The Union of Media Organizations urges the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Mass Media and Information to extend their fullest support in providing relief to Afghan journalists.
This request has been made by sending a letter to the Minister of Mass Media and the Minister of External Affairs. This request has been submitted by the Federation of Media Workers Trade Unions, Free Media Movement, Sri Lanka Professional Journalists Association, Sri Lanka Muslim Media Forum, Tamil Media Forum, Sri Lanka Young Journalists Association.
The letter also states:
As a consortium of media organizations in Sri Lanka, we draw close attention to the serious and dangerous situation facing fellow Afghan journalists at this time. Many of them are in grave danger to the Taliban regime. We hope you are aware of that.
Demonstrating responsible practice and commitment to democracy so far, several countries have reportedly provided the opportunity to protect the lives of threatened Afghan journalists in their home countries.
Sri Lanka has also provided access and protection to asylum seekers for several years. Accordingly, we respectfully note that out of the nearly 80 million people in the world who sought refuge last season, 1300, including 170 Afghans, have received the protection of the Government and people of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka has reached this milestone due to the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Government with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in 2005 and the Referral Guidelines (TOR) agreed in 2006. These agreements were reached during Mahinda Rajapaksa’s presidency. Accordingly, the Government of Sri Lanka already has a practical structure and vision for dealing with refugees.
At the moment, a number of media professionals, including women journalists who may have fallen victim to barbarism and may have to pay with their lives, are preparing to leave the country in search of safety. Accordingly, Sri Lanka has an honorable opportunity to act in accordance with the forthcoming agreement with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in collaboration with other countries in the region. There is scope for this to be done using the health and quarantine methods followed by foreign touring teams and sports teams when touring the country.
The South Asian Media Cooperation Network (SAMSN), affiliated with the International Federation of Journalists, has also issued a statement seeking SAARC intervention.
It is also an opportunity to demonstrate South Asian regional cooperation and to show the world community that our country is committed to human rights and refugee care. We hope that the Government of Sri Lanka will respond positively in this regard.