UN CHIEF WANTS JOURNALIST's KILLERS PROSECUTED!!!

UN Chief wants Lasantha's killers prosecuted

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, in a statement ahead of World Press Freedom Day called on the government of Sri Lanka to ensure that those responsible for Lasantha Wickrematunga's murder are found and prosecuted.

"Attacks on journalists remain shockingly high in number," Ban wrote.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), 41 journalists were killed in 2008 while on the job and 11 have been killed since the start of 2009.

The UN cultural agency UNESCO posthumously awarded Sri Lankan journalist Lasantha Wickrematunga -- murdered in January -- the UNESCO 2009 press freedom prize for his work.

UNESCO Director-General Koichiro Matsuura will formally award the prize at a ceremony in Qatar on Sunday.

Ban called on the government of Sri Lanka "to ensure that those responsible for (Wickrematunga's) murder are found and prosecuted."

The CPJ "also reports that as of 1 December 2008, 125 journalists were in prison. Some have been incarcerated for years and some for more than a decade.

"Three countries -- China, Cuba and Eritrea -- account for half of those cases," Ban said.

"I urge all governments that have detained journalists to ensure that their rights are fully respected, including the right to appeal and defend themselves against charges," he added.

Fear often results in journalists censuring themselves. "This, too, is unacceptable, journalists must be able to do their job free of intimidation and harassment," Ban said.

In April a panel of 14 judges from around the world posthumously awarded Wickrematunga the UNESCO prize.

Wickrematunga, who was shot at close range by unknown gunmen as he drove to work in early January, was the editor of the Sunday Leader newspaper that was fiercely critical of government policy, especially its bloody and costly war against Tamil rebels

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Comments

I can bet my life on this fact that as long as this govt is in power lasantha's killers will never be found. Also y has not the UN chief highlighted the fact that 20 of sri lanka's best journalists have been forced to flee abroad coz their lives were under threat.

Posted By: Rayan

Good proposition - but, will it happen?

Posted By: Nina Kamal

why Lasantha only.how about Richard Soyza and other journalist .......

Posted By: sudath

Only Lasantha, no then how about, Lakmal Suramga, Sivaram. The attacks on Keith, Tennakoon and the deitors of the Eastern province. Their attacks too should be investigated. Strange as it may seem that the Police were not present at the last hearing of Lasnatha's case and it had to be post-poned. Whom is the Police trying to protect. Lasantha was going to expose those in high places and was silenced. All Sri Lankans know who that person was. - Ramzeel

Posted By: Ramzeel

There is no need to give any special treatment to Wickramathunga's death. UN must give their attention to all other deaths too. Mr Wickramathunga unnecessarily risked his life and take always opposition side and tried to be a hero in the media. I don't see he is a impartial, unbiased and fair journalist. If any body who is said to be a journalist, he should act impartial way without taking any side or party.

Posted By: Kavin gunaratne

UN chief, try every possible ways to pressurise GOSL for a ceasfire. ha..ha...

Posted By: CSP

Wonder why he doesn't request to prosecute Prabha. He has caused death to thousands.

Posted By: menaka

The UN's mandate is not to look in to individuals but to countries. This is non of Moon's job. He should concentrate on burning issues of the world. What does Lasantha'e death has to do with the stability of the world. I now wonder if we have a capable UN Gen Secy.

Posted By: garawi

It is disgusting to see, some commenting that Lasantha's murder is justified. For some he was just another person but for the voiceless millions, for whom he spoke, Lasantha was the epitome of Justice, Honesty and the Fearless amongst us. He is revered by the millions of decent honest citizens of this country and it is the Dishonest and the Corrupt who cherish his demise because Lasantha exposed these Hypocrites. Do we require a Police Force, A System of Justice and an Attorney Generals Dept. filled with lackeys maintained at public expense, who not only bend forward to their Political Masters, but even bend backwards to lick their slippers. It is timely that International pressure is brought down hard on this country and it's present set of Rulers to guide them to civility.

Posted By: Gamini Dullewe
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