The Hague: An independent panel of judges has called for prosecuting Sri Lanka, Syria and Mexico over allegations of human rights violations, according to a press release emailed to Dawn on Tuesday.

The People’s Tribunal on the Murder of Journalists was organised under the aegis of “A Safer World For The Truth” in collaboration with the Free Press Unlimited (FPU), Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

The tribunal put a spotlight on states’ obligation to protect journalists and to investigate attacks against them.

The panel of judges, which met at The Hague, called for an indictment by the prosecution of countries for their acts and omissions, including lack of investigation and lack of compensation for victims.

The tribunal, though symbolic in nature, aims to make a contribution to the “fight against impunity”.

Christophe Deloire, Secretary General of Reporters Without Borders, summed up the tribunal’s aims aptly: “The fact that we have this tribunal is the first sign of hope. Your tribunal does not have the capacity to put the perpetrators behind bars, but you have the capacity to name and shame.”

The indicted states were informed timely of their right to a defence, but none of the countries responded or offered a defence, the press release said.

“The judges called out the lack of action on the part of states and offered recommendations to states and the international community to take action.”

After the verdict, a ceremony took place to remember all journalists who have lost their lives in reprisal for their work.

Photos of journalists from all over the world, including Mexico, Afghanistan, Serbia and many other countries were brought to empty chairs representing all the journalists who killed in the line of duty.

Published in Dawn, September 21st, 2022

Must Read

Ukraine, Nato and the future of Europe

Ukraine, Nato and the future of Europe

The spectacle of the verbal spat between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Vlodomyr Zelensky in the Oval Office was stark evidence of a tectonic shift in longstanding US foreign policy on Ukraine, Russia, Europe and Nato.

Opinion

Editorial

After the review
Updated 16 Mar, 2025

After the review

Should prepare economy for durable growth by attracting foreign private investments to boost productivity and exports.
Embracing crypto
16 Mar, 2025

Embracing crypto

IT seems a little prod was all it took for Pakistan to finally ‘embrace the future’. The Pakistan Crypto Council...
Fault lines
16 Mar, 2025

Fault lines

IT was a distressing spectacle, though a sadly predictable one. As the National Assembly took up for discussion the...
Revised solar policy
Updated 15 Mar, 2025

Revised solar policy

Criticism policy revisions misplaced as these will increase payback periods for consumers with oversized solar systems.
Toxic prejudice
15 Mar, 2025

Toxic prejudice

WITH far-right movements on the march across the world, it is no surprise that anti-Muslim bias is witnessing high...
Children in jails
15 Mar, 2025

Children in jails

PAKISTAN’S children in prison have often been treated like adult criminals. The Sindh government’s programme to...