Stop the War on Journalists in Sri Lanka
More than 45 journalists' associations, press freedom and human rights organisations have voiced their concerns in the IFJ-led joint letter to the President of Sri Lanka calling for the safety of journalists from the island nation.
Addressed to Mr Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of the Socialist
Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka, the letter demands an immediate
change in the escalating culture of violence against journalists by
government officials and members of the public.
This letter was the first of a series of actions for the ‘Stop the War
on Journalists’ campaign for Sri Lanka which will culminate with world
Press Freedom Day on May 3 and the release of the IFJ’s annual South
Asia Press Freedom Report for 2007-2008.
A global day of action was held on April 10, 2008. This day,
which falls two days before Sri Lanka’s Sinhala and Tamil New Year
celebrations, sent a message of hope and strength to the band of
journalists’ organisations in Sri Lanka who have continued their fight
for press freedom despite dangerous circumstances involving high risks
to the personal safety of themselves and their families.
“Sri Lanka has long been considered one of the most dangerous countries
in the world for journalists, but the situation is becoming ever more
serious,” said IFJ Asia Pacific Director Jacqueline Park.
“Our colleagues in Sri Lanka need to know that the international press
freedom and human rights communities stand in solidarity with them and
support their tireless work.”
All journalists’ associations, media organisations and press freedom
and human rights groups are invited to add their name to the joint
letter as well as send their own letters to the Sri Lankan embassies in
their countries on World Press Freedom Day on May 3 and display the campaign poster on their
websites, at rallies and in the press at any opportunity.
To view the joint letter, click here.
To view a PDF of the poster, click here.
To view a template letter for your organisation to use, click here
To join the campaign, please contact ifj@ifj-asia.org
