The data used in this Monument is drawn from a database of attacks on the press compiled by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Due to the time needed to verify each new case, it is possible that recent events have not yet been added to the Monument.
Investigating the murder of Shan Dahar
Truth Denied: How Pakistani Authorities Built An Unsolvable Case
Our new report into the murder of Shan Dahar finds critical omissions, investigative flaws, and purposeful efforts to undermine fact-finding. As a result, his killers have remained untouched.
English: Truth Denied: How Pakistani Authorities Built An Unsolvable Case.
Urdu: سچ کا خون: قتل کے مقدمہ کا ناقابلِ حل انجام
Sindhi: ترديدي سچ; پاڪستاني اختيارين کیئن ھڪ منجھيل ڪيس ٺاھيو
On 1 January 2014, journalist Shan Dahar was shot in front of a local health clinic, where he was filming and taking photographs. His murder was never solved, emphasizing the problem of impunity for crimes against journalists in Pakistan.
Despite repeated promises from Pakistan’s leadership to safeguard press freedom, the killing of journalists continues to go unpunished. A new international investigation reveals new evidence in Dahar’s murder, exposing systemic police misconduct, political negligence and impunity that has persisted for more than a decade.
Our 18-month investigation uncovered new pieces of evidence that shed light on the motive for, and official investigation of, the murder. This includes video and photographic evidence that allowed us to retrace in detail Dahar’s movements on the night of his murder.
Authorities ignored clear indications that Dahar could have been targeted for his work on a story regarding the illegal reselling of donated medications by local hospitals. Footage of the night of the murder shows that Dahar was filming inside the local health clinic, and outside purchasing medicines at the adjacent pharmacy, moments before he was shot. Dahar had earlier accused the in-charge of the clinic, Dr. Kandhro, of partaking in the medicine scheme. Dr. Kandhro was one of two doctors who were supposed to treat Dahar after he was shot, and who were later suspended for medical negligence leading to his death. Neither of the doctors were investigated by police authorities.
The investigation also includes on-the-record confirmations by police investigators that they arrested individuals solely to extort them. Two witnesses identified in the proceedings told the coalition that they were coerced into giving false information.
We approached both Dr. Kandhro and the Pakistani police for comments, but neither responded to our request.
The investigation “Truth Denied: How Pakistani Authorities Built an Unsolvable Case” is the eigth publication under the international initiative A Safer World for the Truth, a collaboration between Free Press Unlimited (FPU), Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
Aiming for justice in the case of Shan Dahar, the three organizations note that the two absconding accused must first be arrested and brought before the court.
Holding Prime Minister Sharif to his promises, the coalition urges Pakistani authorities to intensify collaboration with press freedom Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). Such collaboration, in which independent bodies monitor journalist murder cases, can mitigate a lack of capacity and increase political will to solve journalist murder cases.
Shan Dahar was a journalist. He was killed because of it.
Our team in Pakistan have made a short-documentary detailing Dahar's life and death. Watch it here.
Free Press Unlimited's mission is to ensure that independent news and information remains available to everyone. This helps people control their living conditions, develop themselves and monitor their governments. To achieve this, Free Press Unlimited collaborates with local media organisations and journalists, particularly in countries with limited (press)freedom. These media and journalists are close to their audience and therefore the best guarantee for a sustainable, professional and diverse media landscape. Free Press Unlimited's vision is short and to the point: People deserve to know. All over the world.