyana y Venezuela.

A estos casos se suma el del comunicador dominicano Jhonny Martínez, cuyo cadáver fue hallado en las proximidades de la autopista Seis de Noviembre, el 14 de abril.

En la mayoría de los casos se sospecha la intervención del crimen organizado como la causa de estos crímenes. Como suele ocurrir en casos de esa naturaleza, la impunidad se ha convertido en una característica común de los delitos cometidos contra los periodistas.
 
Caso por caso

México, uno de los países donde se registra mayor violencia contra el periodismo, ha registrado cuatro asesinatos:

· El periodista radial José Valdés fue muerto a puñaladas el 6 de enero, en la ciudad de Sabinas (Coahuila) sita en la frontera con Texas, Estados Unidos.

· El fotógrafo freelance Jaime A. Olvera Bravo fue tiroteado y muerto, el 9 de marzo, en La Piedad (Michoacán).

· El periodista de la radio local Exa 95.7 FM, Ramiro Téllez Contreras, murió abaleado, el 10 de marzo, cuando salía de su casa en Nuevo Laredo (Tamaulipas).

· El reportero del periódico La voz del sureste, Rosendo Pardo Ozuna, fue encontrado muerto, el 29 de marzo, en carretera federal de la carretera 190, tramo Tuxtla Gutiérrez Berriozabal (Chiapas).

En estos casos es recurrente el modus operandi de los asesinos. Escogieron horas de la mañana, cuando sus víctimas se dirigen al trabajo o realizan ejercicios.

Ecuador ha sido el escenario del homicidio de dos periodistas. Entre ambos crímenes apenas pasaron 24 horas:

· El periodista de Radio Minutera, José Luis León, fue asesinado el 13 de febrero en la ciudad de Guayaquil.

· El reportero gráfico de los periódicos La Hora Durandeña y La Prensa, Saúl Suárez, fue acribillado el 14 de febrero en la zona portuaria de Guayaquil.

A estas trágicas muertes, se suman cinco homicidios más, sucedidos en los países de Brasil, Colombia, Guyana, República Dominicana y Venezuela:

· El radialista brasileño José Késsio fue asesinado con 15 balazos, el 14 de marzo, en el barrio Vila Aurea de Ponta Porá.

· El periodista radial colombiano, Gustavo Rojas Gabalo, fue baleado el 4 de febrero, en la localidad de Montería, luego de más de un mes de agonía. Murió el 20 de marzo, en una clínica de Medellín.

· El comentarista de TV guayanés, Ronald Waddell, recibió trece impactos de bala por parte de dos sicarios, el 30 de enero, en su residencia de Georgetown.

. El cuerpo sin vida del periodista Johnny Martínez fue encontrado el 14 de abril, en las proximidades de la autopista Seis de Noviembre. Se comprobó que el comunicador murió víctima de 23 puñaladas.

· El reportero gráfico venezolano, Jorge Aguirre, fue asesinado de un balazo en las afueras de la Universidad Central de Venezuela, el 5 de abril.

De todos estos crímenes, sólo los de Gustavo Rojas y Jorge Aguirre han empezado a esclarecerse, con la detención de sus presuntos victimarios.
 
Para mayor información sírvase contactarnos a traves del mail: felatracs@hotmail.com
 
Federación Latinoamericana de Trabajadores de la Comunicación Social (FELATRACS), Jirón Huancavelica 320, Lima 1, Lima, Perú. Teléfono (51 1) 4270687, Fax (51 1) 4278493. Web: www.felatracs.org. E-mail: felatracs@hotmail.com
 

***10.04.2006. Investigation on US shooting of Reuters soundman in Iraq August 28, 2005 - an other example of the need to clarify the identification of journalists in zones of conflict.

reu899 3 ec 5456 rtr 060410 1106
IRAQ-REUTERS-INVESTIGATION 

10-APR-2006

Report finds U.S. shooting of Reuters soundman unlawful

By Michael Georgy
BAGHDAD, April 10 (Reuters) - U.S. soldiers who shot dead a
Reuters television soundman in Iraq last year breached their
rules of engagement and the killing was "unlawful", an
independent investigation commissioned by Reuters has found.
Waleed Khaled died and cameraman Haider Kadhem was wounded
on Aug. 28 when the troops fired on their car in Baghdad as the
two Iraqis covered the aftermath of an attack on policemen.
An investigation by the Army unit involved found that its
soldiers had acted within rules of engagement that allow them to
fire if they feel under threat.
But The Risk Advisory Group (TRAG), a risk management
consultancy asked by Reuters to examine the incident, said the
use of force was neither proportionate nor justified.
It said the Army inquiry conclusions were not supported by
the evidence -- including the testimony of the soldiers
themselves -- and expressed incomprehension that crucial footage
shot by Kadhem had somehow been lost by the military.
"We conclude, based on the independent evidence and the
evidence of Haider Kadhem, that no hostile act took place and no
act could have been legitimately mistaken as indicating hostile
intent," the TRAG report said.
"The engagement was therefore in breach of U.S. Rules of
Engagement and, in our opinion, on the current evidence was
prima facie unlawful."
Reuters Global Managing Editor David Schlesinger called on
the U.S. military to order "a full, independent and objective
inquiry into this terrible incident". A copy of the report has
been given to the U.S. Department of Defense for its review.

SHOTS "FIRED TO KILL OR INJURE"
Soldiers who fired on the car from the roof of a building
testified to the military investigator that they saw a passenger
hanging out of one of the windows holding what appeared to be a
rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launcher.
They said the passenger quickly moved back inside the car
before they could confirm with binoculars whether he was holding
a weapon. The soldiers said they initially fired warning shots
and then fired to disable the vehicle.
TRAG reconstructed the incident and found it was impossible
to distinguish an RPG at the distance from where the soldiers
fired.
Kadhem said he was filming through the stationary car's
windscreen with his small, hand-held video camera and at one
point turned to lean slightly out of the side window.
Kadhem said shooting began and Khaled reversed at speed.
Seventeen bullets hit the car, which swerved and crashed into a
barrier. Kadhem said shooting went on after it came to a stop.
"Had they not fired, it is unlikely in our view that the car
would have moved in the first place," TRAG said.
The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists says at
least 67 journalists have been killed in Iraq since the U.S.
invasion of 2003. U.S. forces have killed at least 14 of them,
the CPJ says.
Four Reuters journalists have been killed, at least three by
U.S. forces. Reuters is awaiting results of a U.S. military
inquiry into the death 18 months ago of the fourth.
TRAG found in Khaled's case that the use of force was not
proportionate to the perceived threat -- as it should be under
the rules of engagement -- as the car was stationary when firing
began and continued after the vehicle had stopped.
Ballistic evidence from an examination of the car "supports
the contention that shots were fired to kill or injure the
occupants" rather than disable the vehicle, the report said.

ARMY "LOST" CRUCIAL EVIDENCE
Kadhem's video footage was seized by the U.S. military when
he was detained and held for three days. The Army showed the
footage to Reuters staff but then said it had been separated
from the case file and subsequently lost.
"The %lost% video contains the very best evidence of what
transpired," TRAG said. "As a matter of good evidential
practice, we find it very difficult to understand any
circumstances in which it would have been appropriate to
separate an original exhibit from the case papers."
Reuters staff and a security adviser to Reuters who saw the
film testified that it supported Kadhem's statements.
TRAG's investigation was led by a former special
investigator in Britain's Royal Military Police, who retired
after 23 years of service, most recently in Iraq.
The 43-page report, and accompanying annexes, was reviewed
by Risk Advisory Group Chief Executive Bill Waite, a barrister
and former prosecutor for Britain's Serious Fraud Office.
The Risk Advisory Group noted that all Reuters Iraqi staff
are made aware of how to behave in hostile environments.
Operating procedures were periodically enhanced with verbal
training but not extensively, it added.
Schlesinger said the U.S. military must do more to ensure
journalist safety. Some safety recommendations made by a U.S.
investigation into the fatal shooting of Reuters cameraman Mazen
Dana in August 2003 have yet to be implemented.
"Clearly, better training, clearer rules of engagement and
understanding of journalists% special roles are a must in order
to prevent further tragedies," Schlesinger said.

***06.04.2006. La PEC salue la décision de la justice britannique. Journaliste britannique tué à Gaza : une enquête conclut à un assassinat

LONDRES, 6 avr 2006 (AFP) - Un journaliste britannique, James
Miller, tué en mai 2003 par un soldat israélien dans la bande de
Gaza, a été tué volontairement, a conclu jeudi une enquête
judiciaire ouverte en Grande-Bretagne sur ce drame.

"En se fondant sur les éléments de preuves qui nous ont été
présentés, nous, le jury, convenons à l'unanimité qu'il s'agissait
de tirs illégaux, avec l'intention de tuer M. James Miller", a
conclu le jury de la cour de St Pancras, à Londres. "Nous ne pouvons
parvenir à une autre conclusion que celle selon laquelle M. Miller a
bien été assassiné", a-t-il poursuivi.

James Miller, 34 ans, un journaliste de télévision plusieurs
fois récompensé, avait été mortellement atteint d'une balle au cou
le 2 mai 2003 pendant qu'il réalisait un documentaire sur la
destruction par l'armée israélienne de centaines de maisons
palestiniennes à la frontière égyptienne.

Les membres de son équipe avaient affirmé qu'ils portaient un
drapeau blanc et s'étaient identifiés en tant que journalistes
britanniques auprès des soldats israéliens déployés dans la zone.

Mais l'armée israélienne avait décidé en mars 2005 de ne pas
poursuivre, faute de preuves, le lieutenant soupçonné d'être
responsable de la mort du journaliste, une décision qui avait été
déplorée à l'époque par le gouvernement britannique.

***30.03.2006. The PEC welcomes the release of Jill Carroll in Iraq

The press emblem campaign (PEC) welcomes Thursday the release of American freelance journalist Jill Caroll after more than two months from her abduction by unidentified gunmen in Iraq on January 7, 2006.

    Today is a good day for the media community, but while expressing our joy for the release of freelance Christian Science Monitor journalist Jill Caroll, we must not forget that other journalists could be prey to the same fate of abduction in the future.

    The PEC therefore reminds governments of the need to move ahead with a working group with the aim of negotiating a new international convention to protect media in zones of conflict and civil unrest.

    On behalf of more than 50,000 journalists, who make up the PEC membership, the PEC extends its hearty congratulation to Jill and her family for her restored freedom.

    Jill's plight and that of others, the death of her translator and many others in Iraq, Lebanon, and elsewhere, will keep the members of the PEC, dedicated to their cause to ensure that the freedom of every journalist is secured through a new international safety valve based on international law.

    At least 38 journalists were abducted in Iraq since March 2003 and 82 were killed in the past three years, eight since the beginning of 2006.

***28.03.2006 - The international press emblem campaign welcomes a new member, the "Asociacion nacional de periodistas del Peru". Its president has announced the support of the 9000 peruvian journalists to our Campaign. We hope that the PEC could help them in their struggle for a better protection. Now 25 associations representing around 50.000 journalists in more than 50 countries are supporting the PEC. 

***15.03.2006. Statement - The international press emblem campaign PEC welcomes the creation of the Human Rights Council and calls upon it to start work for a Geneva Convention to protect journalists. (texte en français après l'anglais)

Geneva, March 15 (pec) The International Press Emblem Campaign
(PEC), representing more than 40.000 journalists in around 50
countries, welcomes the creation by the UN of the Human Rights
Council and calls upon the Council to prioritize measures to strengthen the
protection of journalists in armed conflicts and regions of
internal and civil unrest.

The Organization calls upon the new Human Rights Council to make
the difference and to demonstrate its dedication to the freedom of
expression.

The Campaign believes that media coverage in troubled areas
remains the main witness for violations of Human Rights and
International Humanitarian Law.

It is worrisome that, in particular since the beginning of
the war in Iraq in March 2003, the international community did not
properly react to media casualties. With 82 journalists and medias
workers killed in three years, the war in Iraq is the most deadly
conflict where journalists operate since the Second World War (see
details and the "black list" of journalists killed in a context of
impunity below on our website).

The PEC believes that the new Human Rights Council will play a
more pertinent role in acting swiftly to confront human rights
violations worldwide, including those violations against journalists.
This new Human Rights Council, in the PEC's
view, would be closer in character and mandate to the UN Security
Council and General Assembly, than the current dissolved Human
Rights Commission.

The PEC asks to take action as soon as possible on the proposals
set out by the UN rapporteur on freedom of expression Ambeyi Ligabo
(report number E/CN.4/2006/55).

He recommends that governments take the necessary measures to
increase protection of journalists and other media workers,
regardless of their professional and political affiliation, from
attacks, be they attacks by officials, law-enforcement officers,
armed groups or terrorists.

Ligabo said, in his proposals to the 62nd session of the Human
Rights Commission, that there is a need for international
guidelines and rules to strengthen the protection of media. This,
he says, could be drafted by the Commission on Human Rights or any
body succeeding the Commission and subsequently adopted by the
General Assembly. A group of experts must prepare a wide-ranging
study on the causes and consequences of violence against
journalists and legal remedies available.

Ligabo noted that media security remains one of the core
elements to guarantee pluralist information in a period marked by
polarization of opinion and widespread violence.

The PEC calls upon the Human Rights Council to launch the work
on a new Geneva Convention to protect journalists in armed conflict
and in areas of civil unrest. UN member states and members of the
new Human Rights Council must show their dedication to freedom of
expression by acting swiftly on the Libago and PEC proposals.

During 2004 and 2005, more than hundred journalists worldwide
have been killed while performing their professional duty. More
than 2000 attacks targeted journalists.

The PEC board

COMMUNIQUE - La campagne internationale pour un emblème de presse PEC se réjouit de la création du Conseil des droits de l'homme et lui demande de lancer les travaux sur une convention internationale pour renforcer la protection des journalistes.

Genève, 15 mars (pec) La Campagne internationale pour un emblème
de presse (PEC), soutenue par plus de 40.000 journalistes dans près
de 50 pays, se félicite de la création par l'ONU d'un Conseil des
droits de l'homme. Elle demande à cet organe d'inscrire en priorité
à son agenda des mesures destinées à renforcer la protection des
journalistes dans les conflits armés et les situations de violence
interne.

La PEC appelle le futur Conseil, dès sa mise en place, à marquer
la différence en soulignant son attachement à la liberté
d'expression.

La Campagne souligne que la couverture par les medias des
régions en proie à des troubles est une nécessité pour témoigner
des violations des droits de l'homme et du droit international
humanitaire.

Il est intolérable que, notamment depuis le déclenchement de la
guerre en Irak en mars 2003, la communauté internationale ne
réagisse pas aux attaques contre les journalistes. Avec au moins 82
morts en trois ans, l'Irak est le conflit le plus meurtrier pour
les medias depuis la Seconde guerre mondiale (voir détails et la
"liste noire" des journalistes tués en toute impunité ci-dessous).

La PEC pense que le Conseil pourra réagir plus rapidement et
d'une manière plus crédible aux violations des droits de l'homme.
Organe spécialisé, le Conseil des droits de l'homme peut être plus
proche des victimes et du mandat du Conseil de sécurité de l'ONU et
de l'Assemblée générale que la défunte Commission.

La Campagne lui demande de donner suite, aussi rapidement que
possible, aux propositions du rapporteur de l'ONU sur la liberté
d'expression Ambeyi Ligabo (rapport à la 62e session de la
Commission E/CN.4/2006/55) "d'élaborer des règles et des principes
directeurs internationaux concernant la protection et la sécurité
des journalistes et du personnel des medias". Ces règles peuvent
être élaborées par la Commission des droits de l'homme ou tout
autre organe lui succèdant, a souligné M. Ligabo.

Dans ses recommandations, le rapporteur spécial demande "aux
gouvernements de prendre les mesures nécessaires pour améliorer la
protection des journalistes et des autres professionnels des
medias, quelle que soit leur affiliation professionnelle ou
politique, contre les agressions perpétrées par des fonctionnaires,
des responsables du maintien de l'ordre, des groupes armés ou des
terroristes". L'ONU devrait réunir un groupe d'experts chargé de
faire une étude de grande ampleur sur les causes et les
conséquences de la violence contre les journalistes et sur les
recours juridiques possibles, selon le rapporteur.

