New York, February 21, 2001 --- The board, staff, and members of the Committee to Protect Journalists mourn the loss of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl. We offer heartfelt condolences to his family, his colleagues, and his friends around the world.

In recent weeks we have learned a great deal about how special Danny was both as a person and as a reporter. His loss will be felt most by those who knew him best, but all of us are diminished because we have been deprived of his unique voice. Danny was skeptical, critical, and courageous in his reporting. He believed firmly in the truth, and he died searching for it.

CPJ condemns the brutal, wanton, and senseless murder of Daniel Pearl. We call on Pakistani authorities to devote the full resources at their disposal to apprehend and prosecute his killers.

"This was a cruel and pointless murder of a man who spent his life giving a voice to the voiceless," said CPJ honorary co-chairman Terry Anderson. "It served no purpose, political or otherwise. It gained his killers nothing, not even publicity for their views. On the contrary, it further discredits those who try to justify violence in the name of religion. The kidnapping of a journalist, or any civilian, is truly an act of terrorism. The perpetrators must be swiftly caught, convicted, and punished to the fullest extent possible."

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