March XX, 2012 Ellen Johnson Sirleaf President of the Republic of Liberia Executive Mansion P.O.

Box 9001 Capitol Hill, Monrovia Republic of Liberia Dear President Johnson Sirleaf: We, the undersigned journalists and concerned individuals, are preoccupied about the safety of reporter Mae Azango, who has been in hiding since March 8 due to ongoing threats to her life after she published a story on the practice of female genital mutilation. We call on you to direct the Ministry of Justice to take urgent steps to protect Azango and hold to account all those seeking to harm her. In keeping with the firm commitments of your 150-Day Action Plan in upholding security, justice, and the rule of law we appeal to your leadership to let it publicly known that your government will not tolerate intimidation of journalists taking on this or other sensitive topics. Azango, a reporter for the daily FrontPage Africa and New Narratives, a media development(?) project, published an article on March 8, International Womens Day, entitled Growing Pains: Sande Tradition of Genital Cutting Threatens Liberian Women's Health. The article described how tribes practice female genital mutilation on as many as two out of every three girls in the country. The publication of the article was followed by death threats against Azango. They left messages and told people to tell me that they will catch me and cut me so that will make me shut up, she told the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) from an undisclosed location. I have not been sleeping in my house. Liberia National Police Deputy Director Al Karley told CPJ Azangos case was a high priority and that she was given emergency numbers to call in case of trouble. However, a week into hiding, Azango remains under threat as groups of individuals continue to visit the office of her newspaper and her home looking for her and threatening her family and colleagues. Azango has sought shelter in a secluded room at an undisclosed location and is separated from her two children. Madam President, we believe your political leadership is required to to protect Azango from harm and send the clear message that your your government will not tolerate any intimidation of journalists. We look forward to your response. Sincerely,