***02.07.2015. PEC report: 7 percent increase in the number of journalists killed in 6 months // Rapport de la PEC : hausse de 7% du nombre de journalistes tués en six mois // Informe del PEC: aumenta un 7% en el número de periodistas asesinados en seis meses //  تقرير حملة الشارة: 7 بالمائة زيادة فى مقتل الصحفيين من يناير ليونيو

French, Spanish and Arabic versions after English

PEC report: 7 percent increase in the number of journalists killed in 6 months

Geneva, 2 July (PEC) - The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) has registered a 7 percent increase in the number of journalists killed from January to June in 24 countries, the number has gone up to 71 journalists killed. This increase is related to the intense fighting in Middle East.

At least 24 journalists were killed in targeted terrorist acts (mostly in France,  Libya and Iraq) and around 17 accidentally covering fighting (in Yemen, Libya, Iraq, Syria, South Sudan and Ukraine). Near 30 journalists were murdered in criminal acts outside war zones (especially in Latin America, Philippines and India). 

The Middle East and North Africa are the deadliest regions for media work with 23 journalists killed. Four countries in this region are the deadliest:  Libya 8, Yemen 6, Iraq 6 and Syria 2 with one in Gaza. The developments for media in Libya and Yemen are new this year as compared to last year, while less and less journalists are taking risk to cover Syria, extremely dangerous, and which became a prohibited area.

Latin America follows the Middle East with 17 journalists killed in seven countries. Three countries of Central America are most affected by the violence against the media: Mexico witnessed the killing of 4 journalists, Honduras 3 and Guatemala 3. Criminal acts targeted journalists in Brazil (3 killed), Colombia 2, Paraguay 1. In the Dominican Republic another journalist was killed.

Europe comes in third place with 13 killed. Never before has Europe lost so many journalists since the war in ex-Yugoslavia during the 90s. 8 journalists  killed during the attack on Charlie Hebdo in Paris, and another 4 in Ukraine explain this deterioration, with one journalist killed in an isolated crime in Poland.

Africa is in fourth place with 9 journalists killed mainly due to the war in South Sudan where 6 journalists were killed, 5 of them ambushed to death together, an unprecedented development. One was killed in Somalia, one in Kenya and one in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Asia follows with nine killed due to the continued violence in the Philippines 3, India 2, Pakistan 2, Afghanistan 1 with an isolated case in Indonesia.

Countries with the highest casualties are as follows:  France 8, Libya 8, Iraq 6, South Sudan 6, Yemen 6, Mexico 4, Ukraine 4, Brazil 3, Honduras 3, Guatemala 3, the Philippines 3, Colombia 2, India 2, Pakistan 2, Syria 2. One journalist was killed in each of the following countries: Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominican Republic, Gaza, Indonesia, Kenya, Paraguay, Poland, and Somalia. 

Rapport de la PEC : hausse de 7% du nombre de journalistes tués en six mois

Genève, 2 juillet (PEC) De janvier à juin, 71 journalistes ont été tués dans 24 pays, en hausse de 7% par rapport à la même période de l’an dernier, a affirmé jeudi la Presse Emblème Campagne (PEC). Cette augmentation est liée à l’intensification des conflits au Moyen-Orient.

Au moins 24 journalistes ont été tués dans des attentats terroristes ciblés (surtout en France, Libye et Irak) et environ 17 accidentellement en couvrant des combats (Yémen, Libye, Irak, Syrie, Soudan du Sud et Ukraine). Près de 30 journalistes ont été assassinés dans des actes criminels en dehors des zones de guerre (surtout en Amérique latine, aux Philippines et en Inde).

Avec 23 journalistes tués, la région Moyen-Orient et Afrique du Nord est la plus dangereuse. Dans cette zone, quatre pays cumulent les victimes : la Libye (8), le Yémen (6), l’Irak (6) et la Syrie (2) avec un tué à Gaza. Le grand nombre de victimes en Libye et au Yémen est nouveau par rapport à l’an dernier, alors que moins de journalistes ont pris des risques en Syrie, pays devenu beaucoup trop dangereux et transformé en «zone interdite».

Le tribut payé par les journalistes pour faire leur métier reste élevé en Amérique latine, en seconde position avec 17 tués dans sept pays. Trois pays d’Amérique centrale, le Mexique (4 tués), le Honduras (3) et le Guatemala (3) sont les plus touchés par la violence visant les médias. Les journalistes ont été aussi exposés à des actes criminels au Brésil (3), en Colombie (2), au Paraguay (1) et en République dominicaine (1).

L’Europe arrive en 3e position avec 13 tués. Jamais autant de journalistes ont été tués en Europe que cette année depuis la guerre dans l’ex-Yougoslavie dans les années 90. Les huit tués dans un acte terroriste au siège de Charlie Hebdo à Paris en janvier, mais aussi quatre journalistes morts en Ukraine expliquent cette détérioration ainsi qu’un crime isolé commis en Pologne.

L’Afrique subsaharienne vient au 4e rang, avec neuf tués. La guerre au Soudan du Sud a été à l’origine de la mort de six journalistes, dont cinq ont péri dans la même embuscade, un fait sans précédent dans le nouvel Etat. S’y ajoutent un tué en Somalie, un au Kenya et un en République démocratique du Congo (RDC).
 
Enfin, l’Asie avec neuf tués également est marquée par des problèmes de violence récurrents aux Philippines (3), en Inde (2), au Pakistan (2), en Afghanistan (1) avec un cas isolé en Indonésie (1).
 
Dans l’ordre décroissant, la liste des pays avec le plus grand nombre de victimes depuis le début de l’année est la suivante : France (8 tués), Libye (8), Irak (6), Soudan du Sud (6), Yémen (6), Mexique (4), Ukraine (4), Brésil (3), Honduras (3), Guatemala (3), Philippines (3), Colombie (2), Inde (2), Pakistan (2), Syrie (2). Un tué a été recensé par la PEC dans chacun de ces pays : Afghanistan, Gaza, Indonésie, Kenya, Paraguay, Pologne, République démocratique du Congo, République dominicaine, Somalie.

Informe del PEC: aumenta un 7% en el número de periodistas asesinados en seis meses

Ginebra, 02 de julio (PEC).- Desde enero hasta junio de 2015, 71 periodistas han sido asesinados en 24 países, lo que representa un aumento del  7% en comparación con el mismo período del año pasado, dijo este jueves la organización Campaña Emblema de Prensa (PEC, por sus siglas en inglés). Este aumento está relacionado con la intensificación de los conflictos en el Medio Oriente.

Al menos 24 periodistas fueron asesinados en atentados terroristas bien precisos (sobre todo en Francia, Libia e Irak) y alrededor de 17 profesionales murieron, accidentalmente, en medio de combates (Yemen, Libia, Irak, Siria, Sudán del Sur y Ucrania). Cerca de 30 periodistas fueron asesinados en actos criminales fuera de las zonas de guerra (sobre todo en América Latina, en las Filipinas y en la India).

Con 23 periodistas asesinados, la región del Medio Oriente y África del Norte es la más peligrosa. En esta área, cuatro países acumulan un gran numéro de víctimas : Libia (8), Yemen (6), Iraq (6) y Siria (2). La gran cantidad de muertos  en Libia y en Yemen es nueva en comparación con el año pasado, mientras que un menor número de periodistas asumieron riesgos en Siria, país que se volvió demasiado peligrosoa y ahora es considerado como una « zona prohibida ».

El precio pagado por los periodistas por hacer su trabajo sigue siendo alto en América Latina, región que viene en segundo lugar con 17 muertos en siete países. Tres países de América Central, México (4), Honduras (3) y Guatemala (3) son los más afectados por la violencia contra los medios de comunicación. Los periodistas también fueron expuestos a la delincuencia en Brasil (con 3 asesinatos), Colombia (2), Paraguay (1) y República Dominicana (1).

Europa llega en tercera posición. Nunca había habido tantos periodistas muertos como este año, en Europa, desde la guerra en la ex Yugoslavia en los años noventas. Los ocho muertos en el atentado terrorista en la redacción de Charlie Hebdo en París en enero, así como también los cuatro periodistas asesinados en Ucrania explican este deterioro.  A esto se añade un crimen aislado cometido en Polonia.

África subsahariana viene en cuarto lugar, con nueve muertos. La guerra en Sudán del Sur fue el responsable de la muerte de seis periodistas, cinco de los cuales murieron en la misma emboscada, un hecho sin precedentes en este nuevo Estado.  Se suman también un muerto en Somalia, uno en Kenya y otro más en la República Democrática del Congo (RDC).

Por último, Asia, con nueve muertos, también está marcada por problemas de violencia recurrente en Filipinas (3), la India (2), Pakistán (2), Afganistán (1) y un caso aislado en Indonesia, completan la lista de víctimas de este continente.

