The IFJ has today backed calls by its UK and Ireland affiliate the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) for the Irish government to apply pressure on British prime minister Theresa May for a new investigation into the murder in Belfast of Sunday World journalist and NUJ activist Martin O’Hagan.
On the 15th anniversary of his death, the union has called on the Irish foreign affairs minister, Charlie Flanagan, to support the call by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) for the authorities in the UK to intensify their efforts to find the killers.
Dunja Mijatović, an OSCE freedom of the media representative, said: "Fifteen years on from this horrific murder, no one has been brought to justice for the killing of O’Hagan.” and "It is high time for justice to be served in this case".
Séamus Dooley, NUJ Irish secretary, said: "We need an independent, external investigation into the murder of Martin O’Hagan. As in cases of other unsolved murders in Northern Ireland, the failure to secure convictions is an added source of pain and suffering to relatives, friends and media colleagues. What is of particular concern is that those responsible for Martin’s death are believed to be shielded because they were in cahoots with the authorities, as paid police informers".
"On the day of his vicious murder Martin attended a meeting of the Belfast and district branch of the NUJ. Tomorrow he will be in the thoughts of the branch as they once again gather for their September meeting. NUJ members will never forget Martin and will never accept that his murder should go unpunished".
IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said: “Martin O’Hagan’s family, friends and colleagues have been forced to wait 15 years for the truth. They shouldn’t have to wait any longer. Alongside the NUJ we urge the authorities to act and bring Martin’s killers to justice.
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The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 140 countries