The attack against Namal and the culture of impunity

We reproduce in full a statement by the Free Media Movement on the attacks against journalists in Sri Lanka. Namal Perera, the most recent victim of an abduction attempt, was a former colleague who significantly facilitated a number of progressive media initiatives in Sri Lanka including the creation and adoption of the Media Charter.

This is the second time I have run with a story of an abduction of a former colleague. The first was a little over a year ago. Although Vijayan was lucky, those who abducted him have not been identified to date. 

Ironically, as I was on the way to see Namal at Apollo hospital on the night of his assault, I was stopped and checked at a prominent and well-known checkpoint just before the hospital. Clearly, only the white vans that operate with false license plates have a magical way around, through, under or over them. 

 

Attacks against media in Sri Lanka: Whither democracy?

1st July 2008, Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Free Media Movement (FMM) notes with dismay the dramatic and irrepressible decline in media freedom in Sri Lankan since 2005 under the Rajapakse administration. We have for years repeatedly spoken out against the attacks against media and journalists by the LTTE in areas under its control. It is well known that the LTTE does not and cannot tolerate diversity of opinion and viciously clamps down on free expression and critical dissent. What is of greater concern today is the increasing attacks against independent journalists with complete impunity in areas under government control.

The facts are indubitable and very disturbing and point to the Government’s egregious complicity in violence against free media. 14 journalists/media workers have been killed since 2005. 7 have been abducted. More than 25 have been forced to leave Sri Lanka. Noted journalists and defence correspondents such as Iqbal Athas have stopped writing altogether because of sustained hate speech campaigns openly conducted by the Ministry of Defence. The Government has shut down entire media establishments for spurious reasons. Government Ministers repeatedly and openly verbally and physically attack journalists with absolutely no disciplinary action taken against them. 13 journalists have been arrested by police. Senior columnist and news website editor outreachsl.com J.S. Tissainayagam, and printer and manager of the outreachsl.com Jaseharan and his partner Valarmathi have been in detention  Terrorist Investigation Department (TID) since 7th March 2008 without being charged. There are disturbing reports of torture and psychological abuse of journalists detained by the Police. Ironically, instead of investigating and preventing attacks against journalists, the Police have themselves attempted to abduct journalists. Several journalists live in fear of their lives and have been forced to bunker in safe houses. Tellingly, the Chairman of the State controlled Sri Lanka Broadcasting Cooperation (SLBC) openly called for the death of a senior journalist in June. The Army Commander Major Gen. Sarath Fonseka has repeatedly named and shamed several journalists as traitors and enemies of the State. The Defence Secretary and brother of the President Gotabaya Rajapakse, named by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) as a media predator in its Annual Report, has repeatedly and viciously threatened senior journalists and Editors with complete impunity.

The recent abduction of Keith Noyahr, defence columnist and Associate Editor of The Nation newspaper and the brutal abduction attempt of journalist Namal Perera on 30th June are two significant markers of a regime unable and unwilling to stop violence against journalists. Both were mercilessly beaten and were lucky to escape with their lives. There are no credible investigations into these attacks. Further, the lack of critical voices in the media has created a dangerous context for the few journalists who dare to speak out – a general public fed by the partisan rhetoric and propaganda of the State can no longer appreciate independent voices that interrogate the war. Insincere and essentially useless mechanisms to protect human rights in general and the rights and security of journalists set up by the Government attempt to pull wool over the eyes of the international community on the appalling conditions facing independent journalists on the ground.

The situation is already untenable yet getting worse. The on-going war in the Northern front is an all-consuming exercise that trucks no dissent or critical investigation. Monumental allegations of corruption involving the highest levels of government including the defence officials, the deplorable erosion of human rights, the rise of extra-judicial killings, disappearances and abductions and the silencing of journalists through outright terror are disturbing features of Sri Lanka’s flailing democracy. Aiding and abetting intolerance, racism and violence is the modus operandi of the Sri Lankan regime and it’s refusal to sincerely address the incontestable decline of media freedom, the freedom of expression and human rights rightfully contributed to the loss of its seat at the UN Human Rights Council this year.

Yet even this loss has not resulted in progress. The FMM flags the growing desperation of independent journalists and other voices of dissent in Sri Lanka. We are under attack and our voices are being permanently silenced. We urgently call upon the  international community to help us stop this erosion of democracy and ensure the full restoration of media freedom and the freedom of expression in Sri Lanka.