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| EU motion urges Johnston release | EU motion urges Johnston release |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Lawmakers at the European Parliament are to back a resolution calling for the immediate release of kidnapped BBC reporter Alan Johnston. | Lawmakers at the European Parliament are to back a resolution calling for the immediate release of kidnapped BBC reporter Alan Johnston. |
| The emergency resolution urges the Palestinian authorities to redouble efforts to free Mr Johnston, who disappeared in Gaza on 12 March. | The emergency resolution urges the Palestinian authorities to redouble efforts to free Mr Johnston, who disappeared in Gaza on 12 March. |
| It is also expected to call on officials to ensure that journalists in Gaza can work in safety, reports say. | It is also expected to call on officials to ensure that journalists in Gaza can work in safety, reports say. |
| Lawmakers are set to adopt the resolution later in the day. | Lawmakers are set to adopt the resolution later in the day. |
| MEP Richard Howitt, who tabled the resolution, said that the EU was sending "a strong political signal" in favour of Mr Johnston's release. | MEP Richard Howitt, who tabled the resolution, said that the EU was sending "a strong political signal" in favour of Mr Johnston's release. |
| The BBC's Alix Kroeger, at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, says that MEPs of all political stripes have united behind the motion. | The BBC's Alix Kroeger, at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, says that MEPs of all political stripes have united behind the motion. |
| Until last year, the EU was the largest single donor to the Palestinian Authority, but it suspended aid after the election of Hamas, which refused to renounce violence and recognise Israel. | Until last year, the EU was the largest single donor to the Palestinian Authority, but it suspended aid after the election of Hamas, which refused to renounce violence and recognise Israel. |
| Journalists have held several rallies to support Mr Johnston | |
| Palestinian officials are keen to get back in the EU's good books, but they have been left in no doubt about the importance of securing Mr Johnston's release, our correspondent adds. | Palestinian officials are keen to get back in the EU's good books, but they have been left in no doubt about the importance of securing Mr Johnston's release, our correspondent adds. |
| The Arab Media Forum and the International Association of Press Clubs, which have been meeting in the United Arab Emirates, have also called for Mr Johnston's immediate release. | |
| Many at the two-day meeting talked of Alan Johnston as a very fair journalist, admired and loved by many people, the BBC's Gulf correspondent Julia Wheeler reports. | |
| The two organisations have also called for the protection of all journalists working in dangerous places. | |
| Rallies and protests | Rallies and protests |
| Since Mr Johnston's abduction there have been widespread protests in the UK, in Israel and in the West Bank and Gaza. | Since Mr Johnston's abduction there have been widespread protests in the UK, in Israel and in the West Bank and Gaza. |
| Journalists from Gaza, the Middle East and a range of other countries have backed calls from the BBC and other UK media for his release. | Journalists from Gaza, the Middle East and a range of other countries have backed calls from the BBC and other UK media for his release. |
| THE EDITORS' BLOG A big part of our effort has been to keep the issue in the public eye Jonathan Baker,deputy head, BBC Newsgathering Jonathan's comments in full | |
| On Wednesday journalists held a rally at the Erez checkpoint, the main crossing point between Israel and the Gaza Strip, to highlight Mr Johnston's plight. | On Wednesday journalists held a rally at the Erez checkpoint, the main crossing point between Israel and the Gaza Strip, to highlight Mr Johnston's plight. |
| There Jonathan Baker, the BBC's deputy head of newsgathering, said he was making a direct plea to those holding Mr Johnston to release him immediately. | There Jonathan Baker, the BBC's deputy head of newsgathering, said he was making a direct plea to those holding Mr Johnston to release him immediately. |
| "His only offence has been to expose himself to personal danger because of his strong desire to bring the story of Gaza to the outside world," he said. | "His only offence has been to expose himself to personal danger because of his strong desire to bring the story of Gaza to the outside world," he said. |
| Mr Johnston joined the BBC World Service in 1991 and has spent eight of the last 16 years as a correspondent, including periods in Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. | Mr Johnston joined the BBC World Service in 1991 and has spent eight of the last 16 years as a correspondent, including periods in Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. |
| He has lived and worked in Gaza for three years and was the only Western reporter permanently based in the often violent and lawless territory. | He has lived and worked in Gaza for three years and was the only Western reporter permanently based in the often violent and lawless territory. |
| On Monday Palestinian Deputy Prime Minister Azzam al-Ahmad said his office had information that "indicates that Johnston is in good health". | On Monday Palestinian Deputy Prime Minister Azzam al-Ahmad said his office had information that "indicates that Johnston is in good health". |
| A previously unknown militant group said more than a week ago that it had killed the correspondent, but the BBC and Palestinian officials have said they have been unable to verify the claim. | A previously unknown militant group said more than a week ago that it had killed the correspondent, but the BBC and Palestinian officials have said they have been unable to verify the claim. |
| A BBC News website petition has now registered more than 50,000 names in support of Mr Johnston. | A BBC News website petition has now registered more than 50,000 names in support of Mr Johnston. |