KABUL (TOLO News): On the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, the Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) reported 447 cases of rights violations against journalists and media workers, along with more than 220 arrests, in Afghanistan over the past three years.
This international observance, marked every year on November 2, aims to raise awareness about the need for accountability for crimes against journalists.
AFJC stated in its announcement: “In the three years of ‘Islamic Emirate’ rule (from August 15, 2021, to August 15, 2024, corresponding to the Afghan calendar dates of Asad 24, 1400 to Asad 24, 1403), the Afghanistan Journalists Center has recorded at least 447 incidents of rights violations against journalists and media workers, including three deaths, dozens of threats and instances of violence, and more than 220 arrests.”
In response, the Ministry of Information and Culture stated that it is working to improve media operations in Afghanistan and that the Commission for Addressing Media Complaints and Violations has resolved all challenges faced by journalists.
Khobaib Ghufran, spokesperson for the Ministry of Information and Culture, denied that any journalists had been detained, adding that during the three years of Islamic Emirate rule, no journalist has been detained for their media activities.
Ghufran explained, “No journalist has been or will be detained as a journalist. If any case has arisen, the Ministry of Information and Culture, in coordination with relevant state bodies, has promptly addressed it.”
Some journalists and media-support organizations have stressed the importance of addressing cases concerning journalists and emphasized the need for enacting the media law.
Hafizullah Barakzai, President of the Afghan Journalists’ Union, stated: “There is an urgent need for the public media law to be enacted and made available to the journalism community as soon as possible. We do have some issues, particularly regarding access to information, but these are gradually being resolved.”
Zabihullah Sharifi, a journalist, said, “Journalism is about impartial reporting for the people, and anyone committing a crime against a journalist should not go unpunished or ignored. For a clearer path forward in journalism and media operations, it is essential that the public media law be approved and finalized as soon as possible.”
On the international front, the United Nations also marked November 2 with a statement on the increase in violence and fatalities among journalists in conflict zones in recent years. According to UNESCO statistics, 85 percent of journalist killings since 2006 remain unresolved.
Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, stated, “According to a new report by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), 85 per cent of all killings recorded by UNESCO since 2006 are considered unresolved.”
November 2 was designated the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists by the 68th United Nations General Assembly in 2013. This day is commemorated annually to honor journalists who have lost their lives in the pursuit of truth.