En orden descendente, la lista de países con mayor número de víctimas desde el inicio del año es la siguiente: Francia (8 muertos), Libia (8), Iraq (6), Sudán del Sur (6) , Yemen (6) México (4), Ucrania (4) Brasil (3), Honduras (3) Guatemala (3), Filipinas (3), Colombia (2), India (2) Pakistán (2) , Siria (2). Un muerto fue identificado por la PEC en cada uno de estos países: Afganistán, Gaza, Indonesia, Kenia, Paraguay, Polonia, República Democrática del Congo, República Dominicana, Somalia.

تقرير حملة الشارة: 7 بالمائة زيادة
فى مقتل الصحفيين من يناير ليونيو
 
جنيف-القاهرة 2 يوليو (حملة الشارة) – اعلنت حملة الشارة الدولية لحماية الصحفيين فى تقريرها اليوم أنها سجلت زيادة فى نسبة مقتل الصحفيين من يناير إلى يونيو بلغت 7 بالمائة فارتفع عدد القتلى من الصحفيين إلى 71.      و ترجع هذه الزيادة إلى القتال العنيف فى الشرق الأوسط. فقد قتل على الأقل على مستوى العالم 24 صحفياً تم استهدافهم فى فرنسا و ليبيا و العراق كما قتل 17 بشكل غير متعمد وسط القتال الدائر فى اليمن و ليبيا و العراق و سوريا و جنوب السودان و أوكرانيا. كما قتل على الأقل 30 صحفياً فى أحداث تتصل بقضايا إجرامية خارج دائرة النزاعات المسلحة و بصفة خاصة فى أمريكا اللاتينية و الفلبين و الهند. 

    طبقاً للشارة فإن الشرق الأوسط و شمال إفريقيا هما أخطر المناطق للعمل الصحفى حيث قتل فيهما 23 صحفياً، و هناك أربع دول فى هاتين المنطقتين هما الأسوأ: ليبيا بمقتل 8 صحفيين، اليمن 6، سوريا 2 و صحفى واحد فى غزة.    

    يذكر أن تطورات احداث فى ليبيا و اليمن تطورات جديدة هذا العام بالمقارنة بالعام الماضى فى حين قل الاهتمام بتغطية أحداث سوريا لخطورتها.

    و تأتى أمريكا اللاتينية فى المرتبة الثانية من حيث خطورة العمل الصحفى بمقتل 17 صحفياً فى سبع دول. فشهدت المكسيك مقتل 4 و هندوراس 3 و جواتيمالا 3. و نالت عملية اجرامية من صحفيين فى البرازيل: 3، كولومبيا: 2، باراجواى 1 و 1 فى جمهورية الدومينيكان.

    و جاءت أوروبا فى المركز الثالث بعدد لم يسجل من قبل إلا فى سنوات الحرب فى يوغوسلافيا سابقاً. فقد قتل 8 صحفيين فى الهجوم على تشارلى إبدو فى باريس و 4 فى أوكرانيا و واحد فى جريمة فى بولندا.

    ثم إفريقيا فى المركز الرابع حيث قتل 9 صحفيين 6 منهم بسبب الحرب فى جنوب السودان حيث قتل 5 معاً فى كمين، و هو تطور غير مسبوق، و واحد فى كل من الصومال و كينيا و جمهورية الكونغو الديمقراطية.

     و جاءت آسيا بعد ذلك بمقتل 9 صحفيين بسبب عمليات العنف المستمرة: فقتل فى الفلبين 3، و فى الهند 2 و فى باكستان 2 و فى أفغانستان 1 و حالة منفصلة فى إندونيسيا.

    الدول التى تتمتع بأعلى معدلات قتل الصحفيين هى: فرنسا 8، ليبيا 8، العراق 6، جنوب السودان 6، اليمن 6، المكسيك 4، أوكرانيا 4، البرازيل 3، هندوراس 3، جواتيمالا 3، الفلبين 3، كولومبيا 2، الهند 2، باكستان 2، سوريا 2 و صحفى واحد فى كل من أفغانستان و جمهورية الكونغو الديمقراطية، و جمهورية الدومينكان، و غزة، و إندونيسيا، و كينيا، و باراجواى، و بولنده و الصومال.

لمزيد من المعلومات برجاء تصفح موقعنا

www.pressemblem.ch

***29.06.2015. Statement delivered by the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) at the HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL - 29th session - on the report of the Commission of Inquiry on Gaza: The PEC urges both sides to carry out swift, credible and independent investigations (Arabic below)

General Assembly- Human Rights Council - 29th session

Item 7 – Interactive Dialogue with the Independent Commission of Inquiry on the 2014 Gaza conflict

Mr President,

The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) commends the Independent Commission of Inquiry for its report.

During the summer of 2014, Tyler Hicks, a photojournalist for The New York Times, was sitting in his hotel room in Gaza when he heard an explosion. He looked out the window and saw the boys. He grabbed his helmet, flak jacket, and cameras, and ran toward the beach. Not knowing whether the Israeli gunner would strike again, he strode into the sand and captured the scene: four young boys, cousins, had been killed by Israeli shelling. Other journalists followed and were eyewitnesses to the killing of the four children.

On June 12, an Israeli military tribunal has closed the case involving the killing. The Military Advocate General found that the attack in question was in line with Israeli domestic law and international law requirements. The Military Advocate General ordered that the investigation file be closed without any further legal proceedings – criminal or disciplinary – to be taken against those involved in the incident.

The PEC expresses its deep disappointment. Independent journalists were direct witnesses. In all conflicts, there are collateral damages. It is inevitable. But there is no excuse. The responsible for violating IHL and human rights must be prosecuted in any conflict, in any country.

Israel’s offensive in Gaza last summer was longer and deadlier than any previous single operation, according to the report of the Commission of Inquiry. Media workers paid a heavy toll in the conflict. Gaza was last year the second deadliest spot after Syria for journalists. More than a dozen journalists were killed.

The PEC urges both sides to carry out swift, credible and independent investigations.

Thank you for your attention

29 June 2015

حملة الشارة تعرب عن خيبة املها العميق لإغلاق التحقيق فى مقتل 4 صبية فلسطينيين  

جنيف-القاهرة 29 يونيو (حملة الشارة) – اعلنت حملة الشارة الدولية عن خيبة أملها من أن محكمة عسكرية إسرائيلية أغلقت النظر فى مقتل 4 صبية من عائلة فلسطينية واحدة قتلوا فى صيف 2014 على شاطئ غزة. و عزت المحكمة إلى أن الهجوم الذى وقع يتمشى مع القانون المحلى الإسرائيلى و متطلبات القانون الدولى. 
 
    و أضافت حملة الشارة الدولية، أمام مجلس حقوق الإنسان فى جنيف، أن صحفيين مستقلين سجلوا هذه الجريمة، و أنه لا يوجد أى مبرر لهذه الجريمة ففى كل النزاعات هناك خسائر تحدث و لكن انتهاك القانون الإنسانى الدولى يجب ألا يفلت من العقاب فى أي دولة.
 
    و قالت حملة الشارة تعقيبا على مناقشة تقرير لجنة تقصى الحقائق حول الحرب فى غزة أن الصحفيين دفعوا ثمناً كبيراً فى هذا النزاع، إذ كانت غزة فى العام الماضى أكثر المناطق خطورة للعمل الصحفى بعد سوريا حيث قتل أكثر من عشرة صحفيين.    

***24.06.2015. Statement delivered by the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) at the HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL - 29th session: The PEC is very concerned that the space for free journalism is decreasing because of tensions in the whole region. PEC urges the members of the Human Rights Council to intervene by pressing for all parties to the conflict in Yemen to refrain from any attack on media organizations and to preserve independent reporting on the current crisis not only in the country but also outside, especially in neighboring countries (Arabic below)

General Assembly
Human Rights Council
29th session

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

General Debate

Mr President,
 
Some days ago, the representatives of all parties in Yemen were in Geneva for peace talks. No agreement has been reached so far. The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) is very worried by the conditions of work of journalists in the war-torn country.
 
The PEC is concerned that the space for free journalism is decreasing because of tensions in the whole region. Last week in Geneva we were witnesses of unacceptable pressures to silence speakers at a press conference. 
 
We remind the members of the Human Rights Council of Resolution (A/HRC/27/L7) on safety of journalists adopted last September which urges States to promote a safe and enabling environment for journalists to perform their work independently and without undue interference, and to prevent attacks against media workers.
 
Eight journalists and media staff  have been killed in Yemen since the start of 2015 by both sides. In addition, at least 12 journalists are currently being held hostage and their lives are feared to be in danger, according to our sources.

Mohammed Rajah Shamsan, a reporter for Yemen Today TV and three of his colleagues, were killed in an air strike by the Saudi-led coalition in April. Two other reporters, Abdullah Kabil of Yemen Shabab TV and Yousef Alaizry of Shuhail TV, abducted by the Houthi group on 20 May, were killed during a bombardment.

These attacks and threats have dire consequences for the security of journalists. In accordance with Resolution (A/HRC/27/L7),  we urge the members of the Human Rights Council  to intervene by pressing for all parties to the conflict in Yemen to refrain from any attack on media organizations and to preserve independent reporting on the current crisis not only in the country but also outside, especially in neighboring countries.

