IFJ Shocked at Murder of Afghan Reporter

The International Federation of Journalists is shocked to learn of the murder late on the evening of June 1, of Ms Shokiba Sanga Amaaj, a reporter and presenter for the Pashtu language channel, Shamshad TV.

At the time of this writing, the IFJ learns that three alleged killers have been arrested after they were identified by the deceased journalist’s father. One of the arrested men had in the past, repeatedly threatened Ms Amaaj with dire consequences for her resolve in acquiring an education and a professional skill.

The IFJ has been informed that the murder of another woman journalist, Ms Shaima Raazi, who also worked with an independent TV channel, remains unresolved despite two years having passed.

The IFJ extends its support and solidarity to the family of Ms Amaaj and strongly endorses the demand by the Committee to Protect Afghan Journalists (CPAJ) and the Afghanistan Independent Journalists Association (AIJA), that her murderers be brought to account.

“Women such as Ms Amaaj take enormous risks for the social and cultural renewal of Afghanistan”, said Jacqueline Park, IFJ’s Director for the Asia Pacific.

“We owe it to them that the culture of impunity for crimes against professional women must end”.