JournalismPakistan.com | Published August 30, 2016
Join our WhatsApp channel
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), on the eve of the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances (August 30), calls on Asia-Pacific governments incriminated by enforced disappearances of media workers to take active steps to investigate critical cases and tackle impunity around missing media workers in the region.
The IFJ notes with serious concern that little progress has been made in the investigations of 11 documented cases in the Asia Pacific since it released its first report on missing Asia-Pacific media workers in 2015. Since then, an additional case has been added to the list – that of 24-year-old Pakistani journalist Zeenat Shahzadi, who went missing on August 19, 2015. The young journalist was taken in broad daylight on her way to work. She is the first female journalist in Pakistan to be forcefully disappeared.
The IFJ’s monitoring record Without A Trace: Media Workers missing in the Asia-Pacific lists the cases of media workers from five countries in the region whose cases remain cold, where investigations have either faltered or failed to adequately determine the circumstances or perpetrators. Collectively, the 11 people have been missing for a total of over 46,000 days.
Across the region, the missing include, Juanta Nielsen (Australia), Prakash Singh Thakuri, Chitra Narayan Shrestha, Milan Nepali, Madan Paudel (all of Nepal), Ahmed Rilwan Abdulla (Maldives), Zeenat Shahzadi (Pakistan), Joey Estriber (Philippines), and Prageeth Eknaligoda, Subramaniam Ramachandran and Vadivel Nimalarajah (all of Sri Lanka).
The IFJ said: “Enforced disappearances are aimed to spread terror and fear. These 11 cases are indicative of the endemic impunity problem for attacks against journalists in the Asia-Pacific. The lack of progress in the cases only increases the suffering and loss; and serves to stifle press freedom in communities and societies more broadly.”
The IFJ today commended Sri Lanka for ratifying the ICPAED convention on May 25, 2016. A breakthrough in the case of Prageeth Eknaligoda has seen the case two accused of involvement is his abduction facing local courts in May 2016, is also demonstrative of steps being taken by the new Sirisena government to repair press freedom.
The Convention came into effect on 2010 with the aim to prevent enforced disappearances, uncover the truth, and make sure survivors and victims’ families receive justice and reparation. So far 96 states have signed the convention and 52 have ratified the convention. Most countries in Asia-Pacific are yet to sign.
“The disappearance of Zeenat Shahzadi has brought immense suffering to her family and is understood to be linked to Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI. Political leaders in these countries must take action on these cases.”
“The fact that Australia, Nepal, Pakistan and the Philippines are yet to sign is also a red card on their human rights responsibilities,” the IFJ said.
The IFJ calls on the media to join the campaign by highlighting the cases, writing stories and using the hashtags #withoutatrace and #ifjmissing and #IDVED
Total days missing – 46,134
Approximately –
6,590 weeks
126 years
1,107,216 hours
Juanita Nielsen – Australia – July 4, 1975 – 15033 days
Milan Nepali – Nepal – May 21, 1999 – 6311 days
Chitra Narayan Shrestha – Nepal – May 30, 2000 – 5936 days
Joey Estriber – Philippines – March 3, 2006 – 3833 days
Subramaniam Ramachandran – Sri Lanka – February 15, 2007 – 3484 days
Prakash Singh Thakuri – Nepal – July 5, 2007 – 3344 days
Vadivel Nimalarajah – Sri Lanka – November 17, 2007 – 3209 days
Prageeth Eknaligoda – Sri Lanka – January 24, 2010 – 2410 days
Madan Paudel – Nepal – September 16, 2012 – 1444 days
Ahmed Rilwan – Maldives – August 8, 2014 – 753 days
Zeenat Shahzadi – Pakistan – August 19, 2015 – 377 days. - IFJ media release
June 11, 2025: Pakistan celebrated a narrow win over Bangladesh, but beneath the jubilation lies a deeper crisis—from sidelined veterans to a collapsing domestic structure—signaling an urgent need for cricket reform.
June 11, 2025: Journalists walked out of the post-budget press conference in Islamabad to protest the absence of a technical briefing and the government's dismissive behavior, calling it unacceptable and intolerable.
May 31, 2025: Dr. Nauman Niaz has issued a defamation notice to Shoaib Akhtar over derogatory remarks made during a recent broadcast, reigniting a longstanding media feud between the two prominent figures in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has demanded the full repeal of PECA, citing its vague language, coercive powers, and threats to free speech and digital rights in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the murder of journalist Syed Mohammed Shah in Jacobabad, calling for urgent justice and improved safety for media professionals in Sindh.
May 26, 2025: In Rawalpindi, police allegedly side with Jang Group to block 66 reinstated employees from resuming work despite court orders, drawing sharp criticism from unions and press freedom advocates.
May 25, 2025: PFUJ condemns the Jang Group's decision to dismiss over 80 employees in Rawalpindi, calling it an 'economic massacre.' The union warns of nationwide protests if workers are not reinstated.
May 25, 2025: Daily Jang Rawalpindi has terminated over 80 employees, including female staff, despite multiple court rulings in their favor—raising concerns over labor rights violations and misuse of authority in Pakistani media.
May 19, 2025 PJS reports 219 Palestinian journalists killed in Israeli attacks since October 7, with 30 women among the victims. Over 430 were injured and 685 family members were killed. Read more on the systematic targeting of media in Gaza.
May 15, 2025 Discover the legacy of Samiullah Khan, Pakistan’s legendary "Flying Horse," whose breathtaking speed and artistry redefined hockey. From Olympic glory to World Cup triumphs, his story is one of myth, movement, and magic.
May 04, 2025 Algerian authorities suspend Echorouk News TV for 10 days after it used a racist slur against African migrants. ANIRA demands an apology, calling it a violation of human dignity.
May 04, 2025 NCHR and MMfD launch a journalism fellowship to train reporters on digital rights & gender inclusion in Pakistan. Supported by UNESCO, this initiative aims to bridge the gender digital divide. Apply by May 15, 2025!
April 23, 2025 Discover Dr. Nauman Niaz’s In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple & Triple Centuries 1876–2025, a profound exploration of cricket's most monumental innings, blending historical analysis with poetic narrative.