International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists

From 2006 to 2019, near 1,200 journalists have been killed (one every four days) for reporting the news and bringing information to the public. The killers largely (9 of 10 cases) go unpunished with this impunity leading to more killings, worsening conflict and the breakdown of law and judicial systems. Many other journalists suffer from non-fatal attacks, including torture, enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention, intimidation and harassment. Marking the 2013 assassination of two French journalists in Mali, International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists is is to condemn and prevent attacks and violence against journalists and media workers, bring to justice perpetrators of crimes against journalists and media workers, and ensure that victims have access to appropriate remedies. A safe and enabling environment must be provided for journalists to perform their work independently and without undue interference.