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September 25, 2024 – Pakistan/Kenya –
Nearly two years after the fatal shooting of Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif in Kenya, calls for justice have intensified. The UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression, Irene Khan, has urged both Kenyan and Pakistani authorities to ensure full accountability for what she described as an “unlawful killing” that demands an independent and transparent investigation.
Arshad Sharif, a prominent investigative journalist and vocal critic of Pakistan’s military, was forced into exile in 2022 following threats and legal harassment in his home country. He was killed on October 23, 2022, in Nairobi, when Kenyan police opened fire on his vehicle at a roadblock, claiming it was a case of mistaken identity. However, a subsequent fact-finding inquiry by Pakistani officials and independent analysts raised grave concerns about the circumstances, pointing to a possible targeted assassination.
On July 8, 2024, the Kenyan High Court ruled that Sharif’s killing was “unlawful and unconstitutional,” ordering the government to compensate his family with 10 million Kenyan shillings (approximately $78,000). Yet, no officers have been charged, and no meaningful progress has been made in holding those responsible accountable.
UN Rapporteur Irene Khan condemned the failure to pursue justice, asserting that both Kenya and Pakistan have an obligation under international law to ensure that the perpetrators, including any orchestrators, are identified, prosecuted, and punished. She stressed that accountability must extend beyond financial compensation to criminal prosecution and institutional reform.
Sharif’s widow, Javeria Siddique, has filed a lawsuit in Kenya against the elite police unit involved, while press freedom groups, including Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), have echoed the demand for an independent international investigation. Their concern reflects broader fears that the killing may have involved cross-border coordination and political motives.
Sharif’s death has become emblematic of the dangers journalists face for exposing power and corruption. Without justice, advocates warn, it will reinforce a dangerous global precedent of impunity for those who silence critical voices through violence.
Reference –
https://www.dawn.com/news/1861407
