Condemning the impunity in the Philippines, HKJA, with 52 IFEX (International Freedom of Expression Exchange) members, appeal for justice in the horrible massacre of journalists on 27 November. Please see the joint statement at http://www.ifex.org/philippines/2009/11/27/massacre_journalists/.
HKJA has made another statement (shown as below) today to strongly condemn the killing of journalists, urging the Philippines government and authorities to conduct a swift and thorough inquiry into the incident.
The statement has been forwarded to Philippines’ Consulate General HK and 3 media companies in Philippines.
Hong Kong Journalists Association
————————————————————————————————————-
The World Should Condemn the Massacre of Journalists and Civilians
HKJA condemns killing of journalists in the Philippines
The HKJA is appalled by the killing of at least 30 journalists massacred in Maguindanao, in the southern Philippines, in what appears to be an election-related attack two weeks ago. We call on The Hague and leaders of the international community to condemn the murders and press the Philippine government to conduct a swift and thorough investigation into the massacre and bring to justice those responsible.
The journalists killed were accompanying members of a family who were traveling to file nomination papers for a candidate launching a bid for the governorship of the province in elections next year. The HKJA condemns the killing of journalists, who were merely performing their professional duty. It is our wish that all journalists, wherever they may be in the world, can carry out their jobs without fear for their safety. The massive killing of at least 30 journalists represents the deadliest ever on the media anywhere in the world.
The HKJA urges the Philippine government and authorities to conduct a swift and thorough inquiry into the incident and bring to justice those responsible. We also call upon the government to better protect journalists covering the elections – one of the vital pillars of democracy – in a country that is one of the most deadliest in the world for working journalists.
We would like to send our condolences to the family members of all the victims, including the journalists, the politicians as well as innocent civilians who happened to witness the abduction of the convoy on that tragic day.
Hong Kong Journalists Association