"La sécurité des medias demeure un des principaux éléments
permettant de garantir une information pluraliste à une époque
marquée par la polarisation des opinions et par une violence
généralisée", affirme M. Ligabo.

La PEC demande au futur Conseil de lancer les travaux pour une
nouvelle Convention de Genève sur la protection des journalistes
dans les zones de conflit armé. Nous appelons les Etats membres de
l'ONU et les pays candidats au Conseil à démontrer leur attachement
aux libertés fondamentales en se prononçant rapidement sur les
propositions du rapporteur de l'ONU et de la PEC.

Plus d'une centaine de journalistes ont été tués dans l'exercice
de leur profession ces deux dernières années à travers le monde et
plus de 2000 agressions ont été recensées à l'encontre des
représentants dse medias.

Le comité directeur de la PEC

***13.03.2006. La Campagne dénonce le bilan dramatique et intolérable des victimes en Irak. En trois ans, depuis le début de l’intervention anglo-américaine en mars 2003, l’Irak a été le conflit le plus meurtrier pour les medias depuis la Seconde guerre mondiale. De mars 2003 à mars 2006, au moins 62 journalistes et 20 de leurs collaborateurs (soit 82 au total) ont été tués. - The PEC denounces the dramatic loss of life among journalists in Iraq. Three years after the beginning of the US-led invasion in march 2003, at least 62 journalists and 20 media support workers (82) have been killed: Iraq became the deadliest conflict for the media since World War II. 

Read also on the same subject on page "links" the RSF, CPJ, INSI press releases - on page "Press" a Reuters story on new american safeguards.

(Texte en français après l'anglais). Since the beginning of this year, seven more iraki journalists have been killed. The Press Emblem Campaign fears that this heavy toll will continue to increase with the conflict evolving from an international war to a civil war. According to archives of many associations (CPJ, RSF, Freedom Forum), 58 journalists were killed in the civil war in Algeria (1993-1996), 49 in the Balkans (1991-1995), 63 among journalists covering 20 years of conflict in Vietnam (1955-1975). Around 52 journalists have been killed in Colombia since 1986. During World War II (1939-1945), 68 journalists have been killed (Freedom Forum).

Among the 62 journalists killed in Iraq since march 2003 (46 Irakis, nine Europeans, two Americans, others 5), 21 were photographers and camera operators, 33 reporters or editors, seven producers, 4 technicians (CPJ). The PEC is expressing its sadness at the heavy loss of media colleagues and its solidarity with their families publishing below the list of journalists killed on duty in Iraq since march 2003 (in cooperation with AFP, Reuters, AP, IFJ, CPJ and RSF). The Campaign aims at urgently improving the international humanitarian law in order to enhance the protection of journalists in conflict zones.

Français: depuis le début de l’année, sept journalistes irakiens de plus ont été tués. La Campagne pour un emblème de presse redoute que le bilan continue de s’alourdir avec l’évolution du conflit, devenu une guerre civile avec une forte présence internationale. Selon les archives de plusieurs organisations de journalistes (CPJ, RSF, Freedom Forum), la guerre civile en Algérie (1993-1996) a fait 58 morts parmi les journalistes, la guerre dans l’ex-Yougoslavie (1991-1995) 49 morts, la guerre du Vietnam (de 1955 à 1975) 63 victimes. Environ 52 journalistes sont morts en Colombie depuis 1986. Pendant la Seconde guerre mondiale (1939-1945), 68 journalistes ont été tués (selon Freedom Forum).

Sur les 62 journalistes tués en Irak depuis mars 2003 (dont 46 de nationalité irakienne, neuf Européens et deux Américains), 21 ont été des photographes ou des cameramen, 33 des reporters ou rédacteurs, sept des producteurs, quatre des techniciens, selon le CPJ. La PEC exprime son indignation face à ce lourd bilan et sa solidarité avec les familles touchées en publiant ci-dessous la liste noire de nos confrères morts dans l’exercice de leur profession (en coopération avec AFP, Reuters, AP, IFJ, RSF et le CPJ). La Campagne estime qu'il est urgent d’améliorer le droit international humanitaire afin de renforcer la protection des journalistes dans les zones de conflit.

Parmi les 62 journalistes dont le décès a été confirmé – among the 62 confirmed deaths of journalists :

2006, 7:  11.03 Amjad Hameed, Al-Iraqiya, 7.03 Monsef Al-Khalidi, Bagdad TV Sat Channel, 23.02 Atwar Bahjat, Présentatrice de télévision Al-Arabiya, 23.02. Adnane Kahïnallah, preneur de son Al-Arabiya, 23.02 Khaled Mahmoud Al-Falahi, cameraman Al-Arabiya, 25.01 Mahmoud Zaal, Baghdad TV, 23.01 Hamza Hussein, de la chaîne de télévision privée al-Diyar . Mentionnons également comme collaborateur des medias le 10.01 Allan Enwiyah, interprète de la journaliste américaine Jill Carroll, kidnappée le 7 janvier.

2005, 24 : 28.11 : Akeel Abdul Rwdha, Al-Iraqia, 08.11 Ahmed Hussein Al Maliki, Tall Afar Today,19.10 Mohamed Haroun, Syndicat des journalistes irakiens, 21.09 Firas Al-Maadhidi, Al-Safir, 20.09 Hind Ismail, Al-Safir,19.09 Fakher Haydar Al-Tamimi, New York Times, 27.08 Rafed Al Rubaii, Al Irakiya, 02.08 Steven Vincent , indépendant, 03.07 Maha Ibrahim, Baghdad TV, 01.07 Khaled Sabih al Attar, al-Iraqia, 28.06 Wael Al Bacri, Al Charkiyah, 22.06 Jassem Al Qais, Al-Siyada, 22.06 Yasser Al Salihy, Knights Ridder, 15.05 Najem Abed Khodair, Al-Madaa et Tariq al-Chaab, 15.05 Ahmad Adam, Al-Madaa et Sabah, 23.04 Saleh Ibrahim, Associated Press (AP), 15.04 Chamal Abdallah Assad, Kirkuk TV, Kurdsat, 14.04 Fadel Hazem Fadel, Al-Hurriya TV, 14.04 Ali Abrahim Aissa, Al-Hurriya TV, 01.04 Ahmed Jabbar Hashim, Al Sabah, 14.03 Houssam Hilal Sarsam, Kurdistan-TV, 10.03 Laik Ibrahim, Kurdistan TV, 25.02 Raeda Mohammed Wageh Wazzan, Iraqiya, 09.02 Abdel Hussein Khazaal, Al-Hurra TV.

2004, 19 : 01.11 Dhia Najim, Reuters, 27.10 Liqaa Abdul-Razzak, Al-Charkia,14.10 Karam Hussein, European Pressphoto Agency, 14.10 Dina Mohammed Hassan, Al Hurriya TV, 7.10 Ahmad Jassem, Télévision de Nivive, 12.09 Mazen al-Tomaizi, Al-Arabiya, 26.08 Enzo Baldoni, Diario della settimana, 15.08 Mahmoud Hamid Abbas, ZDF, 15.08 Hossam Ali, indépendant, 03.06 Sahar Saad Eddine Mouami, Al-Mizan, Al-Khaïma, Al-Hayat Al-Gadida, 27.05 Shinsuke Hashida, Nikkan Gendai, 27.05 Kotaro Ogawa, Nikkan Gendai, 07.05 Waldemar Milewicz, TVP, 07.05 Mounir Bouamrane, TVP, 19.04 Assad Kadhim, Al-Iraqiya TV, 26.03 Bourhan Mohammad al-Louhaybi , ABC News, 18.03 Nadia Nasrat, Diyala Television, 18.03 Ali Abdel Aziz, Al-Arabiya, 18.03 Ali Al-Khatib, Al-Arabiya.

2003, 12 :  28.10 Ahmed Shawkat, Bila Ittijah, 17.08 Mazen Dana, Reuters, 02.07 Ahmad Karim, Kurdistan Satellite TV, 08.04 Tarek Ayoub, Al-Jazira, 08.04 Taras Protsyuk, Reuters, 08.04 José Couso, Tele 5, 07.04 Julio Anguita Parrado, El Mundo, 07.04 Christian Liebig, Focus, 04.04 Michael Kelly, Washington Post, 02.04 Kaveh Golestan, BBC, 23.03 Terry Lloyd, ITV News, 22.03 Paul Moran, Australian Broadcasting Corporation

En outre, au moins 20 collaborateurs des medias (traducteurs, chauffeurs, techniciens, agents de sécurité) ont été tués dans l’exercice de leur fonction (4 en 2005, 13 en 2004, 3 en 2003). Ce chiffre est sous-estimé, vu les difficultés à différencier les rôles. Il est nécessaire de les inclure dans la statistique car il s’agit bien de civils ayant perdu la vie lorsqu’ils étaient employés par des entreprises de medias dans l’exercice de leur fonction.

***10.03.06. Enquête sur la mort du cameraman espagnol à l'Hôtel
Palestine de Bagdad en 2003: la PEC constate avec regret que la
voie judiciaire est bouchée. Près de trois ans après, aucune
procédure n'a été entamée. La PEC souligne qu'une identification
adéquate de l'Hôtel aurait pu sauver la vie des journalistes. -
Inquiry on the spanish cameraman killed in 2003 at the Palestine
Hotel in Baghdad: PEC regrets that the judiciary way is blocked. No
procedure has begun, three years after this dramatic incident. PEC
underlines that a correct identification of the Hotel had
eventually save the life of the journalists - (AFP and Reuters
stories below).

  Selon l'AFP, l'Audience nationale, principale instance pénale
espagnole, a abandonné les poursuites contre trois militaires
américains dans l'enquête sur la mort du caméraman espagnol José
Couso à l'Hôtel Palestine de Bagdad en 2003. "Il ne s'agit pas d'un
acte prémédité pour causer la mort de deux civils protégés. Il
s'agit d'un acte de guerre contre un ennemi apparent qui a été
identifié de façon erronée", a dit dans son arrêt le juge Santiago
Pedraz.

  Outre le caméraman espagnol, de la télévision privée espagnole
Telecinco, un caméraman ukrainien de l'agence Reuters, Taras
Protsyuk, avait été tué dans cette attaque. Le magistrat espagnol
précise dans son arrêt qu'il a classé l'affaire "en suivant l'avis
de ses supérieurs hiérarchiques". Il annule le mandat d'arrêt
international à effet d'extradition qu'il avait lancé le 19 octobre
2005 pour "assassinat" et "délit contre la communauté
internationale" contre le sergent Thomas Gibson, le capitaine
Philip Wolford et le lieutenant-colonel Philip de Camp,
responsables du char Abrams M1 ayant tiré l'obus sur l'hôtel où se
trouvait Couso.

  Le ministère public avait formulé un recours contre ce mandat
d'arrêt qui prétendait pallier ce que le juge Pedraz considérait
comme la "coopération nulle des autorités américaines pour
éclaircir les faits". Le juge Pedraz avait demandé en février au
ministère espagnol de la Justice d'intervenir auprès des Etats-Unis
pour leur demander des explications sur leur manque de
collaboration dans l'enquête sur la mort du caméraman espagnol.

  Deux commissions rogatoires espagnoles, du 23 avril 2004 et du 6
juin 2005, "n'ont pas été exécutées de façon satisfaisante par les
autorités américaines", s'était-il justifié. Selon un rapport
d'enquête de l'armée américaine cité en 2004 par Reporters sans
frontières (RSF), l'armée américaine estime qu'"aucune faute ou
négligence n'a été commise par les forces de la coalition" contre
l'hôtel Palestine.

  Ce rapport affirmait que "le tir d'obus était dirigé contre ce
qui a été pris pour une position de tir et un point d'observation
ennemis", selon RSF. Le sergent Wilson appartenait à l'époque à la
compagnie A du 64e régiment de blindés de la 3e division
d'infanterie cuirassée de l'armée américaine; le capitaine Wolford
commandait l'unité de blindés de la compagnie A et le
lieutenant-colonel de Camp commandait le 64e régiment de blindés de
la 3e division d'infanterie cuirassée de l'armée américaine.

   (English) According to Reuters, the Spanish High Court has
decided to close a case in which the family of a cameraman killed
in Iraq sought the arrest and questioning of three U.S. soldiers,
ruling that his death was a mistaken act of war.

  "This was not an intentional act of wrongdoing to cause the
death of two protected civilians (Couso and Reuters cameraman Taras
Protsyuk), but rather an act of war against the apparent enemy,
erroneously identified," said a court document dated March 8 but
made public on Friday 10.

  Spanish state prosecutors had appealed the case, brought by the
family of Telecinco cameraman Jose Couso, on the ground that Spain
lacked jurisdiction to seek the soldiers extradition. The United
States acknowledged that the soldiers tank fired a shell into the
Palestine Hotel, where Couso and Protsyuk were killed and three
other Reuters staff seriously injured, but cleared the men,
Sergeant Thomas Gibson, Captain Philip Wolford and
Lieutenant-Colonel Philip De Camp, of any blame.

  The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists criticised
the Pentagon report on the incident, saying it failed to address
the question of "why U.S. troops were not aware that the Palestine
Hotel - one of the best-known civilian sites in Baghdad at the
time - was full of journalists."

***23.02.2006. PEC statement on Iraq (en français après l'anglais).The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) condemns in the strongest possible manner the murder of the Arab Television network Al-Arabia Correspondent Atwar Bahjat and two crew members.

Iraqi police confirmed the report today and said the unknown gunmen killed Atwar Bahjat, a technical engineer and a cameraman but another member of the crew escaped. The police said the team of the satellite network, widely watched in the Arab world, was on its way to the northern city of Sameraa to cover events following the bombing of a Shiite shrine, when they were caught by armed elements. The dead body of Bahjat and her two colleagues were located on outskirts of the ancient city close to a site of ancient relics. The vehicle of the crew located was also found riddled with many bullets.

The PEC calls upon governments, the Human Rights Commission, the General Assembly to act quickly to safeguard the lives of media in zones of conflict and civil unrest. It is time to work on an international convention to protect media in zones of conflict and civil unrest. We call also upon the P-5 to act quickly to save the life of Americancorrespondent Jill Caroll , in captivity since January 7, 2006, before it is too late.

More than 70 foreign and Iraqi journalists have been reported killed since the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003. According to Reuters, in its dispatch today, the real number is believed to be higher and the list does not include the many translators, drivers and other assistants said by media watchdogs to have died since the conflict began.

In this tragic context, the PEC would like to underline that the special rapporteur on freedom of expression Mr. Ambeyi Ligabo is expressing his support to new international norms to improve the protection of journalists in his report to the next session of the Human Rights Commission (Please refer below for more details on the relevant excerpts of the advance edited version of the Ligabo report). The PEC with its membership of more than 40,000 journalists worldwide believes that the year 2006 is the time to act to provide media with a legal shield for protection.

Français: la Campagne pour un emblème de presse condamne dans les termes les plus énergiques le meurtre de trois journalistes de la chaîne satellitaire arabe Al-Arabiya près de Samarra (125 km au nord de Bagdad). Les corps de la présentatrice Atwar Bahjat, du cameraman Adnane Abdallah et du preneur de son Khaled Mohsen ont été retrouvés jeudi au nord de Samarra, a confirmé la police. Les trois journalistes avaient été enlevés alors qu'ils couvraient les événements suivant l'attentat contre le mausolée. La PEC lance un appel aux gouvernements, à la Commission des droits de l'homme, à l'Assemblée générale de l'ONU pour qu'ils interviennent rapidement afin de protéger les medias dans les zones de conflit et de violence interne. Il est temps d'entamer les travaux sur une convention internationale renforçant la sécurité des journalistes. Nous demandons aussi aux cinq pays membres du Conseil de sécurité de l'ONU d'intervenir rapidement pour sauver la vie de la journaliste américaine Jill Caroll, en captivité depuis le 7 janvier en Irak, avant qu'il ne soit trop tard. Plus de 70 journalistes irakiens et étrangers ont été tués en trois ans en Irak, depuis l'intervention anglo-américaine en mars 2003. Le nombre réel serait encore plus élevé si l'on inclut tous ceux qui aident les medias dans leur travail, traducteurs, chauffeurs et autres assistants. Dans ce contexte particulièrement dramatique, la PEC souligne que le rapporteur spécial de l'ONU pour la liberté d'expression Ambeyi Ligabo a exprimé son soutien à de nouvelles règles internationales pour améliorer la protection des journalistes dans son rapport à la prochaine session de la Commission des droits de l'homme, qui commence le 13 mars (Voir ci-dessous pour plus de détails les extraits pertinents de son rapport). Pour la PEC, soutenue par des associations représentant plus de 40.000 journalistes dans le monde, l'année 2006 doit être décisive pour donner aux medias une protection juridique renforcée dans les zones de violences afin que la liberté d'expression et le droit à l'information ne restent pas des formules creuses.

