PRESS RELEASE
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 martyrs, colleagues who were killed in the line of duty and the profession, and to the Iraqi Syndicate of journalists.
Geneva September 23, 2005
Hedayat Abdel Nabi
Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)
Bureau: C550 Palais des Nations
Geneva 1211   0041-79-435-1514    0041-22-7339045
For the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC)
http://www.pressemblem.ch   pressemblem@freesurf.ch