ISLAMABAD: At least 33 journalists were killed for their journalism work in Pakistan during the last six years, including seven in the last year (November 2018 to October 2019) alone, according to Freedom Network.
The new report entitled "100{7be40b84a6a43fc4fae13304fce9a2695859798abfc41afd127b9f8b21c5f9c5} impunity for murderers, 0{7be40b84a6a43fc4fae13304fce9a2695859798abfc41afd127b9f8b21c5f9c5} justice for journalists killed in Pakistan: crime and punishment in the journalistic world of Pakistan" issued a "Puncture card of impunity in Pakistan" that reveals alarming statistics.
The report is published before International Day to end impunity for crimes against journalists observed by the United Nations on November 2 of each year.
According to the Pakistan Impunity Score Card, a total of 32 FIRs were recorded for the murder of 33 journalists during the 2013-19 period, of which the police were able to present challan (charge sheet) in only 20 cases, or in 60 percent of cases. Of 33 cases, the courts declared only 20 cases eligible for trial (60pc) of which the prosecution and trial were completed in only six cases, only 18pc.
In these six cases, the murderer was convicted in only one case, but escaped punishment after successfully repealing the sentence at the appeal stage, after which the murdered journalist's family abandoned their search for justice due to lack of resources.
The above statistics include the cases of seven journalists killed in Pakistan in the last year (between November 2018 and October 2019). According to the report, FIRs were registered in all seven cases, but the police filed the charge sheet in only four cases (57pc).
In summary, none of these seven cases reached the critical stage in which the courts were able to issue a verdict and provide justice.
According to Freedom Network, the impunity enjoyed by murderers of journalists in Pakistan is one of the highest in the world.
The organization working to defend press freedom and freedom of expression said its report is based on a special index of impunity developed by him and examining the FIRs recorded in the murder of journalists and interviews with families, lawyers and colleagues of the murdered journalists who reveal the following surprising findings:
Meanwhile, the International Press Institute (IPI) in a statement published in connection with the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists said that democracies around the world were not protecting journalists and investigating murders. and crimes against them.
According to the IPI Death Watch organization, based in Vienna, up to 40 journalists lost their lives in the last year. Of these, 25 lost their lives in selective attacks in retaliation for their work, often in response to reports exposing corruption or the activities of criminal unions. Eight journalists died while covering conflicts in Afghanistan, Syria and Yemen and one was killed by civil unrest.
Six journalists died while they were assigned; two in Somalia and one in Brazil, Turkey, United Kingdom and United States. Most selective killings took place in the Americas, where 18 journalists were killed.
An analysis of Death Watch data shows that, over the years, most selective killings have taken place in democracies and impunity for such crimes remains high in these countries.
Published on Dawn, November 1, 2019
Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1514131/33-journalists-killed-in-pakistan-in-past-six-years-report