National Safety Mechanisms - Spain
National Safety Context
According to the Observatory of Killed Journalists there have been 2 recorded killings in Spain since 1993.
There are 3 national safety mechanisms being implemented in Spain to prevent and protect journalists from crimes committed against them. More information on this initiative is summarised below including relevant links.
Barcelona Protects Journalists from Mexico
The Barcelona Protects Journalists from Mexico Program has been active since 2018.
What activities are carried out?
The Program supports journalists in exile from Mexico. It implements actions to prevent and protect individuals from attacks. Those that are part of the Program receive access to specialized courses in journalism for peace, psychosocial support and administrative legal support for procedures related to visas. The Program also ensures the beneficiaries time for personal projects and activities with the daily accompaniment of a 鈥渧otana鈥 (a guide). During their stay in Barcelona, the Program provides accommodation, meals, health support, and training.
How is it implemented?
The Program seeks to provide threatened journalists from Mexico a safe place to strengthen their personal and professional capacities over a fixed period of 6 months, with a capacity of 4 people a year. Journalists are selected by a team made up of representatives from Taula Por Mexic association and the Barcelona City council.
Who are the stakeholders?
The Program鈥檚 main stakeholders are the city of Barcelona鈥檚 council and Taula Per M猫xic association. Other civil society organisations in Mexico and Spain are involved in the mechanism, including Article 19, Periodistas de a Pie, CIMAC, Committee to Protect Journalists, Aluna Acompa帽amiento Psicosocial, Servicios y Asesor铆a para la Paz A.C and Frayba Centro de Derechos Humanos Fray Bartolom茅 de Las Casa.
Agreement for the Identification of Information Professionals during Events Requiring Police Action
The Agreement for the Identification of Information Professionals during Events Requiring Police Action has been active since January 2021.
What activities are carried out?
The Agreement was developed with the aim of establishing a framework of reciprocal collaboration between National Police and Civil Guard and information professionals, to ensure the safety of journalists and media workers鈥 when exercising their duties during public events, which may imply heightened risks for their security.
As a result of the Agreement, a specific personal 鈥淧RESS鈥 vest, allowing for both protection and identification by the police during the events was developed. Under the Agreement, a contact within the police force is established and capacity building for law enforcement agents is also carried out.
How is it implemented? / Who are the stakeholders?
The Agreement was signed between Spain鈥檚 Secretary of State for Security and the President of the Federation of Associations of Journalists of Spain in December 2020.
Within the framework of this Agreement, collaboration takes place between all actors, the police administration and journalists鈥 organisations, in order to prevent the risks journalists face and to provide them with the right material assistance.
A monitoring committee was established as part of the Agreement, bringing together representatives from the Ministry of the Interior, the Secretary of State for the Security, the National Police and Civil Guard, as well as the journalists鈥 associations and the National Association for Press and Television Graphic Reporters. This committee meets at least once a year to ensure the good compliance of the provisions of the Agreement, and to propose revisions if necessary.
Collaboration Protocol on the use of Personal Identification Elements in Situations of Conflict or Potential Risk
The Collaboration Protocol on the use of Personal Identification Elements in Situations of Conflict or Potential Risk has been active since 2023. It covers the region of Catalonia.
What activities are carried out?
The Protocol aims to ensure journalists鈥 safety when carrying out their work in potentially dangerous situations, through the use of identifying articles of clothing, such as press vests or bracelets.
It aims to ensure that cooperation with police is improved during potential times of tension such as protests and demonstrations. Under the Agreement, a contact within the police force is established and capacity building for law enforcement agents is also carried out.
How is it implemented?
As part of the implementation of the Protocol, a commission is to be created, composed of representatives of the signing entities, aimed at monitoring and supervising compliance of the Protocol and discussing potential differences between parties.
Who are the stakeholders?
The Protocol was signed in March 2023 by the Department of the Interior of Catalonia together with the Syndicate of Journalists of Catalonia as well as the Col路legi de Periodistes de Catalunya (CPC), the Sindicat de la Imatge-UPIFC, and the Grup de Periodistes Ramon Barnils (GPRB).
For more specific information on the national safety mechanisms in Spain and those in other countries please follow the links.
