The Freedom of Expression Institute calls on all parties involved in the conflict in Lesotho to ensure the safety of Journalists reporting on the situation there. The FXI is deeply alarmed at the treatment meted out to journalists, some of whom believe they were deliberately targeted and fired on by snipers. It is deeply concerned at the high casualty rate among journalists and the criminals acts committed against some of them.

On Tuesday, September 22, Johannes Sefatsa, a cameraman for the South African Broadcasting Corporation was wounded. Freelance photographer Greg Marinovich, a former Associated Press photographer was shot in the leg while covering the fighting. Later that day, an AP correspondent and photographer and a British Broadcasting Corporation cameraman were attacked by a stone -throwing mob. Less than an hour later, they abandoned their car when it was raked with gunfire by Basotho soldiers. Two cameramen from AP Television were hijacked. A mob threw a rock through the window of a car driven by Alex Duval Smith, a reporter for The Guardian.

On Wednesday, September 23, The Times correspondent Sam Kiley was wounded by gunfire. Bop TV reporter Mark Klusener and cameraman Biron Tayoor were hijacked at gunpoint and some of their equipment was taken.

Although journalists and photographers are aware of the risks of reporting in conflict situations and of being caught in the crossfire, they are unarmed non-combatants carrying out their professional duties of keeping the public informed and are easily identified.

All parties must respect their role and ensure that they are given maximum protection and are not harmed.

cc : Chief of SA National Defence Force, Lieut-General Siphiwe Nyanda President N Mandela in his capacity as head of the SADC Spokesperson for the Opposition Parties in Lesotho, Ms M Morrison Col R Hartslief, head of the SA section of the SADC forces in Lesotho The Leaders of the Opposition Parties in Lesotho

Issued by Elsie Nanagolo Leopeng INFORMATION & EXTERNAL CAMPAIGNS OFFICER (403 8403)