B92's Matic speaks at event on crimes against journalists

B92's Matic speaks at event on crimes against journalists

She urged all States “to take all the necessary measures – through legislation, protection mechanisms, and new adequate resources – to ensure that investigations and trials relating to crimes against journalists are undertaken“.

Veran Matic, B92 News Editor in Chief, was invited to take part on behalf of the Commission for Investigating the Killings of Journalists that was announced as a unique institution in combating impunity. He presented the work of the Commission that largely contributed to the court trial for the killing of Slavko Curuvija, while special working groups lead investigations for the killings of Milan Pantic and Dada Vujasinovic.

He underlined the importance of investigating the killing of 16 media staffers of Serbian state broadcaster Radio Television Serbia both when it comes to a decision-making of launching air raid without the approval of the UN Security Council, as well as when it comes to the responsibility of those that hadn't acted in accordance with the commitment of evacuating employees, despite the information on the potential bombing.

Matic pointed out that the cases of killing and disappearance of seven journalists in the Kosovo territory are not resolved either, that took place immediately before, during and after the air raids of Serbia, despite the fact that judiciary was under the auspices of international community:

“Unresolved killings only encourage violence against journalists and media workers, thus blocking freedom of speech, especially investigating journalism and its disclosure of organized crimes, corruption and war crimes“, Matic underlined, urging United Nations that adopted several resolutions on impunity to establish a body that will specialize in supporting national institutions that deal with investigations of the killings of journalists, given that great efforts are needed in order to bring unresolved cases to court trials and eventual indictments."

Killings and violence are the usual aftermaths of conflicts in certain regions, while organized crime had become multinational, so close cooperation among two and more states is necessary in order to resolve certain cases“, he added, giving practical examples as a consequence of the actions of Commission for Investigating the Killings of Journalists in Serbia, when it comes to the obstructions of investigations on the part of some of the states that refuse to conduct hearings, and testimonies of the suspects, or of those who are believed to possess certain findings, as well as the lack of cooperation on the part of NATO, when it comes to the information on decision making process of proclaiming RTS, which was precedent, for a legitimate bombing target.

Veran Matic's initiative was supported by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), with its proposal that UN should appoint Special Representative for the Safety of Journalists.

“Breakthroughs in justice system are still not implemented in practice, judging by the number of killed journalists on annual basis“, Christophe Deloire, Secretary General of RSF stated. The issue concerning journalists' safety is not about lacking applicable legal acts but lacking funds in order to adjust legislation and practice.

Only Special Representative that will closely cooperate with UN Secretary General will assume political weight, capacity to act quickly, and legitimacy to coordinate things with UN bodies in order to implement necessary changes”.

Apart from New York, similar manifestations of marking the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists were held in Paris and London.