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Press Releases
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ to rally at UN for abducted news correspondent
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Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ News Correspondent Alan Johnston still missing after seven weeks
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The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Gaza Correspondent, Alan Johnston, was abducted at gunpoint in
Gaza City on 12 March. Neither the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ, nor his family, have had any
contact from him since. He has now been missing for 51 days.
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On
Thursday 3 May - also World Press Freedom Day - the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ will rally at
the United Nations and invite journalists around the globe to call for Alan Johnston's release.
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The rally will be led by the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's World Editor Jon Williams. It starts
at 2pm ET (United States Eastern Time) - 7pm UK time - at the Ralph Bunche Park opposite the UN Plaza in New York.
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On the same day Alan's colleagues in the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's 41 bureaux - in 38
different countries - will also demand his immediate and safe return.
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Alan spent three years living and working in Gaza - the only western
journalist to do so - and was within two weeks of completing his
assignment there.
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He is now the longest-held journalist in Gaza,
previous journalists have been released after a number of days or weeks.
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The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Director-General Mark Thompson says: "Alan
Johnston is a remarkable, courageous journalist who stayed in Gaza
because he believes the story of Gaza needs to be told.
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"He has done so
with humanity, but also objectivity - one of an extraordinary group of
people who remain in the world's trouble spots when everyone else is
getting out, and who sadly face increasing danger right across the world.
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"Seven weeks after he was abducted, we want Alan home, safe and well."
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Similar rallies have taken place in London, Gaza, Beirut and elsewhere.
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On Monday (30 April) Alan's image was projected on to the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's
Television Centre in London and 50 balloons released to mark the 50th
night since his abduction.
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More than 65,000 people from around the globe
have signed an online petition to call for his release.
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Alan Johnston's family issued this statement: "This is a desperately
worrying time for us. We make a heartfelt appeal to anybody who may have
knowledge of Alan's situation and wellbeing to contact the authorities in
Gaza.
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"Our son has lived and worked amongst the people of Gaza for the
last three years to bring their story to the outside world - and we ask every
one of them to help end this ordeal."
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Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ News Publicity
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