Thank you for your attention,
24 June 2015

حملة الشارة تعرب عن قلقها البالغ لظروف العمل الصحفى في اليمن

جنيف – القاهرة 25 يناير (حملة الشارة) – أعلنت حملة الشارة الدولية لحماية الصحفيين عن بالغ قلقها لظروف العمل الصحفى في اليمن و خارجها حين تم اسكات أصوات في مؤتمر صحفى في جنيف، و هو تطور غير مقبول. 

و أضافت حملة الشارة، في مداخلتها أمام الدورة الحالية لمجلس حقوق الإنسان في جنيف، أن ثمانية صحفيين قد قتلوا من الجانبين منذ بداية العام الحالى و أنه تم أخذ 12 رهينة و يبدو أن حياتهم في خطر.

و أدت العمليات القتالية من الجانبين في اليمن إلى مقتل الصحفيين مما له تبعات خطيرة على سلامة الصحفيين و في هذا الاطار تناشد الحملة الدولية بموجب قرار مجلس حقوق الإنسان حول سلامة الصحفيين الدول الأعضاء بالتدخل و مطالبة طرفى النزاع بالتوقف عن تعريض الصحفيين للخطر أو المؤسسات الصحفية داخل البلاد و خارجها في الدول المجاورة. 

لمزيد من المعلومات

***23.06.2015. SYRIA. Statement delivered by the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) at the HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL - 29th session: Fewer journalists are covering the war - The COI reports are more necessary than ever to prevent the victims are forgotten. PEC hopes that impunity will not prevail and that a tribunal will in the near future judge all those responsible for crimes and atrocities committed  

General Assembly
Human Rights Council
29th session

Item 4 – Human Rights situations that require the Council’s attention

Interactive Dialogue with the Commission of inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic

Mr President,

The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) commends the Independent international commission of inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic for its oral update. 

Syria has been the most deadly country for journalists for three consecutive years. Many have been abducted and are still missing. 

We pay tribute to the American journalist Austin Tice, apparently detained since more than 1040 days, and calls for his immediate release while our thoughts remain with him in his plight and suffering. Despite numerous appeals for his release, Mazen Darwish is still arbitrarily detained by the Syrian authorities.

The conflict has entered a new phase. Fewer journalists are covering the war, because it is too dangerous. The war in Syria has disappeared from the front pages of the newspapers. Public opinion sees no more footage on their screens. There are less victims this year among journalists in Syria. Regrettably, this is not a good sign.

A large part of the country is under the control of the group ISIL (Islamic State in the Levant) and is inaccessible to the media and the humanitarian workers. 

In Geneva, the UN Special Envoy met with numerous representatives of the Syrian society and other concerned countries. The big powers are still hoping that a military solution is possible. The rivalry between regional powers has extended to other parts of the Middle East.

We thank the Commission of inquiry for its invaluable work. Your reports are more necessary than ever to prevent the victims are forgotten. We hope that impunity will not prevail and that a tribunal will in the near future judge all those responsible for crimes and atrocities committed.

I thank you for your attention.
23 June 2015

***17.06.2015. Human Rights Council: the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) welcomes the first report of the new UN Rapporteur on freedom of expression David Kaye, calls for an independent expert on freedom of the press

Geneva, June 17 (PEC) The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) congratulates David Kaye the new UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression. The PEC will be more than happy to cooperate with him during his mandate.

The Special Rapporteur presented on June 17 to the Human Rights Council his first report on the use of encryption and anonymity in the digital age (A/HRC/29/32). The report urges countries to ensure that people are free to protect the privacy of digital communications by using strong encryption and anonymity tools. 
   
The situation of the freedom of expression is very critical in many countries. The new means of communication have given every individual new opportunities to express himself. At the same time those new means of communication have given to governments and others abilities for intrusive surveillance. Some countries use these opportunities to control the activities of the civil society and to turn free information into a war propaganda.
 
The Human Rights Council adopted last year by consensus a new resolution of the safety of journalists (A/HRC/27/L7). This is a welcome step. But there is a need to improve the reporting mechanisms in order to implement the best practices recommended in the resolution adopted last year, including on the Internet for online media.
 
The PEC calls upon the Special Rapporteur to pay special attention to the situations of conflict in which journalists are attacked by both sides, and where the media is not free to report. 
 
Since January this year until the end of May, at least 65 journalists have been killed, an increase of 22% compared to last year. 
 
The mandate of the Special Rapporteur is very broad. It is a huge task to monitor freedom of expression for 7 billion people in 192 countries around the world.
 
The PEC calls for the UN to create a new mechanism to report specifically on these situations of conflict and best practices to address in particular the challenge of impunity, either by appointing an independent expert on freedom of the press, or a special unit at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

***13.06.2015. Azerbaijan: PEC welcomes the release of opposition journalist Emin Huseynov who had been sheltering for 10 months at the Swiss Embassy in Baku, greets his arrival in Switzerland, deplores that seven other journalists remain behind the bars 

Geneva, 13 June (PEC) The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) welcomes the decision of the Azerbaijani government to permit Emin Huseynov’s safe departure from Azerbaijan today, timed with the launch of the inaugural European Games in Baku and on the eve of the 29th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Huseynov, who took refuge in the Swiss Embassy in Baku last August fearing arrest, has been a courageous proponent of media freedom as the Director of the Azerbaijani Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety.

Switzerland has flown out of Azerbaijan the opposition journalist who had been sheltering for 10 months at its embassy in Baku, a day after the inaugural European Games opened in the tightly-controlled country.

Emin Huseynov flew out of Azerbaijan on the plane of Switzerland's Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter, who attended the Euro Games ceremony in Baku late on Friday, the swiss federal department of foreign affairs said.

His departure came after months of negotiations with the Azerbaijani authorities, department spokesman Jean-Marc Crevoisier told the ATS news agency. The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) congratulates the swiss diplomats for their successful efforts.

The 35-year-old journalist and rights activist arrived in Bern and has until September to decide whether he wants to apply for asylum in Switzerland, Crevoisier was quoted as saying.

A fierce critic of authoritarian President Ilham Aliyev's human rights record, Huseynov has been sheltering at the Swiss embassy in Baku since August 18, 2014 when he evaded Azerbaijani police to enter the building fearing for his life.

At the time, the activist had been sought by prosecutors on charges of "illegal entrepreneurship and tax evasion."

Switzerland allowed him to remain at its embassy for "humanitarian reasons.” 


According to Crevoisier, Huseynov was allowed to leave the country following "numerous conversations" between the Swiss foreign minister and Azeri officials.

Hüseynov’s presence in the Swiss embassy was revealed in a report by the Swiss public television in February.

Human rights groups accuse Aliyev's government of consistently using spurious charges to jail regime critics and of stepping up a campaign to stifle opposition since his election for a third term in 2013.


PEC deplores that seven journalists remain behind the bars on the basis of fabricated charges such as hooliganism, possession of drug and weapons and tax evasion: Nijat Aliyev (arrested May 20, 2012), Araz Guliyev (arrested September 8, 2012), Parviz Hashimli (arrested September 17, 2013), Seymur Hazi (arrested August 29, 2014), Khadija Ismayilova (arrested December 5, 2014), Hilal Mamedov (arrested June 21 2012) and Rauf Mirkadyrov (arrested April 19, 2014). PEC calls for their immediate release.

***04.06.2015. PEC AWARD 2015. PEC press release - The PEC award 2015 honors the fallen journalists in Ukraine

The PEC AWARD 2015 sponsored by the City of Geneva honors the fallen journalists in Ukraine and the plight of freedom of the press there. The PEC board decided to award the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Ms Dunja Mijatović (right) for her first class mediation role in the Ukrainian crisis and her exceptional personal commitment for the promotion of freedom of information in the whole region, explained PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen (left).

The PEC board selected also the non-governmental organization Information Press Center in Kiev, a member of the Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN), for the dedication and courage of its members which actively defended the freedom of the media in difficult circumstances especially in Crimea.
Her Executive Director Liudmyla Zlobina (second from right) received the Award sponsored by the city of Geneva represented by her mayor Esther Alder (right) (photos pec) 

(French, Ukrainian and Russian versions after English) - see our special page PEC AWARD for more info, speeches

Geneva, 4 June (PEC) The PEC AWARD 2015 sponsored by the City of Geneva honors this year the fallen journalists in Ukraine and the plight of freedom of the press there. The annual award goes to Ms Dunja Mijatović, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, and Ms Liudmyla Zlobina, director of the Information Press Center in Kiev and of the Crimean Center for Investigative Reporting, announced the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) Thursday.

The PEC board decided to award Ms Dunja Mijatović for her first class mediation role in the Ukrainian crisis and her exceptional personal commitment for the promotion of freedom of information in the whole region, explained PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen.

The PEC board selected also the non-governmental organization Information Press Center in Kiev, a member of the Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN),  for the dedication and courage of its members which actively defended the freedom of the media in extremely difficult circumstances especially in Crimea.

