source photo: Dunia news
By Gloriose Ntirenganya
International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists (IDEI)
On Saturday, November 2, 2024, the United Nations recognizes the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists (IDEI). This day emphasizes the urgent need to protect journalists and ensure that those who harm them are brought to justice. It stands as a day to defend the right to freedom of expression and to honor those who have lost their lives in pursuit of the truth—a tribute to the journalists who made the ultimate sacrifice while performing their duties.
What is the UN Plan of Action for the Safety of Journalists?
The UN Human Rights Council’s Resolution 33/2 commits states to address a range of threats to the safety of journalists. The resolution particularly highlights the gender-specific threats faced by women journalists, including sexual and gender-based violence. Journalists worldwide face physical, mental, and emotional violence, both online and offline, as well as detention and torture. These threats often lead to silencing journalists and, in some cases, physical attacks as a result of their work.
What Are the Threats Against Journalists?
The International Convention on the Protection of Journalists aims to protect journalists and other media professionals in times of peace and during armed conflicts, ensuring their ability to exercise their profession freely and independently in an environment free from harassment.
What is the UN Convention on the Protection of Journalists?
The UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity addresses key aspects of prevention, protection, and prosecution. This plan was initiated in 2010 upon the request of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Programme for the Development of Communication.
Why is Protecting Journalists Important?
Protecting journalists is crucial because journalism is fundamental for sustainable development, human rights protection, and democratic consolidation. However, it remains a dangerous—and often deadly—profession. According to UNESCO, more than 1,600 journalists have been killed since 1993.
This year’s theme for the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists is “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis.” It addresses journalism’s critical role in climate action, raising public awareness, shedding light on solutions, and holding those in power accountable.
Advocating for a Safe and Free Press
Press freedom is a cornerstone of democratic societies, ensuring transparency and accountability. However, journalists around the world continue to face threats and violence, often with little consequence for those responsible. The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists seeks to address this critical issue.
Significance of the Day
The United Nations General Assembly, through Resolution A/RES/68/163 in 2013, proclaimed November 2 as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists. This date commemorates the assassination of two French journalists in Mali on November 2, 2013. This landmark resolution condemns all attacks and violence against journalists and media workers.
Source: UN
