Safety of journalists and human rights defenders

Journalists and human rights defenders around the world face major risks as a result of their work. Governments and other powerful actors, seeking to escape scrutiny and stifle dissent, often respond to critical reporting or activism with attempts to silence them.

Threats, surveillance, attacks, arbitrary arrest and detention, and, in the most grave cases, enforced disappearance or killings, are too often the cost of reporting the truth. The protection of journalists and human rights defenders, and ending impunity for attacks against them, is a global priority for safeguarding freedom of expression.

States are under an obligation to prevent, protect against, and prosecute attacks against journalists and human rights defenders. Creating a safe and enabling environment for their work necessitates legal reform, the creation of special protection mechanisms, and protocols to guide effective investigations and prosecutions where attacks occur. A free press and active civil society are essential to ensure the public’s right to know, so that governments and institutions can be held accountable.

Somalia called on to investigate into attack on journalist Mascuud Abdulahi Aadan
02.11.2014 1 min read

Somalia called on to investigate into attack on journalist Mascuud Abdulahi Aadan

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International Day to End Impunity: States must end the cycle of impunity
02.11.2014 6 min read

International Day to End Impunity: States must end the cycle of impunity

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International Day to End Impunity: Somali President must do more to end impunity
02.11.2014 3 min read

International Day to End Impunity: Somali President must do more to end impunity

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International Day to End Impunity: Gambian authorities must act to end impunity
02.11.2014 3 min read

International Day to End Impunity: Gambian authorities must act to end impunity

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International Day to End Impunity: Brazil must adopt measures to end impunity
02.11.2014 3 min read

International Day to End Impunity: Brazil must adopt measures to end impunity

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International Day to End Impunity: Russia must end impunity and rexamine Akhmednabiyev case
02.11.2014 4 min read

International Day to End Impunity: Russia must end impunity and rexamine Akhmednabiyev case

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See no acid, hear no acid!
31.10.2014 5 min read

See no acid, hear no acid!

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Montenegro: ARTICLE 19 statement in support of Vanja Calovic
29.10.2014 1 min read

Montenegro: ARTICLE 19 statement in support of Vanja Calovic

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The Gambia: Appalling human rights record under scrutiny by the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva
24.10.2014 2 min read

The Gambia: Appalling human rights record under scrutiny by the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva

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