UN rapporteur seeks ‘full probe’ into death of Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif in Kenya

ISTANBUL

A UN expert urged a “full probe” into the death of renowned Pakistani television personality and journalist Arshad Sharif.

Irene Khan, the UN special rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, encouraged Kenyan and Pakistani authorities on Wednesday to “step up efforts to fully investigate” the killing.

“I am deeply concerned that neither the Kenyan authorities nor the Pakistani government have stepped up their efforts to fully investigate the case,” she said in a statement, adding that none of the officers responsible for the death were arrested.

“I urge the Kenyan and Pakistani governments to muster the political will to ensure full accountability and bring to justice all those responsible for Arshad Sharif’s murder, so that this case can become a landmark reference in the fight against impunity for the killing of journalists,” said Khan.

Sharif, 46, was a well-known journalist who was shot dead by police at a roadblock outside Nairobi in October 2022.

A Kenyan court called the shooting “unlawful” and “unconstitutional.”

His death sparked outrage and demands for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Kenya High Court Judge S. N. Mutuku ordered the state to pay 10 million Kenya shillings ($78,000) in compensation to Sharif’s family in July.

• Arshad Sharif
• Irene Khan
• Kenya
• Pakistan
• S. N. Mutuku
• UN