On 3 November 2014, the Council of Europe, the Centre for Freedom of the Media, UNESCO and the European Lawyer’s Union are jointly organising in Strasbourg a seminar with a view to enforcing and levelling-up international standards and mechanisms for the protection of Journalists and eradicating impunity.
The number of attacks against journalists has increased significantly in recent years while few of them have resulted in effective prosecution. Impunity has dire consequences on the exercise of the right to freedom of expression and of media freedom and undermines the foundations of democracy.
Organised around four panels, the seminar will provide a forum for inter-regional dialogue among representatives of regional human rights courts and inter-governmental organisations in Europe, the Americas and Africa. The intention is to give fresh impetus to the development of international standards on the prevention, protection and prosecution of crimes against journalists. The long-term goal is to develop a consistent legal framework of protection, in line with the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.
Additionally, on 4th of November, the 3rd UN-Inter-Agency Meeting on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity will take place within the Council of Europe premises. This meeting, convened by UNESCO and co-hosted by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Council of Europe, coincides with the inaugural “International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists”.
