PFUJ endorsed IFJ Calls for Urgent Action over Massacre of Philippine Journalists PFUJ Secretariat Media Release Islamabad: Nov. 30:- The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalist (PFUJ) while joining hands with the International Federation of Journalists in protesting against the massacre of journalists in the Philippines has demanded the UN to summon an emergency session of the Security Council to discuss this gruesome incident. The PFUJ asked the UN to take practical steps for ensuring the protection of the media persons in the Philippines as well as to bring to justice those responsible for such heinous crime against humanity. The PFUJ has also stressed upon the international community to take serious notice of the most tragic and gruesome single massacre of working journalists in the recent world history. In an organized roadside ambush on November 23 in Ampatuan town in Maguindanao Province at least 30 journalists as well as lawyers and civilians were gunned down. The PFUJ demanded that the international community must ensure full investigation into this tragedy and help bring to justice those responsible for this massacre of media persons. The PFUJ also announced to respond to the appeal of IFJ and observe "Global Day of Solidarity" on December 9 to support colleagues in the Philippines in their quest for justice. The PFUJ has directed all its affiliated unions, media persons to hold meetings in press clubs, UJs offices and stage demonstrations on December 9. It is time that the entire world, civil society, human rights organizations, lawyers join hands to condemn the massacre of journalists in the Philippines. Shamsul Islam Naz Secretary General PAKISTAN FEDERAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS 12-Nazimuddin Road, F-6/1, Islamabad, Pakistan. Phone Office +92(0)51 2870220-1 Facsimile +92(0)51 2870223 Cellular +92(0)300 8665523 http://www.pfuj.pk http://www.shamsulislamnaz.com

Letter of Support from Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) We at Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) are shocked and dismayed by the indiscriminate and wanton killing of 18 journalists, among 57 civilians, caught up in the electioneering cross-fire between the feuding political clans. It is outrageous that non-partisan journalists should be thus silenced by villains who thought they could cover up their crimes. But fellow journalists of the fallen 18 have seen to it that their heinous deeds are brought to light. We join our Philippines Press fraternity and the press fraternity worldwide in condemning the massacre and in demanding that the perpetrators be brought to book. We must unite to demand that the Philippines authorities put an end to the culture of impunity and violence against journalists. Federation of Nepali Journalists Media Village, Tilaganga, Kathamndu

STATEMENT OF FILIPINO JOURNALISTS IN THE UNITED STATES Filipino journalists in the US capital and other American cities today condemned the slaughter of dozens of people – including about a dozen journalists – in Maguindanao. They demanded the government take all steps necessary to capture, dead or alive, those responsible for the massacre. “The Philippine government must act swiftly and decisively to bring all the perpetrators to justice, irrespective of their positions or political affiliations,” they said in a statement. The statement was signed by, among others, Lito Katigbak, Philippine Star and Manila Mail; Cristina DC Pastor, Managing Editor of Philippine News; Bing Branigin, Manila Mail; Rodney Jaleco, ABS-CBN News (Washington DC) and Pinoy Herald; Jun Medina, Manila Times; Lenn Almadin-Thornhill and Monette Rivera, ABS-CBN News (New York); Rita Gerona-Adkins, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine News and Asian Fortune; and Mary Estacion, ABS-CBN News (Baltimore). The Paris-based Reporters Without Borders noted “Never in the history of journalism have the news media suffered such a heavy loss of life in one day.” The US-based journalists noted the killings could not have come at a worst possible time since the US Congress is examining whether to cut military aid to the Philippines because of serious human rights violations, including the killing of journalists. They expressed solidarity with their brethren in the Philippines, especially those working in Mindanao. “We convey to them our message of sympathy and unity during this dark period in Philippine journalism,” their statement read. “As journalists here in the United States, we feel that we too are victims of this senseless violence,” they said.

Federazione Nazionale della Stampa Italiana Roma, 23 novembre 2009 Prot. n. 265/C La Federazione Nazionale della Stampa Italiana comunica: “Una orribile strage si è consumata a Mindanao, nelle Filippine, contro cittadini inermi e giornalisti. Da quanto risulta, da notizie, ancora incerte e frammentarie, oltre quarantacinque sarebbero le vittime di un sequestro politico finito nel sangue. Tra loro donne, bambini ed anche una dozzina di giornalisti che stavano seguendo i sostenitori di esponenti politici locali in vista delle elezioni amministrative e politiche che si svolgeranno nei primi mesi del prossimo anno. Un eccidio raccapricciante, che vede ancora una volta colleghi vittime della violenza cieca e terrorista e che senza ombra di dubbio, se le notizie saranno confermate, sarebbe la più grande strage di cronisti nella storia del giornalismo mondiale. La Fnsi, nell’esprimere il proprio dolore ed orrore per questa insensata strage, ha inviato all’ambasciatore delle Filippine a Roma una richiesta di informazioni sull’episodio ed ha chiesto alla Federazione Internazionale dei giornalisti (Ifj) l’attivazione dei canali di solidarietà per assistere le famiglie delle vittime ed il loro Sindacato professionale”. ___________________________________________________________________________ CORSO VITTORIO EMANUELE II 349 - 00186 ROMA - TEL. 06/68008.1 FAX 06/6871444 sito: www.fnsi.it - e-mail: segreteria.fnsi@fnsi.it

