12 August 2010

Campaigns and Advocacy

Solidarity welcomed as protesters demand action on missing journalist


(IFJ/IFEX) - 12 August 2010 - The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) welcomes the display of strength and unity by colleagues of missing Sri Lankan columnist and cartoonist Prageeth Eknaligoda at a protest and public meeting in Colombo on August 10.

A coalition of Sri Lankan press freedom groups - including IFJ affiliates the Free Media Movement (FMM), the Sri Lanka Working Journalists' Association (SLWJA) and the Federation of Media Employees' Trade Union (FMETU) - staged a satyagraha, or silent protest, to mark 200 days since Eknaligoda mysteriously disappeared.

Protest organisers for the Alliance of Media Organisations commended the estimated 350 people who attended the rally to call for a full and open investigation into Eknaligoda's whereabouts, in an environment where displays of public protest are often stifled for fear of reprisals.

Organisers said rallies of this nature generally draw crowds of about 50 people.

The satyagraha was followed by a march and public meeting chaired by FMM Secretary Seetha Ranjanee, and featured speeches from several prominent human rights and press freedom activists.

"The IFJ commends Eknaligoda's colleagues and Sri Lankan human rights activists for taking a brave public stand to demand action in relation to his disappearance," IFJ General Secretary Aidan White said.

"It is encouraging to see the local journalists' community in Sri Lanka will not let intimidation stand in the way of their struggle for justice in one of the most dangerous places for media workers in the world."

Eknaligoda, who is known for his outspoken political views, went missing on January 24, two days before Sri Lanka's presidential elections.

The IFJ has forwarded a letter of concern signed by members of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX) to the Government of Sri Lanka.

The IFJ and other international press freedom organisations are demanding the government ensure all efforts are made to locate Eknaligoda and bring those responsible for his disappearance to justice.

Source:

International Federation of Journalists
International Press Centre, Residence Palace
Bloc C, second floor, Rue de la Loi, 155
1040 Brussels
Belgium
Phone: +32 2 2352207
Fax: +32 2 2352219
 

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More on this case

Hearings into disappearance of opposition journalist continue 25 April 2012 CPJ calls for UN action in case of journalist missing for over 500 days 10 June 2011 IFJ welcomes United Nations' response on missing journalist's case 11 March 2011 Media rights groups to U.N.: intervene in case of missing journalist Prageeth Eknelygoda 9 March 2011 Media organisations urge UN to expedite efforts to locate missing journalist 26 January 2011 Twenty-three IFEX members call on authorities to investigate disappearance of journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda 10 August 2010 Alliance of Media Organisations organises protest calling on authorities to investigate journalist's disappearance 6 August 2010 FMM calls on government to investigate journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda's disappearance 23 July 2010 CRNI calls on government to account for missing cartoonist's whereabouts and physical condition 31 March 2010 Journalist's wife calls for investigation into his disappearance 24 February 2010 As election nears, pro-opposition journalist disappears 25 January 2010

Sri Lanka

IFJ disappointed by Supreme Court decision on Internet restrictions 17 May 2012 Hearings into disappearance of opposition journalist continue 25 April 2012 Eknelygoda's wife latest victim of intolerance 27 March 2012 Alarming increase in hostile rhetoric, threats of reprisals against journalists 26 March 2012 Government calls journalists "traitors" 22 March 2012 See all alerts: Sri Lanka


Asia and Pacific

INDIA: Charges against video journalist must be dropped 25 May 2012 CAMBODIA: Lake activists sentenced, monk detained after taking part in protest 25 May 2012 PHILIPPINES: Radio commentator threatened on Facebook 25 May 2012 PAKISTAN: Moves to squelch media, again 25 May 2012 CHINA: Anti-foreign attitudes bode ill for China correspondents 24 May 2012


 
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