The African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights, sitting in Arusha,
Tanzania has upheld the right of journalists to practise their vocation
free from intimidation or the fear of death.
The court held that the failure of a government to diligently seek and bring to account the persons responsible for the assassination of a journalist intimidated the media, had a chilling effect on free expression, violated the human rights of journalists, endangered truth, and should not be allowed.
The journalist in question was Norbert Zongo, publisher and former editor of I’Indépendant in Burkina Faso, who was killed over 16 years ago.
Explaining the reasons for its decision, the court pointed out that the legal proceedings before the courts in Burkina Faso were unduly prolonged; that Burkina Faso didn't diligently investigate the crimes; that the families of the victims had not been contacted over eight years after the beginning of the case they initiated; that no proper investigation was ever conducted into the case; and that the government showed no will to hold the killers to account.
The court held that the failure of a government to diligently seek and bring to account the persons responsible for the assassination of a journalist intimidated the media, had a chilling effect on free expression, violated the human rights of journalists, endangered truth, and should not be allowed.
The journalist in question was Norbert Zongo, publisher and former editor of I’Indépendant in Burkina Faso, who was killed over 16 years ago.
Explaining the reasons for its decision, the court pointed out that the legal proceedings before the courts in Burkina Faso were unduly prolonged; that Burkina Faso didn't diligently investigate the crimes; that the families of the victims had not been contacted over eight years after the beginning of the case they initiated; that no proper investigation was ever conducted into the case; and that the government showed no will to hold the killers to account.
No comments:
Post a Comment