DEMANDING AN END TO THE CRIMES AND ABUSES TOWARDS JOURNALISTS AND MEDIA WORKERS IN SYRIA

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In its last report, Reporters Without Borders considers Syria as “the world’s most dangerous country for journalists. ” Priority targets of the regime and its security forces since 2011, Syrian journalists are now facing an increasing deadly threat since 2013: the Jihadists militias. Despite intimidation and threats, Syrian media are uniting for the first time and standing up together to demand an end to the crimes and abuses committed against all journalists. The following, is a statement jointly signed by Syrian media, Syrian NGOs, leading international NGOs and high profile personalities.

STATEMENT

DEMANDING AN END TO THE CRIMES AND ABUSES TOWARDS JOURNALISTS AND MEDIA WORKERS IN SYRIA

On October 1st, forces from the armed group the “Islamic State of Iraq and Syria” (ISIS) raided Radio Ana offices in Raqqah. On October 15th, they raided the office a second time, taking possession of all radio and communications equipment. This example of abuses against the press shall not remain unnoticed, nor should it be considered as an isolated case. The “Islamic State of Iraq and Syria” (ISIS) is targeting the newborn independent Syrian press in a deliberate strategy to crush press freedom and to impose a renewed and constant censorship upon the Syrian people. We, the undersigned, Refuse any form of intimidation against journalists, citizen journalists, media activists or media organizations, by any group, in any context, and under any pretext. Press freedom and freedom of expression are inalienable and universal human rights. Any abuse against these universal rights must be condemned and opposed. We call on the whole Syrian civil society, its political institutions and its media groups, to take relevant action to expose these practices, to oppose them, and to protect the media from these dangers. We demand the immediate release of all detained journalists and citizen journalists held by the regime, ISIS or any other group. Additionally, we call on international media and those organizations in support of press freedom to join this initiative and to take relevant action for the safety of journalists and freedom of speech in Syria. Syrian and international NGOs participating
Advox / Global Voices branch for Advocacy,
Alliance euro-arabe pour la liberté d'expression,
AMARC Europe,
Amnesty International - Italia,
Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI),
Arab Commission for Human Rights,
Arab Committee for the defense of freedom of opinion and expression,
Arab Organization for Penal Reform in Syria,
ARCI,
Articolo 21,
Association de l'amitié euro-Arabe,
Association de Soutien aux Médias Libres (ASML),
Associazione per la Pace,
Assyrian Center for Human Rights in Syria,
Bureau International des ONGs humanitaire,
Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE),
CGIL,
CIPSI,
CNCA,
Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ),
Corpi Civili di Pace,
Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies,
Damascus Center for Theoretical Studies and Civil Rights,
Doha Center For Media Freedom,
Dur De Platformu,
Emergency Assistance,
FIOM,
FOCSIV,
Freedom Days,
Freedom House,
Free Press Unlimited,
Front Line Defenders,
Global Human Rights Program,
Hivos,
Horan rencontre pour la citoyenneté,
Human Rights Defenders in the Arab World,
Human Rights Organization in Syria (MAF),
International Coalition Against War Criminals,
International Federation for Human Rights,
International Press Institute (IPI),
Kurdish brotherhood Coordination,
Marco Ramazzotti Stockel,
Media Rights Watch (MRW),
Movimento europeo in Italia,
Nama Association,
National Organization for Human Rights,
L'Observatoire français des droits de l'Homme,
REMDH,
Reporters Without Borders (RSF),
Rory Peck Trust,
Sham Center for Democratic and Human Rights Studies,
SKeyes Center for Media and Cultural Freedom – Samir Kassir Foundation,
Syrian Association for the Defense of Human Rights,
Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM),
Syrian charter,
Syrian-European Center for Human Rights,
Syrian Journalists Association (SJA),
Syrian Medical Committee,
Syrian Nonviolence Movement,
The Hague center to prosecute criminals against humanity in Syria,
Union of Assyrian coordination committees,
Un Ponte Per,
US Citizens for peace and justice - Italy,
The Young Civilians (Genç Siviller)
Syrian media joining the campaign Radio Stations
Radio Ana
Radio al-Kul : http://radioalkul.com/
Radio Souriali
Radio Baladna
Radio Rooh
Radio Souria Al-Hurra
Radio Sout Raya
Radio Yasmin Al-Sham
Radio Alwan
Magazines
Sada al-Sham
Enab Baladi
Souriatna
Daouda
Oxygen
Zaitun
Tamadun
Fanous
Multimedia
SMART
Ana New Media
Palestinian Camp news network