NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 2 – Italy joined today the United Nations’ campaign against crimes targeting journalists. “Every week, a journalist is murdered around the world, but only one case out of 10 is investigated”, the Italian Mission to the UN said on Twitter.
“Threats against journalists are threats against OUR freedom. Now, more than ever, we need facts”, added the mission, adding that Italy “staunchly supports the work of the UN Commissioner for Human Rights and of UNESCO to protect journalists and put an end to impunity of such crimes”.
The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists is a UN-recognized international day observed annually on 2 November to draw attention to the level of impunity for crimes against journalists. Between 2006 and 2020, over 1,200 journalists have been killed around the world, with close to 9 out of 10 cases of these killings remaining judicially unresolved, according to the UNESCO observatory of killed journalists. “On this International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, let us honour our media workers, and stand up for truth, justice and human rights for all,” said the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
Despite their critical role, more than 70 journalists have been killed this year alone. “Most of these crimes go unsolved. Meanwhile, a record number of journalists are incarcerated today, while threats of imprisonment, violence, and death keep growing,” said Mr. Guterres. Furthermore, a surge in disinformation, online bullying and hate speech, particularly against women journalists, is contributing to the stifling of media workers around the globe. “Intimidation through the abuse of legal, financial and other means, is undermining efforts to hold the powerful accountable. These trends threaten not only journalists, but society as a whole,” he added.
The day was recognized by the UN General Assembly in December 2013 with resolution 68/163. The date marks the death of Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon, two French journalists killed while reporting in Mali earlier that year.
On 2 November, organizations and individuals worldwide are encouraged to talk about the unresolved cases in their countries, and write to government and intra-governmental officials to demand action and justice. (@OnuItalia)
