11 April 2008

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today called for the immediate release of Associated Press photographer Bilal Hussein after an Iraqi judicial committee dismissed terrorism-related allegations against him and ordered his release, but whether he goes free depends upon the United States military who are still holding him.

"We hope that this decision by the panel will lead to Bilal's speedy release," said IFJ General Secretary Aidan White. "He has been held for almost two years despite clear evidence that he was guilty of nothing more than being a working journalist."

However, on Thursday the US military said it will not release Hussein unless its own review board approves. Nearly two years after he was first detained by American soldiers, Hussein is still being held in a detention facility in Iraq.

A four-judge panel ordered Iraqi courts to "cease legal proceedings" against Hussein and ruled that he should be "immediately" released unless other accusations are pending. The AP said it is unclear whether Hussein would still face further obstacles to release. He may face another allegation that the committee will have to review.

The IFJ and its affiliate The Newspaper Guild-CWA, which represents journalists in the US and Canada, have urged the US to release Hussein since his detention began in 2006. He was taken into US custody on April 12, 2006, but it was not announced that he was held until September.

The US military has detained a number of journalists for varying lengths of time accusing them of terrorism-related activities but not charging them in open court or bringing them to trial. The IFJ has been calling on the US to free Al Jazeera cameraman, Sami al-Haj, who has been held at the Guantanamo Bay detention centre for almost six years.

"It's time for justice to prevail," said White. "We hope the decision in Bilal Hussein's case will prompt the US to finally make a move over Sami al-Haj who must either be brought to trial or released. These journalists have been denied their basic rights for years; it is intolerable."

For more information contact the IFJ at +32 2 235 2207