A return to justice

Despite the war ending four years ago Sri Lanka’s media remain under heavy challenges. Many people woke up on Saturday morning to shocking news of Faraz Shaukatally, an investigative journalist attached to The Sunday Leader being shot at his residence. This is the latest in a long string of violence committed against journalists and could very well end up on the long list of crimes including brutal murder that have been allowed to escape with impunity.

 Doctors at Colombo’s National Hospital carried out emergency surgery on the injured journalist to remove a bullet embedded below his neck. It was reported widely that he would need further tests and the long term damage from the shooting remains to be seen. The personal shock, trauma and vulnerability faced by Shaukatally calls for greater protection to be provided for him as well as financial and emotional support.

Following the shooting a range of organizations including the Editor’s Guild have called for impartial investigations into the shooting. President Mahinda Rajapaka had also ordered the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to conduct an inquiry. Yet given the history of such incidents it is questionable whether the investigation will result in the offenders being apprehended and charged for their crimes.

Thus far in journalist related incidents justice has remained absent. This can be seen in another much publicized and grievous event, namely the brutal murder of Sunday Leader Founder Editor Lasantha Wickremathunga on 8 January 2009. Over three years have lapsed since this tragedy and there have been no arrests. Perpetrators in a range of other attacks and killings also remain at large. Confidence in these offenders being brought to justice remains bleak and investigations once begun enthusiastically usually peter out with no satisfactory conclusion.

With the U.S. backed resolution on Sri Lanka to be presented shortly the latest incident comes at a politically sensitive time and may gain more leverage as a result.    

 UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay has told international media that she was deeply disturbed by the shooting of Shaukatally on Friday night in an interview in London last weekend. Pillay had remarked that she was “deeply disturbed” by the shooting of the journalist and calls on the Sri Lankan government to protect him. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights urged the Sri Lankan government to “provide immediate protection” for Faraz Shaukatally. Pillay said: “It’s an act of attempted assassination so he needs to be protected immediately.”

The High Commissioner had also pointed out that this is a time for the Sri Lankan police and politicians to prove their commitment to rule of law and justice by impartially investigating the incident and assuring swift justice. Given the repeated emphasis the U.S. and other international community stakeholders have given media freedom; the response of the government will be watched closely.

Sri Lanka’s record on media rights does not make for positive reading. Reporters with Borders has repeatedly given the island low rankings with the latest tagging at 163 out of 179 countries, even though it is a marginal improvement from 2011.

Numbers and political concerns aside Sri Lanka’s leaders have to act if they wish to be believed. Justice delayed is justice denied, as the famous saying goes, and Sri Lanka is desperate for a return to justice.