Kabul, January 9, 2012
Afghanistan Independent Bar Association (AIBA) announced the establishment of a committee to defend the rights of reporters and media employees.
AIBA director, Rohullah Qarizada told Afghanistan Journalists Center (AfJC) that the committee will undertake and represent the reporters and media personnel with their cases free of charge.
Citing article 31 of Afghan Constitution, the AIBA director said that every citizen has the right to have a barrister who can fight for his/her rights in the court.
AIBA director further added, “from now on, if reporters or media employees in any part of Afghanistan are attacked, tortured, insulted, or accused of any crimes, we will defend them by providing them with barristers for free.”
Director Qarizada claimed that within the country 18 lawyers have received proper education and training with the help and support of Pennsylvania University, Internews and Nai organizations, while three other lawyers have studied in England and India.
According to AIBA director, under their program a further 32 solicitors in other provinces of the country will also be trained.
Based on AfJC data, from 1993 to date 34 reporters and media employees have been killed and tens of others have been threatened, tortured, injured or kidnapped.
Most of these victims were Afghan citizens. But despite the presentation of supporting documents in government departments and follow up by the families and colleagues of the victims, the Afghan government has failed to provide them with results.
Afghanistan Journalists Center welcomes the establishment of Independent Barristers Media Committee in filling a gap of media in the country and defending the rights of reporters and media employees. AfJC appeals the Afghan government to, as part of its promise in supporting and defending the press freedom, pave the way to defend reporters’ rights and punish those involved in violation of media law and press freedom.