A group of Canadian organizations has launched a petition asking the federal government to “do everything in its power to bring home Canadian journalist Amanda Lindhout and her Australian colleague Nigel Brennan.”

The two journalists were kidnapped in Somalia while covering a civil war there more than a year ago.

The Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ), Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE), PEN Canada and the Canadian Media Guild (CMG) have joined together in the effort.

CAJ president Mary Agnes Welch notes in an information release about the petition:

“Please remember: This is about personal action. Media attention could jeopardise the safety of Amanda and Nigel.”

On Oct. 20, the Canwest News Service reported that Lindhout and Brennan were moved to an “even more remote location” because “it appears security fears motivated their captors.” This information came to the news service from Reporters Without Borders and the Associated Somali Journalists.

The two journalists were captured in August 2008. Nearly one year later, Lindhout called OMNI TV pleading for help.

Further information about the petition is available here.