2012-1

***15.08.2012. PEC statement - PEC condemns all attacks against media in Syria (Arabic below)

Geneva, August 15 (PEC) -- The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) calls on all warring parties in Syria to protect the lives of journalists and to spare them from attacks and kidnapping, and calls for the immediate release of all abducted journalists. According to the PEC data base, at least 25 journalists were killed since January in Syria. Syria has become as dangerous for media workers as Iraq during the period between 2003 to 2006.
 
The PEC condemns all attacks against Syrian and foreign journalists either by government or anti-government forces. Recent attacks shows that the conflict has further deteriorated in a civil war of a number of parties with many uncontrolled factions and a new phenomenon: kidnapping. 

Ali Abbas, head of the Interior in the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), was assassinated at his home last Saturday.

Pan-Arab satellite news channel Al-Arabiya television said that Bara'a Yusuf al-Bushi, a Syrian national and army defector who worked with the station and several other international news organizations, was killed in a bomb attack while covering a story in al-Tal.

The PEC is also gravely concerned by the fate of a Syrian TV news crew kidnapped while covering clashes between the Syrian army and armed groups in the suburbs of Damascus. Reporter Yarah Saleh, cameraman Abboud Tabarah, his assistant Hatem Abu Yehiah and driver Housam Imad were accompanying an army unit when armed men attacked the army vehicle and kidnapped the crew.

Media installations are civilian buildings and must not be attacked, said the PEC. Last week a bomb exploded in the Syrian state television building and lead to the injury of several employees.

Al Alam representative in Homs and another journalist in the city of Aleppo were also kidnapped in recent days.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), and the Islamist group al-Nosra which claimed to have kidnapped him, the state TV presenter Mohammad Sayeed who was abducted from his Damascus home on 19 July, had been killed.

At least 8 foreign journalists were wounded in Aleppo when witnessing the fighting in the city last month.

Ongoing tragic events in Syria take place ahead of contacts in the UN General Assembly in New York and at the Human Rights Council in Geneva to find ways and means to improve the protection of journalists in dangerous situations.

The PEC expresses it's hope that those efforts will unfold quickly in concrete steps to protect journalists.

The perpetrators of the ongoing attacks must not go unpunished.

more info on our page: PRESS

حملة الشارة تدين الاعتداءات ضد الصحفيين في سوريا

جنيف ١٥ اغسطس (حملة الشارة) -- طالبت حملة الشارة الدولية لحماية الصحفي و مقرها جنيف كل الأطراف المتحاربة في سوريا بوقف الاعتداءات ضد الصحفيين و عدم التعرض لهم في هجمات تؤدي الى اختطافهم و تطالب بالإفراج الفوري عن كافة المختطفين من الصحفيين.

و طبقاً لمراقبة الحملة للأحداث الدموية في سوريا فان ٢٥ صحفيا و صحفية قد قتلوا في سوريا منذ يناير. فأصبحت سوريا من اكثر المناطق خطورة للعمل الصحفي بما يشبه الوضع الخطر في العراق في الفترة من ٢٠٠٣ إلى ٢٠٠٦.

و قالت الحملة الدولية، في بيانها اليوم، أنها تدين كل الهجمات ضد كل الصحفيين بما فيهم الصحفيين الأجانب. و اظهرت الهجمات الاخيرة ضد الصحفيين أن النزاع يتجه إلى حرب أهلية من قبل اطراف تقاوم النظام الحالي في سوريا.

من بين الأعداد الكبيرة من الضحايا من الصحفيين الحكوميين و غير الحكوميين فقد قتل مسئول كبير في وكالة الأنباء السورية (سانا) يوم السبت الماضي في منزله.

و قتل اخر يعمل مع قناة العربية في انفجار قنبلة، و اختفى فريق التليفزيون السوري الذي خلال تغطية أحداث القتال في ضواحي دمشق.

و تطالب الحملة الدولية بعدم تعريض المنشئات الإعلامية و الصحفية للقصف بعدما انفجرت قنبلة في مبنى التليفزيون السوري و أدى ذلك الى إصابة العديد من الاشخاص.

و طبقا للأنباء الواردة فقد تم اختطاف ممثل العالم في حمص و صحفي اخر في حلب و تمت عمليتي الاختطاف من منزلهما.

و ذكرت الجهة التي أعلنت مسؤوليتها عن الاختطاف -جماعة النصرة- ان مذيع التليفزيون السوري محمد سعيد الذي اختطف من منزله في دمشق يوم ١٩ يوليو، قد قتل.

كما أصيب ثمانية من الصحفيين الأجانب و هم يغطون أحداث القتال في حلب في الشهر الماضي.

و تأتي هذه الاحداث الدموية في سوريا قبيل اتصالات تجري على صعيد الجمعية العامة في نيويورك في مطلع شهر سبتمبر القادم و في مجلس حقوق الانسان من اجل توفير حماية افضل للصحفيين في الحالات الخطرة.

و تعرب الحملة الدولية عن أملها في ان تسفر هذه الجهود عن خطوات ملموسة قريبا لحماية الصحفيين .

اكدت الحملة الدولية أن التدابير الدولية المقبلة لحماية الصحفيين يجب أن تنص على أن مرتكبي هذه الجرائم ضد الصحفيين يجب ألا يفلتوا من المحاكمة و العقاب. (النهاية). 

***16.07.2012. THE PRESS EMBLEM CAMPAIGN (PEC) PRAISED THE EFFORTS THAT LED TO THE RELEASE OF THE DETAINED EGYPTIAN JOURNALIST SHAIMAA ADEL IN SUDAN

Cairo (PEC, July 16) The President of the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) Hedayat Abdelnabi praised the efforts of Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi that led to the release of the detained Egyptian journalist Shaimaa Adel in Khartoum, Sudan.

She added in a press statement today delivered in Cairo that the decision of the President to escort Shaimaa to Cairo on board of the presidential airliner underlines the president’s respect for the media and its role, also his respect for the Egyptians.

By so doing, Abdelnabi said he placed Shaimaa in the same category of leading members of the Egyptian state.

The safe return of Shaimaa with the President of Egypt, she said, opens a new chapter in relations between the media and the state placing the media in its well-deserved place.

She also praised the silent and effective diplomacy played by the Chair of the Syndicate of journalists Mamdouh El Wali who worked in silence without responding to critics. 

Egyptian journalist Shaimaa Adel, freed from a Sudan jail earlier Monday, arrived in Addis Ababa the same morning, and was received by President Mohamed Morsi, and took breakfast with him, chatting amicably during the meeting.

The freed journalist arrived in Ethiopia aboard a private jet which took her from Khartoum in the Sudan, after Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir decided to release her following talks yesterday with President Mohamed Morsi on the sidelines of the African summit.

Sudanese and foreign journalists targeted

Adel covered the protests that erupted in the Arab World, first for Al-Masry Al-Youm then for Al-Watan newspaper.

She was arrested for covering the wave of protests which started in Sudan last month. The protests which had started on June 16 in Khartoum University were sparked by the austerity measures announced by the government.

They then spread over the next few days to other parts of the country and the demands grew to reach calls for the ouster of General Omar Hassan Al-Bashir who has been ruling the country since 1989.

The protests were met with a violent security crackdown which targeted Sudanese and foreign journalists.

The arrest of Egyptian journalist Shaimaa Adel in Sudan makes her the second Egyptian journalist to be arrested while covering the most recent wave of protests in the country.

Last June, Salma Al-Wardany, who worked for Bloomberg news service, was also arrested in Sudan. After her release, she was deported from Sudan.

***03.07.2012. THE PRESS EMBLEM CAMPAIGN (PEC) WELCOMES AS A STEP FORWARD THE JOINT STATEMENT DELIVERED BY AUSTRIA ON BEHALF OF A GROUP OF 56 STATES AT THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL ON SAFETY OF JOURNALISTS

FYI, on the occasion of the General debate on Item 8 of the HRC agenda - Follow-up and implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action – Austria made a statement on behalf of a cross-regional group of 57 States in which they strongly condemned all human rights violations against journalists and stressed that more needs to be done to prevent future human rights violations against journalists. The 56 highlighted the need for swift and independent investigations in accordance with international standards into any allegations of violations. Although they asserted that, at this moment, there is no need for the development of new standards or mechanisms, they affirmed their commitment for the strengthening of the existing ones. This initiative, which follows the PEC statements made at the 19th session and the 20th session of the HRC, offers an opportunity to keep the issue of the protection of journalists on the table of the Human Rights Council (PEC)

Statement delivered by the Austrian Ambassador to the UN:

Item 8 – General Debate

Joint Statement on the Safety of Journalists

"Md. President,

I have the honor to address the Human Rights Council on behalf of:

Algeria, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lichtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Maldives, Mexico, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, United Kingdom, Uruguay

Md. President,

Journalists play a special role in society as providers of information on matters of public interest. To preserve the important role of journalists is in the interest of the society as a whole. To guarantee their safety is inextricably linked to the universal, inalienable right to freedom of expression and press freedom. Measures to limit the freedom of expression and press freedom can only be taken in strict accordance with human rights instruments.

Journalists are entitled to the same rights as any other person. Nevertheless, the exercise of their work often puts them at specific risk of intimidation, legal and physical harassment and violence. This requires our attention. We strongly condemn all human rights violations against journalists. We welcome, in this respect, the specific focus taken by two Special Rapporteurs in their reports to this Council session on the issue of safety of journalists.

Each state needs to ensure a safe and enabling environment for journalists to perform their work independently and without any interference. This applies in conflict as well as in times of peace. At the same time, this should not be interpreted as imposing any disproportionate burden on the authorities. There is a growing threat to the safety of journalists posed by non-state actors, such as terrorist groups and criminal organizations.

Md. President,

Impunity for those responsible for human rights violations against journalists constitutes one of the biggest obstacles to the safety of journalists. There need to be swift and independent investigations in accordance with international standards into any allegations of violations. Perpetrators must be held accountable. Ending impunity would be a very effective measure to guarantee the safety of journalists in the long term. There are valuable best practices from different countries and regions on how to better address the issue of impunity. There is also an important role of the UN human rights mechanisms to provide technical support and assistance to end impunity.

More needs to be done to prevent future human rights violations against journalists. The sharing of best practices and lessons learned on the safety of journalists, taking into account lessons learned in the area of Human Rights Defenders, as well as training and awareness-raising for security services and journalists themselves can contribute to prevent future violations. At the international level there is a need to ensure better coordination and cooperation. Important work is already being undertaken by UNESCO and the OHCHR, as well as the ICRC in this respect. In addition, existing professional standards and ethics developed by journalists are designed to guide them in their work. To take a gender-based approach is important in the context of the safety of journalists.

Md. President,

In conclusion, we believe that the Human Rights Council has to play an important role in the context of ensuring the safety of journalists. There is at this moment no need for the development of new standards. We have to ensure better implementation of existing ones. There is also no need for new mechanisms. Existing ones have to be strengthened. We are committed to work towards this end.

I thank you!"

***03.07.2012. PEC PRESS RELEASE. PEC reports an increase of 33 percent in the number of journalists killed in 6 months (English, French, Spanish and Arabic versions below)

(For the list of casualties, see our page TICKING CLOCK)

PEC reports an increase of 33 percent in the number of journalists killed in 6 months

Geneva, 2 July 2012 (PEC) – According to the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) report 72 journalists were killed from January to end of June 2012 in 21 countries. This figure represents a 33 percent increase in the number of journalists killed as compared to the same period in 2011.
 
This increase is clearly linked to the intensification of internal conflicts. Countries witnessing conflicts are ahead: Syria with a tally of 20 journalists killed during the reporting period followed by Mexico 8, Somalia 6 and Pakistan 6.

PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen noted that the problem of access to reporting has increased since the beginning of the year. In Syria, he added, the authorities have managed to block the world from knowing the unfolding events and the massive violations of human rights and humanitarian with independent testimonies on the ground.
 
If this continues, said Lempen, the year 2012 will witness a record high in the number of journalists killed.

The PEC, he said, joins all calls to put an end to the current violence in Syria.

PEC President Hedayat Abdelnabi noted that the road ahead is that for the rule of law which will allow that perpetrators of crimes against journalists will be brought to trial.

In Sudan an Egyptian woman journalist was detained and then released while covering the unrest there, Abdelnabi said that such conduct from authorities in place urges that countries in constitutional transition in the crescent of the Arab Spring include clauses in their new constitution to defend women in dangerous professions against sexual harassment or assault.
 
