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UN rights expert urges immediate release of Italian journalist held in Afghanistan

UN rights expert urges immediate release of Italian journalist held in Afghanistan

A United Nations human rights expert today issued a strong appeal for the release of Italian journalist Daniele Mastrogiacomo and his aides, who are reportedly being held captive by the Taliban in Afghanistan.

“Mr. Mastrogiacomo, who works for the daily ‘La Repubblica,’ is a distinguished journalist known for his reports from different areas torn by fighting, in which he has chronicled the tragedy of war, its root causes and dire consequences with impartiality, compassion and a great sense of professional responsibility,” said Ambeyi Ligabo, the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, in a statement.

“I call for the immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Mastrogiacomo and his aides, as well as the release of all media professionals unlawfully detained around the world,” he said.

The Special Rapporteur, who serves in an individual, unpaid capacity, said the kidnapping underscores the importance of intensifying efforts to ensure the safety of journalists, especially in conflict areas.

“The role of the media in exposing abuses of human rights and disregard for the rule of law is beyond question. Attacks on journalists prevent them from fulfilling that function. They also undermine the enjoyment of the right to freedom of expression, and of all the rights that flow from it, of whole societies,” he said.