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STORY: GENEVA / EGYPT JOURNALISTS
TRT: 2.35
SOURCE: UNTV
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 4 FEBRUARY 2011, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
1. Wide shot, exterior Palais des Nations
2. Med shot, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay at press conference
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Navi Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“Over the past two days, we have learned of other extremely disturbing developments, including the physical assaults on, and intimidation and arbitrary detention of, dozens of journalists in what is clearly a blatant attempt to stifle news of what is going on in Egypt.”
3. Cutaway, journalists
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Navi Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“All journalists and human rights defenders who were arrested for practicing their professions must be released immediately and unconditionally. The authorities must order their security and intelligence forces to cease this extreme harassment at once. I also urge the authorities to maintain open communications and internet services, protect media premises, and halt all activities aimed at restricting or manipulating the free flow of information, such as the extraordinary hijacking of Vodaphone’s system in order to send propaganda text messages.”
5. Cutaway, photographer
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Navi Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
"I strongly condemn the attacks and arbitrary detention of journalists. The treatment by security forces at military checkpoints. This behaviour is outrageous and illegal. The role of the media is vital and the authorities must facilitate their work and take concrete action to prevent further assaults against them and remove all impediments to the free flow of information. I also listened with great surprise to the Vice President attributing blame to the international media. It was clear to all of us that we would not have had such excellent exposure to what's happening, while it's happening had it not been for the international media. And so a very strong call from me for respect for the media and that they be allowed to function freely.”
6. Wide shot, press room
United Nations (UN) Human Rights High Commissioner Navi Pillay today (4 February 2011) strongly condemned the attacks and arbitrary detention of journalists covering the unrest in Egypt adding that it was a blatant attempt to stifle news about what was going on in the country.
Speaking at a news conference in Geneva, Pillay described the treatment of journalists by security forces at checkpoints as outrageous and illegal. She urged the authorities to order the security and intelligence forces to stop the immediate harassment journalists and human rights defenders.
The High Commissioner dismissed comments by the Egyptian Vice President attributing responsibility for the current violence to the international media.
She said the current live exposure to the situation in Egypt was due to the international media and made a strong call for respect for the media. They should be allowed to function freely, she said.
High Commissioner Pillay also urged the Egyptian authorities to maintain open communications and internet services.
She called for an end to activities aimed at manipulating or restricting the free flow of information.
In this context, Pillay pointed to the hijacking of Vodaphones system to send propaganda text messages.