End impunity for journalists' killers in the Philippines The journalist unions in the five Nordic countries, gathered in a meeting in Helsinki, Finland, express their anger and sorrow over the massacre of 59 innocent people, among them at least 30 journalists, in the Philippines on the 23rd of November. The vicious killings are the worst ever recorded in media history. For year after year, the central government and authorities have let the many attacks on and killings of journalists in the country go on without taking responsibility for the killings being fully investigated and the killers brought to court. This has misled local politicians, clans and criminals to believe that the international community does not see what is happening in the Philippines. Now is the time for the authorities to end the impunity for journalist killers and bring the murderers of these and more than 100 other killings of journalists and media people to justice. The journalist unions in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway and their 60.000 journalists members want to declare our solidarity with their sister union, the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines. We will in all possible ways support and defend NUJP’s brave struggle for media freedom, freedom of speech and security for all journalists in the Philippines. Only if they succeed, the Philippino people will be able to see what is going on in their country and to free themselves from corruption, impunity, lawlessness and misuse of power. In solidarity, Dansk Journalistforbund, Denmark Mogens Blicher Bjerregård President Svenska Journalistförbundet. Sweden Agneta Lindblom Hulthen President Finlands Journalistförbund, Finland Arto Nieminen President Norsk Journalistlag, Norway Elin Floberghagen President Islands Journalistforbund, Iceland Thora Asgeirsdottir President

Apart from the Noerdic message of solidarity, the Finnish Union has today appealed to Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Stubb and the Philippine ambassador to ensure the ending of impunity and to bring the masterminds of the November 23 atrocity into account without delay. Please deliver all our solidarity and support to the colleagues in NUJP. Best regards Juha Rekola Suomen Journalistiliitto Union of Journalists in Finland +358 40 512 0036

Journalists in New Zealand are appalled and outraged at the murder of so many of our colleagues in the Philippines and at the ongoing intimidation of journalists there. We extend our condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who died. We will be writing to the Philippines embassy here demanding every effort is made to bring their killers to justice and to end the continuing violence against journalists. Please accept the full support and solidarity of your colleagues at the EPMU in New Zealand. Brent Edwards, convenor of the EPMU Print and Media Council.

As a journalist in Los Angeles who spent 18 years at the Los Angeles Times, I am appalled and deeply concerned at the mass murder of my colleagues in the Philippines. The loss of life is not only a tragedy for the friends and families of the victims, but a blow against global society. The ability for a citizenry to know and tell the truth is a cornerstone of civilization. No worthy government would think for a moment of letting these crimes go unpunished, and yet this intimidation has gone on year after year. As one of the great population centers for immigrants, Los Angeles has long and enduring ties to the Philippines, and this atrocity has not gone unnoticed here. Please accept our condolences and know that the world is watching. Shawn Hubler

Dear our colleagues, NUJP members, December 7, 2009 Japanese members of IFJ are feeling outrage and also deep grief over a massacre caused in Mindanao. We express our heartfelt condolence for the victims. We should never forgive the killers of the largest atrocity against journalists. In order that people of Philippine enjoy true freedom of speech and press, we are aware of the large role of Japanese IFJ members as a member of Asian countries. Toward December 9, we are urging Philippine ambassador to Japan to bring these killers to justice. We will also appeal to Japanese government to place a pressure on Philippine government to take a human action. We hear that oppression toward journalists still exists. We do not want any single victim any more. Let us salute the courageous struggle of NUJP and express our sense of strong solidarity. Very sincerely yours Jun Yamakoshi President Japan Broadcasting Labour Union (NHK Worker’s Union)

