His Excellency, President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin
President of the Russian Federation
g. Moskva, Kreml
Russian Federation
Fax: +7 095 206 85 10/+7 095 206 51 73/+7 095 230 24 08

January 5, 2007

Excellency,

We, Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) are joining with 10 other members of IFEX, the International Freedom of Expression Exchange, to express our deep alarm in connection with the cynical slaying of Anna Politkovskaya, a reporter for the independent weekly Novaya Gazeta, which occurred on October 7, 2006. Independent journalism is one of the foundations of democracy, and therefore the killing of a journalist for the honest fulfillment of her professional duties is a blow to democracy.

We are asking you to do ensure that an independent and thorough investigation is conducted into this crime. When the people responsible for it are brought to justice, it will be a confirmation of Russia's adherence to the principles of the supremacy of law and democracy.

Resolving this crime is vital to enable journalists, who are experiencing persecution, to feel safe. We also demand that specific steps be taken to create safe working conditions for journalists and human rights activists in Russia.

I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Anne Game
Executive Director, CJFE

In conjunction with:
Association of Independent Electronic Media, ANEM
Center for Journalism in Extreme Situations (CJES)
Fundacion para la Libertad de Prensa (FLIP)
International Press Institute (IPI)
International PEN - Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC)
Media Watch
PEN American Center
Norwegian PEN
World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters, (AMARC)
World Press Freedom Committee (WPFC)