Since the start of the crisis in Ukraine in January 2014, 13 journalists have been killed in this country, on both sides. Four of them were Russian journalists last year.

An Ukrainian pilot Nadya Savchenko is detained in Russia, charged with involvement in a mortar attack in which last year two Russian journalists were killed near Luhansk. The PEC calls today for a humanitarian gesture.

PEC calls for independent, thorough and quick enquiries on all murders of journalists in order to prosecute those responsible.

“The crisis in Ukraine is very serious and we need factual, balanced and impartial information to understand the situation. The City of Geneva is pleased to support the PEC Award 2015, which rewards the work of two courageous women committed to the defense of the freedom of the press and the freedom of expression in the region”, said the mayor of Geneva Esther Alder.

False information must be countered

“The media freedom situation in Ukraine is very complex. The main media freedom issue in this conflict is journalists’ safety; journalists are being threatened, intimidated and attacked just for doing their job" said Ms Dunja Mijatović receiving the PEC prize at the Swiss Press Club in Geneva.

“False and misleading information must be countered and fought with truthful and factual information, that must the basis encountering and addressing propaganda”, she added.

“I applaud the Press Emblem Campaign and the city of Geneva for organizing this important and timely event and for putting focus on journalists’ safety in these challenging times”, stressed Ms Mijatović.

Forced to leave their home

“Let me first thank the Press Emblem Campaign and the Сity of Geneva for the recognition of our work. It is extremely important to know that Switzerland supports Ukrainian journalists”, said Liudmyla Zlobina, Center’s Executive Director.

“Unfortunately, the need for such support objectively exists. Many Ukrainian journalists from the Crimea and Donbas were forced to leave their homes for other parts of the country to save their lives or freedom. In spite of all the threats, other journalists continue to work heroically in these regions, including journalists from our organization”, she added.

New horizons of cooperation

“Today is an important day that marks the good effort of the PEC to mobilize world opinion towards concrete legal steps to protect journalists in conflict zones and dangerous situations. What marks the importance of the day is that the Ville de  Genève is sponsoring the PEC award ceremony”, said PEC President Hedayat Abdel Nabi in a video message from Cairo.

“The award opening this year to the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media marks the importance of new horizons of cooperation. Congratulations to the Kiev Center, congratulations to the Representative”, she added.

According to the PEC figures, the situation on the ground is not improving: 65 journalists have been killed around the world since January this year in 5 months. This is a sharp increase of 22% compared to the same period last year.

The PEC Prize is given annually in Geneva by the PEC committee to reward a person or an organization who worked for the protection of journalists and the freedom of the press during the past year.

The Award was given in 2014 to the Swiss Foundation Hirondelle for its role in Central African Republic; in 2013 to Media Cartoonist from Honduras, Allan McDonald and Ileana Alamilla, Director of the Centre for Information on Guatemala, Cerigua, the Austrian and Swiss Ambassadors to the UN in Geneva; in 2012 to the representative of the Syrian Democrats Dr Tawfik Chamaa and in absentia the director of the Syrian Center for media and freedom of expression (SCM) Mazen Darwish; in 2011 to the President of the Tunisian syndicate of journalists Neji Bghouri, to Ahmed Abdelaziz, representing the bloggers of the revolution of Egypt and to Khaled Saleh, on behalf of the NGO Libyan Human Rights Solidarity (LHRS); in 2010 to the families of the 32 slain journalists in the 23 November 2009 Maguindanao massacre in the Philippines, and earmarked to the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) fund; in 2009 to the Palestinian Center for development and media freedom (MADA) and the first President of the Human Rights Council and Ambassador of Mexico to the UN in Geneva.

Communiqué PEC 
Le prix PEC 2015 honore les journalistes tués en Ukraine

Genève, 4 juin (PEC) Le prix PEC 2015 parrainé par la Ville de Genève honore les journalistes tués en Ukraine et est consacré à la situation de la liberté de la presse dans ce pays. Le prix annuel a été décerné à Madame Dunja Mijatović, la Représentante de l’OSCE pour la liberté des médias, et à Madame Liudmyla Zlobina, directrice de  l’Information Press Center à Kiev et du Crimean Center for Investigative Reporting, a annoncé jeudi la Presse Emblème Campagne (PEC).

Le comité directeur de la PEC a décidé de récompenser Madame Mijatović pour son rôle de premier plan de médiation dans la crise en Ukraine et son engagement personnel exceptionnel en faveur de la promotion de la liberté de l’information dans l’ensemble de la région, a expliqué le secrétaire général de la PEC Blaise Lempen.

Le comité directeur de la PEC a aussi distingué l’organisation non-gouvernementale Information Press Center à Kiev, membre du Réseau international des journalistes d’investigation, pour l’engagement et le courage de ses membres qui ont défendu activement la liberté des médias dans des circonstances très difficiles, en particulier en Crimée.

Depuis le début de la crise en Ukraine en janvier 2014, 13 journalistes ont été tués dans ce pays, et cela dans les deux camps : quatre d’entre eux ont été de nationalité russe l’an dernier.

Une pilote ukrainienne Nadya Savchenko est détenue depuis de longs mois par les autorités russes, accusée d’avoir contribué à la mort de deux journalistes russes l’an dernier près de Lougansk. La PEC lance aujourd’hui un appel à un geste humanitaire.

La PEC demande que tous ces meurtres de journalistes soient l’objet rapidement d’enquêtes indépendantes et impartiales et que leurs auteurs soient poursuivis.

« La crise en Ukraine est très sérieuse, et nous avons besoin d’une information factuelle, équilibrée et impartiale pour la comprendre. La Ville de Genève est heureuse de soutenir le prix PEC 2015, qui récompense le travail de deux femmes courageuses engagées dans la défense de la liberté de la presse et la liberté d’expression », a déclaré la maire de Genève Madame Esther Alder.

La fausse information doit être combattue

« La situation des médias en Ukraine est très complexe. Le problème le plus aigu dans ce conflit est la sécurité des journalistes: les journalistes sont menacés, intimidés et attaqués seulement parce qu’ils font leur travail », a affirmé Mme Dunja Mijatović en recevant le prix au Club suisse de la presse à Genève.

« Des informations fausses et trompeuses doivent être combattues et équilibrées par des informations factuelles et objectives, ce doit être la base pour résister à la propagande », a-t-elle ajouté.

« J’applaudis la Presse Emblème Campagne et la Ville de Genève pour avoir organisé cet événement important et particulièrement opportun et pour attirer l’attention sur la sécurité des journalistes dans ces temps difficiles », a déclaré Mme Mijatović.

Contraints de quitter leur maison

« Permettez-mois d’abord de remercier la Presse Emblème Campagne et la Ville de Genève pour la reconnaissance qu’ils apportent à notre travail. C’est très important de savoir que la Suisse soutient les journalistes ukrainiens », a affirmé Liudmyla Zlobina, directrice exécutive de l’Information Press Center lors de la conférence de presse à Genève.

« Malheureusement, le besoin d’un tel soutien est bien réel. Beaucoup de journalistes ukrainiens de Crimée et du Donbass ont été contraints de quitter leur maison pour d’autres régions du pays afin de sauver leur vie ou leur liberté. Malgré toutes les menaces, d’autres journalistes continuent de travailler de manière héroïque dans ces régions, dont des journalistes de notre organisation », a ajouté Mme Zlobina.

De nouveaux horizons de coopération

« Aujourd’hui est un jour important qui marque une nouvelle étape dans les efforts de la PEC pour mobiliser l’opinion mondiale en vue de mesures juridiques concrètes afin de mieux protéger les journalistes dans les zones de conflit et en mission dangereuse. L’importance de cette journée est encore soulignée par la décision de la Ville de Genève de parrainer la cérémonie annuelle du prix PEC »,  a déclaré la présidente de la PEC Hedayat Abdel Nabi dans un message vidéo du Caire.

« Le prix de cette année ouvre aussi de nouveaux horizons et est  l’occasion de renforcer la coopération avec le bureau de l’OSCE pour la liberté des médias. Félicitations au Centre de Kiev, félicitations à la Représentante de l’OSCE », a conclu Mme Abdel Nabi.

Selon le décompte de la PEC, la situation sur le terrain ne s’améliore pas : 65 journalistes ont été tués depuis le début de l’année dans le monde. C’est une forte augmentation de 22% comparé à la même période de l’an dernier.

Le prix PEC est décerné chaque année à Genève par le comité directeur de la PEC pour récompenser une personne ou une organisation qui a travaillé pour la protection des journalistes et la liberté de la presse au cours de l’année écoulée.

