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Bojić : The state of media freedom in BiH is is getting worse

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SARAJEVO, 03.11.2017.-Borislav Bojic, chairman of the Joint Committee on Human Rights of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, in a statement on the occasion of the 2nd November of the International Day to end Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, warns the public on the significantly increased number of violations of the right to freedom of speech, as well as cases of attacks on the freedom of the media and journalists in BiH.

The announcement states that recently international and domestic organizations and institutions dealing with the protection of media freedom and the safety of journalists are reporting with great concern.

Bojić recalls that in this year’s Special Report on the situation and cases of threats to journalists in BiH, the Human Rights Ombudsman institution warns that the state of media freedom is worse today than in previous years, undermining it by examples of pressure, intimidation and physical attacks on journalists, due to which in December last year BiH was on the 65th place out of a total of 180 countries, covered by research by international organizations for the protection of journalists.

In this report, the Ombudsman Institution also points to the frequent violation of social rights and the poor working status of journalists, which are criteria that significantly influence the quality of media reporting in BiH.

The attitude towards journalists and the survival of public services – a major challenge on the path to European integration

Bojic states that the importance of respecting the freedom of speech and freedom of the media in every democratic society is also noted in the Report of the Council of Ministers of BiH, which was adopted at the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH in August last year.

“However, by adopting this report and concluding on the stronger engagement of institutions regarding the respect of these rights and freedoms, the need for the society and the state to deal with all instances of attacks on journalists and journalistic freedoms can not and must not be stopped, as well as cases of abuse of these rights and freedoms, especially when it comes to the spread of hate speech and the spread of national, religious and racial intolerance in electronic, written and online media, “Bojić points out.

He emphasizes the need to support the Ombudsman’s recommendation on the need to treat attacks on journalists as criminal offenses of assaulting officials in the performance of official duties, just like the need to institutionally support the Fund for the Defense of Journalists and Other Media Workers in Courts, as well as activities of the “Coalition for the Fight against Hate and Hate Speach” regarding the intensification of legal sanctions for spreading hate speech through the media.

“Bearing in mind the clear position of the institutions of the European Union, according to which the provision of freedom of expression and freedom of the media will be one of the main challenges BiH will face in the process of European integration, as well as the permanent recommendation of the European Commission to ensure political independence and financial stability public services in BiH, I appeal to the institutions of government at all levels to respect the right to freedom of speech, freedom of the media and media expression, as well as to do everything within their competence to significantly reduce the number of recorded pressures, threats, intimidation and attacks on journalists and journalists freedom in BiH, “said Borislav Bojic, chairman of the Joint Commission on Human Rights of the PSBiH.

“Ne možemo da dopustimo da prođe 20 godina od ubistva novinara”

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BEOGRAD, 03.11.2017. – Nakon raspada bivše Jugoslavije, nekoliko novinara je ubijeno u Srbiji samo zato što su radili svoj posao. Često neuspešne istrage njihovih ubistava naterale su Verana Matića da uvidi da novinari moraju aktivno da učestvuju u rešavanju ovih ubistava. Zajedno sa vladinim institucijama, on je osnovao srpsku Komisiju za istraživanje ubistava novinara 2013. godine.

Šta vas je nateralo da osnujete Komisiju za istraživanje ubistava novinara i kako ste to uradili?

Kao urednik radio-televizije u Srbiji, video sam koliko su novinari pod ozbiljnim pritiscima, a ponekad ih čak i ubijaju. Sa svakom godinom koja je prošla, moje kolege i ja smo shvatali da ima sve manje šansi da se ubice i nalogodavci ubistava pronađu. Shvatili smo da bi se ove stvari bolje odvijale kada bi i novinari i šira javnost uzeli učešća. Komisiju čine novinari, pripadnici Ministarstva unutrašnjih poslova, kao i predstavnici Bezbednosno informativne agencije. Ovo je bio, čini se, jedini način da se odbrani sloboda štampe i da se zaštite novinari. 2013. godine, dobili smo podršku vlade da osnujemo Komisiju. Tri slučaja ubistva su otvorena ponovo. Iako nisu sva tri rešena, slučajevi nisu zaboravljeni i mi dajemo sve od sebe da ih istražimo.

