IFJ Calls for 'Independent and Exhaustive' Inquiry into Shooting of Journalist by US Soldiers in Iraq

Media Release
7 January 2009

IFJ Calls for 'Independent and Exhaustive' Inquiry into Shooting of Journalist by US Soldiers in Iraq


The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has today called for a full 'independent and exhaustive' inquiry into the shooting of an Iraqi woman journalist in Baghdad by American soldiers.
Hadil Emad, 25, an editor with Biladi TV was shot and critically wounded by America soldiers as she was heading home in the al-Karrada district of Baghdad on 1 January 2009.She was taken to hospital and has undergone extremely difficult surgery involving the removal of her kidneys which had been damaged, according to the Iraqi Union of Journalists.
"The circumstances of our colleague's shooting are suspicious," said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary "and we demand a thorough, independent and exhaustive investigation to determine what led American soldiers to fire on an unarmed young woman.
" American military authorities in Iraq claimed that the journalists was shot because she "acted suspiciously and failed to respond to warnings."But the IFJ has challenged this account saying "there was nothing suspicious about Emad, a journalist who was returning home from work.
"The IFJ says the American authorities should be held accountable for their action and remains concerned about American treatment of Iraqi civilians and journalists. The Federation remains angry that American military have kept in detention Ibrahim Jassam Mohammed, an Iraqi journalist freelance photographer, in defiance of an Iraqi court order for his release.
"In situations like this too often the benefit of the doubt is placed with soldiers who already exercise extraordinary control of life and death over civilians," said White. "It is time for clear and full answers to be given over the actions of the United States military."

For more information contact the IFJ at +32 2 235 2207
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 123 countries worldwide