Srinagar: The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) has expressed concern over the assault on photojournalists, who were covering an encounter in Shopian district, on January 22 2019, which resulted in four journalists being injured.

In a statement FORUM-ASIA strongly condemned all the attacks on photojournalists, who are often first-hand witnesses to conflicts and human rights violations, which are a clear violation of freedom of expression and press freedom.

“Journalists and media personnel are routinely targeted in India administered Jammu and Kashmir. It is reported that since 1990, 19 journalists have been killed, including Shujaat Bukhari who was shot and killed outside his office in Srinagar last year,” the statement said.

In the detailed statement, it said: “A photojournalist, Kamran Yousuf, was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), and detained under the draconian Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) in September 2017, and was only released on bail in March 2018, without any charges filed against him to date. In July 2018, another journalist, Auqib Javid, associated with the daily Kashmir Observer, was summoned and interrogated by the NIA for his interview with Aasiya Andrabi, a separatist leader. In September 2018, Aasif Sultan, the Assistant Editor at the Kashmir Narrator, was arrested under the UAPA on charges of ‘publication of content glamorizing terrorism in the state’, ‘harbouring terrorists’ and for possession of ‘incriminating material’ on his laptop. However, none of these charges were substantiated. Aasif continues in detention to date without any formal charges filed against him.”

The statement said that several foreign journalists were restricted to report and travel to Jammu and Kashmir in 2018. In July 2018, the Government of India also issued an ‘advisory’ to foreign correspondents working in India, reminding them that they need prior permission before travelling to certain ‘protected’ areas, including Jammu and Kashmir. According to the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958, the whole of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and parts of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand have been declared ’protected areas.’

“The lack of access for journalists to Jammu and Kashmir to report on the prevailing human rights situation is a worrying trend. It should be discontinued, and access should be granted.”

FORUM-ASIA believes the assaults on journalists is an attempt to stifle freedom of expression and press freedom in Jammu and Kashmir. “FORUM-ASIA urges the Government of Jammu and Kashmir and the Government of India to protect journalists in this highly militarised conflict-ridden State, and ensure prompt actions against any kind of assault, intimidation, harassment and detention of journalists. For this, it should undertake the following actions: Immediately conduct a credible investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice; Take pro-active action to protect journalists from the growing threats they face; Enact enabling laws and policies to protect journalists and human rights defenders, and to ensure freedom of opinion and expression throughout the country, including conflict areas like Jammu and Kashmir.