Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, took the stage at the University of Johannesburg Kingsway Park Campus in Johannesburg to deliver the second annual Shireen AbuAkleh Memorial Lecture. The event, titled “Responsibility of the Academy in a Time of Genocide,” was held on May 8th, 2024.
The lecture, named in honor of the late veteran journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, brought together esteemed figures including Programme Coordinator Salim Vally, Professor Kammila Naidoo, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Former Minister Ronnie Kasrils, Director-General Zane Dangor, Professor Samia Botmeh, Dean of Economics at Birzeit University, and Advocate Diana Buttu.
Dr. Pandor commenced her address amidst a backdrop of growing concern over dwindling media freedom and allegations of complicity among once staunch advocates for free expression. She underscored the urgent need for academia and institutions to scrutinize this decline and confront the escalating threats to freedom of speech.
The minister’s remarks were poignant as they coincided with the second anniversary of Shireen’s tragic assassination. Despite global outcry, justice remains elusive, with no progress reported in investigations, including those at the International Criminal Court.
Dr. Pandor condemned the escalating violence against journalists in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, noting the chilling pattern of targeting members of the press. She emphasized the critical role of journalists in documenting atrocities and demanded an end to impunity for those responsible.
Reflecting on Shireen’s legacy, Dr. Pandor envisioned her relentless pursuit of truth amidst the turmoil in Gaza, where civilians suffer amid relentless bombings and a dire humanitarian crisis. She lamented the destruction of educational institutions, highlighting the deliberate erasure of Palestinian history and knowledge.
The minister lauded the solidarity shown by academic institutions globally, citing examples of universities taking a stand against complicity in Israel’s actions. She called for a united front in advocating for justice and accountability, urging the international community to heed the calls for action.
Dr. Pandor urged continued mobilization and activism, stressing the collective responsibility to uphold human rights and challenge impunity. She invoked the memory of Shireen Abu Akleh as a beacon of courage and resilience in the face of injustice.
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