The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has called on the European and African Heads of State attending the Africa-EU Summit in Brussels today, Wednesday 2 April, to include the continuous imprisonment of journalists in many African states in their discussions.
In an open letter sent to the leaders in attendance, the IFJ says that in order to foster long term development in African states a free and vibrant press is fundamental to hold governments accountable and advises that this must be at the heart of their discussions on democratic governance in Africa.
Signed by IFJ President Jim Boumelha, the letter also calls on all African leaders at the summit to press African governments, particularly those of Eritrea, Ethiopia and Egypt, to free all journalists in their prisons, end intimidation of journalists and open trustworthy investigations into violence against journalists.
Read more here: http://www.ifj.org/