Combatting Impunity for crimes against the use of freedom of expression.

Impunity means the failure of state authorities to identify, prosecute and punish all those, including the assailants and masterminds, responsible for crimes of violence against journalists. Impunity gives rise to a suspicion of official collusion in or tolerance of unlawful acts and undermines public confidence in the authorities’ maintenance of the rule of law. Ending impunity for crimes against journalists is one of the most pressing issues to guarantee freedom of expression and access to information for all citizens. Between 2006 and 2020, over 1,200 journalists have been killed for reporting the news and bringing information to the public.

Steps that would act as solutions to the above problems include adopting all necessary policy and legal measures to end impunity, protect journalists and protect and promote the right to freedom of expression, publicly and unequivocally condemning all killings, attacks and disappearances of journalists, and refraining from smear campaigns against victims of such crimes.

Ensuring accountability for all attacks on journalists through the conduct of effective, prompt, thorough, independent, and transparent investigations, by bringing perpetrators as well as those who conspire to commit, aid and abet or cover up such crimes to justice, and by ensuring that victims have access to appropriate remedies is important.

Establishing a specialised body responsible for investigating crimes against freedom of expression, independent of regional and federal law enforcement authorities. Implementing relevant judgments and decisions of the European Court of Human Rights and the UN Human Rights Committee concerning the safety of journalists would lead to a progressive change in the attitudes of public authorities towards journalists. It is important for this issue to be given more recognition in today’s world.

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