Pakistan Press Foundation expresses concern on kidnapping, torture, sexual violence on Colombia lady journalist | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Pakistan Press Foundation expresses concern on kidnapping, torture, sexual violence on Colombia lady journalist

Pakistan Press Foundation

Pakistan Press Foundation PPF in a letter to President of Colombia urged his government to take action against those involved in kidnapping, torturing and sexual violence against journalists and ensure these are not repeated.

PPF Secretary General Owais Aslam Ali in his letter expressed concern on kidnapping, torture and sexual violence against journalist Ms Jineth Bedoya Lima by Mario Jaimes Mejia, alias “El Panadero”, in Colombia.

A year ago Mario Mejia, was brought to trial on charges of kidnapping, torture and sexual violence against Ms Jineth. After a year of unjustified delays, accused confessed he is responsible, accepted a plea bargain and recognized that crimes he was charged with are against humanity.

It has been over 15 years since Ms Jineth went to Modelo prison to interview El Panadero as part of an investigation into arms trafficking in prisons. Since 25 May 2000 there have been calls for those involved in the crime to be identified and punished.

After a lengthy personal battle, one which has seen Jineth re-victimized, as is often case with female victims, justice now backs her account of crimes and recognized that she has been saying all along is the truth, a position that signals a drastic shift away from all strategies of stigmatization that have been used against her over the years. Mejia could no longer maintain his lies and evade justice. He had no choice but to accept responsibility.