International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists
Impunity breeds impunity
Journalists in the OSCE region are threatened every day for doing nothing more, or less, than their job. Sadly, threats often turn into action. Time and again, we see authorities failing to properly investigate these brutal crimes, allowing perpetrators to go unpunished. 95 percent of attacks on journalists go without conviction, which equates to impunity – that is unacceptable.
In the recognition of the far-reaching consequences of impunity, especially of crimes committed against journalists, the United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed 2 November as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists (IDEI).
A battle fought every day, everywhere
It is a day when all stakeholders, ranging from media to civil society to international organizations and governments, can join forces to focus public attention on the importance of ending impunity for crimes against journalists. It is a day on which we remember the battles we all have to fight, every day, to ensure journalists' safety around the world.
“If journalists are not safe and free to write and to investigate in order to publish stories, freedom of expression and free media is at risk”
Raising awareness of the very real dangers faced by journalists is important. These brave people risk their safety and their lives to tell us about the world we live in and they deserve our protection.
To find out more about the risks to journalists’ safety, check out our two publications: the OSCE Safety of journalists Guidebook (2nd edition), and the pamphlet Safety of Journalists: An imperative for free media.