AIDA Nederland

Cartoonists Rights Network, International

Open letter, 20-03-2003

Dear friends of cartoonists and cartoonist friends:

In a very recent email sent by the International Freedom of Expression Clearinghouse (of which CRN is a member) CRN was asked to sign a letter proposed by the International Federation of Journalists. The letter follows:

"We, the undersigned IFEX members, appeal to all countries currently involved
in the Iraq crisis to ensure that there is:

1. No targeting of media personnel or their equipment by any side in the
conflict;
2. Full respect for the rights of journalists and media staff under
international law;
3. Recognition of the need for the free flow of information and no political
or military censorship or interference in reporting by journalists, even
when they are traveling under military protection.

We also recommend that journalists and media not working under military
protection give priority to safety measures, including only working from
secured areas and using "pooling" arrangements between different media to
reduce risks. For further information, contact Sarah de Jong at the IFJ, International
Press Centre. http://www.ifj.org

CRN responded with:
The Cartoonists Rights Network and its network of nearly 2000 editorial and social cartoonists all over the world endorse this appeal to assure the safety of journalists and the guarantee of their access to the information they seek.

Dr. Robert Russell
Executive Director
Cartoonists Rights Network