According to the PEC, Brazil ranks 5th as a country of extreme danger for media coverage where 6 journalists were killed, Honduras follows (4), Philippines (4), Nigeria (3), Bolivia (2) and India (2). One journalist was killed in each of the following countries: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Colombia, Haiti, Indonesia, Iraq, Nepal, Uganda, Panama and Thailand.

Latin America concentrated the biggest number of casualties (23), then the Middle East (22), Asia (17) and Africa (10)

In comparison 54 journalists were killed in the first 6 months of 2011 and 107 during the course of last year.
 
The PEC is gratified for the publication of two reports in June concerning the global problem for the protection of journalists, one presented by the UN Special Rapporteur for Summary Executions, Christof Heyns, and the other by the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression frank La Rue, both presented to the Human Rights Council.

The Geneva based NOG, PEC, calls upon the Human rights Council to implement the recommendations of both reports.

Hausse de 33% du nombre de journalistes tués en six mois

Genève, 2 juillet 2012 (PEC) Le nombre de journalistes tués a augmenté de près de 33% au cours des six premiers mois de 2012, par rapport à la même période de 2011. Depuis janvier, 72 journalistes ont été tués dans 21 pays, selon le bilan semestriel de la Presse Emblème Campagne (PEC).

Cette augmentation est clairement liée à l’intensification de conflits internes. Quatre pays qui connaissent une période de conflit concentrent plus de la moitié des victimes: la Syrie vient en tête avec 20 journalistes professionnels et non professionnels tués en six mois, devant le Mexique (8), la Somalie (6) et le Pakistan (6).

"Le problème de l'accès des médias aux zones de conflit s'est posé à nouveau de manière aigue depuis le début de l'année. En Syrie, les autorités ont tout fait pour empêcher que le monde extérieur soit directement témoin des violations massives du droit humanitaire et des droits de l'homme", a affirmé le secrétaire général de la PEC Blaise Lempen.

"Si cette tendance se poursuit, l'année 2012 battra un nouveau record dramatique", a-t-il ajouté. La PEC joint sa voix à tous ceux qui exigent un arrêt immédiat des violences en Syrie.

La présidente de la PEC Hedayat Abdelnabi a appelé au respect de l'Etat de droit et au jugement des responsables des crimes commis contre les journalistes.

Dénonçant le fait qu'au Soudan une journaliste égyptienne ait été détenue, puis libérée lors de la couverture de manifestations dans ce pays, Abdelnabi a affirmé que de tels agissements de la part des autorités doivent pousser les pays en transition dans le cadre du "Printemps arabe" à introduire des dispositions dans leur constitution
sur la défense des femmes contre les attaques de nature sexuelle.

Au 5e rang des pays les plus dangereux se trouve le Brésil (6 tués), devant le Honduras (4) et les Philippines (4). Suit le Nigéria avec 3 tués, la Bolivie (2) et l'Inde (2).

Un journaliste a été tué dans chacun des pays suivants: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Colombie, Haïti, Indonésie, Irak, Népal, Ouganda, Panama et Thaïlande.

Par région, l'Amérique latine arrive en tête avec 23 victimes, devant le Moyen-Orient (22), l'Asie (17) et l'Afrique (10).

Comparativement, selon les mêmes critères, 54 journalistes avaient été tués au cours des six premiers mois de 2011, et 107 sur toute l'année.

La PEC se félicite de la publication en juin par l'ONU de deux rapports sur la protection des journalistes, l'un du rapporteur pour les exécutions sommaires Christof Heyns et l'autre du rapporteur sur la liberté d'expression Frank La Rue. L'ONG appelle le Conseil des droits de l'homme à suivre leurs recommandations. 

PEC denuncia un incremento de 33 por ciento de periodistas asesinados en seis meses
 
Ginebra, 2 de julio del 2012 (PEC) – Según el reporte de Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) 72 periodistas fueron asesinados de enero a junio 2012 in 21 países. Este dato representa un incremento del 33 por ciento del número de periodistas víctimas comparado con el mismo período del 2011.

Este aumento es claramente el resultado de la intensificación de los conflictos internos.
Países en conflicto son los que lideran la lista en el lapso indicado: Siria con 20 periodistas asesinados, seguido de México con 8, Somalia 6 y Pakistán también con 6.
 
El Secretario General de PEC Blaise Lempen señala que el problema de acceso a la información ha empeorado desde principios de año. En Siria, las autoridades han llegado a bloquear los acontecimientos y la información a todo el mundo, sobre las violaciones masivas de derechos humanos reportados por testimonios independientes en el terreno.
Si la situación persiste, añadió Lampen, el año 2012 verá un record sin precedentes en el número de periodistas asesinados. Dijo además, que PEC se unía al llamado para poner fin a la violencia en Siria.
 
La Presidenta de PEC Hedayat Abdelnabi señaló que el camino a seguir es el prescrito en la norma internacional, para llevar a los asesinos de periodistas ante la justicia.
 
En Sudán, una periodista egipcia fue detenida por cuvrir eventos relacionados con la crisis de ese país. Abdelnabi dijo además, que esa conducta de las autoridades urge a que los países en transición política en el contexto de la "primavera árabe", incluyan cláusulas en sus nuevas constituciones para defender a mujeres en profesiones sensibles contra abusos sexuales y asaltos. 

De acuerdo con PEC, Brasil ocupa el quinto lugar como país peligroso para profesionales de medias, con seis periodistas asesinados, Honduras 4, Filipinas 4, Nigeria 3, Bolivia 2, e India 2. Un periodista fue víctima fatal en cada uno de los siguientes países: Afganistán, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Colombia, Haití, Indonesia, Irak, Nepal, Uganda, Panamá, y Tailandia.
 
Latinoamérica concentra el mayor número de víctimas, 23, luego está Oriente Medio con 22, Asia con 17 y Africa 10.
 
En comparación, 54 periodistas fueron asesinados en los primeros 6 meses del 2011 y 107 a lo largo de todo ese año.
 
PEC saluda la publicación de dos reportes en junio concerniendo el problema global sobre la protección de periodistas; uno presentado por el Reportero Especial de las Naciones Unidas para ejecuciones sumarias, Christof Heyns, y el otro, por el Reportero Especial de Naciones Unidas sobre libertad de expresión Frank La Rue, los dos presentados antes el Consejo de Derechos Humanos.
 
PEC, ONG radicada en Ginebra, hace un llamado al Consejo de Derechos Humanos para implementar las recomendaciones de los dos reportes. 

تقرير حملة الشارة: ارتفاع عدد القتلى بين الصحفيين بنسبة 33 بالمائة في ستة أشهر

جنيف 2 يوليو (حملة الشارة) – اعلنت حملة الشارة الدولية أن 72 صحفياً و صحفية قد قتلوا في الأشهر الستة الماضية بزيادة 33 بالمائة عن نفس الفترة من العام الماضي.

و قالت الحملة، في تقريرها الربع سنوي الصادر اليوم، أن ارتفاع عدد القتلى يعود إلى حدة النزاعات الداخلية المسلحة، و سوريا التي تشهد نزاعاً شرساً تأتي في المقدمة بمقتل 20 من الصحفيين تليها المكسيك 8 و الصومال 6 و باكستان 6.

و صرح سكرتير عام الحملة بليز ليمبان أن عملية التغطية الإعلامية قد ازدادت صعوبة في كل النزاعات ففي سوريا على سبيل المثال قامت السلطات السورية بفصل الأحداث عن العالم الخارجي لتغطية الانتهاكات الجسيمة لحقوق الإنسان و القانون الإنساني الدولي. 

و أضاف ليمبان أنه أذا استمر الحال على ما هو عليه فإن هذه السنة سوف تشهد رقماً غير مسبوق في عدد الصحفيين القتلى، مشيراً إلى أن حملة الشارة تضم صوتها إلى الآخرين الذين ينادون بوقف نزيف الدم في سوريا. 

قالت رئيسة حملة الشارة الدولية هدايت عبد النبي أن التحدي أمامنا هو سيادة القانون حتى يمكن تقديم مرتكبي هذه الجرائم ضد الصحفيين إلى العدالة.

و طالبت الدول التي تمر بمرحلة انتقالية نحو كتابة دساتير جديدة في اطار التحول الكبير بسبب ثورات الربيع العربي أن يعملوا على حماية المرأة الصحفية حين تقوم بعملها في مناطق خطره أو في مناطق التوتر الداخلي كما حدث مؤخراً باعتقال صحفية مصرية في أحداث السودان. 

طبقاً لحملة الشارة الدولية فإن البرازيل تأتي في المرتبة الخامسة من حيث خطورة العمل الصحفي بمقتل 6 صحفيين، ثم هندوراس 4، الفلبين 4، نيجيريا 3، بوليفيا 2، و الهند 2.

و قتل صحفي واحد في كل من أفغانستان، البحرين، بنجلاديش، كولومبيا، هايتي، إندونيسيا، العراق، نيبال، أوغندا، بنما، و تايلاند.

تركزت الأرقام الكبرى من الضحايا في أمريكا اللاتينية بمقتل 23 ثم الشرق الأوسط 22، فآسيا 17، فإفريقيا 10. 

و بالمقارنة قتل في العام الماضي 54 صحفياً و صحفية في الأشهر الستة الأولى من العام و 107 بنهاية 2011.

و أعربت حملة الشارة عن رضائها بالتقريرين اللذين قدما إلى مجلس حقوق الإنسان من قبل المقرر الخاص للقتل العشوائي كريستوف هاينز و الأخر للمقرر الخاص حول حرية الرأي و التعبير فرانك لارو و كلاهما يطالبان بتوفير حماية أكبر للصحفيين.

 و من ثم تطالب حملة الشارة مجلس حقوق الإنسان بأخذ التقريرين مأخذ الجد بتطبيق التوصيات الواردة في كل منهما.

لمزيد من التفاصيل حول قائمة الضحايا من الصحفيين قم بزيارة موقع الحملة

***03.07.2012. Human Rights Council. 20th session. Item 8. PEC oral statement delivered by the PEC UN Representative Gianfranco Fattorini 

General Assembly
Human Rights Council
20th session

Item 8 - Follow-up and implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action

General debate

Madame President,

The World Conference on Human Rights while recommending that priority be given to national and international action to promote democracy, development and human rights, it suggested that a special emphasis should be given to measures, among others, to assist in the strengthening of a pluralistic civil society, the promotion of freedom of expression and to the real and effective participation of the people in the decision-making processes (par. 66 – 67).

Of course, the traditional and new media play an essential role in the dissemination of a pluralistic perception of the reality those giving the possibility of a critical understanding of the events that occur and the challenges the society has to face. This role becomes even more important when a country goes through a troubled period which may lead to internal strife or civil war. An even more important role is played by media during a conflict.

The Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action encouraged the increased involvement of the media, for whom freedom and protection should be guaranteed (par. 39).

We note that the issue here is not to defend a concept, the World Conference called for the physical protection of a specific group of persons working, professionally or not, in a clearly defined activity.

In this context, the PEC does not consider useful to engage in the definition of a new concept like “crime against democracy” which will undoubtedly embark the international community in a never ending philosophical dispute.

The PEC believes that the international community should take the adequate measures to effectively and universally guarantee the freedom and protection of all media workers, professional and non professional, provided they respect some professional principles, like those contained in the Charter of Munich of 1971.

I thank you, Madame President.

A l'occasion de la Journée de la liberté de la presse, la PEC demande la libération de Mazen Darwish et de ses collègues en Syrie.

Genève, 2 mai (PEC) A l'occasion de la Journée de la liberté de la presse, la Presse Emblème Campagne (PEC) demande aux autorités syriennes de libérer Mazen Darwish, directeur du Centre syrien pour les medias et la liberté d'expression, et ses collègues.

La PEC appelle toute la communauté internationale à se mobiliser pour obtenir la libération de toutes les personnes détenues en raison de leurs opinions en Syrie.

L'ONG basée à Genève rappelle que le plan de Kofi Annan, accepté par le Conseil de sécurité de l'ONU, prévoit un accès sans entraves à l'information en Syrie. Le Conseil de sécurité de l'ONU doit faire appliquer les résolutions qu'il a adoptées à l'unanimité, a affirmé la PEC.

Mazen Darwish et ses collègues masculins Hussein Ghrer, Abd Rahman Al Hamada, Hani Zateni et Mansour Al Omarie sont toujours détenus depuis le 16 février. Selon l'Union des journalistes syriens, l'état de santé de Mazen Darwish, détenu en isolement, se détériore, après qu'il ait été torturé.

