His Excellency Ali Khafi
Chairman of the High Council of State
Algiers
Algeria
Vienna, 9 December 1993
Your Excellency,
The International Press Institute (IPI) is deeply concerned about the recent campaign of terror directed against journalists in Algeria.
We understand that at least eight journalists have been killed in Algeria this year by Islamic fundamentalists. The religious extremists, sensing that they are losing ground in their battle with the security forces, have apparently chosen this tactic to make themselves heard and to create panic. However, while these terrorists may be responsible for the assassinations, we are informed that the authorities are not doing there utmost to protect the journalists and are even impeding them in their work by prosecuting journalists and suspending their papers for allegedly imperilling “the higher interests of the country.”
IPI, representing over 2000 journalists and editors from leading newspapers, magazines and broadcasting organizations and news agencies in 68 countries, believes that press freedom is bound to suffer when journalists can be killed without the perpetrators having to fear the consequences. We therefore strongly urge that these killings are fully investigated and that appropriate action be taken against the assassins. We further urge your government to take all possible steps to protect the safety of both local and foreign journalists working in Algeria.
We thank you for your attention.
Yours sincerely,
Johann P. Fritz
Director