MarcJames/Chakraborty

International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists

2 November

Between 2006 and 2024, over 1,700 journalists have been killed around the world, with close to 9 out of 10 cases of these killings remaining judicially unresolved, according to the UNESCO Observatory of Killed Journalists. Impunity leads to more killings and is often a symptom of worsening conflict and the breakdown of law and judicial systems. UNESCO is concerned that impunity damages whole societies by covering up serious human rights abuses, corruption, and crime. Governments, civil society, the media, and everyone concerned to uphold the rule of law are being asked to join in the global efforts to end impunity.

It is in recognition of the far-reaching consequences of impunity, especially of crimes against journalists, that the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution  at its 68th session in 2013 which proclaimed 2 November as the ‘International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists’ (IDEI). The Resolution urged Member States to implement definite measures countering the present culture of impunity. The date was chosen in commemoration of the assassination of two French journalists in Mali on 2 November 2013.

Every two years, the awareness raising campaign for the commemoration of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists coincides with the findings of the UNESCO Director-General’s Report outlining the current state of global and regional impunity.

press-journalist-woman

International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists 2024

2024 Global Commemoration and Day of Action: Safety of Journalists in Crises and Emergencies
6 - 7 November 2024 
African Union Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

IDEI 2024 Visibility

Share the campaign

9 out of 10 journalists killings remain unsolved. Behind the numbers, there are stories of painful experience which need to be heard in order to demand justice. Forgetting these cases fuels impunity.  

IDEI 2023 campaign

There's a story behind the story

Every four days, a journalist is killed while searching for the truth. 85% of these deaths remain unpunished. We won't let them go unnoticed.

On the occasion of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, UNESCO is launching a global campaign calling for justice. It's time to change the story. It's time to #EndImpunity.

Follow and share the campaign on social media. 

idei 2024 street

2024 UNESCO Director-General Report on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity

The latest UNESCO data on killings of journalists show that the global impunity rate for journalist killings remains shockingly high at 85%. On 2 November, UNESCO renews its call for all necessary measures to ensure that crimes committed against journalists are properly investigated and their perpetrators identified and convicted.

What UNESCO does to end impunity for crimes against journalists

UNESCO observatory of killed journalists
Safety of Journalists
UNESCO Director-General's Report on the Safety of Journalists and the Danger of Impunity
10th anniversary of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of journalists

"Journalists are essential to preserving the fundamental right to freedom of expression, set out in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. When attacks against journalists go unpunished, the legal system and safety frameworks have failed everyone."

UNESCO Director-General
Audrey AzoulayDirector-General

"When it comes to protecting journalists, everyone has a part to play. If we are complacent, if we look away, we are part of the problem."

UNESCO Director-General
Audrey AzoulayDirector-General of UNESCO

"Stand Up for Truth, Justice, Human Rights."

António GuterresUN Secretary?General

Publications

Press and planet in danger
UNESCO
2024
Safety of environmental journalists; trends, challenges and recommendations
0000389501
The role of law enforcement agents: ensuring safety of journalists during public demonstrations and elections
Averkiou, Anna
UNESCO
2023
0000384920
Safety of journalists covering protests : preserving freedom of the press during times of turmoil
Smyth, Frank
UNESCO
2020
UNESCO
0000374206

Resources

United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/68/163

on the Safety of journalists and the issue of impunity

UN website for the Day
Past Edition
All International Days