The
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today welcomed the rescue of a
British journalist in Afghanistan
but called for a safety review after his Afghan interpreter was killed in the
military operation.
According
to reports from Afghanistan,
Nato troops raided the place where Taliban militants were holding Stephen
Farrell and Sultan Munadi in the Char Dara district at dawn on 9 September.
Farrell was rescued but Sultan, 34, died in the fire fight between Nato
soldiers and the militants. One Nato soldier and two civilians were also
killed.
"The
good news of Stephen's successful rescue has been overshadowed by Sultan's
tragic killing," said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary. "It reminds us of the
sacrifice that we all have to pay for media freedom."
Stephen,
the New York Times reporter, was kidnapped with Sultan last week as he was
investigating the Nato air attack on two fuel tankers which had been hijacked
by Taliban militants. Media reports say the air strike killed many people,
including civilians.
The
IFJ says that journalists in Afghanistan
should not be prevented from reporting independently, provided that they are
confident about their personal safety and that of their local colleagues.
"The
killing of Sultan brings into sharp focus the issue of safety of local
personnel who are employed by foreign media organisations in Afghanistan,"
added White. "We must ensure that, like all reporters, they are properly
trained to work in dangerous conditions."
The
IFJ further calls on Nato leadership in Afghanistan to investigate the
circumstances which led to Sultan's killing and engage with Afghan Association
of Journalists on their safety needs.
"There
is no faulting the intentions behind the rescue operation," said White. "But if
lessons can be learned for the future, an investigation and review of what
happened here will be helpful."
For more information
contact the IFJ at +32 2 235 2207
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists
in 123 countries worldwide
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- IFJ Calls for Safety Review after Media Tragedy in Afghanistan