As an African senior statesman, President Jacob Zuma has access to the ears of fellow leaders and can demonstrate South Africa's intent to use its African and international standing to advance the cause for human rights: the right to freedom of Anton Hammerl falls squarely within this sphere.
Since being arrested with three journalists from Spain and the US on 5 April 2011, Hammerl has not been allowed access to legal representation, nor to see or talk to members of his family. As a highly respected photographer, he contributes frequently to the cause of African journalism. The fact that he and his fellow journalists remain missing is cause for distress in the southern African freelance media community.
Despite several international calls for the release of any journalists, human rights activists, and others unlawfully detained by Libyan authorities; and despite the fact that Anton Hammerl is a South African citizen, SAFREA is not aware of concerted efforts or pressure by the South African government to secure his release and those of other unlawfully detained journalists.
"Why should the UN, the US and other agencies appear to be showing more urgency?" asks Georgina Guedes, chairperson of SAFREA. "SAFREA calls for our government to do everything in its power to secure the release of one of its citizens, detained unlawfully in Libya."
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