9 out of 10 killings of journalists remain unsolved, said UNESCO ahead of International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists

On 2 November 2020, UNESCO marks the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists (IDEI) and asks to join in the global efforts to end impunity.

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”. This Resolution urged the Member States of the United Nations to implement necessary measures to counter impunity, including conducting impartial, speedy and effective investigations into all cases of violence against journalists and creating a safe and enabling environment for journalists to perform their work independently and without undue interference.

In 2018 and 2019, a total of 156 killings of journalists worldwide were recorded, according to a brochure with the highlights of the UNESCO Director-General’s 2020 Report on the Safety of Journalists and the Danger of Impunity.

Overall, over the past decade, a journalist has been killed on average every four days and most journalists were killed in countries with no armed conflict.

Last year showed the lowest death toll recorded by UNESCO in the last decade with 57 deaths. Despite these positive developments, journalism remains a dangerous profession: the threats faced by journalists are many and wide-ranging.

“Journalists are essential in preserving the fundamental right to freedom of expression, guaranteed by Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights," declared Ms Audrey Azoulay, the Director-General of UNESCO, in the message on the occasion of the Impunity for Crimes against Journalists. . “Only by investigating and prosecuting crimes against media professionals can we guarantee access to information and freedom of expression. Only by speaking truth to power can we advance peace, justice and sustainable development in our societies”. Click here to download the full message in PDF format in English| Russian

This year UNESCO and the Kingdom of the Netherlands will organize the World Press Freedom Conference 2020 at The Hague on 9 and 10 December 2020. The conference is dedicated to the World Press Freedom Day (3 May) and the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists (2 November) and will be held in a new, innovative format, merging digital and in-person elements.

Click here to learn more what UNESCO does to end impunity for crimes against journalists.

Click here to download a brochure for the IDEI “Protect Journalists, Protect the Truth”.