The International Federation of Journalist (IFJ) today is delivering an appeal backed by nearly two hundred European parliamentarians from across the political spectrum for the immediate release of BBC journalist Alan Johnston.
The appeal, signed by 197 members of the European Parliament, is to be presented later today to the leaders of the Palestinian Authority including the offices of President Mahmoud Abbas, Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh and the Palestinian Legislative Council.
At a meeting this morning with the Head of Security in Gaza, Brigadier Mohamed Al Massri told the IFJ that earlier reports of the execution of Johnston were unfounded. He claimed that the evidence available suggests he remains alive and in secure conditions. They remain unaware of his precise location.
We welcome this rare display of political unity in Gaza where Palestinians on all sides are calling for an end to all hostage-taking and the release of Alan Johnston said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary. The kidnapping of Johnston has come to symbolise the plight of thousands of journalists around the world who face the threat of kidnapping, violence and intimidation on a routine basis.
President Abbas, who is out of the country, sent a special messages to White welcoming the IFJ initiative and the petition from European Parliament members and pledging to reinforce efforts to secure Johnstons release.
Alan Johnston was first abducted over five weeks ago on 12 March. The National Union of Journalists for UK and Ireland and the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate, both affiliated to the IFJ, are campaigning hard for Johnstons immediate, unconditional and safe return.
The IFJ and all of its members want to see Johnston freed and in the process a new global commitment to end threats to independent journalism.
Click here to read the letter signed by the MEPs.
For more information contact the IFJ at 32 2 235 2207
The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 100 countries worldwide
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