Targeting Journalists in Iraq
Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) expressed dismay today at the alarming number of press-freedom violations against journalists covering the conflict in Iraq.
"The war enters its third week with an unacceptable number of attacks on journalists just doing their jobs," CJFE Executive Director Joel Ruimy said.
"All sides involved in the conflict would do well to remember that journalists are in the service of their readers, viewers and listeners around the world; they are entitled to fair and humane treatment as they struggle to cover the war."
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Kazemi Declared Brain-Dead; Iran Must Take Responsibility, CJFE Says
Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) mourns today following news that Canadian photojournalist Zahra Kazemi has been declared brain-dead following injuries sustained while in police custody in Tehran. CJFE also calls on the Government of Iran to punish those responsible for this vicious crime.
"Zahra Kazemi was a photojournalist doing her job," CJFE Executive Director Joel Ruimy said of the woman who in the past decade covered stories in the Middle East and Afghanistan. "Now she will never regain consciousness."
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Ottawa Should Raise Press-Freedom Issues with Kazakhstani President: CJFE
The federal government should raise the issue of free expression in Kazakhstan during the visit this week to Canada by Kazakhstani President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) said today.
"Kazakhstan has been brutally repressive in its treatment of journalists and others who seek to report the truth," CJFE Executive Director Joel Ruimy said on the occasion of Nazarbayev's visit.
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Questions Remain in Kazakhstani Case
Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) acknowledges the report of two Ontario coroners into the death last year of Leila Bayseitova, daughter of Kazakhstani journalist Lira Bayseitova. But questions remain about the death and we call on Kazakhstani and Canadian authorities to help clear them up.
CJFE awarded Lira Bayseitova one of two International Press Freedom Awards last year for her courageous journalism in exposing secret Swiss bank accounts of senior Kazakhstani government officials, including the country's President.
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Return Kazemi's Body to Canada: CJFE
Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) today endorsed a call by Stephen Hashemi, the son of Zahra Kazemi, to have his mother's body returned to Canada. Zahra Kazemi, a 54-year-old photojournalist and citizen of Canada, died on the weekend while in custody of Iranian police.
"We also call on the Government of Iran to allow an international team of pathologists perform an independent autopsy on the body of Zahra Kazemi,"CJFE Executive Director Joel Ruimy said. "And if these specialists establish that a crime has been committed, then we call on Iran to punish the guilty."
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Sister Speak to Me: A Tribute to Zahra Kazemi,
CJFE co-sponsors premiere screening of mini-documentary in London, Ontario
September 16, 2003 - Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) is pleased to co-sponsor the premiere screening of Sister Speak to Me: A Tribute to Zahra Kazemi at the London Public Library on Wed. September 17, at 7:00 pm in London, Ontario.
The event features the screening of a new mini-documentary by Jamelie Hassan, visual artist and 2001 winner of the Governor General's Award in Visual Arts, and documentary filmmaker Tyson Haller.
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War in Iraq Claims Two Journalists
Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) mourns the deaths of at least two colleagues and the disappearance of two more in the war in Iraq, and calls on all sides in the conflict to do everything in their power to ensure the safety of journalists covering the conflict.
"We fervently hope these deaths so early in the war are not a precursor of things to come," CJFE Executive Director Joel Ruimy said. "As hostilities continue, we demand that all sides in the conflict avoid targeting journalists.
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Upcoming fall CJFE events
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Sun., September 28
WORD ON THE STREET
Queen Street West
(b/w University & Spadina)
11 am - 6 pm
Come out to Toronto's annual book and magazine fair and be sure to visit the CJFE booth. CJFE staff, board and volunteers will be telling the world about what we do and encouraging others to help us do it. Plus, check out the great new CJFE buttons & t-shirts. Look for the booth just west of John Street. You don't want to miss it!
Wed., October 22
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING & RECEPTION
Massey College, U of T (Harbord, East of St. George)
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CJFE Calls For Halt To Attacks On Media In Palestinian Territories
Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) calls for an investigation into the killing yesterday of an Italian journalist and the earlier armed attacks on dozens of others journalists in the West Bank.
Israeli soldiers shot and killed Italian freelance photographer Raffaele Ciriello in the town of Ramallah yesterday. Ciriello, on assignment for the Italian daily Corriere della Sera, was hit six times in the chest and died shortly afterwards. Another freelance journalist, not immediately identified, was severely injured in the incident.
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