Towards Ending Impunity for Crimes against Journalists
Raheem Akingbolu writes on the preparation for the 2015 edition of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists and how the global event would address issues related to safety of journalists and also help boost judicial resolve of
With more than 700 journalists that have been killed in the last decade alone with less than 7% cases of journalists killed resolved, the global media terrain is indeed volatile. This explains why this year’s edition of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, will attract a lot of attention from different countries of the world. The date for the global event is 2nd of November.
In a letter sent from the Communication and Information sector, Division for Freedom of Expression and Media Development to media owners, publishers and editor-in-chief and journalists across the world, copy of which was received by THISDAY, it was stated that various events will be organised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), and its partners in New York, Paris, London and Australia to use the international day to end impunity. Among other highlights, the letter indicated that the event would be used to raise global awareness and increase accountability with the goal being to secure justice for journalists who have suffered attacks.
How it all began… The United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/68/163 at its 68th session in 2013 which proclaimed 2 November as the ‘International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists’ (IDEI). The Resolution urged member states to implement definite measures countering the present culture of impunity. The date was chosen in commemoration of the assassination of two French journalists in Mali on 2 November 2013.
This landmark resolution condemns all attacks and violence against journalists and media workers. It also urges member states to do their utmost to prevent violence against journalists and media workers, to ensure accountability, bring to justice perpetrators of crimes against journalists and media workers, and ensure that victims have access to appropriate remedies. It further calls upon States to promote a safe and enabling environment for journalists to perform their work independently and without undue interference.
The focus on impunity of this resolution stems from the worrying situation that over the past decade, more than 700 journalists have been killed for bringing news and information to the public. In 2012 alone, the UNESCO Director-General condemned the killing of 123 journalists, media workers, and social media producers of public interest journalism. In 2013, the figure decreased slightly to 91, but still represented the second deadliest year for journalists.
These figures do not include the many more journalists who on a daily basis suffer from non-fatal attacks, including torture, enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention, intimidation and harassment in both conflict and non-conflict situations. Furthermore, there are specific risks faced by women journalists including sexual attacks.
Worryingly, only one in ten cases committed against media workers over the past decade has led to a conviction. This impunity emboldens the perpetrators of the crimes and at the same time has a chilling effect on society including journalists themselves. Impunity breeds impunity and feeds into a vicious cycle.
Prior to 2014 edition, a UNESCO Director-General’s Report on the Safety of Journalists and the Danger of Impunity, indicated that less than six percent of the 593 cases of killings of journalists from 2006-2013 were resolved. A quarter of these cases were said to have been considered as “ongoing” referring to their continued investigations over the various stages of the judicial system. It was further stated that in 60 percent of the cases, no information on the judicial process was made available to UNESCO notwithstanding the Director-General’s requests for such.
It is believed by the global body that when attacks on journalists remain unpunished, a very negative message is sent that reporting the “embarrassing truth” or “unwanted opinions” would get ordinary people in trouble. Besides, it is believed that society loses confidence in its own judiciary system which is meant to protect everyone from attacks on their rights.
“Perpetrators of crimes against journalists are thus emboldened when they realise they can attack their targets without ever facing justice. Society as a whole suffers from impunity,” the report stated.
It is in recognition of such far-reaching consequences of impunity, especially of crimes against journalists, that the UN has declared 2 November as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists (IDEI).
2015 edition in focus… In the letter to stakeholders, signed by Guy Berger, the international day would throw up various ideas. According to the letter, it will programme a debate with experts, journalists and government officials. There will also be production of a short video to highlights the safety of journalists worldwide, mixing animation with graphs and numbers. The event will also broadcast a film or a report on a specific case of journalists, who have been killed in the line of duty. To update participants on issues related to impunity, the forum will also provide unbridled access to interview representatives of UNESCO or of an NGO specialized in the defense of freedom of expressions.
Beyond this, participants at the event would be exposed to why safety of journalists is essential and why it is linked to the wider right of freedom of expression and the public’s right to know. They will also be educated on the specific dangers in bringing to audiences news which are based on investigative journalism into crimes, corruption, human rights abuses and environmental issues. The event will also address issues related to psychological impact for journalists working in dangerous missions and likely dangers for women journalists. To maintain the purpose of the international gathering, efforts will be made to look at why impunity needs to be combated, possibly with a focus on following up specific cases of killed journalists. Above all, it will dwell on why few cases of journalists attacked or killed are resolved.
From any angle one chooses to look at it, IDEI provides a strategic opportunity to all stakeholders to focus public attention on the importance of ending impunity for crimes against journalists. So far, it has also provided opportunity for stakeholders to weigh what states, international bodies, local bodies and media houses are doing –or need to do to address this issue.