ISLAMABAD: Terming the killing of Arshad Sharif mysterious, the United Nations has demanded a thorough investigation of the case from the Kenyan government.
The UN said that the Kenyan government must share the findings with public about the killing of Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif.
Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the UN Secretary General said, “I saw this tragic report of his death. I think the circumstances need to be investigated thoroughly, and the Kenyan authorities said they would.”
He also underlined the importance of “the results of the investigation being shared quickly.” Stephane Dujarric was talking to media persons in New York.
Arshad Sharif, a senior TV anchorperson was shot dead by Kenyan police in Nairobi on Sunday night.
Kenyan police officials are changing their stances about the tragic incident, creating more doubts about the killing of Arshad Sharif.
Meanwhile, the US spokesperson Ned Price reiterated the US administration’s call for “a full investigation by the government of Kenya” into Mr Sharif’s death because “it’s not entirely clear … what led to his death.”
Kenyan authorities earlier said that Arshad Sharif was hit by police bullets in a car at a roadblock near Nairobi. According to police, they were searching the vehicles for an abducted child when Mr Sharif’s driver drove through the blockade, causing the officers to open fire.
Mr Sharif’s family has rejected the explanation and demanded an independent inquiry.
One of the journalists said Mr Sharif tried to renew his US visa in Dubai, but his application was rejected. Had his visa been renewed, his life could have been saved, the journalist added.
“It’s difficult for me to speak with any specificity regarding what we could do with a particular individual,” Mr Price said, adding that the United States has programmes around the world to bolster protections for those exercising their universal right to freedom of expression.
“And it’s clear through his work that Arshad Sharif was dedicated to that fundamental right of freedom of expression. His work was known around the world,” he said.
The US official also said that the US government was aware that other governments “intimidate, harass, (and) seek to silence the voices of those who are so committed to that freedom of expression.”
