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United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, made a call to all governments to protect journalists, as part of the commemorations of the International Day to End Impunity for Crime against Journalist, November 2.
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"In just over a decade, more than a thousand journalists have been killed while carrying out their indispensable work," warned Guterres, adding that most of the cases continue unsolved. "Nine out of ten cases are unresolved, with no one held accountable."
In 2018 alone, at least 88 journalists have been killed, and almost one thousand have been killed during the last decade, according to Guterres' declarations. "Many thousands more have been attacked, harassed, detained or imprisoned on spurious charges, without due process."
Secretary-General Guterres highlighted the double risk that female journalists are at a greater danger, a double danger, first for reporting and for their job, and last but not at all least, because of machismo and patriarchy. "Female journalists are often at greater risk of being targeted not only for their reporting but also because of their gender, including through the threat of sexual violence," Guterres said.
"This is outrageous. This should not become the new normal (...) Reporting is not a crime."
"On this day, I pay tribute to journalists who do their jobs every day despite intimidation and threats. Their work – and that of their fallen colleagues -- reminds us that truth never dies. Neither must our commitment to the fundamental right to freedom of expression."
Guterres called for protection to journalists, asking all governments to ensure the necessary framework to ensure the journalistic profession. "I call on Governments and the international community to protect journalists and create the conditions they need to do their work."
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