DOHA: As the world prepares to mark the first International Day to End Impunity on November 2, Doha Centre for Media Freedom (DCMF) has reiterated calls for the release of Aljazeera journalists.
In a statement, DCMF said it was saddened at the fact that some 75 journalists have lost their lives in the line of work so far in 2014, and those responsible for killing media people continue to escape justice.
“DCMF is also shocked and disappointed at an Egyptian court’s decision to schedule the appeal hearing of Aljazeera journalists, Peter Greste, Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed, for January 1, indicating a failure to address the international community’s concerns over the issue of impunity and injustice,” it said.
Charged with spreading false news to incite instability and supporting a terrorist organisation, Greste and Fahmy were handed seven-year jail terms, while Mohamed was sentenced to additional three years for having a spent bullet in his possession.
The journalists have spent close to one year in prison and their detention represents a serious violation of media freedom and human rights. The case has generated a great deal of international attention and the campaign to secure their release has been supported by journalists, media houses and others across the globe.The Peninsula