De plus, le personnel féminin du Centre, Yara BAder, Razan Ghazzoui, Sanaa Meshn, Ayham Ghazzoul, Joan Ferso et Bassan Al Ahmad ont été convoqués par la justice militaire à Damas le 22 avril pour infraction à l'article 149 du code pénal militaire et "possession illégale de documents dans le but de distribuer des publications interdites". Elles ont été transférées à la prison centrale d'Adra à Damas.

Ayham Ghazzoul, Joan Ferson et Bassam Alamad ont été détenus 33 jours dans les locaux des services de renseignements de l'armée de l'air à Al Mezzah avant d'être transférés le 21 avril au sein de la IVe division transformée en centre de détention.

Il n'y a pas d'information récente sur les conditions de détention du directeur et fondateur du Centre Mazen Darwish et ses collègues Hussein Ghrer, Abd Rahman Al Hamada, Hani Zateni, Mansour Al Omarie, détenus par les services de l'armée de l'air à Mezzah.

Le Centre, doté du statut consultatif auprès de l'ONU depuis 2011, a joué un rôle clé en informant sur les violences quotidiennes en Syrie à un moment où les journalistes sont virtuellement interdits de séjour dans le pays. L'arrestation, la détention et les poursuites à l'encontre des membres du Centre apparaissent destinées à faire taire toute voix dissidente.

La Syrie est le pays le plus dangereux pour les journalistes depuis le début de l'année, avec au moins 10 employés des medias tués en 4 mois.

Détérioration en Amérique latine

En même temps, la PEC dénonce la détérioration de la situation en Amérique latine. La PEC y condamne fermement les récents assassinats de journalistes, celui samedi dernier de la correspondante de Proceso Regina Martinez à Xalapa, capitale de l'Etat de Veracruz au Mexique et le 24 avril, le meurtre de Decio Sa, à Sao Luis de Maranhao, au Brésil.

Decio Sa est le 6e journaliste tué au Brésil depuis janvier, ce qui en fait le 2e pays le plus dangereux. La PEC appelle aussi à la libération immédiate du journaliste français Romeo Langlois kidnappé dimanche en Colombie.

Selon les chiffres de la PEC, depuis le début de 2012, 45 journalistes ont été tués dans le monde, une augmentation de près de 50% en quatre mois comparée à la même période de l'an passé. 

En ocasión del Día de la libertad de la prensa, la PEC pide la liberación de Mazen Darwish y sus colegas en Siria.

Ginebra, mayo 2 (PEC) En ocasión del Día de la libertad de la prensa, la Campaña Emblema de Prensa (PEC) requiere de las autoridades sirias la liberación de Mazen Darwish, director del Centro sirio para los medios y para la libertad de expresión, así como de sus colegas.

La PEC hace un llamamiento a toda la comunidad internacional para que se movilice a fin de lograr la liberación de todas las personas detenidas en Siria por causa de sus opiniones.

La ONG –basada en Ginebra- recuerda que el plan de Kofi Annan, aceptado por el Consejo de Seguridad de la ONU , prevé un acceso sin obstáculos a la información en Siria. El Consejo de Seguridad de la ONU debe hacer que se apliquen las resoluciones que ha adoptado por unanimidad, ha afirmado la PEC.

Mazen Darwish y sus colegas Hussein Ghrer, Abd Rahman Al Hamada, Hani Zateni y Mansour Al Omarie siguen detenidos desde el 16 de febrero. Según la Unión de periodistas sirios, el estado de salud de Mazen Darwish, detenido bajo aislamiento, se deteriora, después de haber sido torturado.

Además, el personal femenino del mencionado Centro sirio, Yara Bader, Razan Ghazzoui, Sanaa Meshn, Ayham Ghazzoul, Joan Ferso y Bassan Al Ahmad, han sido convocadas por la justicia militar en Damasco el 22 de abril por infracción del artículo 149 del Código penal militar y « posesión ilegal de documentos con el objetivo de distribuir publicaciones prohibidas ». Las seis han sido transferidas a la prisión central de Adra, en Damasco.

Ayham Ghazzoul, Joan Ferson y Bassam Alamad estuvieron detenidas durante 33 días en las instalaciones de los servicios de información del Ejército del aire en Al Mezzah, antes de ser trasladadas, el último 21 de abril, al seno de IV división transformada en centro de detención.

No se cuenta con información reciente sobre las condiciones de detención del director y fundador del Centro, Mazen Darwish, y sus colegas Hussein Gher, Abd Rahman Al Hamada, Hani Zateni y Mansour Al Omarie, detenidos por los servicios del Ejército del aire en Mezzah.

Ese Centro –que goza del estatuto consultivo ante la ONU desde 2011- ha desempeñado un papel clave en informar sobre la violencia diaria en Siria, en un momento en el cual los periodistas están virtualmente prohibidos permanecer en el país. El arresto, la detención y la persecución contra los miembros del Centro parecen destinadas a hacer callar toda expresión disidente.

Siria es el país de mayor peligro para los periodistas desde el inicio de este año, en el que al menos 10 empleados de los medias han sido asesinados en tan sólo estos cuatro meses.

Deterioro en América Latina

La PEC ha denunciado también el deterioro de la situación en Latinoamérica. La PEC condena firmemente los recientes asesinatos de periodistas en esa región, en particular el acaecido el sábado último de Regina Martínez, corresponsal de la revista Proceso en Xalapa, capital del Estado de Veracruz en México, y la muerte de Decio Sa, en Sao Luis de Maranhao, en el Brasil.

Decio Sa es el sexto periodista asesinado en Brasil desde enero pasado, lo que convierte a este país en el segundo en peligrosidad, después de Siria. La PEC ha hecho además un llamamiento para que se libere de inmediato al periodista francés Romeo Langlois, secuestrado el domingo pasado en Colombia.

De acuerdo con las cifras de la PEC, desde el inicio del 2012, 45 periodistas han sido asesinados en todo el mundo, lo que significa un aumento de casi el 50 por ciento en cuatro meses, comparados con el mismo periodo del año precedente.

***26.04.2012. PEC statement - Nigeria: PEC condemns the attacks against media offices (Read on page PRESS for details)

The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) condemns strongly the attacks in the capital of Nigeria Abuja and in Kaduna against the offices of the newspaper ThisDay.

The PEC renews its call to all parties to keep media installations out of reach for opposition groups, warring parties and state actors. The Geneva based NGO with UN special consultative status calls upon the Nigerian government to find the perpetrators and bring them to trial.

According to various news reports, bombs targeting the offices of a major Nigerian newspaper have gone off in the capital Abuja and the northern city of Kaduna. Emergency officials say at least six people were killed in the twin attacks.

A spokesman for the Nigerian Red Cross said a suicide bomber crashed through the front gates of the This Day office in Abuja in an explosive-laden vehicle and hit the newspaper's reception area.

The chairman of the This Day editorial board Olusogen Adeniyi told reporters at least three people were killed in the blast.

"The suicide bomber came in a jeep and rammed a vehicle into the gate," Olusogen said."Two of our security men died, and the obviously suicide bomber died too."

Government officials say they are trying to get the wounded to hospital. The number of injured is not known.

Three people were also reportedly killed when an explosion rocked the paper's office in the strife-ridden northern city of Kaduna. The bombing in Kaduna struck a building housing offices for ThisDay, The Moment and The Daily Sun newspapers, witnesses said.

The newspaper This Day is known for its support of current President Goodluck Jonathan, a primary target for the Islamist Boko Haram movement. The radical group has been held responsible for some 900 deaths over the past two years.

Three journalists have previously been killed in Nigeria since the beginning of the year. According to PEC figures, 43 journalists have been killed since January around the world, an increase of 50% compared to the same period of 2011.

***02.04.2012. PEC PRESS RELEASE - Number of Journalists killed increased by 50 percent

(French, Spanish and Arabic after English) (see also on pages PRESS and OTHER NEWS)

Number of Journalists killed increased by 50 percent

Geneva 2 April (PEC) -- According to the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) the number of journalists killed in the first three months has increased by 50 percent if compared with the same period in 2011. The total number of journalists killed this year so far amounts to 31 of which 9 were killed in Syria alone. The tally for the first three months of 2011 amounted to 21 journalists killed.

« This is an alarming trend. The safety of journalists has deteriorated since the beginning of the year. The heavy toll in Syria makes the country at the forefront of the most dangerous places for journalists », said PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen.

Five foreign journalists and another 4 local journalists were killed in Syria since January 2012. Since March 2011, the conflict in Syria resulted in the killing of 11 media professionals. In addition there is no news about the fate of two Turkish journalists Adem Özköse and Hamit Coskun who disappeared two weeks ago.

According to activists, the Syrian government is trying to systematically arrest the “citizen journalists” across the country and to neutralize all those who document the brute force. PEC is in particular very concerned by the detention of Ali Mahmoud Othman and Marzen Darwish believed being subjected to torture.

Restrictions on media coverage by the Syrian authorities and attacks against media have led to the prolonged suffering of the Syrian people. If events were unfolded on a daily basis on TV screens of civilians massacred, pressure on governments could have led to the end of the conflict instead of it's appalling continuation. 

Lempen added that if the ongoing violence is not put to an end then it is possible that there would be a repeat of the Iraqi scenario at large.

The PEC reminds international community that the peace plan put forward by the UN-Arab League special envoy Kofi Annan, and accepted in principle by Syria, calls to ensure freedom of movement and unhindered access for journalists.

PEC President Hedayat Abdelnabi stressed that states cannot in conflict zones apply their own practices over a wide spectrum of victims, there are binding convention in international law that should regulate conflicts in all circumstances and at all times including the distinction between combatants and civilians and freedom of information and expression. Abdelnabi called for binding guidelines in conflict zones including access, protection, and physical integrity of journalists.

Brazil, Somalia

In the first three months of 2012, Brazil comes second in line with 5 journalists killed, followed by Somalia with three killed, while two journalists were killed in each of the following countries: India, Bolivia and Nigeria.

One journalist was killed in the following countries: Afghanistan, Colombia, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Pakistan, Philippines and Thailand.

Similar to last year Latin America heads the regions of danger for journalists followed by the Middle East. In the first three months of last year 21 journalists were killed and for the whole year 107. As for 2010, according to the PEC figures based on several sources, 110 journalists were killed.

Hausse de 50% du nombre de journalistes tués

Genève, 2 avril (PEC) Le nombre de journalistes tués au cours des trois premiers mois de l'année a augmenté de 50% par rapport à la même période de l'an dernier, a affirmé lundi à Genève la Presse Emblème Campagne (PEC). Depuis janvier, 31 journalistes ont été tués, dont neuf en Syrie. L'an dernier, 21 journalistes avaient été tués pendant la même période de trois mois.

"Cette évolution est inquiétante. La situation s'est détériorée depuis le début de cette année, avant tout à cause de la crise en Syrie. Avec neuf journalistes tués en trois mois, ce pays est devenu le plus dangereux au monde pour les employés des médias", a déclaré le secrétaire général de la PEC Blaise Lempen.

Cinq journalistes étrangers et quatre locaux ont été tués depuis janvier en Syrie. Depuis un an, le conflit en Syrie a coûté la vie à 11 professionnels de l'information. De plus, le sort de deux journalistes turcs Adem Özköse and Hamit Coskun est incertain, plus de deux semaines après leur disparition en Syrie.

Selon des militants, le gouvernement syrien cherche à arrêter systématiquement les « journalistes citoyens » et à neutraliser tous ceux qui informent sur les violences et l’usage brutal de la force. La PEC est en particulier très préoccupée par l’arrestation de Ali Mahmoud Othman et de Marzen Darwich qui auraient été torturés.

Les restrictions imposées par les autorités syriennes et les attaques contre les medias contribuent à prolonger la souffrance de tous les Syriens. Si l'opinion pouvait voir sur son écran de télévision chaque jour des images en direct des massacres de civils, la pression sur les dirigeants politiques serait beaucoup plus forte et le conflit serait peut-être déjà terminé au lieu de traîner en longueur de manière épouvantable.

"S'il n'est pas mis fin aux violences en Syrie, un scénario à l'irakienne se profile à l'horizon", a averti Lempen. La PEC souligne que le plan de paix de l'envoyé spécial de l'ONU et de la Ligue arabe Kofi Annan, accepté en principe par les autorités de Damas, prévoit la liberté de mouvement et un accès libre des journalistes à l'ensemble du territoire syrien.

La présidente de la PEC Hedayat Abdelnabi a affirmé que les Etats ne sont pas libres d'agir dans les contextes de conflit, mais sont tenus de respecter leurs obligations internationales, en toutes circonstances et en tout temps, dont la distinction entre combattants et civils et le respect de la liberté d'expression et du droit à l'information.

