Nov. 23 is international day to end impunity

The International Freedom of Expression Exchange has designated November 23 as International Day to End Impunity.

Today (Wednesday) is the second anniversary of the grisly massacre in Ampatuan, Maguindanao.

Of the 57 killed, 32 were media workers, making the massacre the worst single attack on the press. (Only 57 bodies were found. The remains of journalist Reynaldo Momay have yet to be found.)

“(T)wo years later, the perpetrators have yet to be brought to justice. This is precisely why media advocates around the world have unanimously agreed to designate November 23 as the International Day to End Impunity,” said Gayathry Venkiteswaran, executive director of the Bangkok-based Southeast Asian Press Alliance.

The global campaign seeks to raise public awareness of threats against journalists and human rights defenders around the world on account of the work they do.

“Impunity is a chronic failure by states, judiciary and law enforcement agencies to bring perpetrators to justice. It is perceived to be even more damaging than the deaths themselves since it encourages more killing when perpetrators are neither arrested nor prosecuted,” Venkiteswaran said.