Važno je baviti se ovim slučajevima i nastaviti sa istragama, ne samo zbog zaštite novinara, već i zbog poruke koju time šaljemo. Kada se ne preduzima nikakva pravosudna akcija, šalje se poruka da je ubistvo novinara najlakši i najjeftiniji način da se ograniči sloboda štampe. It Moramo da se suprotstavimo takvim signalima jednim aktivnim pristupom, radeći sa novinarima i stalnim monitoringom vladinih institucija. Ne smemo da dozvolimo da prođe 20 godina od ubistva novinara.

Komisija se fokusira na ova tri velika slučaja ubistava iz nedavne prošlosti: Dada Vujasinović, Slavko Ćuruvija i Milan Pantić. Ko su oni bili i zašto su ubijeni?

Dada Vujasinović je bila ratni izveštač i odličan istraživački novinar i briljantan pisac. Često je pisala o pričama sa fronta tokom sukoba u bivšoj Jugoslaviji. Umrla je 1994 i iako se sumnja da je ubijena zbog posla kojim se bavila, zvanična istraga u to doba je zaključila da je izvršila samoubistvo. Kada je istraga ponovo otvorena, naterali smo istražne organe da pronađu ostatke metaka u njenom telu tokom autopsije. Ipak, to nije dovelo do konačnog zaključka što se tiče uzroka smrti. Dali smo sve od sebe, ali nažalost, veći deo dokaznog materijala je nestao tokom tri decenije kada je slučaj bio zatvoren.

Milan Pantić se uglavnom bavio kriminalom i političkim temama u Srbiji. Sumnjamo da je ovo bio jedan od razloga za njegovo ubistvo 2001. Udarili su ga tupim predmetom u glavu ispred kućnog praga. Pravosudna istraga u ovom slučaju je bila posebno spora i neefikasna. Sedam različitih radnih grupa policajaca je bilo uključeno u rešavanje ovog ubistva. Stalne promene unutar tih grupa je uticalo da nije bilo konačnog sveobuhvatnog zaključka. Sada, sećanje potencijalnih svedoka bledi, ali mi nećemo prestati sa istragom, dok ne podignemo optužnicu.

Najveći napredak je postignut u slučaju ubijenog novinara Slavka Ćuruvije, istaknutog novinara i kritičara Miloševićevog režima. Dvojica bivših pripadnika Državne bezbednosti su uhapšena i trenutno su u kućnom pritvoru. Treći osumnjičeni je već u zatvoru zbog drugih zločina, a četvrti je u bekstvu. Suđenje je počelo u junu 2015, i biće još svedočenja tokom narednih nedelja. Nadam se da će ovo na kraju dovesti do osuđujuće presude.

Komisija radi sa vladinim institucijama, policijskim inspektorima i predstavnicima službe državne bezbednosti, na koji način ste obezbedili njenu nezavisnost i efikasnost?

U prvih nekoliko meseci, bilo je puno nepoverenja i sumnjičavosti između članova Komisije, naročito od strane novinara. Obično novinari nisu uključeni u razrešavanje ubistava. Nakon šest meseci, razna tela unutar Komisije su shvatila da svi rade na istom cilju i da nema namere da rade jedni protiv drugih. Novinari ne prestavljaju policiju ili bezbednosna tela; oni nisu uključeni u policijsku istragu. Oni su u Komisiji da bi stekli uvid u dostupnu dokumentaciju da bi pružili podršku istražnim organima.

Živeli ste pod 24časovnom policijskom zaštitom sedam godina. Kako je to uticalo na vaš život i rad?

Živeo sam pod stalnom policijskom pratnjom do aprila ove godine. Te godine su bile paklene. Nisam mogao slobodno da se krećem i morao sam da žrtvujem svoj životni stil. Čak je i moja porodica morala da se odrekne svačega. Zajedno sa koleginicom, koja je takođe imala stalnu pratnju policije, više nam nije bila potrebna zaštita tako što smo radili svoj posao. Intenzivirali smo opseg našeg rada i učvrstili istraživačke timove, što se pokazalo kao jaka zaštita protiv pretnji koje smo dobijali. Sada mogu da kažem da je vredelo.

