The United Nations(UN) International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists(IDEI) is observed annually across the globe on November 2 to end impunity(exemption from punishment from the injurious consequences of an action) for crimes against journalists. The day also aims to raise awareness about all attacks against journalists and media workers.UNESCO launches a global awareness campaign “Protect Journalists. Protect The Truth”.
Why November 2?
The date, November 2 was chosen to commemorate the assaniation of 2 french journalists namely, Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon in Mali on November 2, 2013.
Events 2020
i.The World Press Freedom Conference 2020 jointly celebrates the World Press Freedom Day (3 May) and the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists (November 2) in a new format by merging digital and in-person elements.
ii.UNESCO(United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and the Kingdom of the Netherlands commemorate the World Press Freedom Conference 2020 on 9 and 10 December 2020.
iii.The session on 10 December 2020, entitled “Strengthening investigations and prosecutions to end impunity for crimes against journalists” will include the presentation of guidelines for prosecutors on investigating and prosecuting crimes and attacks against journalists, developed in partnership with the International Association of Prosecutors.
iv.UNESCO released the brochure ‘Protect Journalists, Protect the Truth’.
Background
i.The United Nations General Assembly at its 68th session on 18 December 2013, adopted a resolution A/RES/68/163 to proclaim November 2 as the ‘International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists’
ii.The resolution urges the Member States to implement concrete measures to counter the current culture of impunity.
Key Facts:
UN
i.As per the UN, from around 1,200 journalists have been killed from 2006 to 2019 for reporting the news and bringing information to the public.
ii.In 9 out of 10 cases the killers are unpunished.
iii.Since 2006, only about 131 cases of journalists’ killings have been reported as being resolved, representing an overall impunity rate of 88%.
iv.Between 2014 and 2018, 495 journalists were killed, an 18% increase over the previous 5-years.
v.The most dangerous country for journalists was Syria, followed by Mexico and Afghanistan.
vi.Many journalists suffer on a daily basis from non-fatal attacks, including torture in conflict and non-conflict situations.
vii.The women journalists face specific risks including sexual attacks.
World Press Freedom Index 2020: India Slips 2 places to 142nd; Norway Tops
As per the World Press Freedom Index 2020 released in April 2020, India has slipped 2 places to 142nd from 140th position with a score of 45.33. Norway tops the list.
About United Nations(UN):
HeadQuarters– New York, United States
Secretary-General– António Guterres(9th Secretary-General of UN)
