On 21st anniversary of Dada Vujasinović’s death, OSCE Representative calls for justice for all slain journalists

VIENNA, 9 April 2015 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today welcomed the announcement of a new forensic investigation into the death of Serbian journalist Dada Vujasinović, who was found dead in her apartment this day 21 years ago. Mijatović also called on the authorities to fully investigate this and all other killings of journalists.

“It is unacceptable that for 21 years we have been waiting for justice to be served for the death of Vujasinović,” Mijatović said. Every day that a murder is not solved is a day of impunity for the perpetrators and masterminds.

“It is positive that in the last few years the Serbian authorities have taken a number of steps to resolve the murders of journalists, including establishing an independent Commission for the Investigation of Murders of Journalists,” Mijatović said. “I welcome yesterday’s announcement that a new forensic investigation will be launched into the death of Vujasinović and the recent indictments for the murder of Slavko Ćuruvija, who was killed 16 years ago,” Mijatović said.

Ćuruvija, who was the owner of the newspaper Dnevni telegraf and the weekly magazine Evropljanin, was gunned down 11 April 1999 in front of his apartment building in Belgrade.

The murder of Serbian journalist Milan Pantić in June 2001 also remains unsolved.

“I call on the governments of OSCE participating States to thoroughly and fully investigate all attacks on media representatives for performing their professional duties,” Mijatović said. “These horrific crimes must be publicly condemned and the perpetrators must be brought to justice to prevent an environment of intimidation, fear and impunity.”

To learn more about the End Impunity campaign see //www.osce.org/fom/109729

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more atwww.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.