Location: Colombo- Sri Lanka
Language: Tamil & Sinhala
Duration: 00:06:04
Source: A24
Restrictions: A24 Subscribers
Dateline: 11-02-2022
Storyline
Crimes against journalists representing or from the Tamil ethnic minority have been reported at an alarming rate, as journalists said continued threats and violations against journalists constitute a violation of basic human rights. Senior Journalist Harendran Krishnasamy,said that harassment and violence against Tamil journalists have been on the rise, noting that two have been recently reported against journalists. A reason to be more exasperated is the fact the authorities have condoned or have not taken the necessary actions against perpetrators. Senior Journalist Shanuka Karunarathne explained that the “North Eastern War” that ended in 2009 still has manifestations to this day, as Tamil journalists are still being harassed on a large scale, adding there are many incidents of violence against journalists that would go unreported. Karunarathne said that the Tamil community had hoped that with the end of the war, the treatment of Tamils would change; nevertheless, they were wrong as incidents against freedom of expression are being more and more suppressed. Journalists have been urging the Government to take action to investigate journalist killings and disappearances on the annual ‘Black January’ commemoration on January 28.
Shotslist
– (Soundbite) – Senior Journalist Harendran Krishnasamy with A24 News Agency:
“In the recent past in Sri Lanka, we have witnessed that assaults and threats are more common against Tamil journalists. Last month, two incidents were reported in the Mullaitivu area. Incidents of atrocious nature had been inflicted upon a journalist, yet no action has been taken against the perpetrators. Another journalist from the Batticaloa area has been singled out and is being scrutinized by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), disrupting his day-to-day media activities. Even though journalists have been harassed in the past, up to now, we do not see action taken to stem the threats against them. Although investigations were conducted into the matter, no conclusions have yet been uncovered.
– (Soundbite) Senior Journalist Harendran Krishnasamy with the A24 News Agency:
“It is vital in countries to have freedom of speech and expression. Violating freedom of speech would lead to dictatorship and oppression. This has been a lesson not only in Sri Lanka but also worldwide. Therefore, freedom of speech and expression is a pivotal basic human right. The freedom of speech and expression of opinion has been constitutionalized as a basic right. We will speak in favor of it, and we will also speak against those who violate such rights and will strive untiringly.”
– (Soundbite) Senior Journalist Shanuka Karunarathne:
“In the recent past, we reported an incident whereby two journalists were assaulted in the Mullaitivu area. In Batticaloa, the Eastern Province, a journalist was under strict watch by the Sri Lankan Security forces. Only those two incidents were reported and we can conclude that although the North Eastern War had come to an end in 2009, Tamil journalists in the area are subject to harassment. There may be many such other incidents that are unreported. We have to assume that such incidents have not come to a halt. This means that Tamil journalists are still threatened. Although we assumed that after the end of the 2009 war, Tamil journalists will also have the freedom to work without hindrance, still danger exists for them. After witnessing such incidents, even journalists in the South also have to exercise caution and make sure to safeguard our rights of freedom of expression as a whole. Also, hindrances and life threats which are being carried out against journalists in the north and east should be brought to an end.”
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.