De gauche à droite: Hedayat Abdelnabi, le directeur de l'information et de la communication du Quai d'Orsay Jean-Baptiste Mattéi, Blaise Lempen, la déléguée aux droits de l'homme et au droit humanitaire Mme Béatrice Le Frapper (Paris, 25 novembre).

The PEC condemns the attack on French journalist Christophe Boltanski and a Belgium TV team in Tunis

Geneva (pec) The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) condemns the intimidation methods used by the Tunisian authorities against a Belgium TV team Monday and French journalist Christophe Boltanski Friday while covering for the French paper "Liberation" the situation of human rights in Tunis ahead of the World Summit for the Information Society (WSIS) slated to start this week in Tunis.

Belgium TV cameraman Jean-Jacques Mathy was drawn by force from his car by
several men dressed in civilian clothes Monday, and his camera and footage were confiscated.

The Belgium team was covering a NGO event taking place close to the German
Geothe institute in Tunis.

Later in the day the camera was returned to him, but not the film.

The PEC feels that a boycott of the Summit by media and NGOs after those brutal attacks against journalists would be justified.

There was hope during the preparations for the summit that the choice of Tunisia as its venue will encourage the government of Tunisia to ease its control over press freedom and association.

However, the PEC joins Amnesty International in confirming that this did not
happen.

The PEC, representing 24 media associations including some 40,000 journalists,
stands firmly, in principle, against those intimidation methods wherever they
occur, and in particular when it relates to a world summit organized by the
United Nations.

This attack, a method of intimidation, is directed against journalists who are
investigating the situation of human rights in Tunis, and is an attack against
the right to information.

The PEC, in the absence of binding international instruments for media
protection, decided not to participate in the Tunis Summit because of the lack
of necessary guarantees to discuss the safety and protection of journalists, as
well as concerning the management of the Internet.

Today, the attack on our colleague Christophe Boltanski confirms our worries.

The PEC hopes that the international community will find other venues to discuss ways and means for the protection of journalists, press freedom, within the Internet context, in a climate free from methods of intimidation.

Those same methods of intimidation are used daily against our colleagues the
Tunisian journalists and others in many countries around the world. It is time
to take action.

The PEC joins hands with the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the
International Press Institute (IPI), and Reporters without Borders (RSF) in
condemning the brutal attack against Christophe Boltanki by unidentified men in
Tunis last Friday, and the attack against the Belgium TV crew on Monday.


Geneva, November 15, 2005

***19.10.2005. Iraq: death of a Spanish cameraman at the Palestine Hotel in Bagdad: anything new?

MADRID, Oct 19 (Reuters) - A Spanish High Court judge issued international arrest warrants on Wednesday for three U.S. soldiers over the death of a Spanish cameraman during the war in Iraq.

"I order the ... capture and arrest of the U.S. soldiers, with a view to extradition," High Court Judge Santiago Pedraz said in a court document, adding the order would be submitted to the international police organisation Interpol.

The three men were named as Sergeant Thomas Gibson, Captain Philip Wolford and Lieutenant-Colonel Philip De Camp.

Spanish prosecutors are expected to file an appeal against the judge's order on Thursday, a legal source said.

The source gave no details but state radio said prosecutors would seek to overturn it on the grounds that Pedraz lacked jurisdiction to seek the soldiers' extradition.

The United States has cleared the men of any blame, although it acknowledges a shell was fired from their tank into the Palestine Hotel where Telecinco cameraman Jose Couso and Reuters cameraman Taras Protsyuk were killed.

Three other Reuters staff were seriously injured in the shelling of the hotel, the base for almost all foreign journalists in Baghdad at the time. The incident in 2003 occurred a day before U.S. troops captured the city.

A U.S. investigation concluded the men were justified in opening fire and U.S. officials repeated that conclusion on Wednesday.

"While this was certainly a tragic incident and we regret the loss of life, the report and investigation indicated that the soldiers acted in accordance with the rules of engagement during this time of war," a U.S. official told Reuters.

Previously, both Pentagon and State Department officials have said privately that there is no way the soldiers would be sent to Spain for trial.

SPAIN SEES NO POLITICAL FALLOUT

Spanish Justice Minister Juan Fernando Lopez Aguilar said he did not expect Pedraz's ruling to have any political fallout. Spain's relations with Washington were chilled by a decision by the new Socialist government last year to pull its troops from Iraq.

"It is a judicial order adopted by an independent court ... so it should in no way lead to any kind of political consequences," he told reporters.

Couso's brother, Javier, welcomed the ruling. "We don't want a lynching or anything of the kind, nor do we want them (the soldiers) judged beforehand. We want them to sit down before a court, with all the guarantees provided by the law," he told Cadena Ser radio.

Pedraz said an investigation had shown the three soldiers involved in the tank attack on April 8, 2003 could be responsible for murder and crimes against the international community. The charges carry jail sentences of 15 to 20 years and 10 to 15 years respectively.

The judge said he issued the warrants because U.S. authorities refused to cooperate.

The court had twice asked U.S. officials for help, requesting documents and offering to send a legal team to the United States to take statements from the three men, but neither request had been answered, he said.

***27.09.2005. Communiqué de presse - PEC press release (text in english after the french). L'adoption par l'ONU d'un projet de convention contre les disparitions forcées: un message d'espoir

Genève (pec) La PEC salue l'adoption, le 23 septembre, par un
groupe de travail de l'ONU présidé par la France d'un projet de
convention internationale contre les disparitions forcées. Elle
estime qu'elle peut servir de modèle à l'élaboration d'une future
Convention de Genève renforçant la protection des journalistes en
zones de conflit.

La PEC partage la satisfaction des familles de disparus et des
organisations de défense des droits de l'homme. L'adoption de ce
projet de convention contre les disparitions forcées prouve:

1) qu'il est possible de compléter le droit international
existant par des mécanismes d'application le renforçant sur des
points précis

2) que ce travail peut être réalisé au sein de l'ONU dans des
délais raisonnables (un peu plus de trois ans pour l'élaboration du
projet)

3) la PEC note également que le texte du projet de convention
prévoit une procédure d'urgence pour que les familles des disparus
puissent saisir le comité d'experts chargé de l'application de la
convention ainsi que des mécanismes d'enquête, de dédommagements et
de suivi

4) elle souligne que le texte stipule que la disparition forcée
peut être assimilée à un crime contre l'humanité, ce qui ouvre la
voie à une action pénale sur le plan international.

La PEC se félicite du succès de la mobilisation de tous les
acteurs concernés, familles des victimes, ONG de défense des droits
de l'homme et humanitaires, gouvernements. Elle appelle à une
mobilisation identique pour créer un groupe de travail destiné à
renforcer la protection des journalistes qui paient un très lourd
tribut à l'exercice de leur profession et au droit à l'information.

L'adoption du projet de convention contre les disparitions
forcées est un message d'espoir pour les familles des disparus et
montre qu'il est possible d'aboutir si la volonté politique est
présente. La PEC félicite à cet égard la France pour la manière
dont elle a présidé le processus de rédaction et soutient son appel
aux Etats pour qu'ils adoptent, signent et ratifient rapidement ce
texte.

Pour les dernières nouvelles sur la Campagne, voir:
www.pressemblem.ch

PRESS STATEMENT

The adoption of a new draft convention on enforced disappearance
by the UN signals hope

Geneva (pec) The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) salutes the working
group on enforced disappearance led by France for adopting a new
draft convention on September 23. The new draft is a model that could be
pursued by journalists for developing a new future draft Convention for the
Protection of Media in conflict zones.

The PEC joins the satisfaction expressed by families of victims
of enforced disappearances as well as non-governmental
organizations, and finds that this work points to a number of
positive results:

1) It is possible to supplement standing international
instruments with additional mechanisms which tackle specific issues.

2) A new draft convention on the protection of media in zones of
conflict could be reached within the UN in reasonable time (three
years for the convention on enforced disappearance)

3) The draft Convention text on enforced disappearance includes
a provision of urgent action that would allow families of victims
to resort to the committee of experts charged with the
implementation of the Convention, provides an enquiry mechanism,
reparations and maintains follow ups,

4) The draft says that enforced disappearances can be rated as
crimes against humanity, which opens the way for a judiciary action
on the international level.

The PEC congratulates the parties to this important work and
calls for a similar mobilization for establishing a working group
whose aim is to reinforce the protection of journalists, currently
paying a very high price in carrying out their profession and in
return for the free flow of information.

The Campaign is reassured today that if there is a political
will, there would be a way, and in this context, the PEC
congratulates the chair of the working group on enforced
disappearances, France, for the manner in which it conducted the
process and in calling upon UN member states to adopt the draft
Convention, sign and ratify it quickly.

***26.09.2005. Press statement: the PEC condemns with outrage the car bomb attack against Lebanese anchorwoman May Chidiac.

Abhorred by the car bomb attack against Lebanese anchorwoman May Chidiac, the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) condemns with outrage this cowardly and heinous attack and attempt on the life of the Lebanese anchorwoman, which left Ms.Chidiac seriously injured and for hours in surgery last night resulting in the amputation of her left arm and leg.

The Campaign recalls that Ms. Chidiac's morning show on the Lebanese
Broadcasting Corporation (LBC) "Neharkom Saiid" is a show that promotes
dialogue, not violence and terrorism.

The PEC stands solidly beside the Ms. Chidiac, her family and the LBC in those
difficult moments.

The Campaign calls upon the Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora to join a UN
intergovernmental working group which would work on the development of a new convention for the protection of media in their work whether in war zones,
civil unrest or in unforeseen events like sudden attempts and attacks on
life.

The PEC is dedicated since it was established in June 2004 to dialogue with
governments, the media community and other stake holders in order to move ahead with the efforts to develop that convention.

***24.09.2005. The PEC is very pleased to welcome a new member: la Fundacion para la Libertad de Prensa, Bogota, Colombia. For informations on journalists in Colombia, see the website: www.flip.org.co

***23.09.2005. PEC PRESS RELEASE. Stop the massacre of journalists in Iraq.

PEC condemns, express shock and outrage at the killing of three Iraqi
journalists

  The Press Emblem Campaign condemned Friday the abduction and killing of three Iraqi journalists, Firas Al-Maadhidi, 36 years old, Bureau Chief of Al-Safir,
when he was gunned down by two armed men, Hind Ismaïl, 28 years old, from the same newspaper, was abducted, her body was found later, both were killed in their hometown Mosul, Haydar al-Tamimi, working for the New York Times, was also kidnapped and killed later by unidentified men, in Basra. Since the
beginning of this year, 21 journalists have been killed in Iraq.

  In expressing its shock at those tragic and deadly events, the Campaign,
which calls for more concrete action to protect journalists in zones of
conflict and civil unrest, salutes PEN International, the World Association of
Writers for its statement on the killing of our colleagues in Iraq.

  The PEC, hopes that PEN International which has been concerned for the
protection of the right to freedom of expression, particularly at times of war
since 1921, to join our campaign whose sole objective is to mobilize the
International Community towards a new Convention that would allow the media
community and writers to be better protected in war zones and zones of civil
unrest.

  The Campaign calls upon all media associations, after this dark week for
Iraqi journalists, to stand as one man, as one woman in humanity, to call upon
their governments to move forward towards forming a new inter-governmental
working group to discuss this important issue.

  In its outright outrage at the targeting of Iraqi journalists by unidentified
individuals or groups, the PEC reminds the world that 2005 could become one of
the deadliest years for media casualties in war zones, with 50 journalists
already killed since the beginning of the year.

 Up to date, since the beginning of 2003, the war in Iraq has resulted in more
than 80 journalists and media employees who were killed.

 UNESCO Director-General Koïchira Matsura declared this week that the work of
these people is essential for the reconstruction of Iraq as a free country and
their murderers are clearly tying to crush the basic human right of freeedom of
expression along with all the other human rights.

  "I exhort all autorities in Iraq to give grester priority, despite the
difficult situation on the ground, to improving the safety of those journalists
brave enough to carry out their important work in such appalling conditions,"
he added.

  Our colleague in Columbia, Guillermo Cabrera Medina was also killed this
month.   The exact circumstances of his murder are still unclear and are under
investigation.

  In Nepal 87 journalists were arrested lately. The Federation of Nepalese
Journalists said those arrested included the group`s chairman, Buishnu
Nishthuri.

  This is enough reason to call on the International community and non-state
actors to respect and implement the provisions of international law.

  If such provisions are lacking, then we can work together towards a better
solution.

  The PEC wonders how many more journalists should be killed in Iraq or
elsewhere to press the urgency of this matter among the media community and
governments worldwide.

  The Iraqi media is member of the PEC Campaign, and we in Geneva present our most sincere condolences to the families of the media colleagues who were killed in the line of duty and the profession, and to the Iraqi Syndicate of journalists.

Geneva September 23, 2005

***21.09.2005. Press release - one year after the adoption of the Geneva Declaration, the PEC renews its call for concrete action. (version française après le texte anglais)

  One year after the adoption of the Geneva Declaration, the PEC
renews its call for concrete action

  Geneva, September 21, 2005 - Marking the first anniversary of
the Geneva Declaration for the Protection of media and their
associates in zones of conflict and civil unrest, the Press Emblem
Campaign (PEC) renews Wednesday its call for more concrete action
to defend media in zones of conflict and civil unrest.

  Though the Campaign has been reinforced by some 37,000
journalists in 50 countries, it feels that there has been no
progress on the adoption of concrete measures for the protection of
media in zones of conflict and civil unrest undertaken by
governments. 

  In line with the September 21, 2004 Geneva Declaration, signed
so far by 36 organizations, the PEC appeals today to all
journalists and associations to unite in order to mobilize
governments within the context of freedom of expression and the
right to information, to move forward towards establishing a
working group to discuss this important and vital issue of media
protection.

  The PEC calls upon governments to move and take the initiative
for installing concrete measures that would make international law
a firm commitment and not only a smoke screen.

  Since 2003 more than 80 media colleagues and their associates
were killed in Iraq, a figure which is greater than the media
casualties in the Vietnam War.

  This year alone, since January and up to September 20, 47
journalists (19 in Iraq, 5 in the Philippines) were killed, in
comparison with 53 in 2004 and 40 in 2003 (source: RSF). 2005 could
beat the tragic record of media casualties in 2004.

  The recent attack against Reuters staffers in Iraq shows the
seriousness of the problem.

  Impunity is total; the perpetrators of acts of violence against
journalists are left without judgment.

  The call, by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ),
to establish an Independent Commission of Enquiry, has not found
the appropriate response.

  The PEC started to contact some government representatives and
international organizations with the aim of establishing a working
group that would discuss this urgent matter.

  Answers were not discouraging, but remained vague. Some said "we
will study the file", others said "we will wait for the results of
the commission of experts", furthermore a more blunt answer was
received "the journalists are not united on ways and means to
achieve those measures and which measures", and: "current
international law must first be applied."

  However, how can the provisions of international law and
international humanitarian law be effectively applied in this
context in the absence of a new mechanism?

  So far, in the case of the abduction or the killing of a
journalist the standard reaction is that of statements of sympathy,
condemnation and solidarity, but nothing concretely takes place.

  A positive development: the Commission of Experts, which was
decided upon in the Geneva Declaration ( September 21, 2004), has
been established and is presided by the Director of the BBC World
Service and Global News Richard Sambrook.

  The Commission has met for three times so far in May 2005 in
Doha/Qatar, in July in London, and this September in New York to
listen to witnesses on attacks and acts of violence against
journalists.

  The Commission will have other meetings from now to May 2006
when it will present its report and recommendations.

  The PEC sincerely hopes that the Commission would recommend
decisive steps towards improving the working conditions and
protection of journalists in zones of conflict and civil unrest.