Le prix PEC a été donné en 2014 à la Fondation suisse Hirondelle active en particulier en Centrafrique; en 2013 au dessinateur du Honduras Allan McDonald et à la directrice du Centre pour l’Information au Guatemala Cerigua, Ileana Alamilla ainsi qu’aux ambassadeurs autrichien et suisse à l’ONU à Genève; en 2012 au représentant des Démocrates syriens le Dr Tawfik Chamaa et en son absence au directeur  du Centre syrien pour les médias et la liberté d’expression Mazen Darwish; en 2011, au président du syndicat tunisien des journalistes Neji Bghouri, au représentant des bloggeurs de la révolution en Egypte Ahmed Abdelaziz et à Khaled Saleh, représentant de l’ONG libyenne Libyan Human Rights Solidarity (LHRS); en 2010 aux familles des 32 journalistes assassinés le 23 novembre 2009 à Maguindanao aux Philippines et au Fonds du Centre pour la liberté et la responsabilité des médias (CMFR) à Manille; en 2009 au Centre palestinien pour le développement et la liberté des médias (MADA) à Ramallah ainsi qu’au premier président du Conseil des droits de l’homme et ambassadeur du Mexique à l’ONU à Genève. 

PEC прес-реліз (російська версія після української)

Нагорода PEC 2015 присвячена інформаційній війні в Україні

Женева, 4 червня (PEC) - Нагорода організації Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) у 2015 році, спонсором якої є місто Женева, присвячена загиблим журналістам в Україні та ситуації зі свободою слова у цій країні.

Щорічну премію цього разу отримала пані Дуня Міятович (Dunja Mijatović), представник ОБСЄ з питань свободи засобів масової інформації, та пані Людмила Злобіна (Liudmyla Zlobina), директор "Інформаційного прес-центру" у Києві та "Кримського центру журналістських розслідувань". Про це Press Emblem Campaign оголосила у четвер.

Рада PEC вирішила нагородити пані Дуню Міятович за першокласне посередництво ОБСЄ під час української кризи та за її виключну особисту прихильність до просування свободи слова у регіоні у цілому, пояснив генеральний секретар PEC Блез Лемпан (Blaise Lempen).

Рада PEC також обрала неурядову організацію "Інформаційний прес-центр" у Києві, члена Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN), за самовідданість та мужність своїх членів, які активно захищали свободу засобів масової інформації у надзвичайно складних умовах, особливо у Криму.

"Криза в Україні дуже серйозна, і ми повинні отримувати реальну, збалансовану та об'єктивну інформацію, щоб зрозуміти ситуацію. Місто Женева раде підтримати премію PEC у 2015 році, якою винагороджується робота двох мужніх жінок на захист свободи преси та свободи вираження думок у регіоні", - сказала мер Женеви Естер Алдер (Esther Alder).

Противага неправдивій інформації

"Ситуації зі свободою ЗМІ в Україні вкрай складна. Головним питанням свободи ЗМІ у цьому конфлікті є безпека журналістів; журналістам погрожують, їх залякують та на них здійснюють напади лише за те, що вони роблять свою роботу", - сказала пані Дуня Міятович під час отримання нагороди PEC у Швейцарському прес-клубі у Женеві.

"Неправдивій та помилковій інформації має бути протиставлена та має боротися з нею правдива та достовірна інформація, це має бути відповіддю на пропаганду", - додала вона.

"Я вітаю кампанію PEC та міста Женева за організацію цього важливого та своєчасного заходу і за увагу до питань безпеки журналістів у ці складні часи", - підкреслила пані Міятович.

Вимушені переселенці

"Дозвольте мені насамперед подякувати PEC та місту Женева за визнання нашої роботи. Дуже важливо знати, що Швейцарія підтримує українських журналістів", - сказала Людмила Злобіна, виконавчий директор Центру

"На жаль, необхідність такої підтримки існує об'єктивно. Багато журналістів з Криму та Донбасу були змушені залишити свої будинки та виїхати у інші регіони країни, щоб врятувати свої життя або свободу. Незважаючи на всі загрози, інші журналісти продовжують героїчно працювати у цих регіонах, у тому числі журналісти нашої організації", - додала вона.

Нові горизонти співпраці

"Сьогодні важливий день, який знаменує собою великі прагнення PEC мобілізувати світову громадську думку на досягнення конкретних правових кроків на захист журналістів у конфліктних зонах та небезпечних ситуаціях. Важливо також, що місто Женева спонсорує церемонію нагородження PEC", - сказала президент PEC Хедйяд Абдель Набі (Hedayat Abdel Nabi).

"Нагорода ОБСЄ у цьому році говорить про важливість нових горизонтів співпраці з ОБСЄ. Вітаю київський Центр, вітаю ОБСЄ", - додала вона.

З початку кризи в Україні у січні 2014 року вже 13 журналістів були вбиті з обох сторін конфлікту. Серед них 4 російських журналісти, які загинули у минулому році.

За даними PEC, ситуація у світі не покращується: 65 журналістів були вбиті у перші 5 місяців цього року. Це різке зростання на 22% у порівнянні з аналогічним періодом минулого року.

Премія PEC вручається щорічно у Женеві комітетом PEC як винагорода людині або організації, які працювали задля захисту журналістів та свободи преси протягом минулого року.

У 2014 році нагороду отримав швейцарський фонд Hirondelle за його роль у Центральноафриканській Республіці; у 2013 році був нагороджений медіа-карикатурист з Гондурасу Алан Макдональд (Allan McDonald) та Ілеана Аламілла (Ileana Alamilla), директор Центру інформації Cerigua у Гватемалі, а також австрійський та швейцарський посли у ООН у Женеві; у 2012 році це були представник сирійських демократів доктор Тауфік Чамаа (Tawfik Chamaa) та заочно директор сирійського центру ЗМІ та свободи вираження думок (CSM) Мазен Дарвиш (Mazen Darwish); у 2011 році - президент Туніського синдикату журналістів Неджі Бхоурі (Neji Bghouri) та Ахмед Абдельазиз (Ahmed Abdelaziz), представник блогерів революції Єгипту, а також Халід Салех (Khaled Saleh) від латвійської неурядової організації із захисту прав людини та солідарності (LHRS); у 2010 році премію отримали родини 32 загиблих журналістів у різанині 23 листопада 2009 року у провінції Магінданао на Філіппінах; у 2009 році - Палестинський центр розвитку та свободи ЗМІ (MADA) та перший голова Ради з прав людини та посла Мексики у ООН у Женеві.

Більше інформації, тексти виступів на нашій спеціальній сторінці про нагороду PEC: www.pressemblem.ch

PEC пресс-релиз

Награда РЕС 2015 посвящена информационной войне в Украине

Женева, 4 июня (PEC) — Награда организаци Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) в 2015 году, спонсором которой выступил город Женева, посвящена погибшим в Украине журналистам и ситуации со свободой слова в этой стране.

Ежегодную премию в этот раз получила пани Дуня Миятович (Dunja Mijatović), представитель ОБСЕ по вопросам свободы средств массовой информации, и пани Людмила Злобина (Liudmyla Zlobina), директор «Информационного пресс-центра» в Киеве и «Крымского центра журналистских расследований». Об этом Press Emblem Campaign сообщила в четверг.

Совет РЕС решил наградить г-жу Дуню Миятович за первоклассное посредничество ОБСЕ во время украинского кризиса и за ее исключительную личную приверженность к продвижению свободы слова в регионе в целом, пояснил генеральный секретарь РЕС Блез Лемпан (Blaise Lempen).

Совет РЕС также выбрал неправительственную организацию «Информационный пресс-центр» в Киеве, члена Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN), за самоотверженность и мужество своих членов, которые активно защищали свободу средств массовой информации у чрезвычайно сложных условиях, особенно в Крыму.

«Кризис в Украине очень серьезный, и мы должны получать реальную, сбалансированную и объективную информацию, чтобы понимать ситуацию. Город Женева рад поддержать премию РЕС в 2015 году, которой вознаграждается работа двух мужественных женщин в защиту свободы прессы и свободы выражения мнений в регионе», - сказала мэр Женевы Эстер Алдер (Esther Alder).

Противовес неправдивой информации

«Ситуация со свободой СМИ в Украине очень сложная. Главным вопросом свободы СМИ в этом конфликте является безопасность журналистов; журналистам угрожают, их запугивают и на них нападают только за лишь за то, что они делают свою работу», - сказала пани Дуня Миятович во время получения награды РЕС в Швейцарском пресс-клубе в Женеве.

«Неправдивой и ошибочной информации должна быть противопоставлена и должна с ней бороться правдивая и достоверная информация, это должно быть ответом на пропаганду», - добавила она.

“Я приветствую кампанию РЕС и города Женева за организацию этого важного и своевременного мероприятия и за внимание к вопросам безопасности журналистов в эти сложные времена», - подчеркнула пани Миятович.

Вынужденные переселенцы

«Позвольте мне прежде всего поблагодарить РЕС и город Женева за признание нашей работы. Очень важно знать, что Швейцария поддерживает украинских журналистов», - сказала Людмила Злобина, исполнительный директор Центра.

«К сожалению, необходимость такой поддержки объективно существует. Многие журналисты из Крыма и Донбасса были вынуждены оставить свои дома и выехать в другие регионы страны, чтобы спасти свою жизнь или свободу. Несмотря на все угрозы, другие журналисты продолжают героически работать в этих регионах, в том числе журналисты нашей организации», - добавила она.

