The letter underlines the fact that “interviewing alleged militants or having sources who are critical of the government is within the scope of a journalist’s job and does not implicate him in any crime.”
Srinagar: The Committee to Protect Journalists has written a letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday urging him to release imprisoned Kashmiri journalist Asif Sultan.
The press freedom advocacy organisation has been joined by 397 writers, journalists, academics, press freedom advocates and civil society members in its demand.
A copy of the letter has been sent to Indian Home Minister Amit Shah and Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha as well.
This comes on the day when Asif completes two years of imprisonment. He was arrested on the intervening night of 27 and 28 August in 2018 and remains detained since then under the controversial Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.
The letter underlines the fact that “interviewing alleged militants or having sources who are critical of the government is within the scope of a journalist’s job and does not implicate him in any crime.”
“Events in Kashmir are of public interest, and covering them is a public service, not a criminal act,” it says.
“Sultan’s trial, which began in June 2019, has been moving slowly and he has repeatedly been denied bail,” the letter says adding that “Police have reportedly interrogated him about his writing and asked him to reveal his sources.”
“Journalists should not face retaliation for their reporting. Press freedom is a vital tenet of democracy and a proud part of India’s history,” the letter reads asking the addressees to recognize and uphold India’s commitment to press freedom under Article 19 of its constitution.
The letter also highlights the significant threat to the imprisoned journalist’s well-being in wake of recent deaths of journalists who contracted COVID-19 in government custody around the world and also the spread of the deadly virus among inmates in jails in Jammu and Kashmir.
“We call on you to follow the Supreme Court’s guidance issued on March 23 to release prisoners on parole due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and grant Aasif Sultan immediate and unconditional release,” the letter says.
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