  The PEC whose membership since June 2005 has assembled more than
35,000 journalists living in some 50 countries, many of whom are
victims of armed conflicts, reminds the media community as well as
the international community of its prime objective to establish an
open-ended inter-governmental working group which would study
measures that could be taken to improve media protection.

  Those measures discussed would give the chance to look into a
new international convention or additional protocol.

  All provisions of such a draft convention are open for
discussion at this stage.

  The PEC expresses hope that the working group would meet between
now and in the course of 2006 preferably in Geneva, the World
Capital of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law.

  The goodwill of all members of the media community and other
stakeholders is urgently required at this stage.

  The urgency remains to start the real work.

   

  For the PEC board, the co-founders: Hedayat Abdel Nabi and
Blaise Lempen .


 
VERSION FRANçAISE

 
  Un an après l'adoption de la Déclaration de Genève, la PEC
renouvelle son appel en faveur de mesures concrètes.

  Genève, 21 septembre 2005 - Un an exactement après l'adoption de
la Déclaration de Genève sur la protection des medias dans les
zones de violences, la Campagne pour un emblème de presse (PEC) a
renouvelé mercredi son appel en faveur de mesures concrètes.

  Renforcée par le soutien de quelque 37#000 journalistes dans 50
pays, la PEC déplore l'absence de progrès pour renforcer la
protection des journalistes et de leurs collaborateurs dans les
zones de conflit.

  Conformément à la Déclaration de Genève, signée jusqu'ici par 36
organisations, la PEC appelle aujourd'hui les associations de
journalistes à faire preuve d'unité et de détermination pour
mobiliser les gouvernements au nom de la liberté d'expression et du
droit à l'information.

  Elle demande aux gouvernements concernés de passer des promesses
aux actes et de prendre l'initiative de mesures concrètes pour que
le droit international ne soit pas un simple écran de fumée.

  La guerre en Irak se poursuit avec son lot de victimes. Plus de
80 employés des medias sont morts en Irak depuis mars 2003, soit
plus qu'en 20 ans de guerre au Vietnam.

  Cette année, depuis le mois de janvier et jusqu'au 20 septembre,
47 journalistes (dont 19 en Irak et cinq aux Philippines) ont été
tués. L'année 2005 risque ainsi de battre le triste record
enregistré en 2004 (53 tués, contre 40 en 2003) (source: RSF).

  Les cas récents d'attaques contre le personnel de Reuters en
Irak montrent une fois de plus la gravité et l'urgence du problème.

  L'impunité est totale. Les auteurs de violences contre les
journalistes ne sont pas poursuivis. La demande, faite par la
Fédération internationale des journalistes, de créer une commission
d'enquête indépendante, n'a pas reçu de réponse adéquate.

  De son côté, la PEC a entamé des contacts sur le plan
diplomatique avec quelques gouvernements. Les réponses ne sont pas
décourageantes, mais restent vagues jusqu'à présent. Quelques-unes
des réponses reçues : "nous allons étudier le dossier, nous vous
ferons savoir", "informez-nous de la suite", "nous attendons les
résultats de la commission d'experts", "les journalistes ne sont
pas d'accord entre eux sur les remèdes à apporter", "il faut
d'abord faire appliquer le droit existant".

  Mais comment faire appliquer le droit alors qu'il n'est
actuellement pas respecté, en l'absence de nouveaux mécanismes ?

  A chaque fois qu'un événement tragique a frappé la communauté
des journalistes, un grand nombre de déclarations de sympathie et
de solidarité et de protestations ont été entendues. Mais, au-delà,
rien de concret n'a été fait.

  Développement positif: la commission dexperts, dont la création
avait été décidée il y a un an à Genève, a commencé ses travaux,
sous la présidence du directeur de BBC World Service and Global
News Richard Sambrook. Elle s'est réunie à trois reprises, en mai à
Doha (Qatar), en juillet à Londres et à New York en septembre, pour
recueillir des témoignages de journalistes victimes de violences.
D'autres réunions sont prévues dans les prochains mois avant que la
commission discute et présente des recommandations dans un rapport
attendu pour le mois de mai 2006. Nous espérons qu'elle donnera une
impulsion décisive aux efforts pour améliorer concrètement la
protection des journalistes sur le plan international.

  La Campagne, qui regroupe depuis la fin juin plus de 35.000
journalistes dans une cinquantaine de pays, notamment les pays
victimes d'un conflit armé, rappelle son premier objectif: créer un
groupe de travail intergouvernemental à composition non limitée qui
étudie les moyens de renforcer la protection des journalistes par
l'intermédiaire d'une convention internationale.

  Toutes les options pour renforcer la protection des journalistes
restent ouvertes à la discussion à ce stade.

  La PEC espère que le groupe de travail intergouvernemental
puisse se réunir d'ici à la fin de 2006, de préférence à Genève,
capitale des droits de l'homme et du droit humanitaire. Nous
faisons appel à la bonne volonté de chacun.

  Il y a urgence à au moins démarrer le travail.

  Pour le comité de la PEC, les co-fondateurs: Hedayat Abdelnabi et
Blaise Lempen

***02.09.2005. Iraq: US army recognises firing on two members Reuters TV crew. The PEC condemns this atttitude, calls for immediate sanctions against the US soldiers and appeals again for a better protection of the journalists in zones of conflict with a distinctive sign preventing such lack of discernment. See below the Reuters stories and also the answer of the UN Secretary General to the letter of IFJ. 

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01-SEP-2005

US confirms its troops killed Reuters journalist in Iraq

By Alastair Macdonald
BAGHDAD, Sept 1 (Reuters) - The U.S. military confirmed on
Thursday that its soldiers killed a Reuters journalist in Iraq
but said their action was "appropriate".
Describing Sunday's incident, when television soundman
Waleed Khaled was killed by multiple shots, Major General Rick
Lynch said: "That car approached at a high rate of speed and
then conducted activity that in itself was suspicious. There
were individuals hanging outside with what looked to be a
weapon.
"It stopped and immediately put itself in reverse. Again
suspicious activity. Our soldiers on the scene used established
rules of engagement and all the training received ... decided
that it was appropriate to engage that particular car.
"And as a result of that the driver was indeed killed and
the passenger was hurt by shards of glass."
Reuters cameraman Haider Kadhem, 24, like Waleed an Iraqi,
was slightly wounded by flying fragments but survived in the
passenger seat of the car, only to be detained for the next
three days by U.S. troops. Kadhem was using a small video
camera.
Reuters Global Managing Editor David Schlesinger rejected
any suggestion that the killing of Waleed was justified.
"The idea that the killing of a professional journalist
doing his duty could be justified is repugnant to me," he said.
Lynch, senior spokesman for all U.S.-led forces in Iraq,
said the investigation into the incident, by an officer from the
army division involved in the shooting, had been concluded.
But a spokesman for the division said the report had not yet
been formally completed and was not yet available.
Schlesinger called on the military to release the results of
their inquiry as soon as possible so that Reuters could respond
fully.
"To come to these conclusions without a full and independent
investigation is rash and unwise," he added.
Lynch said soldiers reacted when they saw the car traveling
"forward at a high rate of speed".
"That particular car looked like cars that we have seen in
the past used as suicide bombs. It wasn't a new car, it was an
older model car ... And there were two local nationals inside
the car.
"Our soldiers took appropriate measures. We mourn the loss
of life of all humans ... But our soldiers are trained to
respond in those situations.
"Put yourself in the place of the soldiers, knowing that
the insurgents, who have been known to use suicide bombs,
suicide car bombs, suicide vests, to attack innocent civilians,
will always have an attack and then respond to that attack when
the first responders come forward. So our soldiers took
appropriate action on that particular case."

Waleed Khaled, 35, had worked for Reuters in Baghdad for two
years and was a key member of news teams working in the capital.

He was a much-loved colleague who left a wife who is
four-months pregnant and a 7-year-old daughter.

REUTERS


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31-AUG-2005

UPDATE 2-Reuters cameraman held indefinitely, another freed

(Adds comment from media watchdogs)
By Alastair Macdonald
BAGHDAD, Aug 31 (Reuters) - A cameraman for Reuters in Iraq
has been ordered by a secret tribunal to be held without charge
in Baghdad's Abu Ghraib prison until his case is reviewed within
six months, a U.S. military spokesman said on Wednesday.
But another Reuters cameraman was released after being held
for three days by U.S. troops following an incident in which his
soundman was shot dead, apparently by American soldiers.
Ali Omar Abrahem al-Mashhadani was arrested by U.S. forces
on Aug. 8 after a search of his home in the city of Ramadi. The
U.S. military has refused Reuters% requests to disclose why he
is being held. He has not been charged.

His brother, who was detained with him and then released,
said they were arrested after Marines looked at the images on
the journalist's cameras.

"The CRRB has determined that Mr. Mashhadani remains a
threat to the people of Iraq and they recommended continued
internment," Lieutenant Colonel Guy Rudisill said, referring to
a hearing of the Iraqi-U.S. Combined Review and Release Board
held at a secret location in Baghdad on Monday.

He said Mashhadani would be entitled to a review of his case
within 180 days and would be held at Abu Ghraib.

Rudisill said he would not be allowed to see an attorney,
his family or anyone else for the first 60 days of his
detention, which began in Abu Ghraib last week.

Reuters Global Managing Editor David Schlesinger said: "I am
shocked and appalled that such a decision could be taken without
his having access to legal counsel of his choosing, his family
or his employers.

"I call on the authorities to release him immediately or
publicly air the case against him and give him the opportunity
to defend himself."

SEARCH BY MARINES

Marines searched Mashhadani's home, along with others in the
Ramadi neighbourhood, after shooting in the area.

Such shooting is common in the city, where Sunni Arab
insurgents are active. Reuters assigned Mashhadani to film such
incidents.

"The CRRB Board is an independent and unbiased board and
consists of nine members: six representatives of the Iraqi
government ... and three senior Multi-National Forces officers,"
the U.S. military said in a statement on the case.

Rudisill said he was aware of five journalists for major
news media in detention, including Mashhadani and another
freelance cameraman who has worked for Reuters, as well as a
cameraman for the U.S. television network CBS.

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
and the media watchdog group Reporters Without Borders both
voiced alarm at Mashhadani's detention.

"This is simply unacceptable," CPJ Executive Director Ann
Cooper said in a statement. "Through these detentions the U.S.
military gives every impression that it is not accountable.
That's a bad example to give the citizens of an emerging
democracy."

Journalists for other major international organisations have
recently been released without charge after many months in
custody.

Reuters had also been pressing for the release of cameraman
Haider Kadhem, who was detained in Baghdad on Sunday after an
incident in which his soundman, Waleed Khaled, was killed as he
drove the pair on a news assignment.

Iraqi police said U.S. troops fired on the Reuters team,
both Iraqis.

The U.S. military said Kadhem, 24, was questioned about
"inconsistencies" in his statements after the incident, before
being released on Wednesday. He suffered superficial wounds from
flying fragments.

Koichiro Matsuura, the director-general of the U.N.
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation UNESCO,
condemned the killing of Khaled.

"I trust that the ongoing U.S. investigation will explain
the circumstances of events fully and pave the way for
improvements in the future," he said in a statement.

"This is essential as the ability of the press to report
freely on the situation in Iraq plays a key role in the future
success of the democratic reconstruction of the country."

REUTERS


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31-AUG-2005

UN urges US restraint after Iraqi journalist shot

UNITED NATIONS, Aug 31 (Reuters) - The United Nations'
educational and cultural arm on Wednesday deplored the killing
of Reuters soundman Waleed Khaled in Baghdad and urged military
forces in Iraq to ensure journalists can do their work.

Khaled, an Iraqi, was killed on Sunday by shots to the head
and chest while on a news assignment. Iraqi police said U.S
troops fired on him. A U.S. military spokesman said they were
still investigating.

Koichiro Matsuura, the director-general of the U.N.
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO, also
condemned the injuries inflicted on Khaled's colleague, Reuters
cameraman Haider Kadhem, who was wounded in the same incident.

"Despite the tense security situation in Iraq, it is
paramount that all those willing to help establish democracy in
Iraq be mindful of the right of the media to exercise their
profession freely," Matsuura said in the statement.

"I trust that the ongoing U.S. investigation will explain
the circumstances of events fully and pave the way for
improvements in the future," he said. "This is essential as the
ability of the press to report freely on the situation in Iraq
plays a key role in the future success of the democratic
reconstruction of the country."

UNESCO is based in Paris but a copy of the statement was
released at U.N. headquarters in New York.

Khaled was the fourth Reuters journalist killed in Iraq
since the U.S. invasion of 2003.

Kadhem, 24, was riding in a car with Khaled at the time of
the shooting and was detained by U.S. troops afterward. He was
freed on Wednesday after being held for three days.

REUTERS

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30-AUG-2005

UN's Annan speaks out for journalists in war zones

By Evelyn Leopold

UNITED NATIONS, Aug 30 (Reuters) - U.N. Secretary-General
Kofi Annan believes that governments and armed forces have an
obligation to protect the right of journalists to work without
fear for their security, a U.N. spokeswoman said on Tuesday.

She was responding to a request by the Brussels-based
International Federation of Journalists. The group has asked
Annan to investigate deaths of media staff at the hands of U.S.
and coalition forces in Iraq.

The organization, a global umbrella group of some 100
journalist associations, said the death of Reuters television
sound technician, Waleed Khaled, on Sunday brought to 18 the
number of journalists and other media staff killed by U.S.
troops since the invasion of Iraq in March 2003.

Without commenting on Iraq or any U.N. investigation,
spokeswoman Marie Okabe said Annan had "repeatedly urged all
actors in conflict situations around the world -- governments,
local authorities and armed forces -- to protect the right of
all citizens to reliable information and the right of
journalists to provide it without fearing for their security."
"He has spoken out strongly against the fact that when
belligerents see freedom of expression as an enemy to their
cause and the media as a tool for propaganda, journalists who
attempt to report in a nonpartisan way face pressure,
manipulation, intimidation or even elimination," Okabe said.

"He has called for an end to that practice and for freedom
for journalists to practice their profession," Okabe said.

Last week the chief spokesman for U.S. forces in Iraq, Maj.
Gen. Rick Lynch, said the American military did not have any
special policy for journalists put in detention.

"That's a no," he said in answer to questions. "What we've
got to do is look at the individual that was indeed detained
and what was he doing, regardless of what his profession is."

Two Reuters cameramen have been killed by U.S. troops in
Iraq since the American invasion in 2003. A third was shot dead
by a sniper last November in circumstances for which Reuters is
still seeking an explanation from U.S. forces.

A Reuters cameraman, Haider Kadhem, remained in U.S.
military custody in Baghdad on Tuesday, two days after
surviving an incident in which soundman Khaled was shot dead.

Another Reuters cameraman, Ali al-Mashhadani, was arrested
by U.S. forces three weeks ago and is being held incommunicado
in Abu Ghraib prison near Baghdad.

Reporters and staff working for other media, including the
CBS television network and Agence France Presse have also been
held for months.

REUTERS

***29.08.2005. After the death of a Reuters soundman Waleed Khaled
and the wounding of a cameraman Haider Kadhem by US forces in
Baghdad, the Press Emblem Campaign is fully supporting the IFJ call
to the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to establish an independent
inquiry into the killings of media staffs in Iraq. We remind also
the international community of the need to establish an
intergovernmental working group to study the ways and means to
improve the protection of journalists in zones of conflict. More
journalists have died in Iraq since 2003 than in 20 years in the
Vietnam war. For information, we are reproducing the letter of the
IFJ General Secretary Aidan White:

"The Honourable Kofi Annan
Secretary-General
United Nations
New York, NY 10017 - USA
Fax: +1 212 963 2155 / 963 7055
Via email: sg@un.org and ecu@un.org


August 29th 2005

Dear Secretary-General,

  Concern over Safety of Media Staff and Deaths of Journalists in
Iraq

  On behalf of the International Federation of Journalists, the
worlds largest journalists group, I am writing to express the
strongest possible concern of journalists worldwide over the
perilous situation facing journalists and media staff working in
Iraq today.

