A year after veteran American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was shot and killed while covering a raid near Jenin in the West Bank, there still has not been a fair and impartial investigation of what happened that led to her death on the job.
"It's been a devastating year for our family and Shireen's colleagues at Al Jazeera and the entire community of journalists around the world," said Shireen's niece Lina Abu Akleh via video message at a National Press Club news conference on Thursday, May 11.
"We still haven't seen justice served. Accountability for us means action, and we have yet to see that. It's really important that we continue to call for justice for Shireen because journalism is not a crime.
The threat to journalists anywhere is a threat to journalists everywhere," Lina Abu Akleh said.
In a video message, Sen. Chris van Hollen of Maryland thanked reporters who continue to shine the light on Shireen's life and shooting and for continuing to demand answers.
"One year after her death, the United States must continue to press for accountability. And one year after her death, journalists have a duty to continue to pursue the truth and the facts. Many people would like us to stop asking questions, but we cannot and will not," the senator said.
NPC President Eileen O'Reilly said, "We do not want to live in a world where a journalist like Shireen, who devoted her career to the public good, is killed without any accounting or explanation. In that world, the killing of journalists can and will continue. And that is not acceptable."
"Journalism, the kind practiced by Shireen, is desperately needed in the world. We are here today to support journalism and Shireen," O'Reilly said.
Al Jazeera Washington Bureau Chief Abderrahim Foukara reiterated the need for accountability for the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh and all journalists killed around the globe.
"Three hundred sixty-six days ago, Shireen Abu Akleh was still alive. 365 days ago, Shireen was killed. Three hundred sixty-five days have elapsed, and there's still no justice," Foukara said. There's still impunity for those who may have been responsible for her killing."
Foukara noted that when President Joe Biden spoke at the White House Correspondents Dinner April 29 he said that he would vociferously pursue press freedom for journalists and then work tirelessly to bring back American journalists like Evan Gershkovich and Austin Tice, detained by foreign governments. "The whole world expected him to also say that he will work vociferously to bring about justice for another American citizen, Shireen Abu Akleh."
