Cairo ,July 26^th , 2010

The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information condemned today, the suicide attack against Alarabiya Channel office in Baghdad on  July 26^th , 2010, 9:00 am. A suicide bomber driving a small vehicle was able to penetrate the security barrier outside the channel’s office. The explosion resulted in 4 dead and 10 injured  from the channel staff none of whom are reporters.

The Arabic Network for Human Rights expresses deep sorrow for  the return of bombings and suicide attacks against journalists and mass media in Iraq, where this incident is the first in 2010. However, it is not the first since the U.S. invasion of Iraq. Attacking media has become so frequent in Iraq and resulted in killing many journalists and media workers.

Alarabiya was subjected  to many attacks by suicide bombers in  Iraq since opening its office in 2003 leading to 11 workers being killed .The last  attack on the channel office in Baghdad was in 2008. Luckily ,the office manager miraculously survived the bombing.

ANHRI said that all factions  in Iraq have to understand that media is not a part in their differences ,or in their wars. Fighting freedom of expression is not in the favor of any of the parties, as it is a guaranteed right for all . It is a right whose only tool and weapon are words and words will not be combated by violence , killing and destruction .

ANHRI expresses  full solidarity with Alarabiya channel and calls on all those who support freedom of expression to announce solidarity with the channel team in Baghdad. As well ,ANHRI demands the Iraqi interior minister to provide adequate protection to mass media in Iraq to prevent future attacks ,which  ANHRI do not know their causes or who is behind them.