  Yesterdays shooting of Reuters employee Waleed Khaled in the Hay
al-Adil district of west Baghdad, an incident in which cameraman
Haider Kadhem was wounded, brings to 70 the number of Iraqi media
staff killed since the US invasion in March 2003.

  Altogether and counting all essential media staff including
drivers and translators, we have registered some 95 journalists and
media staff who have died in the Iraq conflict. The toll is
appalling, with many of our colleagues helpless victims of a
conflict in which there will be, inevitably, unavoidable
casualties.

  However, some of these deaths could and should have been
avoided. We have noted that 18 of these deaths have been at the
hands of US soldiers. In most cases there have been no credible or
independent investigations which give thorough explanations, to the
satisfaction of friends, family and media organisations, as to why
colleagues and loved ones have died. In some cases questions still
remain more than two years after the journalists have died.

  The number of unexplained media killings by US military
personnel is unacceptable. Often it appears that media
organisations and journalists families face a wall of silence and
an unfeeling bureaucracy that refuses to give clear and credible
answers.

  That is why the IFJ is asking you and the United Nations to
establish an independent inquiry into the killings of media staff
at the hands of US and coalition forces. The United Nations has a
responsibility to ensure that international law is enforced and the
rights of victims in this conflict are properly protected. It is
time, we believe, for the UN itself to demand that there is justice
and respect for basic humanitarian rights on the part of democratic
countries involved in this conflict. I enclose a full list of all
of the cases which give us concern.

  We believe that a full, independent and inclusive inquiry into
all of these cases is urgently needed in order to ensure that
journalists and media organisations can have confidence that
governments are honouring their obligations.

  The IFJ acknowledges that many of the incidents may have been
unavoidable in the context of a war driven by undemocratic and
terrorist groups, but we cannot ignore the fact that in a number of
cases answers are still required. So long as this remains the case,
there will suggestions of deliberate targeting of media staff. We
need to clear the air.

  We also consider that in a period of transition to Iraqi
authority it is necessary to set the highest standards possible for
the investigation and reporting of all incidents in which
journalists and media staff are killed.

  The IFJ is currently working closely with journalists groups in
Iraq and is in dialogue with groups such as the Iraqi National
Communications and Media Commission to try to ensure that the
rights of journalists throughout the country are properly
protected.

  The issue of the safety and security of journalists and media
staff must be properly taken up by the international community,
which has already responded effectively and decisively on the
question of protection of humanitarian staff, including UN
personnel.

  All losses are terrible to bear, but the numbers of journalists,
and local media people in particular, who are now at risk has
reached unacceptably high levels. We ask for you to put this matter
before the Security Council and for Member States to be reminded of
their duties and responsibilities to protect journalists and media
staff, a group of civilians who, like humanitarian workers, have a
legitimate right to be present in conflict zones, but whose
interests have been ignored for far too long.

  With Kind Regards,
 
  AIDAN WHITE

  General Secretary International Federation of Journalists".

***26.08.2005. The press emblem campaign joins other associations to mark August 30 as an International Day of Solidarity with the Nepalese
Journalists - sign the petition. Journée de solidarité avec les journalistes népalais le 30 août - signez la pétition.

Geneva, August 26, 2005 - The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) calls
upon the authorities in Kathmandou as well as the rebels to respect
the freedom of expression of journalists, noting that a war cannot
be won by curbing the independence and freedom of expression of the
media.

In addition, the PEC calls upon the International Community to
intensify its efforts in order to re-establish democracy and
freedom in Nepal.

Since the month of February many Nepalese journalists were
harassed, detained, abducted and tortured. Journalists who oppose
the government lost their jobs. The Maoist rebels have also
attacked journalists. Many media outlets were closed including
radio and TV stations.

In spite of the agreement reached in Geneva last April between
the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Kathmandou
government, human rights violations continue to happen in Nepal.

In this context, the PEC is joining the International Federation
of Journalists (IFJ) who launched the petition and is asking all
PEC members and partners to sign the text of solidarity with the
Nepalese journalists at the address which follows:
www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/622930457.

Please circulate the petition to all those concerned in the
profession and outside it. An international day of action for press
freedom in Nepal is organized on August 30: it includes the
signature campaign to be presented to the upcoming UN General
Assembly in New York and a letter to King Gyanendra demanding the
reintroduction of freedom of speech.

The Nepalese Association of Journalists is a member of the PEC
since last May and has also signed the Geneva Declaration on the
need to reinforce the protection of journalists (september 2004).
While awaiting progress to start efforts towards a new
International Convention, the PEC calls upon all parties to
implement international law.

"Nepalese journalists are currently enduring one of the most
profound attacks on human rights since the late 1980s", said the
IFJ.

***24.08.2005. The PEC joins the call of Reuters for its cameraman. The war in Iraq is going on, and the situation of journalists is more and more difficult. See the Reuters story:

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24-AUG-2005

Reuters calls for release of Iraqi cameraman

By Alastair Macdonald

BAGHDAD, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Reuters called on the U.S.
military on Wednesday to explain the detention of an Iraqi
journalist working for the agency, who has been held
incommunicado for two weeks, or release him immediately.

U.S. military spokesmen have refused to say why they are
holding Ali Omar Abrahem al-Mashhadani, a 36-year-old freelance
cameraman and photographer who has worked for the international
news organisation for a year in Ramadi, capital of Anbar region.

Lieutenant Colonel Guy Rudisill, spokesman for U.S. detainee
operations in Iraq, said the journalist was now in Baghdad's Abu
Ghraib prison: "He will not be able to have visitors for the
next 60 days," he added.

Reuters Global Managing Editor David Schlesinger said: "We
are very concerned and dismayed by this unexplained and
prolonged detention of a journalist working for us and urge the
U.S. military either to release him or provide a full account of
the accusations against him.

"Ali al-Mashhadani is a professional journalist whose work
for us brings him into contact with parties in conflict.

"In the interests of the independent media the United States
has pledged to foster in Iraq, it is imperative the authorities
act speedily to clarify with news organisations any suspicions
arising from the activities of journalists working for us."

Schlesinger also demanded access to Mashhadani.

An account from Mashhadani's family of his arrest on Aug. 8
suggests that images found by U.S. Marines on his cameras during
a general sweep in the neighbourhood prompted his detention.

Relatives said that Marines conducting a routine search of
the house turned hostile after viewing images stored on
Mashhadani's video and stills cameras and his desktop computer.

Reuters has provided the U.S. military with published work
by Mashhadani that shows scenes of conflict and gunmen operating
in plain view of civilians. Nothing in his work has indicated
activity incompatible with his status as an independent
journalist.

U.S. military officials have responded neither to offers of
further information from Reuters nor to proposals for meetings
with Reuters editors to clarify Mashhadani's activities.

FALSE ACCUSATIONS

Journalists for Reuters and other media organisations in
Iraq have been wrongly accused in the past by U.S. forces of
having prior information of insurgent attacks -- suspicions
apparently raised by their quick response to news events.

Last year, three Iraqis working for Reuters were arrested
after arriving swiftly in the area where a U.S. helicopter had
been shot down near Falluja. The three, and another Iraqi
working for U.S. television network NBC, said they were sexually
and physically abused by U.S. soldiers for three days before
they were released after pressure from the news organisations.

Reuters is still seeking access to the results of a military
inquiry into that incident. A summary report exonerated the
troops involved but the Iraqis themselves were never questioned
by U.S. investigators.

A number of Iraqi journalists working for foreign news
organisations have been detained for months at a time by the
U.S. military and some are still in custody.

Iraq is the most dangerous country to work as a journalist.
Two Reuters cameramen, Ukrainian Taras Protsyuk and Palestinian
Mazen Dana, have been killed by U.S. troops since the war began.

Mashhadani's predecessor for Reuters in Ramadi, Dhia Najim,
was shot dead during fighting between U.S. Marines and
insurgents on Nov. 1 last year. The exact circumstances of his
killing have never been clarified despite requests from Reuters.

SEE ALSO ON THE PAGE "LINKS" THE LAST INSI FIGURES OF THE DEATH TOLL AMONG JOURNALISTS IN IRAQ. 

***Juillet 2005. A lire absolument, les "Mémoires d'otages" de nos confrères Christian Chesnot et Georges Malbrunot (éditions Calmann-Lévy, Paris avril 2005). Kidnappés pendant quatre mois près de Bagdad par l'Armée islamique d'Irak (AII), les deux journalistes français ont fait le récit bouleversant de leur captivité. D'une grande honnêteté intellectuelle, nos confrères racontent leur détention dans le moindre détail. Ils nous donnent ainsi un témoignage de première main, très factuel, du phénomène hélas récurrent des prises d'otages. Ils analysent aussi avec perspicacité le contexte politique du chaos irakien. Grâce à une enquête à leur retour en France, ils nous éclairent sur les coulisses des négociations secrètes entre les autorités françaises et les intermédiaires des militants de l'AII. Leur conseil amical en conclusion: mieux vaut pour les journalistes éviter temporairement l'Irak plutôt que de faire des papiers bloqués dans des chambres d'hôtel à Bagdad en exposant au danger d'éventuels fixers irakiens. (BL)

***12.06.2005. Libération de Florence Aubenas et de Hussein Hanoun. La Campagne pour un emblème de presse demande de ne pas oublier tous les autres. Release of Florence Aubenas and Hussein Hanoun. The Press Emblem Campaign is asking not to forget all the others. 

Genève, 12 juin 2005 (pec) Le comité de la Campagne pour un emblème de presse (PEC) exprime son immense soulagement à la suite de la libération de Florence Aubenas et de Hussein Hanoun après 157 jours de captivité en Irak. Leur terrible épreuve, totalement injuste, ainsi que l’angoisse de leur famille, souligne le besoin pressant de renforcer la protection des medias dans les zones de conflit.

La Campagne, qui regroupe près de 30.000 journalistes dans plus de 30 pays, exhorte une nouvelle fois les gouvernements à combler les lacunes du droit international actuel et à élaborer une nouvelle Convention instaurant des mécanismes efficaces d’enquête et de suivi de manière à combattre l’impunité. En effet, de nombreux autres journalistes moins connus que Florence ont été victimes de diverses agressions à travers le monde depuis le début de l’année. C’est en faisant preuve de solidarité et d’unité que, tous ensemble, associations de journalistes, organisations de défense des droits de l’homme, organisations internationales et gouvernements nous arriverons à préserver les conditions nécessaires à la liberté d’expression.

From right to left: Christine Gabella, central secretary of the Swiss Federation of Journalists (Impressum), Hedayat Abdelnabi, president Press Emblem Campaign, Naim Tobassi, president Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate, member of the executive committee of the IFJ and of the executive committee of the Arab Federation of Journalists, and Blaise Lempen, vice-president PEC.

La Campagne pour un emblème de presse annonce le soutien de 21
associations représentant environ 30.000 journalistes dans le monde
au projet de nouvelle convention internationale pour renforcer la
protection des journalistes. Le besoin est surtout marqué dans les
pays du Sud.
   
  Genève, 6 juin 2005 (pec) La Campagne lancée il y a un an pour
renforcer la protection des journalistes dans les zones de conflit
bénéficie d'un soutien croissant. Toutes les associations de
journalistes qui ont répondu à un sondage mondial sont d'accord
avec la proposition de créer un emblème de presse uniforme et
facultatif.

   "Toutes les réponses reçues ont été positives", s'est félicitée
la présidente et co-fondatrice de la Campagne pour un emblème de
presse (PEC) Hedayat Abdelnabi.

   Les associations de journalistes membres de la Fédération
internationale des journalistes dans 112 pays ont été invitées en
avril et mai par voie électronique à dire si elles soutiennent la
Déclaration de Genève adoptée en septembre 2004 et appelant à des
mesures urgentes pour renforcer la protection des journalistes,
ainsi que l'élaboration d'une nouvelle Convention internationale et
la création d'un emblème de presse.

   Un tiers des associations n'ont cependant pas pu être atteintes,
un autre tiers n'a pas répondu. Jusqu'ici, 21 organisations de
journalistes, représentant au total 30 pays, ont exprimé leur
soutien à la Campagne. La Déclaration de Genève est pour sa part
signée par 35 organisations.

   La quasi-totalité des réponses positives viennent de pays en
crise ou qui connaissent un conflit régional. Le besoin d'un
renforcement de la protection des journalistes s'y fait le plus
sentir: du Népal au Congo, de la Palestine aux Philippines, du
Caucase à la Somalie, de la Macédoine à l'Afrique de l'Ouest, de
l'Algérie au Sri Lanka.

   "Ce sont les journalistes de ces pays-là, et non les
journalistes occidentaux qui travaillent dans les plus mauvaises
conditions et ont un urgent besoin d'une plus grande protection
reconnue sur le plan international", a souligné Blaise Lempen,
co-fondateur et vice-président de la PEC.

   "Les journalistes israéliens et les journalistes palestiniens
ont tous deux donné leur accord à la création d'un emblème reconnu
internationalement. C'est un important développement au
Proche-Orient", a relevé pour sa part Hedayat Abdelnabi.

   "Nous soutenons résolument cette Campagne. Les journalistes en
Palestine sont confrontés à d'énormes difficultés avec des
conséquences souvent tragiques", a expliqué Naim Tobassi, président
du syndicat des journalistes palestiniens et membre du comité
exécutif de la Fédération internationale des journalistes.

   Cependant, la PEC déplore le fait que les associations de
journalistes des pays occidentaux, à quelques exceptions près
(comme le Japon et la Suisse), ne se sont pas manifestées. Elle
leur lance un appel pour qu'elles soient solidaires des
journalistes des pays en crise.

   Un an après sa création, la PEC a prouvé qu'elle répond à un
besoin. Des dizaines de milliers de journalistes, représentés par
leur association, lui font confiance.

   Nous demandons aujourd'hui aux gouvernements concernés de créer
RAPIDEMENT un groupe de travail ad hoc. Ce groupe d'experts
intergouvernemental devrait discuter tous les aspects d'une
nouvelle Convention complétant les Conventions de Genève. La PEC
espère qu'une conférence puisse ensuite se réunir en 2006.
Les conditions de travail de nombreux journalistes à travers le monde sont très mauvaises. Nous devons réagir par un projet concret sur le plan international.

PRESS RELEASE
     
   The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) announces a widening support for
the movement with 21 media syndicates representing more than 30,000
journalists around the world

   Geneva, June 6, 2005 - The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) said
Monday that since the movement was created one year ago, it has
picked up in global support as a result of a global referendum
launched last month.

   "We are very pleased to announce that all the responses received
expressed 100 % support for the creation of an internationally
recognized press emblem to be worn on a voluntary basis and a new
international convention to provide media with legal protection in
zones of conflict and civil unrest", said Hedayat Abdel Nabi,
president and co-founder of the PEC.

   The need for the new internationally recognized press emblem was
expressed by media syndicates/unions in the developing world-the
South.

     Media syndicates and unions in 112 countries who are members
of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) were invited
to participate in the Global Poll in April and May.

   Five questions were forwarded electronically in addition to that
on the emblem and the convention.

   The questions also included their opinion on the Geneva
Declaration issued on September 21, 2004.

   All responses received were positive, and in support of the main
themes: the emblem, a new convention, and the Declaration.

   21 media syndicates and unions in 30 countries representing some
30.000 journalists have supported the PEC call so far, and 35
organizations have signed the Geneva Declaration.

   The following 21 journalist syndicates are supporting the
creation of a press emblem: Iraqi Syndicate of Journalists, the
Emirates Journalists Syndicate, Union Internationale de la presse
Francophone (51 countries), Taiwanese Journalists Association,
Central Asian and Southern Caucasian Freedom of Expression Network
(CASCFEN: Azerbaidjan, Georgia, Kirgyztan, Uzbekistan,
Tadjikistan), Mauritius Union of Journalists, Nepal Press Union,
National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, Pakistan Federal
Union of Journalists, Somali Journalists Network, Syndicat national
des professionnels de presse du Congo, Union of Press Workers
(Cyprus), National Federation of Israeli Journalists, Japan
Federation of Commercial Broadcast Workers Union, Association of
Iranian Journalists, Association of Journalists of Macedonia,
Nigerian Union of Journalists, Palestinian Journalists Syndicate,
Union des journalistes d'Afrique de l'Ouest, Syndicat national des
journalistes algériens, Federation of Media Employees Trade Union
(Sri Lanka).

