Journalist support committee condemns the targeting of cameraman Sajjad Najem Ajil

The journalist support committee severely condemns and deplores the death of Karbala television channel’s cameraman, Sajjad Najem Abed Ajil, as a result of an IED explosion planted on the side of the road of the terrorist organization ISIS, on Saturday 26 of August 2017, in the city of Tal Afar, Iraq.

The committee reiterates its call on the international institutions concerned with freedom of the press, human rights organizations and in particular the Iraqi government to take necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of journalists by training the media staff and rehabilitating the media personnel on the measures and procedures of protecting themselves during conflicts, in addition to providing the journalists with the adequate and safety equipment, such as a press helmets and vests to ensure their protection from shrapnel or bullets in case of attacks.

The committee calls upon the international community to find a radical solution that provides a sound environment for press work in all areas of conflict, in accordance with the resolution A/HRC/33/L6 on the safety of journalists adopted unanimously by the Human Rights Council at its last regular session, and Security Council resolutions 21/12 and 13/24 on the protection of journalists in conflict zones, particularly Iraq, which is a dangerous place for journalistic work.

This painful incident is yet another systematic targeting of journalists and media workers in Iraq, thus on behalf of the Journalist Support Committee, we extend our warm condolences to all employees of Karbala television channel and to all media personals, and solace to the family of the deceased. 

Watch the moment of injury of the cameraman Sajjad Najem Abed Ajil:

Journalist Support Committee – Iraq
29 August 2017