IFJ Welcomes UN Statement on Attacks on Media in Vanuatu

September 23, 2011

IFJ Welcomes UN Statement on Attacks on Media in Vanuatu

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins the Pacific Freedom Forum (PFF) in commending a UN Pacific Regional Office of the High Commission for Human Rights (OHCHR) statement voicing “serious concern” over media rights abuses by a Minister of the Vanuatu government.

In an opinion piece published on September 20, OHCHR Pacific Regional Representative Matilda Bogner notes the importance of a free media in good governance and lists guidelines for leaders in Vanuatu to help address the culture of impunity for the harassment of journalists.

Bogner’s comments were made in relation to lenient sentences being imposed on Vanuatu Government Minister Harry Lauko, and others, who pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the March 4 assault on journalist Marc Neil-Jones at the Daily Post office in Vanuatu’s capital city, Port Vila.

The IFJ supports the PFF and other regional media groups’ ongoing campaign against media freedom abuses in Vanuatu, and welcomes Bogner’s statement as a step towards further action.

“Attacks on journalists are an attack on press freedom and democracy. Journalists and the media play an important watchdog role in society, and it is essential that the media is able to report freely and independently without fear of physical abuse,” IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.

“Authority figures and members of the public with complaints about media reports must use appropriate non-violent complaint procedures.”

Under Vanuatu law the sentence for this kind of assault, where no permanent damage is caused to the victim, can attract a prison term of up to 12 months. Minister Lauko was fined VT 5,000 on one charge and VT 10,000 on another (a total of around USD 150) on June 30.

Other more serious charges of unlawful assembly, unlawful entry and criminal trespass were inexplicably dropped in response to Minister Lauko pleading not guilty. Seven other men sentenced along with Lauko received fines of up to VT 100,000 for their roles in the group attack.

The IFJ joins the PFF in their calls for a country or regional visit by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression, Frank La Rue, to investigate threats to press freedom In the Pacific.

The IFJ applauds the UN’s response to attempts to roll back media freedoms in the Pacific, and welcomes further statements against states who fail to protect the rights of journalists to practice their craft without fear for their safety.

The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 131 countries

Find the IFJ on Twitter: @ifjasiapacific

Find the IFJ on Facebook: www.facebook.com/IFJAsiaPacific

ENDS

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