ICRC News Release No. 09/254
The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Jakob Kellenberger, has called for the safe, unconditional and immediate release of ICRC staff members Gauthier Lefèvre, who was kidnapped in West Darfur, Sudan, on 22 October 2009, and Laurent Maurice, seized in eastern Chad on 9 November 2009.
Mr Kellenberger said:
"I appeal today to the sense of humanity of the abductors of Gauthier Lefèvre and Laurent Maurice. There can be no possible justification for harming a humanitarian aid worker. The sole purpose of Gauthier and Laurent's work is to help those in need. They do not work for or represent the interests of any country. Their families, friends and colleagues miss them desperately. Please release Gauthier and Laurent immediately and without conditions."
For further information, please contact:
Saleh Dabbakeh ICRC Khartoum, tel: +249
91 213 77 64
Anna Nelson, ICRC
Geneva, tel: +41 79 217 3264 (On-duty Sunday)
Marçal Izard, ICRC Geneva, tel: +41 22 730 24 58 or +41 79 217 32 24 (As of Monday)