Abdelnabi a appelé la communauté internationale à élaborer des directives contraignantes dans les zones de conflit, dont des dispositions sur l'accès, la protection, l'intégrité physique des journalistes.

Brésil, Somalie

L'évolution depuis le début de l'année est aussi inquiétante au Brésil, où l'assassinat de cinq journalistes a été recensé. Vient ensuite un autre pays en conflit, la Somalie, avec trois tués. Deux journalistes ont également été tués dans chacun de ces pays: Inde, Bolivie et Nigéria.

En outre, un journaliste a été tué dans les pays suivants: Afghanistan, Colombie, Haïti, Honduras, Mexique, Pakistan, Philippines, Thaïlande.

Comme l'an dernier, par région, l'Amérique latine est en tête du nombre de victimes, devant le Moyen-orient.

Comparativement, au cours des trois premiers mois de 2011, 21 journalistes avaient été tués. Pour toute l'année 2011, 107 journalistes ont été tués contre 110 en 2010, selon les chiffres de la PEC basés sur plusieurs sources.

Aumenta en 50% el número de periodistas muertos

Ginebra 2 de abril (PEC). El número de periodistas muertos en el primer trimestre del 2012 a aumentado en un 50% en relación al mismo período del 2011, segun reporto la Press Emblem Campaign (PEC). Desde enero, 31 periodistas han sido asesinados, de los cuales nueve en Siria. El año pasado, 21 periodistas fueron asesinados en el mismo lapso.

« Este contexto refleja una tendencia muy preocupante. La seguridad de los periodistas se ha deteriorado desde principios del 2012, sobre todo, acausa de la crisis en Siria, que con nueve periodistas asesinados en tan solo tres meses, se ha constituido en el país más peligroso del mundo para los profesionales de la comunicación », dejo sentado el Secretario General de la PEC, Blaise Lempen.

Cinco periodistas extranjeros y cuatro locales han sido muertos violentamente desde enero en Siria, y durante un año, el conflicto ha costado la vida de onze periodistas. Además, despues de dos semanas de su desaparición, la suerte de dos periodistas turcos Adem Özköse and Hamit Coskun es aún incierta.

La PEC esta especialmente preocupado por le detencion de Ali Mahmoud Othman y Marzen Darwich presuntamente torturado.

« Las restricciones impuestas por el Gobierno Sirio y los ataques contra el periodismo contribuyen a prolongar el sufrimiento de todo el pueblo sirio. Si la opinión mundial pudiera mirar, día a día, en directo sobre sus pantallas de televisión las imágenes de masacres de civiles, la presión sobre los dirigentes políticos sería mucho más fuerte y tal vez el conflicto habría ya terminado en lugar de dejarla durar tanto tiempo », acoto el Secretario General de la PEC.

« Si no se pone fin a la violencia en Siria, un escenario a la irakiana se perfila en el orizonte », advirtió.

La PEC recuerda a la Comunidad Internacional que el plan de paz promovido por Kofi Annan, enviado especial de la Liga Arabe y la ONU, y en principio aceptado por Siria, dispone el libre e irestricto acceso para el periodismo.

De su parte, la presidenta de la PEC, Hedayat Abdelnabi, afirmó que los Estados no eran libres de ejercer violencia contra sus ciudadanos, sino que debían respetar sus obligaciones internationales, bajo cualquier circunstancia y en todoento, y por lo tanto, la distinción entre combatientes y civiles, y el respeto a la libertad de expresión y al derecho de información.

Abdelnabi apela a la Comunidad Internacional para la elaboración de directivas con fuerza vinculane en las zonas de conflicto, en las que debe incluirse disposiciones sobre el acceso, proteccion e integridad física para el trabajo de periodistas profesionales.

Brasil y Somalia

La evolucion desde principios de año es también preocupante en Brasil, donde se constata ya el asesinato de cinco periodistas. Así como en Somalia, otro pas en conflicto, donde tres periodistas han sido víctimas de muerte violenta. Igualmente, en India, Pakistan y Nigeria, dos periodistas, por país, han sido asesinados.

Además, un periodista por país ha sido asesinado en Afganistán, Colombia, Haití, Honduras, México, Filipinas y en Tailandia.

Como el año pasado, por regiõn, América Latina está a la cabeza por cantidad de
víctimas, incluso antes que Oriente Medio.

Comparativamente, en el transcurso del primer trimestre del 2011, 21 periodistas fueron asesinados, y 107 en todo el año. Mientras que un total de 110 cayeron asesinados en 2010, según cifras de la PEC, basadas en diferentes fuentes.

الزيادة 50 بالمائة في مقتل الصحفيين

جنيف-القاهرة 2 إبريل –بيك- أعلنت اليوم الحملة الدولية لشارة حماية الصحفي و مقرها جنيف أن مقارنة بالأشهر الثلاثة الأولى من السنة الماضية فإن عدد الصحفيين الذين قتلوا من يناير إلى مارس 2012 قد زاد بنسبة 50 بالمائة إذ قتل حتى الآن 31 صحفياً هذا العام من بينهم 9 في سوريا، بينما قتل في نفس الفترة من العام الماضي 21 صحفياً.

صرح سكرتير عام حملة الشارة الدولية بليز ليمبان أن عدد القتلى المرتفع في سوريا من الصحفيين يجعل سوريا في مقدمة الدول الخطرة للعمل الصحفي فقد قتل 5 صحفيين أجانب و 4 سوريين منذ يناير 2012، في حينن أدى النزاع في سوريا إلى مقتل 11 من أبناء المهنة خلال سنة و اختفاء صحفيين تركيين لا يعرف أحداً مصيرهما. 

و اضاف ليمبان أن القيود التي تفرضها السلطات السورية على التغطية الصحفية قد أدت إلى استمرار معاناة الشعب السوري و أنه لو أن الأحداث قد رصدت إعلامياً لكان ذلك قد أدى إلى الضغط على السلطات السورية و ربما كان من الممكن أن يؤدي إلى وضع حد للعمليات العسكرية.

و حذر من أنه لو لم يتم وضع حد للعنف القائم في سوريا فربما يتحول المشهد السوري إلى سيناريو العراق.

أوضحت رئيسة حملة الشارة الدولية هدايت عبد النبي أن الحكومات ليست حرة في تطبيق قواعد العمل في مواجهة الإعلام لأن هناك مواثيق دولية قامت الحكومات بالتوقيع عليها و هي ملزمة لاحترام حرية الرأي و التعبير و منها المادة 19 من الإعلان العالمي لحقوق الإنسان.

طالبت عبد النبي بمواد قانونية تضمن للصحفيين في مناطق النزاع من حرية تغطية الأحداث و الحماية لعملهم و إيجاد ممرات صحفية آمنة لضمان سلامة الصحفيين مشيرة إلى أن هذا النداء قد تكرر من قبل الحملة أكثر من مرة لمجلس حقوق الإنسان لاتخاذ خطوات عملية في هذا الشأن.

في سياق تقرير الحملة، ذكرت المجتمع الصحفي، بخطة مبعوث الأمم المتحدة و جامعة الدول العربية كوفي أنان للسلام في سوريا و التي تتضمن مطالبة بتوفير الحرية للعمل الصحفي دون عوائق في تغطية الأحداث. 

يشير تقرير الحملة إلى أن البرازيل تأتي في المرتبة الثانية بعد سوريا بمقتل 5 صحفيين، ثم الصومال بمقتل 3 صحفيين، فالهند و بوليفيا و نيجيريا حيث قتل صحفيين في كل من هذه الدول الثلاث. كما قتل صحفي في كل من أفغانستان و كولومبيا و هايتي و هندوراس و المكسيك و باكستان و الفلبين و تايلاند. كحال العام الماضي جاءت امريكا اللاتينية في مقدمة الأماكن الخطرة تعقبها منطقة الشرق الأوسط. لمزيد من المعلومات 

***23.03.2012. SYRIA. PEC PRESS RELEASE - PEC welcomes Human Rights Council resolution condemning killing of journalists in Syria

Geneva, March 23 (PEC) The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) welcomes strongly the adoption at the Human Rights Council of resolution A/HRC/19/L.38 on Syria presented by Denmark (on behalf of EU) and supported by a large number of countries representing all regions of the world. The resolution was adopted by 41 votes in favor, 3 against (Russia, China, Cuba) and 2 abstentions.

The PEC calls for its immediate implementation on the ground. The NGO based in Geneva believes that this resolution on the situation of human rights in Syria and what it entails concerning dangerous threats against journalists is a step forward towards setting important grounds for media work and better protection in conflict zones and dangerous situations.

 PEC is gratified by the growing attention given by UN Member States to the serious problem of safety of journalists and the renewed will of some States to support at the United Nations and at the next sessions of the Human Rights Council initiatives that lead to more legal international protection for journalists, including a UN Declaration on protection of journalists in dangerous situations.

Seven journalists covering the upheaval in Syria were killed during the past year. Others whose fate remains unknown like the two Turkish journalists who disappeared last week. The fate of Mazen Darwish and his colleagues from the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom remain unknown. Other militants who placed videos on You-tube on the conflict in Syria were killed. What follows is a nightmare of testimony on massacre and torture from Syrian refugees arriving in Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan.

Since the beginning of 2012, globally 26 journalists were killed in the line of duty, a 50% increase compared to the same period of 2011, according to PEC figures.

PEC is pleased to note that the resolution adopted today by the HRC

2. Condemns in the strongest terms: (a) The sharply escalating widespread, systematic and gross violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms perpetrated by the Syrian authorities, such as arbitrary executions, excessive use of force and the killing and persecution of protesters, refugees, human rights defenders and journalists, including recent deaths of Syrian and foreign journalists, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, torture and ill-treatment, including of adolescents and children;

11. Demands that the Syrian authorities: ... (b) Put an immediate end to all attacks against journalists, fully respect freedom of expression in line with international obligations, allow independent and international media to operate in the Syrian Arab Republic without restrictions, harassment, intimidation or risk to life, and ensure adequate protection for journalists;

13. Demands that the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic, in accordance with the Plan of Action of the League of Arab States and its decisions of 22 January and 12 February 2012, without delay: (...)

(e) Allow full and unhindered access and movement for all relevant institutions of the League of Arab States and Arab and international media in all parts of the Syrian Arab Republic to determine the truth about the situation on the ground and monitor the incidents taking place;

The PEC recalls resolution S-9/1 (of the HRC special session after the war in Gaza) which calls for “Free access of media to areas of conflict through media corridors” which read the nature of military conflicts and dangerous security situation has placed very severe restrictions on the ability of international and local journalists to report freely and hence decides that during military conflicts the right of journalists to safe media corridors must guaranteed by the parties to the conflict, to provide unfettered and free media access and coverage of conflicts.

The PEC also recalls HRC resolution S-2/1 (of the special session on the war in Lebanon) which flagged the serious concern of the Human Rights Council over the targeting of the communication and media networks in Lebanon in 2006. It recalls finally the first panel organized by the HRC on the protection of journalists in June 2010.

The horror of the war in Syria against the Syrian population and attacks against journalists, bloggers and communication networks call upon members of the Human Rights Council to develop further concrete steps as guidelines for warring parties governmental or non-governmental when dealing with media coverage and access to information in dangerous zones. 

***14.03.2012. PEC STATEMENT DELIVERED AT THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL ON THE SITUATION IN TIBET (CHINA)

General Assembly
Human Rights Council
19th session

Item 4 -   Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention

General debate

Madame President,

The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) is deeply concerned that Chinese officials have announced the closure to foreigners of the “Tibet Autonomous Region” from February 20 to March 31, 2012 as well as the close off of Tibetan areas in Sichuan and Qinghai provinces that have seen protests, crackdown and self-immolations: a low intense conflict.

As reported by the official Tibet Daily newspaper[1], the Chief of the Chinese Communist Party in Tibet affirmed that "Mobile phones, Internet and other measures for the management of new media need to be fully implemented to maintain the public's interests and national security."

In this regard, Foreign Correspondents' Club of China (FCCC)[2] has alerted about a massive security cordon in an attempt to prevent journalists from entering Tibetan areas in Western Sichuan Province where major unrest – including killings– has been reported. The FCCC considers this a clear violation of China’s regulations governing foreign reporters, which allow them to travel freely and to interview anyone prepared to be interviewed. FCCC adds that correspondents attempting to travel to the region in question have faced major obstacles, including detention by the police and roadblocks at which they have been stopped and turned back by officials who have forcibly escorted them back to Chengdu. One team reported that their car was suspiciously rammed by another vehicle. Reporters have been followed, questioned for hours, asked to write confessions and had their material confiscated.