IJU condemns Maguindanao Massacre of Journalist Indian Journalists’ Union (IJU) join the people of the Philippines in condemning, in the strongest terms possible, the massacre of at least 57 Filipinos in the southern Philippines. IJU is especially appalled by the most recent media reports that at least 28 of those killed in the province of Maguindanao on 23 November 2009 were journalists. The massacre of journalists in Maguindanao staggers journalists community of the world. Reports from Maguindanao point to the massacre being politically motivated, specifically tied to a rivalry between two entrenched political groups. Among those reported killed, was the wife of one clan leader who was hoping to make a run against the incumbent governor. Whatever the motives, the Philippine government must work swiftly and with urgency to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice. IJU urge the Philippine government to address the larger problem of impunity that festers in Philippine society. It is this environment, where violence and crime go unpunished, that leads to tragedies such as what befell our colleagues in Maguindanao. Given these realities, IJU call on the Philippine government to do all that it must to halt the violence and bring the murderers to justice, as speedily as possible. IJU held that to place the entire province under emergency ruleand under military control, would likely restrict information where information and truth is precisely needed, and further discredit the sincerity of the government to get to the bottom of this tragedy. We support journalists bodies in the Philippines in their call for an independent fact-finding mission to Maguindanao, and stand ready to help in any way that we can. Geetartha Pathak NEC member, IJU

Journalists of Latin America and the Caribbean, affiliated to FEPALC, condemn this brutal act and express distraught over the killings in the Phillippines. We demand a complete and inmediate investigation into the crimes as well as punishment for those responsible. To the families of the victims, our most sincere message of solidarity and our firm demand for real safety for our filpino journalists and press in the country. Celso Augusto Schröder Federation of Journalists of Latin America and the Caribbean (FEPALC) Porto Alegre, Brazil

Bogotá, Colombia Noviembre 25 de 2009 Compañeros Unión Nacional de Periodistas de las Filipinas, NUJP Estimados colegas: La Federación de Periodistas de América Latina y el Caribe, FEPALC, les envía un saludo solidario por el triste momento que la intolerancia les obliga a atravesar. En este continente sabemos lo que significa ser perseguidos por informar a la sociedad, particularmente en México y Colombia, donde cada año denunciamos los crímenes de nuestros valientes colegas, asesinados por cobardes que sólo conocen el poder de las armas disparadas a traición. Sin embargo, lo sucedido en Filipinas, no tiene parangón. Nunca antes los periodistas del mundo habíamos sido objeto de un ataque tan aleve y atroz, en un solo día. Y por nuestra propia experiencia, sabemos que de quedar impune esta matanza, servirá de estímulo para que esos y otros criminales, continúen sembrado el terror donde debería existir la civilizada confrontación de ideas. Este ataque criminal, es un atentado contra todos los periodistas del mundo y contra los fundamentos mismos de la democracia. Por eso, resulta de vital importancia para el futuro del periodismo y del derecho ciudadano a la información, que realicemos una gran campaña para presionar a gobiernos y organismos multilaterales a fin que los responsables de la matanza colectiva sean capturados y sancionados con todo el rigor de la ley. Compañeros, deben saber que cuentan con nuestro apoyo decidido para superar este doloroso episodio. Y a los agresores, les notificamos que no descansaremos hasta que el imperio de la ley dé cuenta de su cobardía. En unidad, Eduardo Márquez G. Vicepresidente, FEPALC

Compañeros in the Philippines, From this tiny country in South America that is Uruguay, we send you the biggest sentiment of solidarity and support. Your sorrow is our sorrow, your struggle is our struggle. We stand by you. Rubén Hernandez Association of the Press of Ururguay (APU) General Secretary

The National Syndicate of Journalists of Costa Rica condemns the massive murder of 59 civilians, among them 34 journalists and media workers and demands the government of Philippines provide concrete actions to bring those responsible for this atrocity to justice. Colleagues in Costa Rica express their heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. San José, Costa Rica December 9, 2009

LA FEDERACION DE ASOCIACIONES DE PERIODISTAS DE ESPAÑA (FAPE) SECUNDA EL DIA INTERNACIONAL DE SOLIDARIDAD CON LOS PERIODISTAS FILIPINOS POR LA MASACRE RECIENTEMENTE ACONTECIDA Y CONDENA TODO ACTO DE VIOLENCIA QUE EN CUALQUIER PARTE DEL MUNDO AMENACE LA VIDA Y EL TRABAJO DE LOS PERIODISTAS. TODO ELLO EN FAVOR DE UNA SOCIEDAD GLOBAL MAS JUSTA, DEMOCRÁTICA, SOLIDARIA Y RESPETUOSA CON LOS DERECHOS HUMANOS. Madrid, 9 de diciembre de 2009

The National Association of Journalists of Perú expresses firm support to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, as the world remains in state of shock over the horrendous crime that has deeply hit the community of journalists. We cannot possibly recall a worse aggression against press workers. Aware of the political and social situation of the Philippines we do not expect an independent investigation. For this reason, we unite under the single voice of the international community to request independent commissions and observers be allowed to accompany the investigations and find the criminals behind the brutality. We send our condolences to the families of the victims. And to our colleagues in the Philippines we ask you do not lose hope, you are not alone. We will follow and document the findings disclosed and investigations carried out; we will keep pressuring; we will not allow society to forget this tragedy.