News / Society

UN resolution urges journalists protection

Wednesday, 27 May 2015 6:32 PM [ Last Update: Wednesday, 27 May 2015 6:32 PM ]

Christophe Deloire, Reporters Without Borders secretary-general (AFP photo)

A resolution urging protection for journalists worldwide has secured the support of all the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) member states.

On Wednesday, the 15-member council lent their blessing to the measure, which urged world governments to end impunity for those who silence journalists.

The measure expressed "deep concern at the threat to the safety of journalists" from extremists such as the Takfiri terrorist group ISIL.

On September 2, 2014, ISIL militants released a video showing the beheading of American journalist Steven Sotloff just two weeks after a similar video surfaced depicting the execution of James Foley, another American freelancer who had been missing in Syria.

The group captured Kenji Goto, a Japanese journalist known for his work in covering war zones, in Syria last October. In January, the militant group released video footage purportedly showing his execution.

A file handout photo taken on October 27, 2010 and released by an international relief organization on January 21, 2015 shows Japanese journalist Kenji Goto (AFP photo).

The resolution "urges member-states to ensure accountability for crimes committed against journalists, media professionals and associated personnel" working in war zones.

More than 700 journalists have been killed over the past 10 years. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has also said more than 90 percent of crimes against reporters go unpunished.

Christophe Deloire, RSF secretary-general, welcomed the resolution, saying "this is a historic day for the protection of journalists and we hope also for the freedom of the press."

Addressing the council, Deloire called for the appointment of a special UN envoy for the protection of journalists to report on efforts by governments to prosecute those responsible for the crimes.

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