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December 29, 2010

French Journalists Still Being Held Hostage in Afghanistan 
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It has been a year since two French journalists were taken hostage in
Afghanistan. Vigils were held across France today calling for the
release of Hervé Ghesquière and Stéphane Taponier. Images of the two
journalists were projected onto the Arc de Triomphe monument in Paris.
Jean-François Julliard of Reporters Without Borders criticized the
French government, saying that more could have been done to secure the
journalists' release.

Jean-François Julliard: "We are very critical against the French
government because during the first weeks of their detention, the French
authorities-and Nicolas Sarkozy himself and his deputies-were very
critical against the two journalists, Hervé and Stéphane, saying they
took too many risks. So, we had the feeling it was not a priority for
the French authorities to secure their release, and this is the reason
why we are so angry today and why the families of the two hostages are
so angry, as well."



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