UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said that more than 70 journalists have been killed this year for “fulfilling their vital role in society.” He stressed the need to end the culture of impunity for crimes against journalists.
In a tweet Guterres posted on Wednesday, November 02, on the occasion of International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, he wrote, “most of these crimes go unsolved”.
“We must end the common culture of impunity and enable journalists to do their essential work,” Guterres added.
Afghanistan is known as one of the least secure countries for journalists.
Before the rule of the Taliban, journalists were targeted and assassinated by unknown groups.
Since the Taliban’s return to power, even though the cases of murder of journalists and media workers are less reported; the Taliban have imposed extensive restrictions on journalists and media operations. The ruling group have arrested and threatened journalists many times.
Almost half of the media in Afghanistan have been closed and the majority of journalists have lost their jobs or emigrated to other countries since the Taliban returned to power.