Kako vidite budućnost Komisije?

Moraćemo da proširimo naš mandat i da nastavimo rad koji neće podrazumevati samo istraživanje ubistava i fokusiranje na suđenja, već i da omogućimo prevenciju, brzo reagovanje i centralizovane SOS linije za novinare koji se suočavaju sa pretnjama. Takođe radimo na koordinacionom telu koje bi se posebno usredsredilo na pretnje i nasilje nad novinarima. To bi služilo kao neka centralizovana baza podataka, saradnjom sa predstavnicima medijskih udruženja, kancelarijom tužilaštva i policijom. Institucija koja bi radila istovremeno i na prevenciji i na efikasnim sudskim procesima bila bi najefikasniji način borbe protiv nekažnjivosti.

MOJA BORBA PROTIV NEKAŽNJIVOSTI

Ovaj intervju je deo serije #MyFightAgainstImpunity/Moje borbe protiv nekažnjivosti, UNESCO kampanje podizanja svesti za Međunarodni dan borbe protiv nekažnjivosti za zločine počinjene nad novinarima 2017.

We cannot afford to let 20 years pass by after a murder of a journalist

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BELGRADE, 03.11.2017. – After the break-up of former Yugoslavia, several journalists were killed in Serbia for simply doing their job. The often unsuccessful investigations of their murders made Veran Matić realize that journalists were to play a part in resolving these murders. Together with governmental institutions, he set up Serbia’s Commission for Investigating Murders of Journalists in 2013.

What made you establish the Commission for Investigating Murder of Journalists and how did you proceed?

As an editor for radio and television in Serbia, I saw how many journalists were seriously repressed and sometimes even murdered. With every passing year, my colleagues and I realized there were fewer chances to find the murderers and criminal masterminds of these killings. We realized that these issues would be better tackled with the participation of journalists and the wider community. The Commission is made up of journalists, representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs as well as representatives of Serbia’s national security body. This seemed to be the only way to defend press freedom and protect journalists. In 2013, we gained support from the government to set up the Commission. Three cases were re-opened. Even if they are not yet all resolved, the cases are not abandoned and we are exhausting all available resources to investigate them.

It is important to tackle these cases and keep investigating, not only to pursue a prosecution but also because of the message that it sends. When no judicial action is taken, it sends the message that the killing of a journalist is the easiest and cheapest way to curb press freedom. We must oppose such signals by having an active approach, by working with journalists and by the constant monitoring of government institutions. We cannot afford to let 20 years pass by after a murder of a journalist.

The Commission is focusing on three big murder cases from the recent past: Dada Vujasinovic, Slavko Curuvija and Milan Pantic. Who were they and why were they murdered?

Dada Vujasinovic was a war reporter, an excellent investigative reporter and a brilliant writer. She was often covering stories on the front line during the conflict in former Yugoslavia. She died in 1994 and although we assume she was murdered because of her work, the official investigation at that time concluded that she had committed suicide. When the investigation was re-opened, we managed to have the investigating authorities find the remaining parts of a bullet in her body during the autopsy. Yet, this did not produce a final conclusion on the cause of her death. We have gone through all available resources, but unfortunately most of the evidence disappeared during the three decades during which the case was closed.

Milan Pantic mainly wrote about crime and political topics in Serbia. We suspect this was one of the reasons why he was murdered in 2001. He was hit with a hard object in front of the doors of his apartment. The judicial investigation in this case has been particularly slow and inefficient. Seven different working groups of the police were involved in the investigation of his murder. The constant changing of groups prevented them from coming to a final, comprehensive conclusion. Now, the memory of possible witnesses is fading away, but we will not stop investigating until we can make an indictment.

The most progress has been made in the case of the murdered journalist Slavko Curuvija, a renowned journalist and critic of the Milošević regime. Two former State Security officers were arrested and are currently in home detention. A third suspect was already in prison for other crimes and a fourth is on the run. The trial began in June 2015 and there will be more testimonies during the coming weeks. I am hopeful that it will result in a conviction soon.

The Commission works with governmental institutions, police inspectors and security service representatives, how do you assure its independence and efficiency?