   "The Global Poll reflect the fact that those who are going
through a bloody conflict think that the emblem and convention are
of paramount importance to the media community", said Blaise
Lempen, vice-president and co-founder of the PEC.

   Those media syndicates, unions and federations stretch from
Nepal to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, From Palestine to
the Philippines, from the Caucuses to Somalia, from Macedonia to
West Africa, from Algeria to Sri Lanka.

   "Clearly it is the media in those countries and not in the West
who feel the burden of loss due to the dangerous conditions of the
profession, it is them who need a greater kind of legal protection
recognized by the international community", added Blaise Lempen,
vice-president and co-founder of the PEC.

   "One important development for the PEC is that the Israeli as
well as the Palestinian journalists are today members of the PEC
and in full support of the Global campaign. They have both notified
the PEC board of their support for the creation of a new
internationally recognized emblem", stressed Hedayat Abdel Nabi.

   "We firmly stand behind the Press Emblem Campaign, we the
Palestinian journalists face difficulties of insurmontable
magnitude with often tragic consequences", said Palestinian
Syndicate President and member of the IFJ executive comittee Naim
Tobassi.

   However, the PEC deplores the fact that media associations in
the West (except a few, like the Japanese and the Swiss) have not
responded to the Global Poll.

   We call upon them today to join us in solidarity with
journalists in countries of zones of conflict.

   Today, one year after, the PEC presents itself as a solution to
a need expressed by some 30,000 journalists all around the Globe.

   The PEC calls today upon the UN member states to form QUICKLY a
working group as a first step to discuss the proposed draft
convention and to make the amendments necessary for an enlarged
intergovernmental conference to meet at the beginning of 2006. The
conditions of work of journalists in many countries are very bad. We
must react with concrete proposals on the international scene.

***22.05.05 Global poll (see text below): Palestinians and Israeli Journalists are now together on board with the Press Emblem Campaign: We have now registered the full support of the Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate. So, we are very pleased to have on board the Palestinian Journalists together with the National Federation of the Israeli Journalists (they have answered yes to our questions already May 10). For information, here is the letter of the president of the Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate Naim Tobassi to the president of the PEC Hedayat Abdelnabi:

     "Your letter has reached me and we thank you very much for this concern. We, in the Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate Council, have seen that we stand at the side of this campaign and this historical movement which you have announced; and we will be part of this campaign which works for the sake of the Journalists' freedom and protection in the regions of war and dispute.

     We, in Palestine, as you know, are exposed to big tragic circumstances; and there is no protection to the Palestinian Journalists; and there is no law which protects us from the bullets of the Israeli Occupiers; as the number of martyrs from Palestinian Journalists has reached fifteen; among whom three were from foreign colleagues, who fell on the Palestinian ground. All of them were shot dead, while Israel was practicing military operations over Palestinian Lands. And there are also Journalists who were arrested; their number exceeded twelve. There are Journalists who were hit with real and rubber bullets; their number exceeded 150 - wounded and hit. We cannot move freely, and we cannot reach Jerusalem or move freely among cities and Israeli Military Barriers. There is the process of racial discrimination against Palestinian Journalists and the confiscation of their Journalistic I.D . Cards. There are much more happenings against the right of the press and the Journalists in Palestine, Iraq, and other countries. Your voice and movement is a movement which the history of the press and the journalists will register. We are with taking practical measures for protecting Journalists during war, especially in the regions of conflict.

      The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate will do its best, and with all determination, to stand at your side for defending the Journalists, whether they are in Palestine, Iraq, or in any other place. I will support, with all powers, this movement during our meeting in the Executive Committee of the IFJ which will be held at the beginning of June in Rome.

     Our Answers to the questions:-

     1) Yes - We will sign the Geneva Declaration and also the declaration designed extra for Iraq.

    2) Yes - We are very much concerned with creating a new international treaty which will work on enhancing the protection of Journalists during the time of war and in the regions of dispute.

    3) Yes - I am concerned, and I will stand with all power at the side of the Journalists Grouping Campaign.

    4) Question No. (2) to the emblem of the Campaign.

     I do hope to remain in constant contact with each other, for the benefit of Journalists, for the sake of their protection, and for freedom,

    Jerusalem, 22nd. of May, 2005

    With best regards",

    Naim Tobassi

    Member of the Executive Committee of
     the International Federation for Journalists,

    Member of the Executive Committee of
     the Arab Federation for Journalists,

    President of
     the Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate.

***13.04.2005. Launch of a global poll by the PEC via internet. To all journalists' associations in the world. 
 

Appeal to all journalists' associations and unions around the world

The Global Poll/Referendum

Dear colleagues,

We the undersigned represent a new organization, the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), whose goal is humanitarian.

The PEC was established last June by a group of journalists most of whom are based in Geneva, some of them members of the Geneva Association of UN correspondents (ACANU), and others members of the Swiss Journalists Association, IMPRESSUM.

In September 2004, we organized our first PrepCom with representatives from the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), NGOs, UN, UNESCO, ICRC and others.

During the two-day September 2004 conference the Geneva declaration was adopted which calls for urgent measures to protect journalists in zones of conflict.

Please look at our website www.pressemblem.ch where you will find the Geneva declaration as well as a declaration on the situation in Iraq. As well as all other related issued to our campaign.

Today, we are launching a global media referendum in the form of an internet consultation.

Your opinion is important to us. Your support will determine whether we can convince governments to meet in early 2006 to work on the urgent measures to protect media in zones of conflict, including the PEC proposal for a proposed international convention to protect media in zones of conflict.

In this context, we ask you to answer the five questions that are to follow and as soon as possible preferably before May 31, 2005:


1) Are you willing to sign the Geneva Declaration as well as the declaration on Iraq which was signed by 18 organizations including the IFJ and the PEC? Please see the text on the site listed previously on the " Geneva meeting" page.

2) Are you in favor of launching a new international convention that would reinforce the protection of journalists in zones of conflict, inter alia combating impunity, for the establishment of mechanisms for enquiry, such mechanisms would lead to bringing the perpetrators of such acts against journalists to justice and would also provide for compensation to the victims. See Legal Aspects on the PEC site. 

3) Are you in favor of the creation of a press emblem, worn on a voluntary basis, which would help in identifying better and therefore protect the journalists in zones of conflict?

4) Which of the four designs for the proposed emblem would you choose, see the designs on our web page Legal Aspects on the PEC site.

   Please indicate your preference by noting number one, or two, or three or four.

5) If you would like to join the PEC Campaign, please go to our website www.pressemblem.ch and click on Contact. Please indicate to us your positive or negative answer. 

    We hope that you can join the PEC campaign, meanwhile between now and May 31, 2005, the PEC group in Geneva is awaiting your response after consultation with your membership.

     The more participants in the referendum, the more the results would be representative of the world media community and its choices.

     The military contenders do not distinguish between a journalist and a non-journalist.

      The mission of the media has also changed and has become highly distinctive in its role, which does single out media as a targeted group.

      It is now the time to act in face of the growing number of victims among the media community in conflict zones.

     Join the global PEC Campaign which aims at one goal that of improving the working condition of journalists in zones of conflict and a guarantee for access to information all over the globe.

     Thank you for your time and attention for participating in the global referendum.

TRADUCTION FRANCAISE 

Protection des journalistes dans les zones de conflit

Appel à tous les syndicats de journalistes - Sondage mondial

Chers confrères,

nous représentons une nouvelle organisation indépendante, à but
humanitaire, la Campagne pour un Emblème de Presse, créée en juin 2004 par un groupe de journalistes de plusieurs pays basés à Genève, notamment parmi l'Association des correspondants auprès de l'ONU et les journalistes suisses (Impressum).

En septembre 2004, nous avons organisé une première conférence
avec des représentants de la Fédération internationale des
journalistes, des ONG, des organisations internationales (ONU,
UNESCO, UER, CICR, RSF, etc). Au terme de cette réunion, une Déclaration de Genève a été adoptée. Elle appelle à prendre des mesures urgentes pour renforcer la protection des journalistes dans les zones de
conflit.

Vous trouverez le texte intégral de la Déclaration de Genève
ainsi que toutes les informations nécessaires sur notre Campagne
sur notre site bilingue anglais-français: www.pressemblem.ch

Dans le cadre du suivi de la Déclaration de Genève, nous
lançons une consultation mondiale par voie électronique.
L'opinion de votre syndicat est très importante: elle
déterminera le soutien dont nous pourrons nous prévaloir lors d'une
conférence que nous souhaitons organiser avec les représentants des
gouvernements et les associations de journalistes en 2006.

Vous seriez donc aimable de répondre aussi vite que possible à
cinq questions:

1) Etes-vous d'accord de signer la Déclaration de Genève (signée
déjà par 36 organisations, dont la FIJ et la PEC, voir le texte sur
la page "Geneva meeting" sur www.pressemblem.ch) ?

2) Etes-vous en faveur de l'élaboration d'une nouvelle
convention internationale pour renforcer la protection des
journalistes dans les zones de conflit, notamment pour lutter
contre l'impunité, créer des mécanismes d'enquête et de suivi,
renforcer les sanctions et les poursuites judiciaires et obtenir
des dédommagements ?

3) Etes-vous en faveur de la création d'un emblème de presse
facultatif, qui permettrait de mieux identifier et mieux protéger
les journalistes dans certaines situations conflictuelles ?

4) Vous trouverez quatre propositions d'emblème sur notre page
"Legal aspects" sur notre site www.pressemblem.ch). Laquelle
préférez-vous (indiquez 1er, 2ème, 3ème, ou 4ème dessin) ?

5) Etes-vous d'accord de soutenir la Campagne et d'en faire
partie comme membre de plein droit ? (pour les statuts, voir page
Contact)

Plus les participants à ce sondage seront nombreux, plus le
résultat sera représentatif.

Face au grand nombre de victimes parmi les journalistes d'un
bout à l'autre de la planète, il est temps non seulement de réagir,
mais d'agir. Il ne suffit pas de protester, il faut faire des
propositions concrètes. Rejoignez-nous dans notre campagne mondiale
pour améliorer nos conditions de travail et le droit d'accès à
l'information partout dans le monde.

***11.04.05. Open letter to Mr Ambeyi Libago, UN special rapporteur on freedom of expression on the occasion of the 61st session of UN Human Rights Commission - 12.06.05: Read the answer of Mr Libago after our letter. 

"Dear Sir,

We would like to convey to you our disappointment about your recent address to the 61st session of the Human Rights Commission. As special rapporteur in charge of freedom of expression, you are supposed to listen to the main concerns of the media in the world.

Your report to the Commission is disappointing because it does not reflect these concerns, in particular on the fundamental right to access of information and protection of journalists in zones of conflict.

You have not mentioned the adoption of the Geneva Declaration on the protection of journalists, in September 2004. Our conference was attended by more than 40 representatives of all organizations concerned (IFJ, WPFA, RSF, UNIS, EBU, UNESCO, ICRC, HRW, UPF, Amnesty, INSI, etc. – see the participants list and the text of the Geneva Declaration on our website: www.pressemblem.ch) The Geneva Declaration is signed by 18 organizations (IFJ, EBU, INSI, PEC, Iraki syndicate of journalists, UPF, etc.)

We sent to you an invitation to attend the September conference, but you never responded to this invitation.

On the occasion of 61rst session of the Commission, Amnesty international and the PEC invited you to participate in a public debate scheduled for Monday, April 4 at 1pm in room 20 in order for you to express your point of view on the issue of protection of media in zones of conflict. Reporters sans frontières also invited you to a similar event the same day in presence of the father of the French journalist Florence Aubenas.

You did not come to these events, although the Amnesty-PEC invitation was forwarded to you by e-mail and phone many times by Peter Splinter (Amnesty UN representative) and Blaise Lempen (PEC vice-president).

You have also not made yourself available for a press briefing after you delivered your report to the Commission. Many other rapporteurs have done it.

Furthermore, we regret that you have not made any concrete proposals to improve the situation of journalists in zones of conflict thus enhancing freedom of expression, as was observed by the delegations of Norway and Luxembourg (for the EU). You neither mentioned our proposals to elaborate a new international convention for the protection of media in zones of conflict.

The Geneva declaration calls for urgent measures for the protection of media in zones of conflict. Monday, April 4 we have launched an appeal to all UN member states to create a working group. What are your suggestions ? Do you have any proposals ?

We are waiting for your clarifications. With our bests regards,"

Hedayat Abdelnabi, PEC president, former president of the UN Correspondents Association

Blaise Lempen, vice-president and secretary PEC, UN correspondent 

Annex : text of the Geneva Declaration + text of the press release appeal to UN member states

Copy to: Madame Louise Arbour Haut Commissaire aux droits de l’homme

              Jose-Luis Diaz, porte-parole du Haut Commissariat

              Peter Splinter, Amnesty International

              Mission du Luxembourg (Présidence de l’Union européenne)

              Mission de Norvège

Les propositions d'emblème dévoilées le 4 avril 2005 au Palais des Nations à Genève par les co-fondateurs de la PEC Blaise Lempen et Hedayat Abdelnabi(photo keystone mtrezzini - banderole www.gigaprint.ch)

DISCOURS - SPEECHES Hedayat Abdelnabi and Blaise Lempen, co-fondateurs de la PEC, PEC co-founders

Hedayat Abdelnabi: as we meet today, three Romanian journalists remain in captivity in Iraq, Marie-Jeanne Ion, Prima TV, Sorin Miscovici, Prima TV,
Ovidiu Ohanesian, « Romania Libera » Newspaper.

On April 19th last year, the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) was
launched from here as a popular global movement with the aim of
achieving a high profile case on behalf of our colleagues who are
working in dangerous conflict terrain all over the world.

This global campaign united several journalists in Geneva around
the idea of a protective emblem, and still does.

This idea was further developed with a call for an international
binding treaty that would include the emblem for media in zones of
conflict.

The debate that has risen since the launching of the campaign
helped assist the organizers to reflect in depth on the campaign.

Today the core of the campaign would be two words: LAW and
SUPPORT.

Law reflects the continued need to develop the internationally
binding treaty to protect media in zones of conflict.

This proposed treaty needs support and most importantly it needs
the support from states that, in turn, when the treaty would be
concluded, would be the instruments of enforcement.

Less than a year ago Blaise and I called upon colleagues in the
media industry to join hands with us to move this campaign forward.

The results are so far not bad. The campaign gained the support
of 3000 Francophonie journalists who in their Summit declaration
supported the movement.

The campaign also gained the support of associations here and
there based on this grass root movement.

Today, we launch a call to permanent member states of the
Security Council, and a number of countries to join us in the core
effort to work on a binding treaty.

Specifically, the campaign is addressing countries whose
citizens were either abducted or killed in Iraq: China, France,
Egypt, Iraq, Italy, Indonesia, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland,
Spain, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, UK and the US.

The campaign also calls upon Kuwait, a neighboring country, and
the United Arab Emirates, whose syndicate of journalists is a
founding member of the campaign, to join the efforts to work on the
proposed convention.

We also hope that Switzerland, the depository of the Geneva
conventions would join.

The PEC invites the group of Scandinavian countries and
Luxembourg, the current chair of the European Union (EU) to join
the campaign.

Norway and Luxembourg had a very specific question last Thursday
during this years interactive debate in the Human Rights Commission
to Mr. Ambeyi Ligabo, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and
protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, if he
had specific proposals on how to protect media in zones of
conflict.

Unfortunately, Mr. Ligabo, though was informed last year of the
PEC campaign failed to brief them that there exists such a
campaign, and in his oral report he only noted that the efforts to
reach an international convention failed.

As we meet today, the PEC reiterates its call for the new Iraqi
national assembly to act, with the Iraqi government, when in place,
in order to secure the release the three Romanian journalist and
French journalist Florence Aubenas, and her guide Hussein Hanoun,
whose abduction would go into its third month Tuesday. Aubenas and
Hanoun were abducted in Iraq on 5th of January this year.

We must recall today the heart breaking video issued by the
abductors of Florence Aubenas, where she addresses her government
and the world and reaches out for help in a frail state.

I hope that this video would remind the media community once
again of the suffering of their colleagues in Iraq. .

The suffering of Aubenas is a reflection of the suffering of all
journalists abducted in Iraq, however, this time it was in live
footage.

