Nov 24 International day to end impunity by Journalists bodies

Journalists' Union of Assam (JUA), an affiliate of International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and Assam State Committee of Association of Small and Medium Newspaper of India (ASMNI) . A premier body of the small and medium newspaper publishers of Northeast will observe November 23 as a day of action against Impunity. It is an occasion to remember journalists from the Philippines who were killed this day three years back in the Maguindanao massacre and to make a statement against the reign of impunity that prevails elsewhere, including in India.

On the occasion of the of second International Day to End Impunity (23 November) declared by the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX), UNESCO would like to remember all those journalists who lost their lives while seeking the truth and whose cases still remain punished. So far 23 journalists 'have been killed in Assam since 1989. The investigative agencies and the authority have failed to nab anyone of the culprits associated with the murders of these 23 journalists.

Few of these cases have gone to trial far less led to any manner of sanction against the perpetrators. In July 2009, the sole person to go to trial for the murder of Parag Kumar Das, Executive Editor of Asamiya Pratidin in 1996, was acquitted on all charges, with the trial court judge reserving special words of censure in his final judgment for the slipshod approach of the investigative agencies, A meeting will be held at Hotel Grand Starline, Christian Basti ( Post Office) from 10-30 AM on November 23 to discuss the issue and to make a joint declaration against impunity and safety of journalists. Journalists and others who are concerned with safety of journalists and freedom of media are requested to attend the meetingare cordially invites, to the meeting-as-an honorable guest and to share your views the issue with others.