Kabul, Afghanistan
In December 2013, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 2 November as the ‘International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists’ in General Assembly Resolution 68/163.
Journalists have a vital role in reporting facts to the members of society, and impunity for crimes against journalists has a destructive effect on the citizens’ awareness of the facts, opinions and ideas, and hinders constructive dialogue.
During the past year, we have witnessed many cases of violence against journalists in the country, the perpetrators of which were neither identified nor prosecuted. The Afghan Journalists Safety Committee (AJSC) believes that addressing cases of violence against journalists and prosecuting the perpetrators can reduce violence against journalists and allow journalists to continue their work in a safer environment.
The resumption of work of the Commission on Media Violation (CMV) is a crucial step in legally addressing all media and journalists related complaints and issues, however, it is not sufficient. Currently, the CMV is only active in the center, thus, AJSC urges the relevant authorities to expand the commission’s work to the provinces as well, so that the cases of local media and journalists can also be addressed through this commission.
Furthermore, AJSC asks the caretaker government to take necessary measures regarding media and journalists’ safety, and implement the existing Procedure on Journalists Safety and Security, and calls on the government to address all journalists and media related cases in accordance with the provisions of the Mass Media Law.