Новые горизонты сотрудничества

«Сегодня важный день, который знаменует собой большие стремления РЕС мобилизовывать мировое общественное мнение на достижение конкретных правовых шагов в защиту журналистов в конфликтных зонах и опасных ситуациях. Важно также, что город Женева спонсирует церемонию награждения РЕС», - сказала президент PEC Хедйяд Абдель Наби (Hedayat Abdel Nabi).

«Награда ОБСЕ в этом году говорит о важности новых горизонтов сотрудничества с ОБСЕ. Поздравляют киевский Центр, поздравляю ОБСЕ», - добавила она.

С начала кризиса в Украине в январе 2014 года уже 13 журналистов были убиты с обеих сторон конфликта. Среди них 4 российских журналиста, которые погибли в прошлом году.

По данным РЕС, ситуация в мире не улучшается: 65 журналистов были убиты в первые 5 месяцев этого года. Это резкий рост на 22% в сравнении с аналогичным периодом прошлого года.

Премия РЕС вручается ежегодно в Женеве комитетом РЕС как награда человеку или организации, которые работали для защиты журналистов и свободы прессы в течение прошлого года.

В 2014 году награду получил швейцарский фонд Hirondelle за его роль в Центральноафриканской Республике; в 2013 году был награжден медиа-карикатурист из Гондураса Алан Макдональд (Allan McDonald) и Илеана Аламилла (Ileana Alamilla), директор Центра информации Cerigua в Гватемале, а также австрийский и швейцарский послы в ООН в Женеве; в 2012 году это были представитель сирийских демократов доктор Тауфик Чамаа (Tawfik Chamaa) и, заочно, директор сирийского центра СМИ и свободы выражения мнений (CSM) Мазен Дарвиш (Mazen Darwish); в 2011 году - президент Тунисского синдиката журналистов Неджи Бхоури (Neji Bghouri) и Ахмед Абдельазиз (Ahmed Abdelaziz), представитель блогеров революции Египта, а также Халид Салех (Khaled Saleh) от латвийской неправительственной организации по свободе прав человека и солидарности (LHRS); в 2010 году премию получили семьи 32 погибших журалистов в резне 23 ноября 2009 года в провинции Магинданао на Филиппинах; в 2009 году - Палестинский центр развития и свободи СМИ (MADA) и первый председатель Совета по правам человека и посла Мексиси в ООН в Женеве.

Больше информации, тексты выступлений на нашей специальной странице о награде: www.pressemblem.ch

***28.05.2015. UNITED NATIONS. The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) welcomes the unanimous adoption of resolution 2222 on the protection of journalists by the UN Security Council (Arabic below).

Geneva/New York, 28 May (PEC) The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) welcomes the unanimous adoption of resolution 2222 on the protection of journalists in situations of conflict by the UN Security Council. The resolution reflects in particular the need to combat impunity for attacks and violence against journalists, to enhance reporting on violence against journalists and to improve international coordination to strengthen the protection of journalists.

PEC president Hedayat Abdel Nabi expressed hope that resolution 2222 will be implemented in letter and spirit and the media workers would see concrete measures in this regard.

Resolution 2222 is the second that the Security Council has adopted on this crucial subject since resolution 1738 in December 2006. The PEC thanks the president of the SC Lithuania for organizing the meeting and congratulates Christophe Deloire from Reporters without borders and Mariane Pearl, the widow of Daniel Pearl, for addressing the SC.

Journalists killed: an increase of 22%

The adoption of this resolution by the highest organ of the United Nations is a historic milestone. The awareness of the extent of the problem is steadily progressing among Member States, but the situation on the ground is not improving, stressed PEC Secretary General Blaise Lempen.

According to the PEC figures, since January, 65 journalists have been killed around the world against 53 for the same period last year. This is a sharp increase of 22% in 5 months.

PEC reminds that the Geneva based NGO supports the adoption of a legally-binding international agreement on the protection of journalists in conflict zones to implement the UN resolutions on the ground and to fight impunity.Among other things, the resolution 2222 condemns the prevailing impunity for attacks against journalists and in this regard urges Member States to take appropriate steps to ensure accountability.

It also calls for the immediate release of journalists who have been kidnapped or taken as hostages, and for Member States to ensure a safe environment for journalists in accordance with international obligations.

Furthermore, it encourages greater coordination between regional and sub-regional organizations  in areas such as technical assistance and capacity-building to ensure the safety of journalists and the sharing of expertise and good practices that can enhance implementation of relevant Council resolutions.

The resolution affirms that “the work of a free, independent and impartial media constitutes one of the essential foundations of a democratic society, and thereby can contribute to the protection of civilians”.

It calls on states to fulfill their obligations as regards the protection of journalists during armed conflicts and makes it a requirement for UN peacekeeping operations to provide regular reports on the safety of journalists.

(read the text of the resolution on our page DOCUMENTS)

حملة الشارة الدولية ترحب بصدور قرار مجلس الأمن رقم 2222 بالإجماع لحماية الصحفيين

جنيف نيويورك القاهرة -28 مايو (حملة الشارة) – رحبت اليوم حملة الشارة الطولية لحماية الصحفيين بقرار مجلس الأمن 2222\2015 لحماية الصحفيين في ظروف النزاعات و الذى صدر بإجماع أعضاء مجلس الأمن أمس.

و يشير القرار بصفة خاصة إلى الحاجة إلى مكافحة الافلات من العقاب فيما يتعلق بالاعتداءات و العنف ضد الصحفيين، و تدعيم متابعة هذه الحوادث و تحسين التنسيق الدولى من أجل حماية الصحفيين.

و صرحت رئيسة الحملة الدولية هدايت عبد النبي أنها تأمل فى تطبيق القرار في شكله و مضمونه و روحه حتى يتسنى للعاملين في المجال الاعلام من مشاهدة اجراءات ملموسة في هذا الصدد.

هذا القرار هو الثانى بعد قرار مجلس الأمن رقم 1738 الذى صدر في ديسمبر 2006. 

و قال سكرتير عام الحملة بليز ليمبان إن اعتماد هذا القرار من أعلى سلطة فى الأمم المتحدة يمثل تحولاً تاريخياً و لكن الوضع في الميدان لم يتحسن. 

و طبقاً لأرقام الحملة فإن 65 صحفياً قد قتلوا منذ بداية العام الحالى فى مقابل 53 فى نفس الفترة فى العام الماضي بزيادة تمثل زيادة حادة و هى 22 بالمائة فى خمسة أشهر.

و تذكر حملة الشارة الدولية أنها صاحبة فكرة معاهدة دولية لحماية الصحفيين حتى يمكن تطبيق قرارات مجلس الأمن فى الميدان و لمكافحة الافلات من العقاب.  

و و

و من بين البنود التى يطالب بها القرار الافراج الفورى عن الصحفيين المختطفين و ضمان الدول الأعضاء فى الأمم المتحدة بتوفير مناخ آمن للصحفيين متفقا مع تعهدات الدول الدولية.

و يؤكد القرار على أن العمل الصحفى الحر و المستقل و المحايد يمثل ركناً أساسياً لتحقيق المجتمع الديمقراطى الذى يؤدى إلى حماية المدنيين. 

و يطالب القرار الدول الأعضاء طبقا لتعهداتها الدولية بحماية الصحفيين خلال المنازعات المسلحة و تجعل تقديم التقارير الدورية من قبل قوات حفظ السلام التابعة للأمم المتحدة حول سلامة الصحفيين مسألة ضرورية.

لمزيد من المعلومات رجاء تصفح 
 

***30.04.2015. World Press Freedom Day 2015 - PEC alarmed: the safety of journalists in many countries has deteriorated 

(French, Spanish and Arabic after English)

Read also on page OTHER NEWS (click left): Under Threat: Journalism has never been more dangerous according to major new INSI report on media safety

Geneva, April 30 (PEC) – The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) marking World Press Freedom Day next Sunday is alarmed by the deteriorating security situation of journalists in many countries. New threats like targeted assassinations by terrorists groups and cyber-attacks against media installations have emerged.

Since the beginning of the year, in 4 months, 51 journalists were killed in 20 countries against 41 during the same period last year, an increase of 24%, with more than 3 journalists a week, according to the PEC figures. While the tally in one year from May 2014 to April 2015 has risen to 148 journalists killed.

PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen said that the situation is not improving because of two main reasons:  first, the intensification of many conflicts especially in the Middle East (Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Libya), and also in Ukraine; secondly, armed groups as well as terrorists resort to deliberate criminal violence targeting media.

Out of the 51 victims, more than one third, 21 were killed by Islamist extremists, among them 8 gunned down at Charlie Hebdo in Paris on 7 January. 

Terrorist groups were able to attack media installations by cyber-attacks as that of TV5 Monde, an entirely new development.

Lempen added that the attacks against Charlie Hebdo and TV5 show that conflicts in the Middle East could extend to the democratic West and endanger freedom of the press all over the world.

Libya most dangerous country

The Middle East remains the region with the highest casualties: 17 killed. In the region, Libya has become this year the most dangerous country where 8 journalists were killed, Yemen follows with 4 killed.

