Int’l Nonviolence Organization calls on Middle Eastern governments to release detained journalists

The International Nonviolence Organization (Free Muslim) called on leaders and rulers in the countries of the Middle East to take the initiative to release all prisoners of conscience, led by journalists and media workers, stressing the cessation of violations that affect this important segment.

 The organization considered, according to a statement received by Shia Waves News Agency, that “the recent data indicate serious rates of violations that affect journalists in Middle Eastern countries, especially the intimidation that targets them by government agencies, such as arrest, torture and sometimes killing,” noting that “This requires a sincere political will that limits these violations and works to grant the freedoms guaranteed by local and international laws to the press and journalists.”

 The statement pointed out that “the most important criterion for measuring democracy and public and private freedoms is the extent of the margin of freedom granted to the local press in each country, which is a fundamental principle of democracy, the right of expression and positive peaceful opposition in every country.”