SkyNews’ Holly Williams reported: “Dominated by Kirti Monastery, a sprawling complex that houses several hundred Buddhist monks, Aba has now been swamped by Chinese paramilitary police… After leaving Aba the Sky News crew was detained by police who forcibly searched bags and deleted files from an audio recording device. They temporarily confiscated a computer and camera, threatened to revoke Chinese visas and then followed the car for 300 kilometers.[3]

On 22 February 2012, NPR’s Louisa Lim reported that the day “marks the traditional Tibetan New Year, but many Tibetans won't be celebrating. They'll be mourning the almost two-dozen people who set themselves on fire in the past year as a protest against Chinese rule. Eyewitnesses say the town of Aba, site of many of the self-immolations, resembles a Chinese military camp, with soldiers and riot police every few feet.”[4]

Madame President,

The PEC emphasizes the merit of the few journalists that have taken the risk of secretly reaching some Tibetan areas to report to the world of the low intense conflict situation about which China claims normalcy.

The PEC urges the Chinese authorities to provide free access to foreign journalists to Tibetan areas as such a guarantee will allow the international community to judge the situation with reports from as many as possible different observers.

This situation shows, once again, the necessity to have an international binding set of rules insuring to journalists a free and safe access to conflict zones.

I thank you, Madame President.

14th March 2012

[1] http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/01/us-china-tibet-idUSTRE8200BZ20120301
[2] http://www.fccchina.org
[3] http://news.sky.com/home/world-news/article/16183059
[4] http://www.npr.org/2012/02/22/147256506/on-tibetan-plateau-a-sense-of-constant-surveillance

FYI, right of reply of China after the PEC statement during the general debate on item 4 at the Human Rights Council:

The Representative of China at the United Nations, speaking in a right of reply, "rejected the statement made by Press Emblem Campaign. This statement was a wanton distortion of facts. China welcomed journalists to come to China and cover news. China had always facilitated journalists’ stay. China had recently created regulations concerning the work of foreign journalists in China with the sprit of reform, openness and progress. China hoped that journalists could abide by the law, respect the ethics of journalism and report on China in a fair, objective way" (UN summary for the press, not an official record)

***13.03.2012. SYRIA - Report of the commission of inquiry - PEC STATEMENT delivered by the PEC Representative Gianfranco Fattorini at the Human Rights Council

General Assembly
Human Rights Council
19th session

Item 4 -   Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention

Report of the independent international commission of inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic

Madame President,

The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) wishes to draw the attention of the Council on the extremely harsh conditions under which journalists and media workers must fulfill their mission in the Syrian Arab Republic. We wish also to underline that only a wide range of testimonies can give to everyone the possibility to have a picture which is the nearest to the reality.

The PEC deeply regrets the continued and severe restrictions on the freedom of expression and information on the local media actors as reported by the Commission of inquiry[1], as well as the restrictions imposed on the access and the movements of foreign journalists and the monitor of their contacts[2]. We also deeply regret the adoption of new restricting laws by the Syrian authorities.

The PEC condemns any interference, pressure on or attempts to control the work of journalists, being this done by the governmental authorities or the anti-governmental forces.

The PEC wishes to remember that, as of today, 7 journalists have lost their lives in carrying out their duty during the increasingly violent and militarized internal unrest in the Syrian Arab Republic. We strongly condemn the use of technological means to locate and attempt on the physical integrity of journalists.

With due respect, we wish to draw the attention on the fact that, even if there is no agreement on a
international juridical definition of journalist, it may be confusing to define any blogger as “citizen
journalist”; in the absence of a definition, there are still diplomas which certify a specific academic
curriculum.

The PEC believes that journalists, due to the very particular mission they have, should be allowed to cover any event without being targeted by any participant to an internal or international conflict. A particular set of rules has to be adopted and implemented in order to ensure accountability on this very particular subject.

I thank you, Madame President.

12th March 2012
[1] A/HRC/19/69 – par. 52[2] ibid – par. 56

***09.03.2012. PRESS EMBLEM CAMPAIGN STATEMENT AT THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL ON PROTECTION OF JOURNALISTS - General debate Item 3 - Statement delivered by the PEC Representative to the United Nations Gianfranco Fattorini

General Assembly
Human Rights Council
19th session

The PEC has noted with great interest the report presented by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders and really appreciates the fact that she has undertaken to analyze the risks and challenges faced by journalists and media workers.
With 21 media workers killed in 2012 as of end of February, we observe an increase of 50% compared to the 13 killed in the same period last year.
While sharing most of the concerns expressed by Mrs Sekaggya, particularly concerning attacks that States and non-State actors bear at the work and physical integrity of journalists, the PEC would like to highlight some key issues.
First of all, it may be difficult, if not dangerous, to distinguish between journalists and media workers active on or defending human rights and any other journalist and media workers, should the latter be entitled to enjoy a weaker protection.
More fundamentally, it seems to us inappropriate to classify journalists and media workers in the category of human rights defenders, simply because the task, the goal and the target are not the same.
In reality, journalists and media workers play a very special role in seeking and disseminating of information, notably in dangerous situations.
As recommended by the International Conference to Protect Journalists held in Doha (Qatar) last January[1], the international community should:
Ø develop new tools to bind all States to acknowledge and accept a standing obligation to provide particular safeguards and protection for journalists beyond the provisions of UN Security Council resolution reminding States of their obligations to give journalists protection in peacetime as in war and
Ø expand the current legal provisions beyond the obligation to protect journalists against attacks on their life, and include forced disappearances and kidnapping (by state or private actors), arbitrary arrest, intimidation, deportation/refusal of entry, confiscation/ damage to property, and new forms of violence.
[1] A/HRC/19/NGO/90

Document A/HRC/19/NGO/90 - Written statement submtted to the Human Rights Council by the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC)

According to the figures registered by the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), 107 journalists have been killed during the current year in 39 countries -- around 2 every week. The revolutions of the Arab Spring resulted in at least 20 journalists killed.

The year 2011 was particularly dangerous for media work because of the coverage of the uprisings in many Arab countries. In addition to the killing of more than 20 journalists during the Arab Spring, more than 100 others were attacked, intimidated, arrested and wounded in countries of the region, including Egypt, Libya, Syria, Tunisia and Yemen.

For the second year in a row, Mexico has been the most dangerous country for media work with 12 journalists killed. The raging war between the army and the drug cartels in the north explains this heavy toll in Mexico. The casualties could be higher if figures were known for journalists who were victims of enforced disappearances.

Again for the second year in a row, Pakistan comes in second with 11 journalists killed, the majority of whom were killed on the border with Afghanistan.

Iraq is tied for third place with Libya with 7 journalists killed during the Libyan armed conflict. In these 4 countries are concentrated more than one third (37) of all casualties.

Next come the Philippines with 6 killed, Brazil (6) and Honduras (6), then Yemen with 5 killed followed by Somalia (4), Afghanistan, Egypt, India, Peru, and Russia with 3 each.

Two journalists died in Bahrain, 2 in Thailand. One was killed in each of the following countries: Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bolivia, China, Colombia, Ivory Coast, Gaza (OPT), Guatemala, Haiti, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, Uganda, Panama, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Sierra Leone, Syria, Tunisia, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Vietnam.

Latin America the most dangerous region

By region, Latin America leads with 35 killed in one year. In addition to the killing of journalists, threats and attacks against media and their representatives have increased. Press freedom is threatened in many Latin American countries by government tactics to obtain control of information and to discredit, intimidate and prosecute journalists, all of which leads to self-censorship. Asia (excluding the Middle East) is the second most dangerous region with 30 killed, then the Middle East and North Africa with 28 killed. In Africa (excluding North Africa) 9 journalists were killed, in Europe 4 (3 in Russia and 1 in Ukraine).

One year after the beginning of the Arab Spring in Tunisia, improvements are very slow in the field and remnants of the past still prevail in curbing freedom of expression. When people express themselves through social media and internet and flood into the streets in peaceful demonstrations, they are faced with the brutal use of force. One year later, the security apparatus is still using the tactics of the past and hunting down journalists. A real strategy against impunity and for respect for the rule of law should be immediately conducted.

 Women journalists in particular paid the highest price when attacked sexually both in Libya and Egypt.

Intentionally targeted

Two thirds of the journalists killed, that is some 70 of the total, were intentionally targeted, especially in Latin America. Others were accidentally killed during demonstrations, in fights, in suicide bombings or in mine explosions. There are half a dozen cases worldwide where the causes leading to the death of journalists are still unclear.

More than two third (68) of the fallen journalists were killed in countries experiencing armed conflict, popular uprisings, repression, terrorism and crime. Others were killed in countries where peace prevailed.

Bad start in 2012

Until the end of January, 10 journalists were killed worldwide. Two in Syria and Nigeria and one in each of the following countries: Brazil, Mexico, Pakistan, Philippines, Somalia and Thailand.

Some progress

In view of this serious situation, the PEC applauds the governments and international organizations for their growing awareness that the journalism profession faces growing dangers in totally novel situations.

A number of countries have launched initiatives for the protection of journalists, and a number of conferences have been organized to this effect, notably that of UNESCO in Paris in September and one in Vienna organized by the Austrian government in November.

In the Amman - Dead Sea forum organized by the Centre for Defending Freedom of Journalists (CDFJ), a resounding call echoed throughout the forum for an Arab convention for the protection of journalists, which would draw on the current document circulated as the PEC's December 2007 draft Convention on the protection of journalists.

International Conference to Protect Journalists in dangerous situations

The Conference took place on 22-23 January 2012 in Doha (Qatar), under the auspices of the National Human Rights Committee of the Kingdom of Qatar.

The Outcome document of the International Conference declares:

·      that although the United Nations and its agencies have a wide range of tools and instruments which can address the issue of safety, scores of journalists and media workers continue to be killed every year while carrying out their professional responsibilities. Many of such abuses are not investigated and remain unpunished and

·      that renewed and urgent action is necessary to press for robust implementation to the existing mechanisms and procedures by increasing the effectiveness of monitoring and enforcement of the current instruments.

The International Conference recommends:

To the United Nations and it agencies

·      Implement forthwith their latest plan of action agreed at their Paris Autumn (2011) conference and enhance their working with specialised non-governmental organisations dedicated to the safety of journalists and media worker.

·      Develop new tools to bind all states to acknowledge and accept a standing obligation to provide particular safeguards and protection for journalists beyond the provisions of UN Security Council resolution reminding states of their obligations to give journalists protection in peacetime as in war.

1.    Adopt ambitious reforms to its mechanisms and procedures such as through regional security organizations, expanding the mandates of Special Rapporteurs and concerned UN bodies, organizing emergency alerts and missions, considering intrusive inspections and mandatory sanctions– developing or renewing existing systems, developing further monitoring and peer review processes and work towards an ultimate goal setting up an international treaty so that countries can collectively adopt a set of radical new measures to afford credible protection to journalists.

2.    Expand the current legal provisions beyond the obligation to protect journalists against attacks on their life, and include forced disappearances and kidnapping (by state or private actors), arbitrary arrest, intimidation, deportation/refusal of entry, confiscation/ damage to property, and new forms of violence experienced by journalists during the 2011 Arab spring, and further develop human rights council resolutions S-2/1 and S-9/1 concerning the attacks on media installations and allowing access as well as safe media corridors in conflict zones.

3.    Asking the Human Rights Council to appoint a special rapporteur on the protection of journalists, requesting the High Commissioner for Human Rights (HCHR) to create a unit to follow up media cases.

To governments

1.    Respect the letter and spirit of all international instruments they signed up to, of the binding and non-binding resolutions, covenants and declarations of the United Nations.

2.    Include an assessment of other country’s record when granting aid and other development assistance. International development institutions, such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, should also scrutinize a country’s record on violence journalists when assessing the granting of aid and other assistance.

3.    Strengthen national laws including criminal laws and overhaul justice system to end impunity and to provide judicial and legislative assistance to prevent serious violations of international humanitarian laws including the targeting of journalists.

4.    Agree that families of killed journalists have a right to compensation directly or through media institutions and establish a solidarity fund for the victims.

To news organizations

1.    Acknowledge their duty of care for all their journalists, in particular news gatherers, staff or freelance and their responsibility to provide safety training and equipment for dangerous situations in peace time as in war.

2.    Arrange trauma counselling through specialized organizations.

3.    Negotiate at all time with journalists and their representatives all issues of safety in news coverage, including safety protocols, medical care, life insurance, financial compensation, equality to provide those social guarantees to all, including freelancers.

4.    Increase awareness and knowledge of legal international agreements and conventions as well as regional ones.

5.    Include awareness of all aspects of the region under coverage in any training.

6.    Include special training for women in view of the attacks such as sexual harassment and the spate of other violent attacks directly targeted at women.

