The journalist support committee deplores the assault on Al-Massar crew
and calls for accountability of the aggressors and an end to impunity

The Journalist Support Committee condemned the attack on the Iraqi channel Al-Massar tv crew, Monday 7 August 2017.

And according to a statement provided by the channel to the committee, the team consisted of Amir Alaa Al-Khafaji, photographer Walaa Amer and technical assistant Aqeel Karim, who during their coverage of a conference organized by the Iraqi ministry of education to receive objections submitted by students who failed in their exams, received a beaten and were prevented from filming and got their cameras pulled away as well as being insulted and verbally abused.

The committee reiterates its call on the Iraqi government to ensure the safety, security and protection of journalists and media workers, and to implement international conventions that protect journalists and the right to freedom of opinion and expression as well as freedom of access to information and news, in particular human rights council resolution A/HRC/RES/12/16 which recognizes the exercise of the right to freedom of opinion and expression is one of the essential foundations of a democratic society.

The committee also calls for an end to impunity for crimes and assaults committed against journalists, by the implementation of security council resolution 1738, and investigating the circumstances of the attack on the channel’s press crew and to hold accountability on the aggressors.

Journalist Support Committee
15 August 2017