EU parliament calls on the PA to secure the release of BBC reporter

Thursday April 26, 2007 21:21 by Rami Almeghari - IMEMC&Agencies

The European Union Parliament passed a resolution today calling for the unconditional release of BBC reporter, Alan Johnston, who was abducted in Gaza six weeks ago.

journalists protest on Wdensday/photo by Rami Almeghari

The EU parliament's resolution urges the Palestinian Authority to intensify efforts to secure the unconditional and swift release of the BBC reporter. The resolution also calls on the Palestinian Authority to investigate thoroughly attacks on journalists and civilians in Gaza and bring those involved to justice.

Palestinian, Israeli and international journalists demonstrated yesterday on both sides of Gaza-Israel border line in northern Gaza, against the captivity of Johnston, calling on the Palestinian Authority to secure his release.

President Mahmoud Abbas said last week that Johnston is alive; refuting a statement by a previously unknown group that it had executed him. 15 foreign journalists have been abducted and released unharmed in Gaza over the past three years. Johnston has endured the longest captivity of any foreign journalist or aid worker.

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