UN expert asks Pakistan and Kenya to speed up investigation into Arshad Sharif’s murder – Pakistan

KARACHI: A United Nations expert said on Wednesday that Kenyan and Pakistani authorities should step up efforts to fully investigate the killing of journalist Arshad Sharif in Kenya and prosecute those responsible, in line with a landmark ruling by a Kenyan court.

“It has now been almost two years since the death of Arshad Sharif and several months since the Kenyan Supreme Court delivered a landmark judgment ruling his killing “unlawful”, “arbitrary” and “disproportionate”.

“None of the police officers involved in the shooting have been arrested and no charges have yet been filed by prosecutors in Kenya,” said Irene Khan, the special rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression.

“Despite the ruling of the Kenyan Supreme Court, I am deeply concerned that neither the Kenyan authorities nor the Pakistani government have stepped up their efforts to fully investigate the matter,” said a statement from the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights , Geneva. quoting the Special Rapporteur.

On July 8, the High Court of Kenya in Kajiado, following a civil suit brought by Mr Sharif’s family, ruled that the use of lethal force in his death was “unlawful and unconstitutional” and ordered the Kenyan state to pay 10 million shillings had to pay as compensation for his death. the journalist’s family.

“The Supreme Court verdict is an important victory, but its real impact will only be felt when the two governments bring the perpetrators of Sharif’s murder to justice,” Ms Khan said.

In October 2023, UN experts wrote a letter to Kenyan and Pakistani authorities demanding investigations into the murder and allegations that led to Mr Arshad’s exile.

“Justice for Mr Sharif and his family will not be served until the circumstances behind this murder are fully clarified, including whether it was a transnational crime, and all responsible actors are identified, prosecuted and punished in Kenya and Pakistan,” said Special Rapporteur Khan. .

“I urge the Kenyan and Pakistani governments to muster the political will to ensure full accountability and bring to justice all those responsible for the murder of Arshad Sharif so that this case can become a landmark case in fight against impunity for the murder of journalists.” said Mrs. Khan.

Published in Dawn, September 27, 2024