United Nations(UN)’s International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists(IDEI) is annually observed across the globe on 2nd November.The day aims to create awareness and to formulate ways to counter the threats of violence and crimes against journalists to protect the freedom of expression for all.
Significance of 2021 observance:
- The 2021 observance of the day highlights the role of prosecutorial services, in investigating and prosecuting the killing and threats of violence against journalists.
- The 2021 commemoration will pave the way for the 10 year anniversary of the UN Plan of Action on Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity which will be marked in 2022.
Background:
i.The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/68/163 on 18th December 2013 and proclaimed the 2nd November of every year as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists.
ii.The first ever International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists was observed on 2nd November 2014.
Why 2nd November?
The date, 2nd November, was chosen to commemorate the assassination of Claude Verlon and Ghislaine Dupon, French journalists at RFI radio, in Mali on 2nd November 2013.
#TruthNeverDies is a joint campaign developed by The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO) and DDB Paris to commemorate the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists.
2021 Event:
With the support of UNESCO, Ossigeno per l’informazione has organised a hybrid format high-level roundtable discussion which will be held on 3rd November 2021 at the Syracuse International Institute for Criminal Justice and Human Rights in Syracuse, Italy.
Violence against journalists:
i.According to the UNESCO observatory of killed journalists, more than 1,200 journalists have been killed around the world between 2006 and 2020.In 2016-2020, the killing of journalists has decreased by 20% compared to 2011-2015.
ii.According to the data collected in 2021, the rate of impunity is continuing at 87%.Most of the killed journalists are killed in their country of nationality and among the 400 journalists killed from 2016 to 2020, 22 (6%) were foreigners.
Nobel Prize 2021 – journalists:
Maria Ressa, Chief Executive and co-founder of online news outlet Rappler, from the Philippines and Dmitry Muratov, cofounder and editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta newspaper, from Russia were named as the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize laureates.
