South Asian journalists seek visa-free movement

Manjula FERNANDO

The fourth SAARC journalists’ summit concluded in Colombo yesterday with delegates reminding the eight State leaders of the need to move forward from pledges to actual implementation of the commitments they have already pledged, mainly ensuring the safety of journalists and visa free cross border movement.

The concluding session which was attended by the Council of Ministers last afternoon at the Trans Asia Hotel marked the adoption of the Colombo Declaration on Freedom and Safety of Journalists.

The South Asian Free Media Association President Imtiaz Alam welcoming the extension of last summit’s theme of connectivity to partnership for the people of SAARC said this would be a major leap forward if translated into concrete measures to relax visa regimes and restrictions on the free flow of information.

Seven Foreign Ministers excluding Afghanistan FM who was tied up with scheduled meetings, made brief presentations on media issues at the concluding session.

Sharing his recent travel experience where he had to criss cross through the ASEAN region to reach a destination much closer to invite leaders for the SAARC, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama endorsed the need for better connectivity among the Member countries.

“I believe Sri Lanka has taken a pioneering lead in creating a visa free regime for all SAARC citizens.” He said Colombo can be a convenient transit point for all until the whole region follows suit.

Speaking of threats to journalists Bogollagama said as Foreign Minister of a country fighting terrorism he understood what they mean. “This is why we say terrorism cannot be tolerated. We have to eliminate this menace.” He said the Fourth Estate had a major role to play in this effort.

Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said there was a ‘strong desire’ by the Heads of State to implement SAARC pledges.

He added that the role of media in our region should be constructive and governed by self discipline as was in the era of freedom struggle.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the region accommodates 40 per cent of the global poor, a situation created by the prevailing conflicts. “This is because we only try to manage conflicts. We must give space and respect to others so that we can co-exist,” he said. The countries must focus on resolving conflicts not just manage them.

The South Asian Media Commission’s Acting Chairman Najam Sethi underscored the importance of State intervention to resolve conflicts between the media and State and non-State actors reminding that during the past year there had been ten killings of journalists in South Asia.