Afghan journalists issue appeal on behalf of kidnapped French TV crew
| Publisher | Reporters Without Borders |
| Publication Date | 7 January 2010 |
| Cite as | Reporters Without Borders, Afghan journalists issue appeal on behalf of kidnapped French TV crew, 7 January 2010, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4b4b36a430.html [accessed 29 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Several Afghan journalists' organisations have appealed to the people who are holding a France 3 television crew hostage to free them without delay. More than 30 journalists in the provinces of Kapisa, Panshir and Parwan issued a statement yesterday call for the release of their "French colleagues."
"Above and beyond the pointless controversies and contradictory reports about the demands of the kidnappers, we would like to point out that the two French journalists and their Afghan assistants are recognised media professionals and their abduction is unacceptable," Reporters Without Borders said, calling for their immediate release.
Referring to two Afghan fixers who were killed after being taken hostage with foreign reporters, a Kapisa province journalist said: "We appeal to all the armed groups not to repeat the tragedy of Adjmal Nasqhbandi and Sultan Munadi." He added: "We are all worried about this abduction but we know they are in good health."
Rahimullah Samander, the head of the Association of Afghan Independent Journalists, described their abduction as sign of a further worsening in safety conditions for journalists in Afghanistan.
The France 3 crew that was abducted on 29 December while investigating the construction of a road in Kapisa province for the current affairs programme "'Pièces à Conviction" consisted of a French reporter, a French cameraman and their two Afghan assistants. Their driver was released, but has since been arrested by the Afghan army on suspicion of being an accomplice of the kidnappers.
