JournalismPakistan.com | Published July 10, 2024 at 08:30 am | JP Staff Reporter
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ISLAMABAD—The widow of journalist Arshad Sharif, who was tragically murdered in Kenya nearly two years ago, has secured justice in the Kenyan legal system. In a vlog, she detailed the arduous journey to hold those responsible accountable, especially highlighting the lack of support from the Pakistani judiciary.
On Monday, a Kenyan High Court judge ordered legal action against the police officers involved in Sharif’s killing and awarded Rs21.67 million to his family. The court's ruling labeled the police firing as a human rights violation and mandated a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the journalist's death.
Facing immense grief and initial disheartenment due to inaction in Pakistan, Sharif's widow took the courageous step to pursue justice in Kenya. She recognized that regardless of where the masterminds resided, the individuals who physically committed the act were in Kenya.
Her legal battle was bolstered by the support of international organizations such as Media Defense, the Committee to Protect Journalists, and Reporters Without Borders. Despite the challenges, including significant legal fees and personal health issues, she remained steadfast in her pursuit of justice.
The Kenyan court's decision confirmed her claims that Sharif's murder was a case of targeted killing, not mistaken identity, as initially suggested. The court declared the firing by Kenyan police officers on Arshad a violation of human rights and illegal and ordered the government to take strict disciplinary action against those who fired at him.
Justice Stella Mutuku said that every person is equal before the constitution and law and has the right to live. The judgment also said that there should be a thorough investigation into the killing and the non-provision of information about the firing on him is a violation of the right to information.
Sharif's widow, alongside the Kenya Union of Journalists and the Kenya Correspondents Association, served as petitioners in the case to ensure that it would not be dismissed on the grounds of her non-Kenyan citizenship. The accused parties included high-ranking Kenyan officials and various police authorities.
The ruling marks a significant victory for press freedom and human rights, highlighting the importance of international support in such cases.
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