African Court pledges commitment to protect journalists’ rights
The President of African Court of Human and Peoples’ Right, Lady Justice Imani Aboud opens the Regional Learning and Knowledge Sharing Conference on Journalists Safety and Security in Arusha on September 29, 2023. Seated is the Executive Secretary of the Media Council of Tanzania (MCT) Kajubi Mukajanga.
The Arusha based African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights has pledged to remain steadfast in its commitment to seize every opportunity to advance the normative framework of freedom of expression and to protect journalists’ rights through judicial decisions.
Opening a regional media conference on safety and security of journalists on September 29, 2023, the President of the Court, Lady Justice Imani Aboud underscored that preservation of freedom of expression and the concomitant rights of journalists demands a collaborative endeavour involving all stakeholders.
She told delegates of the meeting dubbed Regional Learning and Knowledge Sharing Conference on Journalists Safety and Security and held at Kibo hall at Court’s headquarters that the United Nations acknowledges that journalism as an essential but dangerous profession.
She said the world body says that although journalism is fundamental for sustainable development, human rights protection, and democratic consolidation, it remains a dangerous and too often deadly, pointing out that about 1,615 journalists have been killed since 1993, with 34 of those killed in 2023 so far.
“Numerous reports and studies also confirm that threats inordinately affect women journalists and those who represent minority groups”, she said.
This unfortunate reality, she added, serves as a stark reminder of the perpetual need for unwavering vigilance in safeguarding the well-being of journalists.
“In a world where information is power”, Lady Justice Aboud said “ensuring the safety and security of journalists is paramount to preserving the principles of democracy and human rights.
Underscoring that journalists are the torchbearers of truth, the guardians of accountability, and the voice of the voiceless , she said their work is indispensable in holding those in power accountable, uncovering injustices, and providing the public with the information they need to make informed decisions.
Welcoming Lady Justice Aboud to open the conference, the Executive Secretary of the Media Council of Tanzania Kajubi Mukajanga said it was symbolic that this Regional Learning and Knowledge Sharing Conference on Journalists Safety and Security should be held at the African Court because freedom of expression is a basic and enabling human right.
He said the African Court is a bastion of human and peoples’ rights on our continent, and safety and security of journalists is central to freedom of expression.
“That the Court should accept us here to conduct this important dialogue is itself testimony to the Court’s belief in the value of the work journalists do. It is also a recognition that such exchanges in our region are important for the welfare of our scribes, and by extension to the well being of our democracy, Mukajanga added.
Presentations on various aspects relating to safety and protection of journalists were made locally and virtually by presenters from Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda Zimbabwe, South Sudan and Somalia