To journalists

 1.    Develop of culture of being responsible for their own safety and seek out training before travelling to conflict zones.

2.    Develop a culture of solidarity, in particular a duty of care towards each other.

3.    Be ready at all time to help record any incidents of attacks to provide evidence to cases of violence.

4.    Develop an understanding of how the military works and be ready how to handle them.
END

***01.03.2012. SYRIA.  The Press Emblem Campaign PEC welcomes the adoption of the resolution today by the Human Rights Council on the escalating grave human rights violations and deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Syrian Arab Republic, applauds the 37 countries that have voted for it. (Read PEC statement at the HRC below) (see also on pages PRESS and OTHER NEWS)

The resolution adopted today is a step forward against the impunity of regimes when they attack and kill journalists and human rights defenders for no solid reason but to silence the truth and to silence those who are who are witnesses of gross human rights violations, said the PEC. The PEC calls upon the Human Rights Council to attend to it's pioneering role as the world body to defend human rights to move several steps forward and find ways and means to bring the perpetrators of the crimes against Syrian and foreign journalists as well as human rights defenders to justice. 

STATEMENT DELIVERED BY THE PRESS EMBLEM CAMPAIGN (PEC) AT THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

General Assembly
Human Rights Council
19th session

Urgent debate on the human rights and humanitarian situation in the Syrian Arab Republic

Madame President,

PEC welcomes as very timely the Special Debate organized today by the Council. The situation in the Syrian Arab Republic has seriously deteriorated since the beginning of the year concerning the access of media and safety of journalists. Five journalists have been killed in Syria since the beginning of 2012: our French colleague Gilles Jacquier died during a press journey organized with the consent of the Syrian authorities. The Syrian military on the spot have not prevented such a tragic event; on the contrary it seems that they have voluntarily exposed journalists to the shelling.

The killing of two Western journalists last week in a building which they used as a press center is a matter that needs attention and condemnation from the Council in line with its previous resolutions requesting an end to attacks on media installations and calling for allowing access as well as safe media corridors for journalists in conflict zones. PEC welcomes the evacuation of some media workers, but is still deeply concerned about others injured who cannot leave the country and wishes to pay tribute to the civilians who are helping them, some of them having been killed.

Syrian authorities must give free access to all media workers, to protect them during their mission of information on their territory and not to attack media installations.

This month Syrian journalist and human rights campaigner Mazen Darwish and all his colleagues at the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression were arrested.

The PEC joins international calls for freeing Mr. Darwish and seven of his men colleagues. Women colleagues from the Center including Yara Badr were freed.

The case of Syria is a vivid example of multiple violations of freedom of the press which requires urgent action from the Council.

A week ago and after decades of media oppression, Syrian journalists inside Syria and in exile have gathered to announce the establishment of The Syrian Journalists Association (SJA), headquartered in Damascus. The PEC welcomes the establishment of free and independent Syrian Journalists Association and declares its full support for its struggle and mission.

The PEC welcomes the announcement of the SJA that it will embrace the diversity of Syrian society and equal opportunities to Syrian journalists from different ethnicities to write and reports news in their ethnic language such as Arabic, Kurdish, Assyrian, Turkmen, and others.

PEC calls the Human Rights Council:

Ø to condemn in the strongest terms the killing of journalists;

Ø to ask for an international commission of enquiry to investigate and clarify circumstances in which the criminal acts were committed against foreign journalists in Syria

Ø to request the Syrian Arab Republic to allow the urgent and safe evacuation of the journalists severely injured;

Ø to request the Syrian Arab Republic to allow international media to enter the country and to accomplish their mission without being targeted by governmental forces.

I thank you Madame President.

1st March 2012 - Statement delievered by the PEC Representative to the UN Gianfranco Fattorini

***29.02.2011. Statement delivered at the Human Rights Council by the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) on the occasion of the "Panel discussion on the promotion and protection of freedom of expression on the internet" (English after French)

Assemblée générale
Conseil des droits de l’homme
19ème session

Réunion-débat sur la liberté d’expression sur internet (rés. 18/113)

Madame la Présidente,

Presse Emblème Campagne félicite le Conseil des droits de l'homme pour avoir organisé ce premier panel sur la liberté d'expression sur internet. Elle félicite également le rapporteur spécial de l'ONU Frank La Rue pour son rapport sur l'accès à internet (A/66/290).

La PEC voudrait contribuer au débat en évoquant un point particulier à cette problématique dans la perspective de l'accès à l'information dans les zones de conflit.
 
D'une part, la PEC constate que l'internet permet de suppléer aux difficultés réelles des journalistes professionnels de se rendre sur les lieux d'un conflit. En effet, ces derniers mois, les personnels des médias ont payé un lourd tribut en accomplissant leur travail dans des pays secoués par des affrontements violents comme l'Egypte, la Libye, la Syrie, le Yémen, ou encore le Mexique. 

Lorsque l'accès des personnels des medias dans certains lieux devient excessivement risqué, internet permet de recevoir des informations de sources diverses locales suppléant ainsi à l’absence d’envoyés depuis le siège. Les événements qui se sont déroulés en Tunisie, en Egypte et en Libye ont amplement démontré l'importance de ce flux d'informations.
 
D'autre part, de nombreux pays ont fermé leurs portes aux journalistes étrangers, de la Syrie à la Birmanie, de la Chine (Région du Tibet) à l'Iran et à la Corée du Nord. Internet devient alors le seul moyen de communication pour les populations avec l'extérieur et la PEC ne peut que se féliciter du rôle primordial que l’internet joue pour assurer la liberté d’expression.
 
En même temps, la PEC constate des attaques de plus fréquentes de la part de régimes répressifs au réseau, que ce soit à travers les serveurs, les connexions, le filtrage des contenus, les cyber-attaques, des mesures de surveillance policières ou l'élimination physique des bloggeurs.
 
Ces mesures sont parfois efficaces à court terme, mais un pays moderne ne peut pas interrompre durablement ses réseaux internet sans se couper du monde et nuire gravement à son économie, car restreindre les libertés sur l’internet, c'est dans tous les cas se condamner à la régression économique et au sous-développement. L'accès à l’internet est désormais un élément fondamental de la liberté d'information.

La PEC souhaite que le Conseil des droits de l'homme intègre cet aspect de la liberté d'information dans un futur projet de résolution ainsi que dans la Convention internationale sur la protection des journalistes qu'elle a proposé à l'attention de la communauté internationale. Les bloggeurs sont aussi des informateurs et, à ce titre, ils doivent pouvoir jouir d’une protection renforcée.

Je vous remercie, Madame la Présidente.

(Déclaration prononcée par Gianfranco Fattorini, Représentant de la PEC à l'ONU)

General Assembly
Human Rights Council
19th Session

Panel Discussion on Freedom of Expression and Internet (Resolution 18/113)

Madame Chair,

The Press Emblem Campaign congratulates the Human Rights Council on organizing this first panel discussion on freedom of expression and Internet. It also congratulates the U.N. Special Rapporteur for his report
on access to Internet (A/66/290).
The Press Emblem Campaign would like to contribute to the discussion by evoking a point particular to this problem.
On the one hand, the Press Emblem Campaign notes that Internet has made it possible to compensate for the very real difficulties of professional journalists in getting to conflict zones. In fact, media personnel have
paid a heavy tribute in carrying out their work in countries afflicted by violent confrontations, such as Egypt, Libya, Syria, Yemen and Mexico.
When access by media personnel in certain places becomes excessively risky, Internet makes it possible to receive information from diverse local sources, thus compensating for the absence of envoys from
headquarters. The events that took place in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya have amply demonstrated the importance of this flow of information.

On the other hand, many countries have closed their doors to foreign journalists, including Syria, Burma, the Tibet region of China, Iran and North Korea. In such cases, Internet has become the only means of
communication between the population and the outside, and the Press Emblem Campaign can only express its satisfaction at the primary role that Internet has played in assuring freedom of expression.
At the same time, the Press Emblem Campaign notes ever more frequent attacks on the network by repressive regimes, be they to the servers, the connections, the filtering of content, cyber attacks, police surveillance
measures or the physical elimination of bloggers.
These measures are often effective in the short run, but a modern country cannot permanently interrupt its Internet network without curring itself off from the world and seriously harming its economy. Limiting freedom on Internet, in any event, leads to economic regression and under-development. Access to Internet is now a fundamental element of freedom of information.

The Press Emblem Campaign would like the Human Rights Council to integrate this aspect of freedom of information into a future draft resolution as well as into the International Convention on the Protection of Journalists that the PEC has proposed to the international community. Bloggers are also informers and, for this reason, should enjoy reinforced protection.

I thank you, Madame Chair
29 February 2012

FYI - HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL HOLDS PANEL DISCUSSION ON THE PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION ON THE INTERNET (not an official document)

The Human Rights Council today held a panel discussion on the promotion and protection of freedom of expression on the internet.

Opening the panel discussion, Navi Pillay, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said that the internet had become an indispensable tool for people to receive information and to become providers of information by offering a global and public online space where people could share their views and opinions, exchange ideas and make their voices and demands heard. As a result of those unique characteristics, the internet had transformed human rights movements as States could no longer exercise control by claiming monopoly over information. This had resulted in a backlash effect and intensified attempts to unduly restrict access to online content or the internet as such.

Riz Khan of Al Jazeera, acting as moderator of the panel, said that this panel was unique because it was the first time that the issue of internet freedom was being discussed comprehensively in the context of human
rights. He noted the global context in which this debate was occurring and how the power of social media and the impact of citizen journalism during the Arab Spring had changed the role of the media industry.

Carl Bildt, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden, speaking as a panellist, said there was a need to protect human rights on the on-line world and internet freedom had become critical for the future protection
of freedom and human rights around the world.

Frank La Rue, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, speaking as a panellist, said that new standards on human rights were not needed because human rights principles and doctrines applied off line and on line and whether through oral, written or any other form of expression the same basic freedom of expression principles would apply.

Anriette Esterhuysen, Executive Director of the Association for Progressive Communications, speaking as a panellist, said there were important social and cultural rights that the internet could support,
especially in the area of education and using technology to promote and expand access to rights.

Carlos Afonso, Executive Director of the Centre of Research, Studies and Learning, NUEPF, Brazil, said Brazil was trying at the moment to approve a civil rights framework for the internet that incorporated rights to
privacy and access which could be in conflict with other laws.

William Echikson, Head of Free Expression, External Relations, Communications and Public Affairs for Google, said that the major challenge today was how to maintain freedom on the internet when currently 40 countries sanctioned the internet, up considerably from a few years ago.

Hesti Armiwulan, Commissioner of the National Human Rights Commission of Indonesia, said that financial constraints limited the right to access the internet and efforts should be made to reduce the cost of access.

In the discussion, speakers said that there should be no restriction on the flow of information on the internet, except when international human rights laws were threatened. A draft resolution and a convention for the
protection of journalists were needed to protect bloggers. Speakers were concerned that States were filtering and blocking access to the internet to unduly limit freedom of expression. Questions were asked about what
measures could be taken so that international cooperation could improve the infrastructure in developing countries, while reconciling issues like child pornography with freedom of expression? It was important to bridge the digital divide, but quality, access, utility and relevance of content should be equally ensured.

Speaking in the discussion were the Netherlands, Estonia, Cuba, Norway, Germany, Turkey, China, Guatemala, Peru, Indonesia, Egypt, the United States, Uruguay, Honduras, Switzerland, Thailand, Ecuador, the European
Union, Chile, Algeria, Council of Europe, India, Canada, Finland, Japan, Azerbaijan, and Morocco. Press Emblem Campaign, Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions, Human Rights House Foundation, Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, and Internet Society also took the floor.

more info on: www.ohchr.org

***22.02.2012. PEC STATEMENT. PEC strongly condemns killing of two journalists in Syria and launches an urgent appeal to the Human Rights Council (en français ci-dessous)

Recommendations of the International Conference to Protect Journalists in dangerous situations


We, representatives of media, human rights and freedom of expression groups and international, regional and national organizations of journalists meeting at the International Conference to protect Journalists held in Doha, Qatar on 22-23 January 2012, organized by the Qatari National Committee for Human Rights (QNCHR)

Recalling all recommendations, covenants, declarations and resolutions promulgated or endorsed by international organizations such as the UN and the Geneva Conventions

Noting all the global initiatives put forth by international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) concerned with the protection of journalists

Recognizing the importance of media in increasing awareness of the violations of international humanitarian law and human rights

Believing that media and human rights organizations have a responsibility to help put an end to impunity by systematically publicizing crimes against journalists, investigating when necessary all violations and ensuring that perpetrators as well as failure of government to act are exposed

Calling on all organizations representing journalists and NGOs concerned with the safety of journalists to work together in the broadest campaign to ensure great safety of journalists and bring an end to impunity

Following the review of the conference of the current status of the media in dangerous situations and referring to protective measures provided by international law, discussing the idea of a draft convention for the protection of journalists in conflict zones and other dangerous situations

DECLARE

- that although the United Nations and its agencies have a wide range of tools and instruments which can address the issue of safety, scores of journalists and media workers continue to be killed every year while carrying out their professional responsibilities. Many of such abuses are not investigated and remain unpunished.

