Mr. Speaker, Mohammed Abder Rahmani, the chief editor of the Algerian daily El Moudjahid was buried yesterday in Algiers. He is the 35th journalist to be assassinated in Algeria in the unending struggle between Islamic and government forces.
Mr. Abder Rahmani, the dean of the country's journalists, openly criticized the actions of armed Islamic groups. Intimidated and fearing for their lives, over 200 journalists have already fled the country.
These murders of people who have the courage to express their opinions, their ideas and their values, risking their lives in doing so, is an affront to us all. All too often, we remain silent and unmoved in the face of obscurantism and intolerance. We must denounce Mr. Abder Rahmani's assassination and see to it that his killers are brought to justice.
Voltaire said: "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it". Freedom of expression is a fundamental value in our society. May all Canadians-