Following the shocking, graphic, and horrific accounts of the murders of dozens of people in late November in the Philippines–31 of whom were journalists–advocacy groups are rallying for justice.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is calling for a global day of solidarity for the 31 journalists murdered in the Philippines. The Global Day of Solidarity, as they are calling it, will call for justice for killings that took place in Maguindanao province in the Philippines on Nov. 23.
“Filipino journalists need to hear our voices expressing solidarity with the victims and anger at the Philippine government that allowed this to happen”, said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary in a press release. “106 journalists have now met a violent death since President Arroyo was elected in 2001. Her government has created the circumstances for this massacre by allowing a culture of impunity to flourish.”
The IFJ is heading an international mission to support the families of those killed and to find justice for them. They are partnering with the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP).
According to the IFJ, The mission also includes representatives from the Indonesia’s Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), Australia’s Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance, the Thai Journalists’ Association (TJA) Southeast Asia Press Alliance (SEAPA), the Committee for the Protection of Journalists (CPJ), International News Safety Institute (INSI), International Media Support (IMS), the Institute for Studies on the Free Flow of Information (ISAI) and Union Network International (UNI).
Ahead of regional elections on May 10, the organizations are hoping to call attention to the dangerous conditions that journalists in the Philippines work under.