International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists 2023; November 2nd.

FORUM: “Violence against journalists, the integrity of elections, and the role of public leadership.’’ International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists 2023. The 2023 obervance seeks to raise awareness and sensitize public opinion and the international community on the main challenges faced by journalists and communicators in the exercise of their profession, and on the escalation of violence and repression against them, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean, which to date is the region with the largest number of fatal attacks against journalists. It also seeks to highlight and warn about attacks and restrictions on the press in the context of coverage of social protests; the activation of judicial mechanisms against journalists for reasons related to their journalistic work on matters of public interest; and the forced exile, which is increasingly one of the main options for dealing with repression in some countries in the region. These facts, as already mentioned, are inserted in a context of constant stigmatization and discrediting by public officials and leaders towards the press, so it is also intended to reflect on the role of these people, based on their public discourse and specific obligations.  This edition of IDEI also wants to emphasize the situation of violence against journalists and media workers during election periods. In this sense, it seeks to reaffirm the commitments of the States and the responsibilities of the other actors involved to prevent and counteract the intolerance, discrimination and deliberate disinformation that permeates much of the debate in these contexts. The objective is to give visibility to the role of a safe and free press in ensuring the integrity of elections and our democratic systems. Finally, the sessions will delve into the obligation of States to adopt effective measures to protect the independent press and strengthen institutional frameworks that combat violence and impunity, and promote media independence, sustainability and diversity. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #EndimpunityDay, #CrimesAgainstJournalists, #2november, #DefendPressFreedom, #ProtectJournalists.

EVENTS: This year, the main commemoration of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists 2023 will take place on 2 -3 November at the headquarters of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington D.C. Organized by UNESCO, in partnership with the Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), the InterAmerican Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and its Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression (RELE), the event will focus on the violence against journalists, the integrity of elections, and the role of public leadership. This important event will include multiple panels and discussions, bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders including former special rapporteurs, academia, civil society organizations, states, United Nations agencies, and any other individuals dedicated to improving journalist safety worldwide. The day will furthermore commemorate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the OAS Special Rapporteurship and celebrate the 30th anniversary of the United Nations Special Procedure, two specialized offices that hold a pivotal role in promoting and safeguarding freedom of expression globally.

From 08:00 - 09:00,  Registration at the Organization of American States (OAS) Hall of the Americas.

DAY I (2 November) - Opening ceremony - International Day to end Impunity Against Journalists 2023.

•  Session 1: Safety of journalists in elections and crisis contexts: risks to democracies.

• Session 2: Flash talk - Combating impunity: obligations of the States and the role of public officials in building trust in the media.

• Session 3: Making Impunity Visible: Initiatives towards preservation of cases and memory of killed journalists.

• Session 4: Multi-stakeholder session: The future of the media and safety of journalists

• Symbolic event to be held at the Art Museum of the Americas

Day II (3 November) - Commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of the Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression

• Session 1: Online Violence and discrimination: journalists as a target and the role of journalism in combating online violence and discrimination

• Session 2: Building safe spaces for journalism in Latin America and the Caribbean.

• Session 3: Strategic lawsuits against public participation: a mechanism for silencing the press under the guise of legality.

• Session 4: Death, Exile and Incarceration.

• Session 5: 25 years of the Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression, Challenges and prospects.

Read more in the concept note.

Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists 2023; November 2nd.

Journalists and the media fulfill a vital role in society, upholding and enabling democracy and holding power to account. They are essential to strong and accountable institutions and to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

But this important position puts journalists at risk. Their commitment to investigating and revealing the truth means they are often targeted for attack, illegal detention, and even death.

In 2022, according to UNESCO, at least 88 journalists were killed for doing their jobs – a sharp increase on the preceding years. The current conflict in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory is taking a horrific toll on journalists.

But the majority of journalists who are killed are not war reporters; they are working in countries that are at peace, investigating corruption, trafficking, human rights violations, and environmental issues.

I am deeply alarmed by these figures, and by the rise in threats of all kinds against journalists. Detention of journalists is at an all-time high. Online harassment of journalists, particularly women, is being used as a tool to silence them.

We need better safeguards to defend the journalists who are keeping us informed.
On the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, we call on all States to prevent violence against journalists, to provide a safe environment for them to go about their jobs, to bring to justice those who commit crimes against journalists and media workers, and to ensure support for victims and survivors.

Today and every day, we are grateful to the journalists and all media professionals who risk their health and lives to keep us informed, and to keep the truth alive.

United Nations Secretary-General.

OTHER STATEMENTS: UNESCO Director-General's Report on the Safety of Journalists and the Danger of Impunity.

LIVESTREAM: The global 2023 IDEI commemoration will be livestreamed on UNESCO's YouTube channels in English, French and Spanish. Starting at 15:00 (GMT+2) - 9:00 (GMT-4).

The 2023 global commemoration of International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists is organized by UNESCO, in partnership with the Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), the InterAmerican Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and its Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression (RELE). The event will focus on the violence against journalists, the integrity of elections, and the role of public leadership. The day will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the OAS Special Rapporteurship and the 30th anniversary of the United Nations Special Procedure, two specialized offices that hold a pivotal role in promoting and safeguarding freedom of expression globally.