In the first couple of months, there was a lot of mistrust and suspicion amongst each other, especially towards journalists. Usually they are not the ones who investigate murder cases. After about six months, the different bodies within the Commission realized that they are all working for the same goal and that there was no intention to work against each other. Journalists do not represent a police or security authority; they are not involved in the police investigations. They are in the Commission to get an insight into all the available documentation and to support the investigative bodies.

You have been living under 24/7 police protection for seven years. How does it affect your life and your work?

I had been living under 24/7 police protection until April this year. These years were an absolute hell. I could not easily move around and I had to sacrifice my lifestyle. Even my family had to give up a lot. Together with a colleague, who was also under 24/7 police protection, we no longer required protection by simply doing our job. We intensified the scope of our work and strengthened investigative teams, which proved to be a strong defense against the threats that we were receiving. Now I can say that everything was worth it.

How do you see the future for the Commission?

We will have to expand our mandate and continue our work beyond investigating murders and focusing on the trial, by enabling prevention, quick response and centralized SOS phones for journalists under threat. We are also working on a coordination body that would specifically focus on threats and violence against journalists. This would serve a centralized database, by cooperating with representatives of media associations, prosecutors’ offices and the police. An institution that works both on prevention and pursues efficient judicial processes would be the most effective way to fight impunity.

MY FIGHT AGAINST IMPUNITY

This interview is part of the series #MyFightAgainstImpunity, UNESCO’s raising awareness campaign for the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists 2017

KRAJ NEKAŽNJIVOSTI: 380 napada na novinare u regionu od 2014. godine

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SARAJEVO, 02.11.2017.-Regionalna platforma Zapadnog Balkana za zagovaranje medijskih sloboda i sigurnosti novinara, koja zastupa više od 7800 članova, obilježava Međunarodni dan borbe protiv nekažnjivosti zločina nad novinarima.

Generalna skupština Ujedinjenih nacija je proglasila 2. novembar za Međunarodni dan borbe protiv nekažnjivosti zločina nad novinarima u svojoj rezoluciji donijetoj u decembru 2013. godine. Ovaj datum izabran je u znak sjećanja na ubistvo dvojice novinara u Maliju 2. novembra 2013. godine.

Ovaj dan je simbol snažne posvećenosti novinara da javnost upoznaju sa istinom i u isto vreme podsjete nacionalne institucije da je njihova obaveza da obezbijede bezbjedno okruženje u kojem novinari mogu slobodno da rade.

U posljednjih jedanaest godina blizu 930 novinara je ubijeno zbog svog rada i izještavanja javnosti, po podacima koje poseduje OEBS. U prosjeku, to je jedno ubistvo novinara svaka četiri dana. U devet od deset slučajeva ubice su ostale nekažnjene. Nekažnjivost vodi u još više ubistava i često je to simptom pogoršanja konflikta i kršenja zakona i pravnog sistema.

Regionalna platforma Zapadnog Balkana za zagovaranje slobode medija i sigurnosti novinara do sada (posljednje četiri godine) zabilježila je 380 napada na novinare, dok je samo mali broj ovih slučajeva riješen od strane nadležnih institucija.

Platforma snažno podržava novinarske i medijske organizacije i njihove napore u zaštiti novinara i slobode govora kao i njihove napore  u borbi protiv nekažnjivosti zločina nad novinarima. Svaki napad na novinare je napad na javni interes, demokratiju i osnovna prava građana.

Skopjle – Beograd – Podgorica – Priiština – Sarajevo – Zagreb, 02.11.2017.

Udruženje/udruga BiH novinari
Sindikat medija Crne Gore
Hrvatsko novinarsko društvo
Udruženje novinara Kosova
Udruženje novinara Makedonije
Nezavisno udruženje novinara Srbije

Kosovo photo reporter arrested in Skopje

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PRISTINA, 02.11.2017- Update, 18:50 – Photo reporter Blerim Uka was released after more than five hours kept in a police station. Uka said police searched his camera to see if he took a picture of the judge who was leading the “Kumanovo” case.

Association of Journalists of Kosovo condemns the arrest of our colleague and AJK’s member, Blerim Uka in Skopje, Macedonia. AJK was informed that Uka was arrested on Thursday while he was reporting on the so-called Kumanovo trial. AJK has learned that Uka was priory accredited to cover this trial and the arrest happened outside the court.