The situation in Central America remains bad: 6 journalists were killed in Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras since the beginning of the year out of which 3 were targeted in Guatemala.

The situation in Ukraine is also preoccupying with 4 journalists killed out of which three were targeted killings.

PEC President Hedayat Abdel Nabi noted that progress has been achieved on the level of discussions towards the protection of journalists but expressed her dismay that no concrete action has developed up to date. Abdel Nabi renewed the PEC call to encourage UN member states to move towards concrete decisions to fight impunity and actions on mechanisms of enquiry, accountability, monitoring and follow-up.

Journée mondiale de la liberté de la presse 2015 - La PEC alarmée : détérioration des conditions de la sécurité des journalistes dans plusieurs pays

Genève (PEC), 30 avril 2015 – A l’occasion de la Journée de la liberté de la presse célébrée dimanche dans le monde, la Presse Emblème Campagne (PEC) s’alarme de la détérioration de la sécurité des journalistes dans plusieurs pays.  De nouvelles menaces très inquiétantes sont apparues, comme des assassinats délibérés par des groupes terroristes et des cyberattaques de médias.

Depuis le début de l’année jusqu’à fin avril, en 4 mois, 51 journalistes ont été tués dans 20 pays, contre 41 pour la même période de l’an dernier, soit une hausse de 24%, et trois journalistes tués par semaine en moyenne, selon le décompte de la PEC. En un an, de mai 2014 à avril 2015, cela porte le bilan à 148 tués.

« La situation se détériore pour deux raisons principales : l’intensification de plusieurs conflits armés, en particulier au Moyen-Orient (Syrie, Irak, Yémen, Libye), mais aussi en Ukraine ;  et le recours par des groupes armés ou des terroristes à une violence criminelle préméditée », a déclaré le secrétaire général de la PEC Blaise Lempen.

Parmi les 51 victimes depuis le début de l’année, plus d’un tiers (21) sont dus à des extrémistes islamistes, dont les huit tués au siège de Charlie Hebdo le 7 janvier. Des groupes terroristes ont également réussi à paralyser des medias par des attaques informatiques, comme TV5Monde, un phénomène entièrement nouveau.

« Les attaques contre Charlie Hebdo et TV5 Monde ont montré que les conflits au Moyen-Orient peuvent déborder dans les pays démocratiques occidentaux et  mettre en danger la liberté de la presse partout dans le monde », a affirmé Blaise Lempen. 

La Libye pays le plus dangereux

Le Moyen-Orient reste la région la plus dangereuse avec 17 tués. Dans la région, la Libye est devenue le pays le plus dangereux avec 8 tués, devant le Yémen (4 tués).

En dehors du Moyen-Orient, la situation ne s’améliore pas en Amérique centrale (Mexique, Guatemala et Honduras), où  six journalistes ont été tués depuis le début de l’année, dont trois au Guatemala.

La sécurité des médias en Ukraine est aussi un sujet de vive préoccupation, avec quatre journalistes tués depuis janvier. Dans trois cas, il s’agit de meurtres délibérés.

La présidente de la PEC Hedayat Abdel Nabi a souligné que des progrès ont été réalisés dans les discussions au niveau international sur la nécessité de renforcer la protection des journalistes. Toutefois, elle s’est déclarée déçue du manque de développements concrets sur le terrain.

Abdel Nabi a renouvelé l’appel lancé par la PEC aux gouvernements pour qu’ils passent des paroles aux actes pour lutter contre l’impunité et renforcer les mécanismes d’enquête, de poursuites, de contrôle et de suivi.

Día mundial de la libertad de prensa 2015
La PEC alarmada: deterioro de las condiciones de seguridad de los periodistas en numerosos países

Ginebra, (PEC)  abril 30 2015.- En ocasión de la Jornada de la libertad de prensa, que se celebra el domingo próximo en todo el mundo, la Campaña Emblema de Prensa (PEC*)  está alarmada ante el deterioro de la seguridad de los periodistas en numerosos países. Han aparecido nuevas amenazas muy inquietantes, como asesinatos deliberados por grupos terroristas y ataques cibernéticos a los medios.

Desde principios del año hasta fines de abril, en sólo cuatro meses, 51 periodistas han sido asesinados en 20 países, contra 41 durante el mismo periodo del año anterior,  lo que representa un aumento del 24% et un promedio de tres periodistas por semana, según las estadísticas de la PEC. En un año, de mayo de 2014 a abril de 2015, lo que arroja un balance de 148 asesinados.

“El deterioro de la situación se debe a dos razones principales: la intensificación de numerosos conflictos armados, en particular en el Medio Oriente y países árabes (Siria, Iraq, Yemen, Libia) , así como en Ucrania; y el recurso que hacen los grupos armados o terroristas  a la violencia criminal premeditada”, ha subrayado el secretario general de la PEC, Blaise Lempen.

Entre las 51 víctimas registradas desde el inicio del año, más de un tercio (21) han sido ocasionadas por extremistas islámicos, incluidos los ocho asesinatos en la sede del semanario francés Charlie Hebdo el 7 de enero pasado. Asimismo, grupos terroristas han logrado paralizar a los medios mediante ataques informáticos, como ha sido el caso de TV5 Monde, un fenómeno enteramente nuevo.

“Los ataques contra  Charlie Hebdo y TV5 Monde han demostrado que los conflictos en el Medio Oriente pueden desbordarse hacia los países democráticos occidentales y poner en peligro la libertad de la prensa en todas partes del mundo”, ha afirmado Blaise Lempen.

Libia el país de mayor peligro

El Medio Oriente, donde 17 periodistas han sido asesinados,  se mantiene como la región más peligrosa para el ejercicio de la profesión. Libia se ha convertido en el país de mayor peligro, con ocho muertos. Le sigue Yemen con cuatro asesinados.

Fuera del Medio Oriente, la situación tampoco se ha mejorado en América Latina, sobre todo en México, Guatemala y Honduras, donde seis periodistas fueron asesinados desde que comenzó este año, de ellos tres en Guatemala.

La seguridad de los medios en Ucrania es también motivo de viva preocupación, habida cuenta que desde enero fueron asesinados cuatro periodistas. En tres casos, se trata de muertes deliberadas.

La presidenta de la PEC, Hedayat Abdel Nabi, ha subrayado que no obstante la gravedad de la situación se ha logrado ciertos avances  en las discusiones a nivel internacional sobre la necesidad de reforzar la protección de los periodistas.  Sin embargo,  ella se ha declarado decepcionada ante la falta de desarrollos concretos sobre el terreno.

Abdel Nabi ha aprovechado este Día de la libertad de prensa para renovar el llamamiento hecho por la PEC a los gobiernos a fin de que pasen de las palabras a los actos a fin de luchar contra la impunidad y reforzar los mecanismos de investigación, de monitoreo de rendición de cuentas, de control y de seguimiento.

بيان صحفى بمناسبة اليوم العالمى لحرية الصحافة

حملة الشارة الدولية تعرب عن قلقها بسبب تدهور السلامة للصحفيين

جنيف 30 ابريل (حملة الشارة) – بمناسبة اليوم العالمى لحرية الصحافة يوم الأحد المقبل اعلنت حملة الشارة الدولية لحماية الصحفيين عن قلقها من تدهور السلامة لهم في عدد كبير من الدول و ظهور اخطار جديدة منها القتل بالاستهداف و هجمات ضد المواقع الإليكترونية لدى المنشآت الصحفية.   

و طبقاً لأرقام الشارة الدولية فإن 51 صحفياً قتلوا منذ بداية العام في 20 دولة في مقابل 41 في نفس الفترة من العام الماضى. و ارتفع عدد القتلى من الصحفيين من مايو 2014 إلى ابريل 2015 إلى 148.

و صرح سكرتير عام الحملة بليز ليمبان بأن الموقف لا يتحسن بسبب تصاعد النزاعات المسلحة في الشرق الأوسط و بسبب لجوء الجماعات الارهابية إلى استهداف اجرامى و عنيف للإعلام.

من بين ال 51 ضحية من الصحفيين قتل 21 بواسطة جماعات اسلامية متطرفة و قتل 8 في الهجوم على مؤسسة تشارلى ابدو في باريس في 7 يناير. كما تمكنت الجماعات الارهابية من الهجوم على المواقع الإليكترونية للمؤسسات الصحفية مثلما حدث في (تي في 5) و هو تطور جديد.

و أوضح ليمبان أن الهجمات التى وقعت مثل تلك ضد شارلى ابدو و (تي في 5) توضحان أن النزاعات في الشرق الأوسط يمكنها أن تمتد لتنال من حرية الرأي و التعبير في الغرب الديمقراطى.

و ما زال الشرق الأوسط هو أخطر المناطق للعمل الصحفى بمقتل 17 من الصحفيين، و ليبيا هى الأخطر بمقتل 8 تليها اليمن بــ 4 قتلى من الصحفيين.