Since the beginning of this year seven Iraqi journalists were
killed in Iraq and others abducted.

I would like in this context to read the names of the killed and
abducted Iraqi journalists as a tribute to their sacrifice:

Hoda Diaa Hassan, Al Nahda newspaper, Ali Diaa Hassan, Salem
Eissa Harbi, WEFAQ publication, Raied Mohamad Wajih Vazan,
kidnapped on 20 February and Vazan was found shot dead in the head.
She was working for the local branch of the Iraqi Media Network, in
Mosul.

Abdul Hussein Khazaal, who worked for Al Horrah, was killed in
Basra last February by unidentified gunmen.

Khazaal and son were killed in front of their home.

On March 14 Kurdistan Satellite TV, owned by the Kurdistan
Democratic Party, announced that unidentified gunmen killed the
cameraman, Hossam Hilal Sarsam, in Al-Thaqafiya in the channel's
office in the northern city of Mosul.

Three bullets hit the cameraman in his head and chest. Kurdistan
TV described Sarsam, as an efficient cameraman in the channel.

On March 10 also unknown gunmen killed Layeq Ibrahim, the
manager of the Kurdish satellite television network, Kurdistan
Satellite, owned by the Democratic Party of Kurdistan of Masoud
Barazani.

Gamal Al Samarai, Al Nahda newspaper, Emad Abd Al Amir, member
of the Iraqi board of the syndicate of journalists, were abducted
and released.

So far more than 70 media and their assistants have been killed
in Iraq since the March 2003 war in Iraq, and many others
world-wide last year.

This situation must change. It is not enough to denounce and
condemn
abductions and killings case by case.

However, though the situation is very serious the debate is
heated between the proponents of the Campaign and those who oppose
it.

What makes the situation more serious is the shooting incident
on the vehicle transporting Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena to
liberty.
If there was a recognized emblem probably Sgrena and her body guard
would have been spared the shooting on the vehicle which led to her
injury and the death of the Italian security officer.

We ask the opponents what you would offer as an alternative, to
the shooting on a vehicle, to the kidnapping and killing of
journalists?

Up to date nothing was offered except a call for better training
of media to face the dangers in zones of conflict.

The PEC told them to consider the draft convention, but nobody
listened, some in fact went into a fury against the Campaign.

I have been watching the events since the beginning of 2005, and
unfortunately I did not find any great interest to cover the death
of Iraqi journalists nor the abduction of other Iraqi journalists.

Neither the world media nor the Arab Satellites have given much
attention to the plight of Iraqi journalists.

Here comes the importance of the PEC Campaign, a campaign that
defends the human and professional rights of every journalist be
the journalist from the privileged West or the developing East.

So my question is: is there any real journalist who would oppose
better working conditions for media in zones of conflict through an
international binding treaty?

Lets discuss again the validity of a convention, and lets not
argue about the emblem, for its wearing remains a matter of choice.

The PEC also hopes that when peace and stability comes around in
Iraq and Palestine, as well as other regions of the world, that
those perpetrators of such heinous crimes against journalists would
be brought to justice.

Hedayat Abdel Nabi*
President,
Press Emblem Campaign
Outgoing President of the Geneva Association of UN Correspondents
(ACANU)
Hedayat.abdelnabi@gmail.com
0041-79-435-1514

Blaise Lempen: Trois propositions concrètes

Le constat de toutes les associations de journalistes et
instituts de la presse est alarmant. Qu'il s'agisse de la
Fédération internationale des journalistes, de Reporters sans
frontières, du Committee to Protect Journalists ou bien de
l'Institut international de la presse, tous sont d'accord pour
tirer la sonnette d'alarme. Les bilans sont à l'unisson: l'année
écoulée a été l'une des plus noires pour les journalistes. La
guerre en Irak explique seulement pour une part cette évolution.
Des Philippines à la Colombie, de la Côte d'Ivoire à
l'Azerbaïdjan, la situation n'est pas meilleure. Nous avons tous
présent à l'esprit le calvaire qu'endure depuis trois mois
maintenant notre consoeur française Florence Aubenas aux mains de
ses geoliers irakiens. Notre consoeur italienne Giuliana Sgrena,
que nous voulions inviter pour témoigner à cette réunion, n'a pas
pu venir: elle a dû être opérée trois fois et se trouve toujours
à l'hôpital.

Alors que faire ? Se borner à constater, protester, manifester,
brandir les traités internationaux, défendre au cas par cas les
individus et les familles concernés ? Tout cela est certainement
très utile, mais nous avons décidé l'an dernier de faire plus, de
lancer une nouvelle campagne internationale pour essayer d'attaquer
le mal à sa racine. A travers le monde, les employés des medias ne
sont pas quantité négligeable. La Fédération internationale des
journalistes (FIJ) regroupe des sections représentant quelque
500.000 personnes. Comme certains pays, tels la Chine, ne font
pas partie de la FIJ, notre campagne concerne pas moins d'un
million d'individus à travers le monde.

Nous avons développé depuis un an trois propositions concrètes
pour lesquelles nous souhaitons mobiliser tous les Etats,
organisations, individus concernés, raison pour laquelle nous
nous adressons à vous aujourd'hui à l'occasion de la Commission
des droits de l'homme.

Ces trois objectifs concrets, ce sont:

1) réunir une conférence internationale avec tous les acteurs
concernés, associations de journalistes, représentants des
gouvernements, des forces de sécurité et forces armées,
organisations internationales et non gouvernementales, peut-être
également sociétés d'assurances. Le but de cette conférence sera
pour la première fois de dresser un état des lieux des problèmes
rencontrés par les journalistes dans les zones de conflit et de
réfléchir aux moyens d'y remédier.

La nature des conflits a changé: la plupart des conflits sont
actuellement de nature interne, ils mettent en scène un grand
nombre d'acteurs, y compris non-étatiques, y compris des groupes
terroristes pratiquant la prise d'otages et le chantage. Les
combattants ne se distinguent souvent pas des civils. La
profession de journaliste a également changé: elle s'est
diversifiée. Il y a un plus grand nombre de journalistes sur le
terrain, il y a de nouveaux métiers et de nouveaux moyens
d'expression, comme les sites internet en ligne qui prolifèrent.
Il y a beaucoup d'aspects différents du problème à discuter, par
exemple l'identification et l'indépendance des journalistes. D'où
notre idée de lancer un vaste processus de réflexion sur
l'adéquation entre le droit existant et les besoins.

En septembre dernier, notre Campagne a réuni une première
conférence, que j'ai eu l'honneur de présider, sans les
représentants des gouvernements: plus de 40 représentants
d'associations de journalistes, dont la Fédération internationale
des journalistes, d'instituts, d'organisations de droits de l'homme
et intergouvernementales, dont l'ONU, l'UNESCO, le CICR, l'Union
européenne de radiotélévision ont répondu présent à notre appel.
Cette première réunion a adopté une Déclaration de Genève, dont
vous trouverez le texte intégral sur notre site web:
www.pressemblem.ch (Geneva meeting). Cette Déclaration appelle à
des mesures urgentes pour renforcer la protection et la sécurité
des journalistes, réduire les risques auxquels le personnel des
medias est exposé, rappeler aux gouvernements leurs obligations
relevant du droit international et des législations nationales,
faire ouvrir des enquêtes indépendantes et promouvoir un dialogue
continu.

C'est dans le cadre de cet appel à un dialogue continu avec tous
les acteurs concernés que nous souhaitons réunir une deuxième
conférence, élargie cette fois aux représentants des gouvernements.
Il pourrait s'agir dans un premier temps d'un groupe de travail
d'experts à composition non limitée, qui pourrait par exemple se
réunir dans le cadre de l'ONU. D'ici là, la Déclaration de Genève a
décidé la création d'un comité restreint d'experts, qui, sous la
présidence du directeur de la BBC Richard Sambrook, a été chargé
de réfléchir d'ici 2006 à des solutions au sein de la profession de
journaliste. Les conclusions de ce comité d'experts composé en
majorité de journalistes, nourriront utilement les travaux de la
conférence élargie.

2) Au-delà de la nécessité d'un dialogue élargi aux
gouvernements, le but de la Campagne est d'élaborer une nouvelle
Convention internationale sur la protection des journalistes en
zones de conflit, qu'il s'agisse de conflit international, de
conflit interne ou de conflit social. Nous avons analysé depuis
l'an dernier le droit international existant: il est très
lacunaire. Les journalistes sont assimilés à des civils, alors que,
comme les employés humanitaires, ils ont une mission particulière,
celle d'informer, qui les exposent à des risques particuliers. En
outre, le droit humanitaire ne couvre pas les autres sources de
conflit, comme les émeutes, troubles civils, manifestations
violentes qui font également des victimes parmi les journalistes.
Il reviendra à la conférence élargie aux experts gouvernementaux
de discuter de l'opportunité et du contenu de cette convention.



Cette idée a déjà fait du chemin: je citerai notamment l'article
paru dans l'édition de mars 2004 de la Revue internationale de la
Croix-Rouge, qui fait autorité en matière de droit humanitaire,
dans laquelle l'auteur, Alexandre Balguy-Gallois, se déclare
favorable à une nouvelle Convention pour les journalistes.

Je vous cite les conclusions de cet expert, également conseiller
juridique de Reporters sans frontières (page 65): "Au vu notamment
des événements récents en Irak, et ailleurs, l'idée de l'adoption
d'un nouvel instrument commence à faire son chemin. Le but de cet
instrument serait tout d'abord de réaffirmer le droit international
humanitaire applicable aux journalistes et aux medias en période de
conflit armé. Cela contribuerait à rétablir dans leur autorité
certaines règles fondamentales, en compensant les pratiques
contraires par la réaffirmation solennelle de leur caractère
obligatoire. L'instrument permettrait également de réviser et de
développer le droit existant afin de répondre aux exigences
actuelles. Par exemple, il convient d'énoncer l'obligation pour les
parties au conflit, en cas d'attaque causant des pertes ou des
dommages aux journalistes ainsi qu'aux équipements et installations
des medias, de coopérer à l'établissement des faits, notamment en
échangeant avec les personnes intéressées et en leur communiquant
intégralement et rapidement les renseignements et faits pertinents
dont on dispose. Ce serait également l'occasion de renforcer
l'obligation d'avertissement prévue à l'article 57 du Protocole 1.
Le droit pourrait être aussi amélioré si des éclaircissements
étaient apportés sur certains points tels que la notion de
"participation directe aux hostilités", le statut des journalistes
"embedded" en cas de capture, la protection des medias dits de
"propagande" et ses limites, l'égalité de droit et de protection
des journalistes quels que soient leur statut professionnel et leur
nationalité, qu'ils soient ou non intégrés dans un dispositif
d'encadrement, etc. Enfin, au-delà de la réaffirmation et du
développement du droit applicable aux journalistes et aux medias en
période de conflit armé se pose, là encore, le problème crucial de
la mise en oeuvre et de la sanction du droit. A cet égard, il
serait bien utile qu'un futur instrument rappelle avec force aux
parties qu'elles ont l'obligation, conformément aux articles
49/50/129/146 respectifs aux Conventions de Genève et à l'article
85 du protocole 1, de réprimer les infractions graves aux règles
mentionnées ci-dessus commises contre les journalistes ou les biens
civils qu'ils utilisent dans le cadre de leur profession" (Revue
internationale de la Croix-Rouge, mars 2004, volume 86, n0 853).

Je citerai également comme développement récent la récente
résolution sur la liberté de la presse des chefs d'Etats et de
gouvernement de l'organisation de la francophonie (55 pays) qui en
novembre dernier à Ouagadougou ont exprimé leur soutien à
l'élaboration d'une nouvelle Convention internationale pour
renforcer la protection des journalistes, conformémemt au souhait
émis par les 3000 journalistes membres de l'Union de la presse
francophone.

L'on entend souvent dire que l'important est de faire appliquer
le droit existant: mais pourquoi ce droit n'est-il pas appliqué ?
C'est parce qu'il est insuffisant, qu'il ne contient pas les
clauses nécessaires pour prévenir sa violation et en punir les
responsables. Il faut donc le compléter. S'il n'y a pas de
consensus aujourd'hui pour réviser les Conventions de Genève, nous
croyons qu'il est possible de trouver une majorité dans un domaine
limité, ponctuel du droit humanitaire, comme ce fut le cas pour
l'interdiction des mines antipersonnel.

3) Notre troisième proposition concrète est la création d'un
emblème de presse reconnu sur le plan international. L'obligation
de s'identifier clairement est un principe qui est inscrit dans
tous les manuels de journalisme. La plupart des journalistes
portent, dans des contextes dangereux, des brassards, confectionnés
de manière artisanale, non reconnus juridiquement, non harmonisés.

Notre idée est simple: les employés de la Croix-Rouge et du
Croissant-Rouge sont protégés par un emblème distinctif qui leur
permet d'accomplir leur mission avec succès dans des zones de
conflit. L'emblème de la Croix-Rouge et du Croissant-Rouge, même
s'il est parfois violé, dans des cas qui restent l'exception,
assure une protection réelle. Les journalistes doivent prendre des
risques équivalents: or la carte de presse est cachée dans une
poche. Pourquoi ne pas leur procurer la protection d'un emblème
bien visible à distance, qui protégerait également leurs véhicules
et leurs bureaux ? Certes, lorsque les journalistes sont
délibéremment visés, un emblème ne protège pas. Mais dans de
nombreux cas, les responsables de tirs contre des journalistes
affirment qu'il y a eu confusion avec des combattants, erreur,
méprise. Tous ces "accidents" pourraient être évités avec un
emblème bien visible, harmonisé, reconnu internationalement,
permettant des déplacements plus faciles et une clarification des
procédures d'avertissement réciproque.

L'introduction de l'emblème serait également accompagné
d'obligations plus sévères pour ceux qui ne le respecteraient pas:
obligation d'enquête, de poursuites judiciaires, de dédommagements,
d'assistance aux victimes avec un mécanisme de suivi qui fait
complètement défaut actuellement. Un petit groupe d'experts a
d'ores et déjà préparé un avant-projet de convention sur la
création d'un emblème de presse que vous trouverez aussi sur notre
site web (page Legal aspects). Nous proposons comme couleur
distinctive l'orange, pour différencier les journalistes du rouge
du Mouvement de la Croix-Rouge et du bleu des agences de l'ONU.

En une année, notre campagne a donc déjà fait beaucoup de chemin
- mais tout est encore à faire. Raison pour laquelle nous lançons
aujourd'hui un appel solennel à tous les gouvernements,
organisations et individus concernés et intéressés pour qu'ils
réflèchissent à nos propositions et qu'ils prennent les mesures
qu'ils jugent opportunes pour défendre le droit à l'information.
Nous sommes conscients que de faire bouger la communauté
internationale n'est pas chose facile, nous le savons tous ici.
Mais la Campagne existera jusqu'à ce qu'elle aura atteint ses
objectifs.

Blaise Lempen, co-fondateur de la PEC, correspondant à l'ONU

Les quatre propositions d'emblème (Photo keystone mtrezzini)

***04.03.2005. Press Emblem Campaign Statement of Solidarity with French journalist Florence Aubenas, in captivity in Irak since two months, and Italian Journalist Giuliana Sgrena, in captivity since one month. Déclaration de solidarité de la Presse Emblème Campagne (PEC)
avec la journaliste française Florence Aubenas, détenue en Irak depuis deux mois, et la journaliste italienne Giuliana Sgrena, détenue depuis un mois.

TEXT IN ENGLISH AFTER THE FRENCH

la vidéo déchirante de Florence Aubenas distribuée par ses
ravisseurs en Irak il y a quelques jours expose au regard du monde,
au-delà d'un cas individuel, la souffrance de très nombreux
journalistes victimes de violences dans le monde.

Depuis le début de l'année, cinq journalistes irakiens ont été
tués en Irak et d'autres enlevés. Florence Aubenas et Giuliana
Sgrena vivent un calvaire quotidien aux mains de leurs agresseurs.

S'il s'agissait de militaires ou de diplomates, nous
assisterions à une mobilisation générale des chancelleries. Parce
qu'il s'agit de journalistes, les gouvernements semblent baisser
les bras. Or, le droit à l'information du public, fondement de la
démocratie, est en jeu.

