RNW staff in support of jailed Al Jazeera journalists

RNW.org, Mirjam van den Berg, The Netherlands, 26-06-2014

RNW has published a staff group photo expressing solidarity with three convicted
 Al Jazeera colleagues in Egypt. This follows today's Facebook posting of a statement
 by one of the prisoners highlighting the importance of sustained pressure on the
Egyptian authorities. (RNW/Mirjam van den Berg)

Al Jazeera correspondent Peter Greste and producer Mohamed Fahmy were jailed on Monday for seven years, while producer Baher Mohamed was given 10 years on charges of spreading false news and supporting the now banned Muslim Brotherhood. All three denied the charges.

The sentences have sparked global outrage and calls for their immediate release. The United States called on the Egyptian authorities to reverse the "chilling, draconian sentences", which the White House called "a blow to democratic progress in Egypt".

Assault on free speech

Australia, the Netherlands and Britain all summoned their respective Egyptian ambassadors to explain the verdict, which human rights campaigners denounced as a “farce”  and a “frightening assault” on what remains of Egyptian free speech.

The cases have sparked several online campaigns using the slogan "Journalism is not a crime.” Journalists across the globe held silent protests this week to express solidarity.

RNW has joined the international chorus of condemnation, with a photo of its staff holding up speech bubbles calling for free speech, a free press and support for #freeAJstaff.

Solidarity

RNW Director Robert Zaal hopes the group photo will be “shared as much as possible”.

“With this picture, we demonstrate solidarity with our convicted Al Jazeera colleagues in Egypt. As journalists promoting free speech, we feel strongly about this particular case. Free speech and independent journalism go hand in hand and when countries lock up journalists for simply doing their job then there is something seriously wrong.”

“RNW stands shoulder to shoulder with the jailed Al Jazeera colleagues in Egypt and hopes that the current international outcry will have an impact on the Egyptian authorities.”

Pressure and support

In a message given to his brothers during a prison visit and posted on Facebook today, Peter Greste stressed the importance of sustained pressure "from individuals, human rights groups, governments and anyone who understand the fundamental importance of a free press to Egypt's fledgling democracy."

The statement ends with: "We are all grateful for the extraordinary and unprecedented public support that countless people have offered us throughout this ordeal. It has kept us strong and continues to do so. We must all remain committed to fight this gross injustice for as long as necessary."

Peter Greste, Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed have been jailed
for endangering Egypt's national security. Photograph: Mohammed Bendari/Rex

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