Gov’t Apologizes For Continued Impunity For Crimes Against Journalists

A senior Afghan government official has apologized for detentions of 48 journalists whom he said were detained temporarily in the past “without any reason”.

“On behalf of the government of Afghanistan I would like to apologize from the forty eight Afghan journalists whom were detained temporarily in the past,” said Nadir Nadery, the President senior adviser for strategic and public relations affairs and honorary ambassador of freedom of speech who was addressing a session under the name of “International Day To End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists” on Wednesday.

 Correspondents in the ceremony of fighting against impunity of violence against correspondents have also insisted on practicing of law and regulation to retain the rights.

Head of the Afghan journalist safety committee Najeeb Sharifi said,” We have had same issue in the past, I hope to see the implementation of law and regulations where journalists can retain their rights in the future, talks are underway and hopeful.”

The following day is marked in Afghanistan where Nai Supporting Open Media in Afghanistan has announced an alarming rate of violence against Journalists in the current year.

The recent survey launched by Nai indicates for total, 377 cases of violence against journalists including 13 cases of murder occurred in all across the country.

Part of the survey shows that nearly 96 journalists in Kunduz, 75 journalists in Helmand, 108 journalists in Farah and 13 others in Uruzgan forced to leave their jobs for a temporary basis.

Journalists in Afghanistan work under tough conditions. They have faced violence and threat on numerous occasions, which prevent them from carrying out their jobs.

Meanwhile officials at Nai have also expressed concerns over not launching investigation about the cases of Journalists, and safety of the correspondents in Afghanistan.

Reported by: Farah NazForotan