Avant qu'il soit trop tard, la PEC rappelle qu'il est de la
responsabilité des Etats de faire respecter les Conventions de
Genève, et de protéger tous les civils quels qu'ils soient dans les
zones de conflit.

La PEC appelle de toute urgence les Etats et les Nations Unies à
mettre fin aux souffrances de nos confrères et consoeurs en Irak.
En particulier, nous sollicitons une action rapide, déterminée et
coordonnée des autorités des pays suivants: les cinq membres du
Conseil de sécurité, Etats-Unis, France, Grande-Bretagne, Russie,
Chine, l'Italie comme pays directement touché, la Suisse Etat
dépositaire des Conventions de Genève, le Canada, ainsi que les
pays de la région, Irak, Koweit, Emirats arabes unis, Arabie
saoudite, Egypte.

Nous appelons le gouvernement irakien et les forces de la
coalition à intervenir rapidement pour obtenir la libération de
Florence et de Giuliana, pour arrêter et traduire en justice leurs
ravisseurs.

Nous constatons qu'une totale impunité est tolérée par les
gouvernements concernant les poursuites à l'encontre des auteurs
d'agressions contre les journalistes. Plus de 70 journalistes et
employés des medias sont morts en Irak depuis l'intervention
anglo-américaine en mars 2003, des dizaines d'autres ont été tués
dans des contextes de violences dans d'autres pays l'an dernier
(129 au total selon la Fédération internationale des journalistes).

L'impunité encourage les agresseurs partout dans le monde à
poursuivre leurs basses oeuvres. Les journalistes sont devenus des
cibles faciles. Cette situation doit changer. Il ne suffit pas de
protester au coup par coup, il faut agir concrètement et à long
terme et trouver des solutions durables.

La PEC appelle les gouvernements à lancer les travaux d'une
nouvelle Convention internationale qui renforcerait la protection
des journalistes dans les zones de violences et à créer un emblème
distinctif facilitant le travail des medias (Pour plus
d'informations sur la PEC, voir notre site web: www.pressemblem.ch)

ENGLISH

The heart breaking video issued a few days ago by the abductors
of French journalist Florence Aubenas, where she addresses her
government and the world and reaches out for help in a frail state
reminds the media community once again of the suffering of their
colleagues in Iraq.

The suffering of Aubenas is a reflection of the suffering of all
journalists abducted in Iraq, however, this time it was in live
footage.

Since the beginning of this year five Iraqi journalists were
killed in iraq and others abducted. Aubenas and the Italian
journalist Giuliana Sgrena are still suffering in their abduction.

When other civilians are abducted including diplomats,
governments move quickly and act for their realease.

When it comes to journalists it seems that the situation becomes
more complicated, and means and ways for their release are not
innovatively found.

The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) believes that if the fate of the
two western journalists is not resolved successfully it will be too
late to lament the developments.

States have the prime responsibilty in enforcing the respect for
the Geneva Conventions.

Therefore the PEC calls upon all states and the UN to put an end
to the suffering of our media family in Iraq. In particular the PEC
is calling for quick action by the following governments whose
citizens were subject to abduction in Iraq: China, Egypt, France,
Iraq, Indonesia, Poland, the UK, and the United States.

And calls upon Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, countries currently
suffering from terrorism to join the PEC call.

In addition, the PEC calls also upon the United Arab Emirates
(UAE) to this joint effort, notably for the reason that its
Syndicate of Journalists is a core member of the PEC movement.

The call includes Switzerland, the depository of the Geneva
conventions.

The PEC calls upon the Iraqi interim government and the
coalition forces to act swiftly for the release of the two Western
journalists and to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Abductions and killings of journalists have gone so far without
bringing the perpetrators of those acts to justice.

Such lack of impunity encourges military groups in Iraq to
continue continuing those heinous acts. Journalists are becoming
easy targets.

So far more than 70 media and their assistants have been killed
in Iraq since the March 2003 war in Iraq, and many others
world-wide last year (129 in total, source IFJ).

This situation must change. It is not enough to denounce and
condemn abductions and killings case by case. We must be innovative
and we must find sustainable and long-term solutions.

The PEC calls upon States to launch negotiations on a new
International Convention which would give more protection to
journalists in conflict zones, and which would lead to the creation
of a distinctive emblem which would protect the legal rights of
media operating in zones of violences (for more informations on the
PEC, see our website: www.pressemblem.ch)

***01.03.2005. Statement of solidarity with the Iraqi Syndicate of Journalists, member of the PEC.

The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) mourns with sorrow the tragic death of
Iraqi woman journalist Raeda Mohamad Wageh Wazzan, kidnapped on 20
February.

Wazzan was found Friday night shot dead in the head. She was working
for the local branch of the Iraqiya Media Network, in Mosul. So far the
reasons for her kidnapping are still unclear.

The PEC presents its whole hearted condolences to her husband Salim
Saad-Allah, her ten-year old son, her family, as well as to the News
Director of the Iraqiya TV network Ghazi Fesal and to the Iraqi Syndicate
of Journalists.

Wazzan was taken by several masked armed men on Sunday night while she
was returning to her house in Mosul's al-Shahwan neighborhood.
She was 40 when abducted and killed by military groups in Iraq.

Two Iraqi journalists have been cruelly killed in Iraq during the
month of February, which brings the number of media killed in Iraq to
74 journalists anf media workers (44 Irakis journalists, source IFJ) since the war of March 20, 2003.

The PEC reminds the media community of the need to have a more
aggressive policy to deal with those abductions and killings to spare
our media brothers and sisters in Iraq, their families, and their
media, the suffering everyone is passing through. The PEC urges also the international community to act in order to free two other journalists kidnapped in Irak since the begining of 2005, Florence Aubenas (France) and Giuliana Sgrena (Italy). 

***22.02.2005. Suivi de la conférence de Genève, création de la commission d'enquête (text in english after the french). Lors de la première conférence organisée par la PEC en septembre 2004 à Genève, les participants ont décidé de créer une commission d’enquête sur les causes des attaques dont sont victimes de nombreux journalistes à travers le monde (voir texte de la déclaration de Genève sur notre page « Geneva meeting »). Grâce largement aux efforts de notre partenaire l’INSI (International News Safety Institute) à Bruxelles, cette commission a réuni pour la première fois ses membres, dont un représentant de la PEC, le 22 février lors d’une conférence téléphonique. Le directeur de BBC World Service and Global News Richard Sambrook préside la commission qui comprend les 19 membres suivants : Yoram Dinstein, Aidan White, Antonella Notari , Blaise Lempen, David Schlesinger, Frank Smyth, Hans-Peter Gasser, Jihad Ali Ballout, John Owen, Kajsa Tornroth, Knut Doermann, Melinda Quintos de Jesus, Richard Tait, Rodney Pinder, Roy Gutman, Salim Amin, Sandy MacIntyre, Stefan Pauli, Tina Carr. 

Le président de la commission Richard Sambrook a annoncé à cette occasion les grandes lignes des travaux de la commission. Le lancement formel des travaux aura lieu fin avril-début mai. D’ici là, les dates et les lieux de plusieurs réunions régionales seront fixés : une réunion est prévue en Europe, une aux Etats-Unis (New York), une au Proche-Orient (Qatar avec le soutien d’Al Jazeera), une en Asie.

Les différents groupes procéderont à des auditions (« hearings ») de témoins de violences à l’encontre de journalistes : il s’agira soit de journalistes victimes d’attaques, soit de journalistes témoins de ces attaques, soit de membres des forces armées et des gouvernements, soit de représentants d’organisations concernées.

Les groupes rassembleront ensuite leurs conclusions dans un rapport global prévu au début de 2006. A partir de ses constatations, la commission d’enquête fera des recommandations pour améliorer la protection des journalistes. Richard Sambrook a souligné que la commission d’enquête n’est pas un « groupe de pression », mais effectuera un travail de recherche indépendant. Il a également souligné qu’il faudra éviter toute politisation. Il s’agira de mettre en évidence des preuves fiables à partir de sources neutres. Une méthodologie et des directives pour les auditions (confidentielles) vont être préparées.

Rodney Pinder a annoncé que sur le site de l’INSI sera installlée prochainement une page web sécurisée à accès limité consacrée aux travaux de la commission d’enquête. Du matériel de background y sera disponible ainsi que les contributions, expériences et suggestions des membres.

Un membre souhaite que la commission d’enquête tienne également une réunion régionale sur la situation en Afrique et un autre membre une réunion en Amérique latine. Un autre participant signale également l’enquête lancée en France par des membres de l’Assemblée nationale française.

Richard Sambrook sollicite par ailleurs des idées pour obtenir un soutien financier aux travaux de la commission. Différentes démarches sont en cours auprès de gouvernements (Norvège), fondations privées (Etats-Unis) et associations de journalistes (Italie) - (résumé non officiel de la conférence téléphonique, pour la PEC Blaise Lempen).

La PEC se félicite du lancement des travaux de la commission d’enquête.

***22.02.2005 - Follow-up to the Geneva Conference, creation of a committee of enquiry. During the first conference organised by the PEC in Geneva in September 2004, participants decided to set up a committee of enquiry to look into the causes of the many attacks of which journalists have
been the victims around the world (see the text of the Geneva
Declaration on our page "Geneva Meeting"). Thanks largely to the
efforts of our partner IINSI (International News Safety Institute) in
Brussels, the members of the committee, including a representative of
PEC, met for the first time 22 February via a conference-call. The
director of the BBC World Service and Global News, Richard Sambrook,
chairs the commission, composed of the following 19 members: Yoram
Dinstein, Aidan White, Antonella Notari, Blaise Lempen, David
Schlesinger, Frank Smyth, Hans-Peter Gasser, Jihad Ali Ballout, John
Owen, Kajsa Tornroth, Knut Doermann, Melinda Quintos de Jesus,
Richard Tait, Rodney Pinder, Roy Gutmann, Salim Amin, Sandy MacIntyre,
Stefan Pauli, Tina Carr.

The chairperson, Richard Sambrook, announced the committee's main
objectives and proposed that it should formally start its work towards
the end of April or in early May. In the meantime, the dates and
places of a number of regional meetings will be fixed: one in Europe,
one in the United States (New York), one in the Middle East (Qatar
with the help of Al Jazeera), and one in Asia.

The different groups will hold hearings with witnesses of violence
against journalists: these will include journalists victims of
attacks; journalists who have witnessed such attacks; members of armed
forces and governments; members of concerned organisations.

The groups will provide their conclusions for inclusion in a global
report to be issued early in 2006. Based on these conclusions, the
commission will make recommendations for improving protection of
journalists. Richard Sambrook stressed that the commission was not a
pressure group and that it would carry out its own, independent
research. He also underlined that it should avoid becoming
politicized. It would gather credible evidence from neutral sources.
A methodology and guidelines for (confidential) hearings would be
drawn up.

Rodney Pinder announced that the INSI web-site would soon provide a
special confidential limited-access page devoted to the work of the
committee of enquiry, on which background material would be available
to members and where they could post their contributions, experiences
and suggestions.

One member expressed the wish that a regional meeting also take place
in Africa, and another made a similar request for Latin America.
Another called attention to an enquiry being carried out by the French
parliament.

Richard Sambrook requested that participants provide ideas for
financing the work of the commission. Different approaches are
already under way to governments (Norway), private foundations (United
States) and journalists' associations (Italy). (Unofficial summary of
the conference-call by Blaise Lempen. PEC).

The PEC is pleased to note that the commission has started its work.

***14.02.2005. Intervention of the president of the PEC Hedayat Abdelnabi to the Meeting on Freedom of Expression "an arab-euro exchange" in Paris.

The Press Emblem Campaign aims at providing media with an Emblem that
would be guaranteed by an International Convention ratified by as many
countries as possible, so that the media like humanitarian workers
would better perform their job in the field and especially in
situations of armed conflict.

Iraq in 2003 and 2004 and at the beginning of 2005 has clearly
indicated that there is a need for a such an International Convention.

The situation in Palestine was also calling upon the media actors to
move and do something.

However, nothing was done and in April 19, 2004, a group of dedicated
journalists in Geneva launched the Press Emblem Campaign.

From that day on up to date the debate is heated between the
proponents of the Campaign and those who oppose it.

The defenders of the Campaign told the opponents what would you offer
and up to date nothing was offered except a call for better training
of media to face the dangers in zones of conflict.

The PEC told them consider the draft convention, but nobody listened,
some in fact went into a fury against the Campaign.

I have been watching the events since the beginning of 2005, and
unfortunately I did not find any great interest to cover the death of
Iraqi journalists nor the abduction of other Iraqi journalists.

Neither the world media nor the Arab Satellites have given much
attention to the plight of Iraqi journalists.

Here comes the importance of the PEC Campaign which stands to defend
the human and professional rights of those lonely rangers who have
been silenced by terrorism or were temporarily silenced by Kidnapping.

Here I would like to draw your attention to articles 6, 7 and 8 of the
proposed convention, which follow,

Article 6 Optional nature of the international distinctive press emblem

The wearing and use of the distinctive emblem is optional and left to
the free choice of the journalist and/or his or her employers. No
authority may impose the wearing of the distinctive emblem.

Article 7 Repression of breaches of the present Convention

Any attack against journalists in the exercise of their profession is
a grave breach of the terms of Protocol I and of this Convention. Such
acts must be repressed, in conformity with Article 85 and the
following articles of Protocol I Repression of breaches
of the Conventions and of this Protocol.

The High Contracting Parties undertake, moreover, in the framework of
the present Convention, to seek out persons suspected of having
committed, or to have given orders to commit, grave breaches, to bring
them to justice and to take any necessary
legislative action to fix appropriate penal sanctions to be applied to
such persons.

Article 8 Responsibility

The High Contracting Party responsible for a grave breach against a
journalist shall be liable, if the case demands, to pay compensation.

Each High Contracting Party shall take necessary legislative action in
order to fix appropriate sanctions to be applied in cases of use of
the distinctive emblem on their territory by persons who do not have
the right to wear it.

So my question is: is there any journalist who would oppose such
protective clauses in a convention?

What we would like to develop is consensus among the several media protection
groups, however, if we fail, we will have to pursue our mission in
good faith, because today we know that other media groups are
supporting the PEC.

The PEC, for example, has won the support of 3000 journalists representing the
Francophonie, this is a substantial support.

I have received support from the Arab/American media association based
in Washington DC and is made of some 40 Arab journalists.

Also the PEC received support from civil society in Egypt.

The UAE Syndicate of Journalists is a founding member of the PEC.

Another very important founding member of the PEC movement is the
Swiss Federation of Journalists (IMPRESSUM), which is made up of 6000
professionals working in media organizations all over Switzerland.

The PEC is based on a grass roots movement and we will tap the door of
journalists all over the world to obtain their support.

In addition and most importantly the PEC has the support of the Iraqi
syndicate of journalists whose members are threatened daily.

In a telephone conversation with Baghdad in early January, member of
the Iraqi syndicate of journalists called upon the PEC to act
following the killing of three Iraqi journalists and the abduction of
two.

So the PEC has reason to exist and to pursue its important mission,
but during that course the PEC like to be better understood by leading
associations for media protection.

And the PEC will be there to defend those who are neglected and do not
have a media armada to defend: the freelancers, the lonely rangers,
those whose media organizations does not cover their dangerous work
with compensation.

The PEC also hopes that when peace and stability comes around in Iraq
and Palestine that perpetrators of those crimes against journalists
would be brought to justice.

Thank you
Hedayat Abdel Nabi
President
Press Emblem Campaign

***09.02.2005. Press statement issued by the Press Emblem Campaign

The Press Emblem Campaign denounces and condemns the killing of Iraqi
journalist Abdul Hussein Khazaal in Basra today by unidentified gunmen.

Khazaal and his seven-year old son were killed today in front of their home.

The Killing of Khazaal brings the number of journalists killed in Iraq
since the war of March 20, 2003 to 63 journalists.

Khazaal worked for Al-Hora, an American financed station managed by Iraqi media.

The PEC presents its condolences to the family of Khazaal, as well as
to the Iraqi Syndicate of Journalists.

The killing of Khazaal, and others and the Kidnapping of media in Iraq
is an added reason for the PEC to continue its worldwide campaign for
the establishment of an internationally recognized convention,
including an emblem which would provide legal consequences for such
heinous crimes.