UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon yesterday called for the unconditional
and immediate release of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)'s
correspondent Alan Johnston who was abducted by unknown gunmen in Gaza a month
ago.
Ban said in a statement that he has been closely following the abduction of
the BBC journalist.
"I am deeply concerned. Even after one month of his abduction, he has not
been released," he said.
Noting that Johnston's coverage of Palestinian issues has earned a great
reputation worldwide, Ban said freedom of coverage, as well as freedom of the
press, should be protected as a matter of principle.
"I sincerely hope that those who are responsible for this abduction should
release him unconditionally and immediately. I will do whatever I can in my
capacity as secretary-general," he said.
On March 12, Johnston, who has been working in Gaza as a reporter for BBC
since 2004, was stopped by unknown masked gunmen while he was driving his car
and abducted at a gunpoint.