AJK asks from Macedonian authorities to release immediately Blerim Uka which would show that they are not obstructive in the work of journalists and violators of media freedom.

AJK is making attempts to contact Kosovo embassy to Macedonia as well as with Macedonian authorities. Also, AJK is seeking help from Association of Journalist of Macedonia.

Association is hoping for quick clarification of this situation and believes for quick release of our colleague Blerim Uka.

KRAJ NEKAŽNJIVOSTI: 380 napada na novinare u regionu od 2014. godine

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Regionalna platforma Zapadnog Balkana za zagovaranje medijskih sloboda i bezbednosti novinara, koja zastupa više od 7800 članova, obeležava Medjunarodni dan borbe protiv nekažnjivosti zločina nad novinarima.

Generalna skupština Ujedinjenih nacija je proglasila 2. novembar za Međunarodni dan borbe protiv nekažnjivosti zločina nad novinarima u svojoj rezoluciji donetoj u decembru 2013. godine. Ovaj datum izabran je u znak sećanja na ubistvo dvojice novinara u Maliju 2. novembra 2013. godine.

Ovaj dan je simbol snažne posvećenosti novinara da javnost upoznaju sa istinom i u isto vreme podsete nacionalne institucije da je njihova obaveza da obezbede bezbedno okruženje u kojem novinari mogu slobodno da rade.

U poslednjih jedanaest godina blizu 930 novinara je ubijeno zbog svog rada i izveštavanja javnosti, po podacima koje poseduje OEBS. U proseku, to je jedno ubistvo novinara svaka četiri dana. U devet od deset slučajeva ubice su ostale nekažnjene. Nekažnjivost vodi u još više ubvistava i često je to simptom pogoršanja konflikta i kršenja zakona i pravnog sistema.

Regionalna platforma Zapadnog Balkana za zagovaranje slobode medija i bezbednosti novinara do sada (poslednje četiri godine) zabeležila je 380 napada na novinare, dok je samo mali broj ovih slučajeva rešen od strane nadležnih institucija.

Platforma snažno podržava noviarske i medijske organizacije i njihove napore u zaštiti novinara i slobode govora kao i njihove napore  u borbi protiv nekažnjivosti zločina nad novinarima. Svaki napad na novinare je napada na javni interes, demokratiju i osnovna prava građana.

Skopjle – Beograd – Podgorica – Priiština – Sarajevo – Zagreb, 02.11.2017.

Udruženje/udruga BiH novinari
Sindikat medija Crne Gore
Hrvatsko novinarsko društvo
Udruženje novinara Kosova
Udruženje novinara Makedonije
Nezavisno udruženje novinara Srbije

EU: Napad na novinare je napad na demokratiju

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BRISEL, 02.11.2017. – Svako ubistvo, zlostavljanje, pretnju ili napad na novinare, od strane državnih ili nedržavnih aktera, treba odmah istražiti na efikasan i nezavisan način, u cilju krivičnog gonjenja i kažnjavanja počinilaca, naglašava Evropska unija u saopštenju povodom Međunarodnog dana borbe protiv nekažnjivosti zločina nad novinarima

Napad na novinare predstavlja napad na demokratiju i pluralistička društva. Novinari se još proganjaju, zatvaraju ili čak ubijaju ne samo u oružanim sukobima, već i u miru, uključujući i prostor Evropske unije. Nasilje nad novinarima i medijskim akterima ne predstavlja samo napad na žrtve, već i ograničava sposobnost javnosti da pristupi informacijama i različitim idejama, navodi se u saopštenju EU povodom Međunarodnog dana borbe protiv nekažnjivosti zločina nad novinarima, 2. novembra.

Na Međunarodni dan borbe protiv nekažnjivosti zločina nad novinarima, Evropska unija pohvaljuje rad novinara na otkrivanju zloupotreba vlasti, rasvetljavanju korupcije i kršenja ljudskih prava, pri čemu su izloženi rizicima od zastrašivanja, nasilja i smrti. Nezavisni i slobodni mediji su temelj participativne i pluralističke demokratije, alat koji primorava vlade da budu odgovorne za svoje postupke.

