His Excellency, Omar Samad, Ambassador to Canada
Embassy of Afghanistan
240 Argyle Ave.
Ottawa, Ontario K2P 1B9

Dear Ambassador,

I am writing on behalf of Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE), a non-profit, non-governmental organization that works to promote and protect press freedom and freedom of expression around the world.

CJFE is concerned about the lack of progress in the official investigation into the murder of Zakia Zaki, who was head of the radio station Sada-e-Sulh (Peace Radio) and who was killed five months ago. Police have not made any significant progress in the case.

At the time of the murder, authorities denounced the killing as an "act of terror" and declared that they "have to carry out a real investigation." But the investigation stagnates and it now appears to the family and colleagues of Zakia Zaki that authorities may have even abandoned the investigation.

Zakia Zaki was 35 when she was murdered on June 5, 2007, at her home in Jabalussaraj, Parwan province, north of Kabul. She was shot by an unidentified gunman as she lay sleeping with her infant son. She left behind a husband and six children.

CJFE calls on the government of Afghanistan to ensure that a timely and thorough investigation is carried out into this and all other murders of journalists. The government must make this a priority if it is to live up to its commitment to a free media in Afghanistan.

We request your Embassy convey our concerns to the government of Afghanistan.

I look forward to your response.

Yours truly,

Arnold Amber, CJFE President

Case file number: 191107

c.c: Mr. Arif Lalani, the Canadian Ambassador to Afghanistan
Mr. Maxime Bernier, the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs