2007
In Burma, concerns mount over missing journalists
New York, October 4, 2007— The Committee to Protect Journalists is increasingly concerned about the welfare of at least three Burmese reporters who went missing during the government’s crackdown on street protesters last week. A fourth reporter, Tokyo Shimbun’s Min Zin, was released from government custody on Wednesday. CPJ calls on the Burmese authorities to…
Former BBC captive voices support for detained Al-Jazeera cameraman
New York, October 4, 2007—A BBC reporter kidnapped and held captive in the Gaza Strip for nearly four months this year is expressing his support for Al-Jazeera cameraman Sami al-Haj, who has been held for more than five years without charge at the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
A year after Politkovskaya slaying, signals are not encouraging
Your Excellency, One year after the assassination of Novaya Gazeta investigative reporter Anna Politkovskaya, the response by your nation’s law enforcement, judicial, and political institutions remains under intense international scrutiny. In Russia and across the world, leaders and citizens expect an investigation that is diligent, transparent, and free of political influence. Thus far, the signals have not been encouraging.
In Colombia, Uribe’s accusations raise alarm
New York, October 3, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned about comments made Tuesday by President Álvaro Uribe Vélez that could endanger Colombian journalist Gonzalo Guillén. Uribe called national Caracol Radio and RCN Radio to deny recent allegations that he had close to ties to the deceased drug kingpin Pablo Escobar. The accusations were…
In Nepal, concerns raised over Maoist actions
Dear Dr. Bhattarai: The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply concerned by the use of violence and intimidation by members of Maoist-affiliated organizations to disrupt the circulation of newspapers produced by Kantipur Publications, Nepal’s largest private news company. Shalik Ram Jamkattel, a Maoist parliamentarian and chairman of the powerful All Nepal Trade Union Federation, has also issued a public threat to forcibly shut down Kantipur Television within days if the group’s demands are not met.
Chinese writer held on vague subversion charge
New York, October 2, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the recent arrest of freelance writer Lü Gengsong on subversion charges and calls for his immediate release. Lü’s wife, Wang Xue’e, received notice on Sunday of her husband’s arrest on charges of “inciting subversion of state power,” according to Chinese human rights groups and news…
Tunisian court evicts weekly from office
New York, October 2, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply disturbed by a Tunisian court decision to evict the weekly Al-Mawkif from premises it has been using in downtown Tunis since 1994. On Monday, a misdemeanor court in Tunis ordered the eviction of Al-Mawkif, published since 1984 by the opposition Progressive Democratic Party (PDP),…
SRI LANKA: CPJ urges president to halt attacks on correspondent
Dear President Rajapaksa: The Committee to Protect Journalists is greatly concerned by your government’s unwarranted attacks in various media on Iqbal Athas, associate editor and defense correspondent for The Sunday Times. Officials representing your government have effectively equated Athas’ critical journalism with terrorism, a wholly inappropriate position.
BELIZE: Journalist beaten outside home in Belize City
OCTOBER 2, 2007 Posted December 19, 2007 Rufus X, Krem Radio, Krem TV ATTACKED An unidentified assailant attacked Rufus X, host of news programs on local Krem TV and Krem Radio, outside his home in Belize City, breaking his arm with an iron rod, according to reports on the local press.