London – Faced with the failure of attempts to control violence against the press around the world, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is taking advantage of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, celebrated on 2 November. on UN, security and media independence

Bringing together associations, associations and federations in more than 100 countries (represented by Fenaj in Brazil), the Geneva-based organization criticized the 10-year United Nations Action Plan for the Safety and Impunity of Journalists and said, “The freedom and security it promised to journalists and media workers. could not provide the environment”.

In addition to non-fatal crimes such as online and offline harassment and harassment that push journalists into exile or leave the profession, at least 59 people have died this year – 12 more than the total deaths in 2021, according to the IJF.

Impunity is the hallmark of crimes against journalists

The organization points out that journalists continue to be attacked, beaten, detained, harassed and threatened for doing their job.

At the same time, threats to the digital security of professionals, including cyberattacks, data theft, hacking and online harassment, put media professionals at risk, making it even more urgent to adopt a tool that will “force governments to confront violence with impunity. aimed at journalists and press professionals”.

Condemning impunity, IJF President Dominique Pradalie said, “We do not have a binding international instrument that compels States that are part of the UN to investigate and respond to attacks on journalists.”

Among the countries where the situation is more dramatic are Mexico, Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, India, Kosovo, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and Yemen, the absolute champions of deaths. According to the IJF, violence against journalists remains at the highest level in these countries.

The Federation reminds that, despite many protocols, guidelines and recommendations, nine out of ten murders of journalists remain unpunished.

“There is growing frustration with the lack of action and political will to fight impunity and support a free and independent media. That’s why we launched a global campaign for the adoption of an International Convention dedicated to the protection of journalists and media professionals,” added Dominique Pradalie.

The campaign was formally launched at the 51st session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on 30 September and was consolidated this week on a date that recalls the scourge of impunity.

The IJF’s proposed text for the Convention highlights existing weaknesses and gaps in international humanitarian and human rights law, and the lack of effective enforcement mechanisms.

Dr. Carmen Dragichi, who drafted the Federation Convention, said:

“The Draft Convention provides a consolidated legal framework for the protection of journalists.

It codifies case-law obligations in covenant form, replacing multiple legal sources with a comprehensive and accessible tool. Thus, it clarifies the scope of obligations arising from the provisions on freedom of expression in human rights conventions based on international law.

It also ensures that States clearly comply with the obligations embodied in decisions to other States, helps national authorities understand their obligations, and facilitates international surveillance. […]

And it gives binding value to widely accepted legal standards. […)  aumentando a conformidade e a responsabilidade.”

Mais de 60 jornalistas e sindicatos de mídia, associações, órgãos representativos de mídia, organizações de imprensa e ONGs em todo o mundo já apoiaram a convenção, diz a IFJ. 

O texto completo da Convenção pode ser visto aqui.

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