EU će nastaviti da koristi sve mehanizme spoljne politike i finansijske instrumente kako bi se poboljšao kvalitet novinarstva, pristup informacijama od javnog značaja i sloboda izražavanja. EU igra ključnu ulogu u finansiranju Evropskog centra za slobodu štampe i medija (ECPMF) i pruža ciljanu zaštitu kroz programe zaštitinika ljudskih prava.

Najenergičnije osuđujemo ubistva, nasilje, zastrašivanje i uznemiravanje novinara i drugih medijskih aktera. Očekujemo da državne vlasti ispunjavaju svoje međunarodne obaveze štiteći novinare od zastrašivanja i pretnji, bez obzira na to da li nasilje dolazi iz vlasti, pravosuđa, crkvenih, ekonomskih ili kriminalnih krugova. Svako ubistvo, zlostavljanje, pretnju ili napad na novinare, od strane državnih ili nedržavnih aktera, treba odmah istražiti na efikasan i nezavisan način, u cilju krivičnog gonjenja počinilaca takvih krivičnih dela i njihovog privođenja pred lice pravde. Svaka nekažnjivost ovih zločina predstavlja udarac za demokratiju i slobodu izražavanja, navodi se u saopštenju Evropske unije.

Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the occasion of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, 2 November 2017

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BRUSSELS, 02.11.2017. –  On the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, the European Union commends the work of journalists in uncovering abuses of power, shining a light on corruption and human right violations, and questioning received opinion, often putting themselves at risk of intimidation, violence and death. An independent and free media is the basis of a participatory and pluralist democracy, and a tool to make governments accountable for their actions.

An attack on journalists represents an attack on democracy and pluralistic societies. Information comes to us at a price: journalists are still being persecuted, detained or even killed, not only in situations of armed conflict, but also in peacetime, including in the European Union, as we have sadly witnessed only a few weeks ago. Violence against journalists and media actors not only represents an attack on the victim, but also limits the ability of the public to access information and ideas of all kinds, both online and offline.

The EU will continue to use all appropriate external policy and financial instruments to enhance the quality of journalism, access to public information and freedom of expression. The EU plays a key role in funding the European Centre for Press and Media freedom (ECPMF) and provides targeted protection through Human Rights Defenders programmes.

We condemn killings, acts of violence, intimidation and harassment against journalists and other media actors in the strongest possible terms. We expect State authorities to uphold their international obligations by protecting journalists against intimidation, threats and violence, irrespective of their source, whether governmental, judicial, religious, economic or criminal. Any alleged unlawful killing, ill-treatment, threat or attack against journalists, whether by State or non-State actors, should be promptly investigated in an effective and independent manner, with a view to prosecuting the perpetrators of such crimes and bringing them to justice. Any impunity for these crimes is a blow to democracy and to the fundamental rights such as freedom of expression.

End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists

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PODGORICA, 02.11.2017. – Trade Union of Media of Montenegro is participating in an international campaign organized by the International Federation of Journalists on the occasion of November 2 which UN proclaimed as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists. 

On this occasion, we sent an open letter to the Prime Minister Duško Marković.

 

Dear Mr. Marković,

We are addressing you on behalf of the Trade Union of the Media of Montenegro, a representative trade union organization that gathers around 300 employees of Montenegrin media, with the request to publicly declare today that you are against any form of violence against media employees in Montenegro and to demand from relevant institutions to investigate cases of attacks on journalists and the media.

We request this on the day which United Nations declared as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists and we urge you and all relevant institutions to stop with that practice.

We remind that for more than 13 years the state has not been able to find out who, why and on whose order was killed director and editor-in-chief of Daily Dan Duško Jovanović. We also, remind that it was allowed for statute of limitations to expire for the case of brutal beating of a journalist Mladen Stojović, and that regarding that case even some basic things were not done in order to solve it. On the contrary, terrible mistakes and omissions were made.

During the next year, statute of limitations will expire for other cases in which there has been no progress for years, and it seems, that there will not be any.  These cases are the second attack on journalist Tufik Softić and setting up explosive devices at Vijesti newsroom.

Having in mind all this, we believe that your reaction is of utmost importance and we kindly ask you to present it to media employees and public as well.