Photojournalist Danish’s family asks International Criminal Court to probe son’s killing in Afghanistan
Months after the killing of their son while on assignment in Afghanistan on July 16, 2021, Pulitzer-winning photojournalist Danish Siddiqui’s Okhla-based family has approached the International Criminal Court asking it to investigate killing of Danish and to bring those responsible for the incident, including senior Taliban commanders, to justice. This was informed to the media by their lawyer Avi Singh on Tuesday, according to several media reports.
Danish, 38, was an alumnus of Jamia Millia Islamia and was laid to rest at the university graveyard after his body reached Delhi from Afghanistan. Daish was covering clashes between Afghan troops and the Taliban in Spin Boldak district of Kandahar city.
“We have just filed before the International Criminal Court (ICC) a complaint with regard to the condition of war crimes and crimes against humanity on and about July 16 in the context of Pulitzer prize winning photojournalist Danish Siddiqui’s murder,” said Singh, adding that the complaint has been filed on behalf of Siddiqui’s parents: Akhtar Siddiqui and Shahida Akhtar.
Singh said the journalist was attacked by the Red Unit of the Taliban.
“The Taliban targeted and killed Siddiqui because he was a journalist and an Indian. That is an international crime. In the absence of rule of law in Afghanistan, the ICC has jurisdiction to investigate and try the perpetrators of Siddiqui’s murder. As the Taliban strives for international legitimacy, it must face accountability for its past actions,” he said. Siddiqui’s brother Omar Siddiqui said the perpetrators must be brought to justice, reported PTI.
“It has been quite painful with what happened with Danish and we have not totally come out of this. I know it is a very long journey which we are taking, but it is a moral obligation and our responsibility to pursue what happened with him, and the perpetrators should be brought to justice,” he said.
Siddiqui’s mother, Shahida said: “Danish, our loving son was murdered by the Taliban for simply carrying out his journalistic duties. He was subjected to barbaric levels of torture and mutilation while in their custody. Danish always stood for honesty and integrity in his work. He always showcased the pain and suffering of the people.
He was brave and courageous all along.”
