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The IDA Supports #FreeAJstaff

By KJ Relth


On December 29, 2013, three Al Jazeera English journalists were imprisoned in Cairo. Today marks the 100th day of the detainment of Mohamed Fahmy, Peter Greste, and Bahar Mohammed in the Egyptian capitol, who were charged with spreading false news, belonging to a terrorist group and operating without a permit. Al Jazeera is holding a press conference and symposium in New York City this afternoon to mark the occasion, and to call on the Egyptian Authorities to immediately release its journalists.

The International Documentary Assocaiation was invited to include a letter of support in the press packet for this event. Below is the letter from IDA's Executive Director Michael Lumpkin in support of the release of the three journalists. Please read the letter and sign on with your support to the #FreeAJstaff petition.

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April 6, 2014

His Excellency Adly Mahmoud Mansour
Office of the President
Al-Ittihadia Palace
Cairo, Arab Republic of Egypt

Dear President Mansour,

The International Documentary Association (IDA) represents over 2,000 filmmakers in North America and around the world. As a non-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to defending the rights and freedoms of documentary artists, activists and journalists, we believe that the free flow of information is vital to fostering an informed, compassionate, and connected world.

We are deeply troubled by the ongoing detention of three Al Jazeera journalists who have been arbitrarily imprisoned by Egyptian authorities since December 29, 2013. Peter Greste, Mohamed Fadel Fahmy and Baher Mohamed are professionals who work to present impartial reporting on current events in Egypt. The IDA is profoundly concerned that their ongoing detention constitutes an attempt by the Egyptian government to inhibit critical reporting and suppress freedom of expression.

We urge you to immediately release Peter Greste, Mohamed Fadel Fahmy and Baher Mohamed, as well as all journalists being held behind bars in Egypt.

Sincerely,



Michael Lumpkin
Executive Director