IFJ Urges All Factions in Egypt to Protect Safety of Journalists Following Solidarity Mission

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has called for all factions involved in the Egyptian crisis to take immediate steps to ensure the safety and protection of journalists.

The call follows media reports that Egyptian photographer Ahmed Assem el-Senousy was killed in Cairo yesterday morning, Monday 8 July. According to reports, el-Senousy, 26, was shot by a sniper while covering clashes between security forces and pro-Morsi protestors at the Republican Guards' headquarters.

The Egyptian Journalists Syndicate (EJS) has expressed its sadness at the loss of a colleague and condemned those people who "disregard the safety of journalists who are doing their job."

"We all mourn the tragic loss of journalist Ahmed Assem el-Senousy," said IFJ President Jim Boumelha. "His senseless murder demonstrates the risks our colleagues covering the political and social unrest in Egypt are facing every day. "We call on the authorities in Egypt to investigate this case immediately to ensure the perpetrators of this horrific murder answer for their crimes and face the full weight of justice."  

The IFJ conducted a Solidarity Mission to Cairo over the weekend, arranged in cooperation with the Federation of Arab Journalists (FAJ). Led by IFJ General Secretary, Beth Costa, along with Mounia Belafia, Joint Chair of IFJ Gender Council and Younis Mjahed, Senior Vice-President of IFJ, the mission was organised to support journalists covering the current crisis and gather first-hand information about the problems they are facing. 

The mission heard accounts of journalists who have been forced into hiding, fearing for their lives after their names and addresses had been published in some media, exposing them to mob violence.

"Our Solidarity Mission to Egypt has helped us learn more about the dangerous situation facing journalists in the country," said Costa. "We are deeply concerned at the treatment of journalists during this period of political and social unrest and we urge supporters of each camp to respect the safety and independence of journalists.

"We also ask that media owners in the country uphold their duty of care for their staff and protect the safety of their journalists covering potentially dangerous situations. Journalists should stay united and stand together to avoid divisions and overcome these difficult times."

For more information, please contact IFJ on + 32 2 235 22 17
The IFJ represents more than 600.000 journalists in 134 countries