Monday, January 13, 2020
The United States Condemns the Assassination of Ahmed Abdul Samad
US EMBASSY BAGHDAD
Office of the Spokesperson
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 11, 2020
The United States Condemns the Assassination of Ahmed Abdul Samad
The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad strongly denounces the deplorable and cowardly assassination of Jijla TV correspondent Ahmed Abdel Samad and cameraman Safaa Ghali in Basra last night. The ongoing assassinations, kidnappings, harassment, and intimidation of members of the press, social media activists, and pro-reform activists in Iraq by armed groups cannot continue to go unpunished.
The Iraqi government is responsible for upholding the right to freedom of expression, protecting journalists, and ensuring that peaceful activists can practice their democratic rights without fear of reprisal. This can only happen if the perpetrators are found and brought to justice.
Freedom of speech and freedom of expression are the cornerstones of a democratic society. Respecting and upholding these rights is fundamental to the protection and promotion of democracy.
