The foundation stone of Media Martyrs monument was laid in a park near the Ministry of Information and Culture this morning.
In a meeting which was held for this occasion, Dr. Abdullah the Chief Executive, acting minister and deputy ministers of that ministry, the President’s ambassador for freedom of speech, media administrators, and the officials from federation of media and journalists’ organizations, and a number of journalists had attended.
Faheem Dashty a member of the federation of media and journalists’ organizations states: “the proposal to build this monument was offered by federation to the Ministry of Information and Culture three years ago and after several attempts, the foundation of the monument was finally laid today.”
In today’s meeting, Sayed Aqa Husain Fazel Sancharaki the deputy minister for publications of the Ministry of Information and Culture, Abdullah Habibzai Mayor of Kabul, and Dr. Abdullah Chief Executive respectively spoke about the necessity of building such monument, its design and construction phases, the importance of freedom of speech, and commemoration of the sacrifices made by media society of the country.
The deputy minister for publications of the Ministry of Information and Culture in regards to the sacrifices made by media activists in recent years asserted that the construction of such monuments are the least we can do in commemoration and acknowledgment of these sacrifices.
Sancharaki in appreciation to the endeavors of the federation of media and journalists’ said: “the execution of this proposal into effect was only made possible by tireless efforts of the federation in cooperation with the Ministry of Information and Culture.”
Dr. Abdullah in parts of his speech by pointing to the fact that in a society both anti-media and oppressive movements as well as pro-media and freedom of expression supporters may exist, which may follow their objectives simultaneously, said: “the first, is the infamous one leaving its deeds in the darkest pages of history, whereas the later one which stands for liberty would be remembered in the brightest pages of history.”
In regards to the proposed monument for Media Martyrs he said: “we hope this monument may penetrate into the chests of the enemies of freedom of expression and despots like a dagger.”
Based on Kabul municipality’s plans, this monument will be built on a park near the Ministry of Information and Culture. The monument would be surrounded by a big square for the gatherings of journalists, a green area, and a place assigned for booksellers who for decades have been selling their books under a nearby wall called “The wall of Democracy” (Diwar-i-democracy).
In the years following the demise of Taliban regime around 80 journalists and media workers have lost their lives. Most of them have been deliberately targeted by terrorist groups or have been martyred during news coverage and terrorist attacks.