- that renewed and urgent action is necessary to press for robust implementation to the existing mechanisms and procedures by increasing the effectiveness of monitoring and enforcement of the current instruments

This Conference therefore recommends:

- To the United Nations and its agencies

1. Implement forthwith their latest plan of action agreed at their Paris Autumn conference and enhance their working with specialized non-governmental organizations dedicated to the safety of journalists and
media worker
2. Develop new tools to bind all States to acknowledge and accept a standing obligation to provide particular safeguards and protection for journalists beyond the provisions of UN Security Council resolution reminding States of their obligations to give journalists protection in peacetime as in war
3. Adopt ambitious reforms to its mechanisms and procedures such as through regional security organizations, expanding the mandates of Special Rapporteurs and concerned UN bodies, organizing emergency alerts and
missions, considering intrusive inspections and mandatory sanctions –
developing or renewing existing systems, developing further monitoring and peer review processes and work towards an ultimate goal setting up an international treaty so that countries can collectively adopt a set of radical new measures to afford credible protection to journalists
4. Expand the current legal provisions beyond the obligation to protect journalists against attacks on thier life, and include forced disappearances and kidnapping (by state or private actors), arbitrary arrest, intimidation, deportation/refusal of entry, confiscation/damage to property and new forms of violence experienced by journalists during the 2011 Arab Spring, and further develop Human Rights Council resolutions S-2/1 and S-9/1 concerning the attacks on media installations and allowing access as well as safe media corridors in conflict zones
5. Asking the Human Rights Council to appoint a special rapporteur on the protection of journalists, requesting the High Commissionner for Human Rights (HCHR) to create a unit to follow up media cases.

 - To governments

1. Respect the letter and spirit of all international instruments they signed up to, of the binding and non-binding resolutions, covenants and declarations of the United Nations
2. Include an assessment of other country's record when granting aid and other development assistance. International development institutions,
surch as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, should also scrutinize a country's record on violence journalists when assessing the granting of aid and other assistance
3. Strengthen national laws including criminal laws and overhaul justice system to end impunity and to provide judicial and legislative assistance to prevent serious violations of international humanitarian laws including the targeting of journalists
4. Agree that families of killed journalists have a right to compensation directly or through media institutions and establish a solidarity fund for the victims.

 - To news organizations

1. Acknowledge their duty of care for all their journalists, in particular news gatherers, staff or freelance and their responsibility to provide hostile environment safety training and equipment for dangerous situations in peacetime as in war
2. Arrange trauma counseling through specialized organizations
3. Negotiate at all time with journalists and their representatives all issues of safety in news coverage, including safety protocols, medical care, life insurance, equality to provide those social guarantees to all, including freelancers
4. Increase awareness and knowledge of legal international agreements and conventions as well as regional ones
5. Include awareness of all aspects of the region under coverage in any training
6. Include special training for women in view of the attacks such as sexual harassment and the spate of other violent attacks directly targeted at women

- To Journalists

1. Develop a culture of being responsible for their own safety and seek out training before traveling to conflict zones
2. Develop a culture of solidarity, in particular a duty of care towards each other
3. Be ready at all time to help record any incidents of attacks to provide evidence to cases of violence
4. Develop an understanding of how military works and be ready how to handle them.

FOLLOW-UP TO THESE RECOMMENDATIONS

As a first step, the participants to the Doha conference agree to:

1. Place the issue of the safety and protection of journalists whenever possible on the agenda of international and regional institutions and conferences
2. Work towards a new meeting to be attend by all stakeholders including governments to further discuss and develop the current recommendations after one year
3. Agree to disseminate the current recommendations and to organize press conferences to publicize them
4. Call upon the Qatarai NCHR to create a working group involving all stakeholders to follow up the adopted recommendations.

Participants agree to transmit these recommendations to the President of the General Assembly for adoption by the General Assembly. This would be done by a presentation made by a delegation led by the NCHR and comprising International Federation of Journalists, The Press Emblem Campaign, Federacion de periodistas de America Latina y Caribe, Federation of African Journalists, Federation of the Arab Journalists, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines.

Participants recommend that all working papers and reports of workshops are considered as official documents of the Doha international conference.

Finally, participants express their appreciation and thanks to the NCHR for its efforts to organize the Doha conference and call upon it to continue its work with other concerned parties to implement the adopted recommendations.

Doha, 23.01.2012

The International Conference on The Protection of Journalists in Dangerous situations
Ritz-Carlton, Doha

**** Programme ****

Day (1) 22/01/2012
08:00-09:00 Registration of participants 

***First Session***

09:00 – 10:00 Opening Session.
 Documentary by Al-Jazeera
�    Speech by HE Dr. Hamad Bin Abdulaziz Al-kuwari, Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage .
�    Speech by Dr. Ali bin Samikh Al-Marri; NHRC Chairman
�    Speech by Sheikh Ahmed Bin Jassim Al Thani; Al-Jazeera Network Director General
�    Speech by Mr. Blaise Lempen; The Press Emblem Campaign Secretary General

10:30- 10:00 *** Break ***

*** Second Session ***

10:30-11:30 Session Chairperson; Dr. Ali Bin Samikh Al Marri Chairman of National Human Rights committee
First Contribution: A workpaper on the conditions of journalists' professional missions in dangerous territories.
�    By the International Federation of Journalists.

Second Contribution: A workpaper on Journalist on dangerous assignments: protection under international humanitarian law and the ICRC' s hotline.
�    Presented by The International Committee of Red Cross

Third Contribution: A workpaper on the draft international convention specific to the protection of journalists in conflict zones and other violent areas.
�    Presented By The Press Emblem Campaign

Fourth Contribution: A workpaper on Building International Consensus on the Safety of Journalists: an Interagency Perspective. 
�    By the UNESCO.

Fifth Contribution: A workpaper on ability building in the area of journalists' safety standards.
�    By Doha Centre for Media Freedom. 

11:30-13:30 Discussion
13:30-15:30 * Lunch * 

*** Workshops***
15:30-18:00 First Workshop: Concerning the type of protection for journalists and the identification Emblem (as a tool of protection and identification) 

Second Workshop: Concerning ways to develop efficient mechanisms for international protection of journalists 

Third Workshop: Capacity building on safety standards for journalists 

Fourth Workshop:  Developing a campaign plan to mobilize support for the adoption of the conference's recommendations. 

18:00 End of Day (1)
Meeting of Drafting Committee ::: 4 Rapporteurs + Rapporteur General 
20:30 Dinner Fontaine courtyad

Day (2) 23/01/2012

09:00-10:00 Session Chairperson: Rapporteur General
Reading workshops' reports : 4 Rapporteurs
10:00-11:30 Discussion 
11:30-12:00 Break 11:30 – 12:00

***Closing Session***
12:00-13:30 Session Chairperson: NHRC Chairman Dr. Ali bin Samikh Al- Marri.
Reading the closing report and recommendations (Rapporteur General )
End of Activities. 

13:30-14:00 Press conference

Opening session. Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) Statement by PEC Secretary General Blaise Lempen

Mr Minister,
Mr Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission,
Mr Director General of Al-Jazeera,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Colleagues,

Last year, 107 journalists were killed in the exercise of their professional functions. The uprisings in several Arab countries alone were responsible for 23 victims among media employees in one year. Since the first of January, seven journalists have paid with their life their mission of providing information. Many others were injured, arrested.
It is time to stop this worrying trend.
We warmly salute the initiative taken by Qatar to organize this meeting in order to allow us to exchange views on the ways to remedy this unacceptable situation.
Impunity is a major problem. We must, unfortunately, note that, invarious circumstances, existing law is neither enforced nor unadapted. The nature of conflicts has evolved, the technics of communication also. The number of stakeholders in the field has also increased. How can we oblige all governments to respect their obligations? How can we guarantee access of the media to conflict zones while reducing the risks?
Respect for press freedom means not only public information but also the impartial denunciation of human rights violations.
Over the past several years, journalists' associations throughout the world, several NGOs as well as international organizations and certain governments have become aware of the problem. Several meetings have made it possible to analyse the seriousness of the situation and to study its causes. We must now move beyond verbal condemnations and envisage concrete measures.
Based in Geneva, with the UN consultative status, the Press Emblem Campaign is honored to be able to contribute to a solution of this serious problem in concert will all parties concerned.
This Doha meeting can and must mark a historic step in advancing, concretely, towards a more effective protection of journalists in conflict zones and in other dangers areas.
We thank the Qatar authorities for giving us, all of us, this occasion to talk together, and we hope that, at the end of our discussions, we shall be able to launch, in Doha, a process that will reinforce the safety of journalists in conflict zones both international and internal. Many lives have been sacrificed, more than 500 these past five years. This sort of crime can no longer be tolerated by the international community.
We must act. With your support, we are persuaded that we can move forward along this difficult road and give governments the clear indications needed to guarantee a safer environment for the independent and indispensable work of the media in conflict zones.

French Version

Monsieur le ministre,
Monsieur le président de la Commission nationale des droits de l'homme,
Monsieur le directeur général d'Al-Jazeera,
Excellences,
Mesdames et Messieurs,
Chers collègues,

L'an dernier, 107 journalistes ont été tués dans l'exercice de leurs fonctions. Les soulèvements dans plusieurs pays arabes ont fait à eux seuls 23 victimes parmi les employés des médias en un an. Depuis le 1er janvier, 7 journalistes ont déjà payé de leur vie leur mission d'information. Beaucoup d'autres ont été agressés, blessés et certains sont actuellement détenus.
Il est temps d'agir pour non seulement dénoncer, mais arrêter cette évolution très inquiétante.
Nous saluons chaleureusement l'initiative prise par le Qatar d'organiser cette réunion afin de nous permettre d'échanger nos vues sur les moyens de remédier à cette situation inacceptable.
L'impunité est un problème majeur. Nous devons malheureusement constater que, dans différentes circonstances, le droit existant n'est pas appliqué ou inadapté. La nature des conflits a évolué, Les techniques de communication aussi. Le nombre d'acteurs sur le terrain a augmenté. Comment faire en sorte que tous les gouvernements respectent leurs obligations ? Comment garantir l'accès des medias aux zones de conflit en réduisant les risques ?
Du respect de la liberté de la presse dépend non seulement l'information du public, mais aussi la dénonciation impartiale des violations des droits de l'homme.
Depuis quelques années, les associations de journalistes dans le monde, plusieurs ONG ainsi que des organisations internationales et certains gouvernements ont pris conscience du problème. Plusieurs réunions ont permis d'analyser la gravité de la situation et d'en étudier les causes. Il faut maintenant dépasser les seules condamnations verbales et envisager des mesures concrètes.
Basée à Genève, accréditée auprès de l'ONU, la Press Emblem Campaign est très honorée de pouvoir contribuer à une solution de ce grave problème avec toutes les parties concernées.
La réunion de Doha peut et doit marquer une étape historique pour avancer concrètement vers une protection plus efficace des journalistes dans les zones de conflit et autres zones dangereuses.
Nous remercions les autorités du Qatar de nous donner, à tous, cette occasion de débattre ensemble et nous espérons qu'au terme de nos discussions, nous pourrons lancer à Doha un processus qui renforcera la sécurité des journalistes dans les zones de conflit international et interne.
Beaucoup de vies ont été sacrifiées, plus de 500 ces cinq dernières années. Ce genre de crimes ne doit plus être toléré par la communauté internationale. Nous devons agir. Avec votre soutien, nous sommes persuadés que nous pourrons progresser sur ce chemin difficile et donner aux gouvernements des indications claires pour garantir un environnement plus sûr au travail indépendant et indispensable des medias dans les régions en conflit.

PEC press release - PEC welcomes recommendations of Doha conference

Doha/Geneva, Jan 23 (PEC) The Press Emblem Campaign PEC welcomes today the recommendations of the International Conference on the Protection of Journalists in Dangerous Situations (Doha, Qatar, 22 and 23 January) as an historical milestone and an important step forward to enhance the protection of media employees.

