PEC strongly condemns the execution of 2 journalists

Geneva, — The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) condemns in the strongest possible manner the summary executions of French journalists working for Radio France Internationale Ghislaine Dupont (57) and Claude Verlon (55).

PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen described the horrendous crime as unprecedented. The journalists were kidnapped and shot after conducting an interview in Kidal, Mali. Their bodies were found about 10 km from the town centre.

“The profession of journalist has become more and more dangerous. Some armed groups do not respect any more the independence of media, as we can see recently in countries like Syria, Iraq, Pakistan and now Mali”, said Lempen.

Other dramatic incidents but not in the same circumstances led to decapitation of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl, by his abductors in Pakistan in 2002, and Italian journalist Enzo Baldoni, kidnapped and executed in Iraq in 2004.

More than 100 journalists were killed during their media assignments from the beginning of this year, according to the PEC. And the toll is growing every week.

The PEC calls upon the media community to revolt against this heinous act and cowardly conduct, they must rise worldwide to defend their fallen courageous colleagues by calling for an urgent investigation and bringing the perpetrators of this horrible crime to justice.

Source.PEC