The Afghanistan Journalists’ Center (AFJC), an independent, non-governmental and non-partisan body operating across Afghanistan under the country’s Mass Media Law, has said that 127 journalists and media workers have been killed as a result of war or organized crimes in the last two decades in Afghanistan. But due to the culture of impunity for crimes against journalists, justice has not been established.
On the occasion of the International Day of Ending Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, the center said in a newsletter on Wednesday (November 2nd) that during the last year, 8 journalists and media workers, 5 of whom were women, were killed in targeted armed attacks, bombings and suicide attacks.
According to the AFJC, 127 journalists and media workers, 20 of whom were women, have lost their lives since 2001.
Investigations by the AFJC reveal that due to the culture of impunity, justice has not been implemented in more than 90% of these events.
According to AFJC report, 245 incidents of violence against journalists and media workers have occurred in the span of one year after the Taliban took over Afghanistan.
The AFJC has asked the Taliban to fulfill their commitment to support journalists and end the culture of impunity for crimes against journalists.
Earlier, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern about the continued violence against journalists around the world and said that in 2022, more than 70 journalists have been killed because of their vital role in society.