"We adopted a new agenda in Doha to enhance the protection of journalists and we launched a new process. It is a great achievement", said PEC Secretary General Blaise Lempen at the closing press conference. "We decided concrete measures to bring awareness to the heavy toll paid by journalists and to reach a better implementation of international humanitarian law and human rights", he added. 

In addition the PEC warmly welcomes statements made by Qatari officials in support of a new convention to protect journalists in dangerous zones, said PEC President Hedayat Abdel Nabi. At the plenary session and during the workshops, many participants, including journalists' associations, supported a proposal for a new international convention to protect journalists.

PEC President Hedayat Abdel Nabi, PEC Secretary General Blaise Lempen and PEC Vice-President Mohamed Cherif attended the conference. PEC Secretary General opened the conference next to Dr Ali bin Samikh Al Marri, Chairman of NHRC; H E Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, the Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage; and Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani, Director-General of Aljazeera Network.

The Doha Conference adopted by consensus a 5 pages Declaration with a broad range of recommendations after two days of meeting with around 150 delegates (NGOs, journalists' associations, human rights experts, representatives of international organizations) coming from more than 40 countries. The recommendations
are addressed to the United Nations and its agencies, to governments, to news organizations and to journalists.
PEC welcomes the recommendations of the conference that highlight that scores of journalists and media workers continue to be killed every year while carrying out their professional responsibilities. Many of such abuses are not investigated and remain unpunished. According to the Doha Declaration, renewed and urgent action is necessary to press for robust implementation to the existing mechanisms and procedures by increasing the effectiveness of monitoring and enforcement of the current instruments.

The Doha Declaration calls for developing new tools to bind all States to acknowledge and accept a standing obligation to provide particular safeguards and protection for journalists beyond the provisions of UN Security Council resolution 1738 reminding States of their obligations to give journalists protection as civilians
in situations of conflict.

It recommends to adopt ambitious reforms to United Nations mechanisms and procedures such as through regional security organizations, expanding the mandates of Special Rapporteurs and concerned UN bodies,
organizing emergency alerts and missions, considering intrusive inspections and mandatory sanctions, developing or renewing existing systems, developing further monitoring and peer review processes and work towards an ultimate goal setting up an international treaty so that countries can collectively adopt a set of radical new measures to afford credible protection to journalists.

The Doha Declaration recommends to expand the current legal provisions beyond the obligation to protect journalists against attacks on their life, and include forced disappearances and kidnapping (by state or private actors), arbitrary arrest, intimidation, deportation/refusal of entry, confiscation/ damage to
property, and new forms of violence experienced by journalists during the 2011 Arab spring, and further develop Human Rights Council resolutions S-2/1 and S-9/1 concerning the attacks on media installations and allowing access as well as safe media corridors in conflict zones.

It requests the Human Rights Council to appoint a special rapporteur on the protection of journalists and the High Commissioner of Human Rights (HCHR) to create a unit to follow up media cases. It requests news organizations and journalists to do more safety training.

Participants agreed to transmit these recommendations to the President of the General Assembly for discussion at the UN General Assembly. This would be done by a delegation led by the Qatari national human rights commission and comprising International Federation of Journalists, The Press Emblem Campain, Federacion de periodistas de America Latina y Caribe, Federation of African Journalists, Federation of the Arab Journalists, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines.

Participants agreed also to work towards a new meeting to be attended by all stakeholders including governments to further discuss and develop the recommendations after one year.

On Sunday, Qatari minister of culture, art and heritage Dr Hamad Bin Abdelaziz Al Kuwari told the opening session that the global cause to protect journalists did not receive the necessary attention from many countries despite efforts to develop a new international convention to protect journalists.

Aljazeera network Director General Ahmed Bin Jassim Al Thani said that the scope of aggression against
freedom of the media and access to information calls for developing a new international convention for the protection of media in dangerous zones.

Chairman of the Qatari national human rights committee Doctor Ali Bin Samikh Al Marri said the current situation of the order to protect journalists needs further development taking into account that the
current criteria of international law were crafted 50 years ago, when at that time the media was limited in reaching the whole globe as well as conflicts were different. (END)

PRESS EMBLEM CAMPAIGN (PEC) CONTRIBUTION (English, Arabic, French below)

Doha Conference on the Protection of Journalists in Dangerous Situations, 22-23 January 2012

Presentation of the draft international convention specific to the protection of journalists in conflict zones and other violent areas. Blaise Lempen, Secretary General of the PEC

Does the current law that is in effect sufficiently protect journalists? This is the question that the organizers of this conference have asked me to answer.

First of all, it is important to state that existing law protects journalists. The question is whether this protection is sufficient and effective.

Existing law protects journalists as it protects any other human being. It is forbidden to kill, to injure, a person except in legitimate defense. This prohibition is found already in the Bible and in the Coran. National
legislation in force in all the countries of the world contain binding provisions to this effect, just as do the international treaties of the United Nations.

Regarding international humanitarian law, the Geneva Conventions have a specific article regarding the protection of journalists in conflict zones that affirms that journalists benefit from the same protection as
civilians (Article 79 of Protocol 1).

The Facts

Is this enough? Let us examine the facts. This legal protection has not prevented the killing of an average of two journalists every week over the past five years – nearly 550 in five years. Thus, somewhere, something is
seriously wrong. In more than two thirds of the cases, these journalists died in conflict zones or during violent political unrest. For the remaining third, a case can be made for isolated events related to criminal activities in otherwise peaceful regions. Last year, en 2011, at least 20 journalists were killed covering the "Arab Spring" in Libya, Yemen, Egypt, Syria and Tunisia.

One can reasonably conclude that existing law is not effective enough to protect journalists in areas of conflict and violent unrest.

Why? Because in many circumstances, existing law is not observed. There are no effective enforcement mechanisms.

At the international level, there is no legislation dealing specifically and in detail with the protection of journalists in dangerous areas. There are international conventions on the rights of the child, of women, of the
handicapped, of migrants, of sailors, for example. None, however, on the activities of the media. The profession of journalist nonetheless comports duties and rights different from those of other professions. In the Geneva
Conventions, medical personnel benefit from extensive and specific protection in many articles. There is no such provision for journalists.

They have a mission to accomplish, that of providing independent information, of bearing witness, in particular to human rights violations, a mission useful to all society. By the very nature of their work, they
are exposed to substantial risks: rather than fleeing combat or violence, they must approach it in order to be able to tell what is happening as neutrally and impartially as possible.

Non-Solution Solutions

The Americans found two sorts of solutions, first during the Gulf War then during the invasion of Iraq. During the Gulf War, in 1991, journalists were simply excluded from combat zones, and the only information available
was given out by the Pentagon at a high-security military base. It was orchestrated information, unverifiable in any impartial way. Simultaneously, a few rare journalists relayed the Saddam Hussein’s propaganda from the hotel in Baghdad where they were holed up. More recently, journalists did the same thing from a hotel in Tripoli during the last months of the Muammar Gadhafi regime.

During the invasion of Iraq, in 2003, the Americans embedded journalists in their military units. The incorporation of journalists into such military units is a frequent practice, for example today in Afghanistan.
This practice is highly contested by the media: journalists effectively lose their independence. They can be considered an enemy by the adversary, which can result in their losing all legal protection. Using an armed
escort for journalists is sometimes the only possible solution – but it is very dangerous, since journalists can then be taken for combatants.

There is a third possibility, often practiced: clandestine work. A journalist enters a country or region without declaring her/his identity, without official approval, sometimes using local informers. These experiences have often finished badly with hostage taking (numerous in Iraq, for example), arrests and ill treatment (several recently in Libya), expulsions (for example in Syria last year), or even reprisals against the local informers. The "local informers" or "free-lancers" hired by the international media that cannot go into the field themselves are, in this respect, greatly at risk.

These solutions are non-solutions. There is a huge problem of access, of security in areas of combat and violent unrest. Training can be improved to minimize risks. Certain measures are useful, such as traveling in
groups and wearing bullet-proof vests. But it is also essential to improve observance of existing law.

Definitions

One of the first things to do in the framework of the drafting of a convention would be to define what one is talking about. Here, we come to two important points: the evolution of the media and the evolution of the
nature of conflicts.

First, the evolution of the media. The number of information providers has increased. This is related to the rise of the social networks. Are bloggers who create their own blogs journalists? Are citizens who witness
an act of violence and tweet their own information journalists? Is the NGO militant creating an internet site a journalist? They all do important information work, but they are not professional journalists accredited by
a recognized medium. The United Nations, for example, will not accredit as journalists bloggers or internet site web managers. It is a very delicate problem still under discussion. Generally, one must distinguish between
freedom of expression and press freedom.

The second problem in definition is the protection of journalists in areas of conflict or danger. What would be the area of applicability of the future convention? What is a conflict zone? According to the Geneva
Conventions, it is an area of armed conflict, domestic or international. There can, however, be violence without armed conflict strictly speaking, for example during the uprisings that broke out in several Arab countries
last year – or in Latin America in the struggle between the drug cartels and the authorities. Journalists face grave dangers in this sort of situation. The future convention should cover this sort of conflict by
complementing the protection offered by the Geneva Conventions. There is also a great number of extended conflicts that are not overt conflicts but that create high risk areas such as Iraq today and the Russian Caucasus.
There are also terrorist situations that expose media representatives to high risks. Such situations would also have to be included in the area of applicability of the convention, as well as non-state actors.

Impunity

After the indispensable work of definition and the recall of existing law, the convention should provide for mechanisms of concrete application. These provisions should concern obligations in training, access and
identification, complaints, investigations, compensation and reparation, legal action against and conviction of those responsible and follow up.

The Geneva Conventions do not cover investigations. The ICRC never investigates. In fact, nearly 90% of the crimes committed against journalists are not followed up by legal action nor do they they result in
identifying and convicting those really guilty. This problem of impunity is very serious. It encourages others to commit such crimes.

Why this impunity? There are many reasons: for example, the crimes targeting journalists are sometime ordered at a very high level, thus police and judicial investigations are thwarted. Soldiers who have knowingly or by negligence killed journalists in a war zone are protected by their chain of command or else claim that they did not know that the victim was a journalist – a frequently heard argument. Or those behind the killings are not identified because the local authorities, police or judicial, are non-existent or corrupt.

When the investigation mechanisms on the national level are not effective, there must be investigations on the international level. When local justice does not do its work, cannot do its work, when the territory on
which the crime took place is under the control of an armed group or a rogue state or plunged in anarchy, the international community must take over. The convention could thus institute appropriate mechanisms, for
example an international commission of inquiry that the states parties to the convention would be committed to working with. The affected individual or medium would have to be allowed access to it. It is also important to
allow for compensation and reparation, either to the families or to the media. The convention could institutionalize a solidarity fund.

Identification

The problem of identification of journalists must also be discussed. Every journalist must currently prove his/her identity by means of a press card and/or an accreditation letter from a medium. In dangerous areas,
journalists decide whether to identify themselves by a visible emblem in such a way as to show that they are not combatants but media representatives. Such emblems are more often than not cobbled together in
an artisanal manner, and there is an infinite variety of them on all continents. The purpose of the convention should be to create a uniform emblem internationally recognized that journalists could use, as now, when
the situation requires it. It is important to clarify that this emblem would never be compulsory and that the choice of wearing it would be incumbent upon the journalist or the journalist's medium. An internationally recognized emblem would have a more binding legal force for the parties recognizing it in the convention. The PEC has proposed an emblem: an orange disc with the work PRESS in black letters.

The convention should, moreover, reaffirm the necessity for signatory governments to give access to journalists in all circumstances. This is far from being the case at present.

Finally, the convention should create follow-up mechanisms. One can imagine the setting up of an international commission of experts, a body for the implementation of the treaty, and an organization dealing with the
subject, a sort of ICRC of journalists, capable of defending and rescuing media employees in difficulty in all circumstances and of intervening with the competent authorities, or a specialized service within the United
Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. For the time being, the follow-up to all this is done primarily by NGOs that have a high capacity for analysis, alert, sensitizing, but no binding authority
regarding any states or judicial instances. 

The PEC has drafted a preliminary convention which is on its website. This text, proposed for adoption by governments, can serve as a starting point and can be changed, improved, with the agreement of all concerned parties.

It is impossible for me to go into all the details here. However, the members of the PEC, nearly 40 journalist associations throughout the world, are certain of one thing: it is imperative to begin the work of
drafting a convention on the protection of journalists in areas of conflict and violent unrest, with a view to its being adopted as soon as possible. Waiting will not resolve the problem. We encourage as many
countries as possible to join this project and work for its success.

Thank you for your attention.