Shock over Hassan killing

2004-11-17 07:45

Canberra - The Australian employer of Iraqi aid worker Margaret Hassan, who was kidnapped last month, said on Wednesday it appeared she had been killed.

Care Australia said it was shocked and appalled that Hassan had apparently been killed and said its first priority was to support her husband.

The statement came after Arabic broadcaster Al-Jazeera television said on Tuesday it received a video showing a hooded militant shooting a blindfolded woman in the head.

"It is with profound sadness that we have learnt of the existence of a video in which it appears that our colleague Margaret Hassan has been killed," the charity said in a statement. "We want to express our deepest sympathy to Mrs Hassan's husband, Tahseen, and to her family."

Extraordinary woman

Care Australia described Hassan as an extraordinary woman who dedicated her life to the poor and disadvantaged in Iraq, particularly children.

"The whole of Care is in mourning," it said. "Through her courage, tenacity and commitment, Mrs Hassan assisted more than 17 million Iraqis living in the most difficult of circumstances."

It added, "Everyone who met her was touched by her personality and compassion."

CARE Australia said its staff and volunteers would continue working around the world fighting poverty, responding to humanitarian emergencies and helping to rebuild communities.

"Care sincerely thanks the Iraqi people for everything they did to try to secure the safe return of Margaret Hassan and for the many expressions of support," it said. "Our priority now is to support Mrs Hassan's husband, Tahseen, and those most deeply affected by this tragedy."

A Care Australia spokesperson said the charity would make no further comment out of respect for Hassan's family.

Care Australia had responsibility for running Care's operations in Iraq, and Hassan was employed by the Australian branch of the international charity.

Hassan held British, Irish and Iraqi nationality, was married to an Iraqi and had lived in the Gulf country for 30 years.

- AP