The world of journalism today salutes the courage and determination of Iraqi journalists in their struggle for safety, security and democracy.

We acknowledge with profound admiration and humility the sacrifice of Iraqi journalists and we mourn the tragic loss suffered by families who have endured great hardship and suffering in the cause of peace and reconciliation for their country.

We send you a message of solidarity and a pledge that we will stand by you in your continuing efforts to set standards of democracy and to defy all those who would create division and hostility within the community.

We call on all Iraqi journalists to give their full support to the Iraqi Journalists' Union, to join the process of creating a unified and strong journalists' movement and to engage in the review and renewal of the IJU leadership.

We support you and the policies that you will adopt --  the fight for union rights, for decent conditions of work, for the rights for women in media and for their equal representation in the union, and for journalism of the highest professional and ethical standards. 

The 2008 Congress provides a unique opportunity for all voices to be heard from all sections of media in all corners of this great country and for the election of a leadership that has the trust and support of all journalists.   

In calling for all journalists to show their solidarity for the independence and professionalism of journalism we urge and demand that all Iraqi political groups and parties respect and defend the independence of the IJU and of its members. No country can be truly free, no democracy can function without fear unless journalists are at liberty to do their work without interference.

The IFJ pledges to support the IJU, its leaders and its members, in their efforts to create an independent and strong Union and we thank the monitoring committee for their efforts to ensure that the Congress proceedings and elections are fair and transparent.

Finally, we send you a message that through all of the challenges ahead you will be able to count upon the solidarity of your friends, brothers and sisters from every corner of journalism around the world. We wish you well. 

From the IFJ

For more information contact the IFJ at +32 2 235 2207

The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 122 countries worldwide