Amnesty International has issued a plea
for the immediate release of US journalist Daniel Pearl, who was kidnapped in Pakistan 10 days ago and whose fate was unclear today after unverified claims that he had been killed.
"The taking of hostages is a grave human rights abuse and is totally unacceptable," a statement from human rights body said.
"It is an act which threatens the fundamental right to life, personal integrity and liberty, and is expressly prohibited by international law. Under no circumstances is the taking of hostages justifiable."
An email sent to the CNN network last night claimed that Mr Pearl, 38, had been killed and his body dumped in a graveyard, hours after a deadline set by the journalist's apparent captors for his execution.
But in a conflicting message, callers to the US embassy in Islamabad demanded a two million dollar ransom for his release.
Mr Pearl disappeared in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi on January 23 after heading off to interview a little-known militant Islamic leader.
Appeals for Mr Pearl's release have also come from Pakistani politician and former cricket star Imran Khan, US boxing legend Muhammad Ali, and in a joint petition signed by 60 Arab and western journalists.
Pakistani police are sceptical of the email claiming Mr Pearl's death, citing the absence of any photo to prove the claim.
US officials in Washington and Islamabad are trying to verify whether the email came from Pearl's captors.
AFP
