ALA, AAUP, and Other Organization Release Statements on Paris “Charlie Hebdo” Attack

UPDATE Jan. 12, 2015

Since we posted the full text of the International Publishers Association statement (below) about Wednesday’s attack in Paris we’ve  compiled statements from other organizations. We’ve just added a statement from ALA to our roundup. It’s linked below and we’ve also included the full text further down the page.

Statements on the Attack

• From the American Library Association

• From the Canadian Library Association

• From IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations)

• From IFLA Art Libraries Standing Committee

• From the International Publishers Association

• From the Association of American Publishers

• From the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund

• From the National Coalition Against Censorship

• From the Newseum in Washington DC

• From Reporters Without Borders

• From PEN International and PEN America

• From Freedom House

• From EU Ministers For Culture Issue Joint Statement On Freedom Of Expression

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From the American Library Association

Today American Library Association (ALA) President Courtney Young released the following statement regarding the attack on the offices of Charlie Hebdo in Paris.

“The American Library Association condemns in the strongest possible terms yesterday’s attack on the offices of Charlie Hebdo in Paris and the deaths of the twelve people there.

“Libraries and the press are the bedrock of democratic societies.  Free expression is essential for librarians and journalists to do their jobs.  Free speech is integral to the ethical values and best practices for both professions.  Such attacks are counter to the values of access to information with diversity of views—and to the values of civic engagement, which encourages people to read and discuss these views without fear.

“The American Library Association reaffirms our support of the freedom to publish, read, and discuss.  This horrific attack violates Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which ALA has endorsed:

Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media regardless of frontiers.

“The ALA Library Bill of Rights and Code of Ethics embody these principles without apology.

“The news is still evolving in regard to this tragic event.  We will continue to monitor the situation.  We extend our solidarity with our library colleagues in France, particularly the Association of French Librarians, for their continued passion and service on behalf of freedom of speech in French society.”

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Here’s the full text of statement we received from the International Publishers Association (IPA). It’s also available here.

We are all Charlie Hebdo: Arab and international publishers unite in defence of freedom of expression

Geneva, 7 January 2015

Murderous attack on French satirical magazine is an attack on publishers’ shared values.

The global publishing community is appalled at today’s brutal attack on French magazine Charlie Hebdo, where editor-in-chief Stéphane Charbonnier and cartoonists Jean Cabut, Bernard Verlhac and George Wolinski were among twelve people killed.

Assem Shalaby, President of the Arab Publishers Association condemned “this ‎vicious attack that contravenes the principles of Islam and the message of its prophet.”

“This is a horrible crime committed against humanity, freedom of expression, Islam and Muslims” said Ibrahim El Moallem, Chairman of Dar El Shorouk, the largest Arab book publisher. “It is an attack against civilization.”

IPA President, Bloomsbury’s Richard Charkin, said “the attack on Charlie Hebdo is an attack on publishers’ core values: freedom of expression, freedom to publish and the right to criticise and polemicise. IPA calls on all publishers, authors, journalists and cartoonists to stand together and defend these values. We are all Charlie Hebdo.”

Vincent Montagne, President of the French publishers association SNE said “we are profoundly shocked by today’s murderous attack against authors, journalists and cartoonists. Barbarism and fanaticism will not have the last word”.

Ola Wallin, Chair of IPA’s Freedom to Publish committee said “today’s assassination in Paris is a crime against the entire publishing industry. The workers at Charlie Hebdo sacrificed their lives for freedom of expression.”

IPA Secretary General Jens Bammel said “we should not allow radical minorities to besmirch the message of all major religions: that of peace, compassion, love and respect. The publishing world’s thoughts are with today’s victims and their families.”

See Also: IPA Membership Roster