 و ما زال الموقف يتسم بالسوء في أمريكا الوسطى بمقتل 6 صحفيين في المكسيك و هندوراس و جواتيمالا من بينهم 3 في جواتيمالا.

و القلق يدور أيضاً حول أوكرانيا حيث مقتل 4 من الصحفيين من بينهم 3 قتلوا عن طريق الاستهداف العمدى.

و اعتبرت رئيسة حملة الشارة الدولية هدايت عبد النبي أن التقدم قد أحرز في المداولات و على الورق و لكنه لم يترجم إلى اجراءات قانونية ملموسة لحماية الصحفيين مثل مكافحة الافلات من العقاب و تشكيل أجهزة تحقيق، و المراقبة و المتابعة و تقديم من قاموا بهده الجرائم إلى العدالة.

لتصفح المزيد حول قائمة الضحايا برجاء زيارة موقعنا 

***27.04.2015. LIBYA: PEC is deeply shocked by the discovery of the bodies of four libyan journalists and one egyptian photographer - Libya has become the most dangerous country this year with 8 journalists killed

Geneva, April 27 (PEC) Islamic State militants have slit the throats of five journalists working for a Libyan TV station in the eastern part of the country, an army commander said on Monday, according to Reuters. The reporters had been missing since August, when they left the eastern city of Tobruk after covering the inauguration of the country's elected parliament to travel to Benghazi. Their route took them through Derna, a militant Islamist hotspot.

Faraj al-Barassi, a district army commander in eastern Libya, said militants loyal to Islamic State were responsible for killing the journalists, whose bodies were found outside the eastern city of Bayda. He did not say when the five journalists were believed to have been killed.

The reporters - four Libyans and one Egyptian - had been working for Barqa TV, an eastern television supporting federalism for eastern Libya.

Militants loyal to Islamic State have exploited a security vacuum in Libya, where two governments and parliaments allied to host of armed groups are fighting each other on several fronts four years after the ousting of Muammar Gaddafi. Islamic State, the group which has seized parts of Syria and Iraq, has claimed responsibility for the killing of 30 Ethiopian and 21 Egyptian Christians as well as an attack on a Tripoli hotel, embassies and oilfields.

According to PEC figures, Libya has become the most dangerous country for this year. Eight journalists have been killed in this country. Two days ago, Muftah al-Qatrani, director of Al-Anwar, was found shot in the head in his Benghazi office. Two Tunisian journalists have been killed by Islamic militants at the beginning of the year.

***16.04.2015. PEC strongly condemns the killing of an Ukrainian journalist

Geneva, April 16 (PEC) -- The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) strongly condemned Thursday the killing of a prominent Ukrainian journalist, Oles Buzina, 45, known for his pro-Russian views. 

    He was shot dead on Thursday in Kiev by two masked gunmen, the interior ministry said, a day after a former lawmaker loyal to ousted President Viktor Yanukovich, Oleh Kalashnikov was also killed. Oles Buzina was until March the editor-in-chief of Segodnya newspaper. 

     The PEC stressed that whatever the motivations are journalists must be spared from being targeted because of political rivalries. 

     Oles Buzina is the 39th journalist killed around the world since the beginning of 2015. 

      Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a televised call-in show, referred specifically to Buzina's death saying it had been politically motivated.

     Anton Herashchenko, an adviser to the Ukrainian interior minister, said in a Facebook post that Buzyna - like Kalashnikov - was a key witness in a criminal case related to pro-Russian activists who in early 2014 attacked the pro-Western protests on Kiev's main square. The protests eventually led to the ouster of the Kremlin-friendly Yanukovich, who fled the country in February last year.

      The PEC calls for a quick, transparent, independent and thorough investigation by the Ukrainian authorities of this targeted killing.

      The PEC will devote its annual Award for the Protection of Journalists in June to the media coverage of the crisis in Ukraine.

      Oles Buzina is the 12th journalist killed in Ukraine since the start of the civil unrest in 2014 and the third this year.

***29.03.2015. The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) congratulates Christian Campiche for his election as president of Impressum, the Swiss Syndicate of journalists. Christian is a member of the PEC board since many years // La Presse Emblème  Campagne (PEC) félicite Christian Campiche pour son élection comme président d’Impressum, le syndicat des journalistes suisses. Christian est membre du comité directeur de la PEC depuis plusieurs années (English after French)

Genève, 29 mars (PEC) Le choix de l'assemblée des délégués, qui s’est tenue le 27 mars à Brissago (TI), s'est porté sur le Vaudois Christian Campiche, 67 ans. Christian Campiche est membre du comité central d’Impressum depuis dix ans. Il occupait la fonction de vice-président depuis 2007. Le nouveau président s’est donné pour mission de renforcer l’unité au sein de la branche.

La Presse Emblème  Campagne (PEC) félicite Christian Campiche pour son élection comme président d’Impressum, le syndicat qui  regroupe quelque 6000 journalistes suisses. Christian Campiche est membre du comité directeur de la PEC depuis plusieurs années.

« Impressum a soutenu la PEC depuis sa création en 2004 et Christian Campiche a été ces dernières années un membre actif de son comité. Il a ainsi été l’an dernier à l'origine de l’organisation avec la PEC et Impressum des 3e Assises du journalisme à Lausanne. Nous le félicitons chaleureusement pour son élection à la présidence du principal syndicat des journalistes suisses », a affirmé le secrétaire général de la PEC Blaise Lempen.

La présidente de la PEC Hedayat Abdel Nabi a souligné que la présidence d’Impressum est bien méritée par Christian Campiche, dédié à la défense des journalistes dans les zones de conflit et actif depuis des années au sein de la PEC.

L’élection de Campiche ouvre la voie à une coopération plus large entre la PEC et l’association des journalistes suisses, a ajouté Hedayat Abdel Nabi. La PEC salue le choix de Campiche par l’assemblée des délégués et lui souhaite une grande présidence.

Christian Campiche est né en 1948 à Budapest de père suisse et de mère hongroise. Comme journaliste, il a notamment travaillé au « Journal d’Yverdon » (1978-1980), puis à l’Agence télégraphique suisse (ATS). Dès 1989, il participe au lancement du magazine « Bilan » dont il devient le rédacteur en chef adjoint. De 1995 à 1996, il occupe la même fonction au quotidien « L’Agefi » à Lausanne, puis le « Journal de Genève » et la « Gazette de Lausanne » lui confient la direction de sa rubrique économique (1996-1998).

Chef de la rubrique économique de « La Liberté » entre 2000 et 2007, il lance en 2009, « Edito+Klartext », le magazine suisse des médias dont il est le corédacteur en chef de 2009 à 2013. Cofondateur de l’association info-en-danger, membre du Conseil de fondation du Conseil suisse de la presse, Christian Campiche a aussi créé en 2003 le site web : www.lameduse.ch. Depuis octobre 2013, il tient la chronique Finance dans « GHI ». Il collabore depuis 2011 au magazine « CultureEnjeu » et au journal en ligne «Journal21 ».

The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) congratulates Christian Campiche for his election as president of Impressum, the Swiss Syndicate of journalists. Christian is a member of the PEC board since many years

The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) congratulates heartily Christian Campiche for his election as president of the Swiss Syndicate of Journalists: IMPRESSUM. Mr. Campiche is member of the PEC executive committee since 2005.

It is a great day for the PEC when one of its executive committee members and a very dedicated and active member becomes president of Impressum which assembles 6000 Swiss journalists one of the largest national syndicates of journalists worldwide.

PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen noted that Impressum has supported the PEC since the Geneva based NGO was created in 2004, Campiche himself brought the two organizations together to organize the third colloquium on journalism last year in Lausanne.

Lempen added that the PEC executive committee congratulates Campiche warmly.

PEC president Hedayat Abdel Nabi noted that being elected president of IMPRESSUM is well deserved for Christian Campiche, he is dedicated to the cause of defending journalists in conflict zones, and has been for years active in his support for the PEC.

Campiche's election will open doors of wide cooperation between the PEC and the Swiss journalists association, IMPRESSUM, the PEC salutes the choice of Campiche as president and wishes him a great tenure as president.

***23.03.2015. HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL - 28th session. PEC statement delivered on item 8:  The PEC is deeply concerned that some States have done nothing to implement the resolution on safety of journalists (A/HRC/27/L7) adopted last September

General  Assembly
Human Rights Council
28th session
 
Item 8 – Follow-up and implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Program of Action 
General Debate

Mr President,

In adopting by consensus the resolution on safety of journalists (A/HRC/27/L7) at its 27th session last year, the Human Rights Council urges States to promote a safe and enabling environment for journalists to perform their work independently and without undue interference, to prevent attacks and violence against media workers, to ensure accountability through the conduct of impartial, speedy, thorough, independent and effective investigations, to bring perpetrators to justice, and to ensure that victims and their families have access to appropriate remedies;

The resolution calls upon States to develop strategies for combating impunity for attacks against journalists, including by using good practices such as the creation of special investigative units or independent commissions; the appointment of a specialized prosecutor; the adoption of specific protocols and methods of investigation and prosecution; the establishment of information-gathering mechanisms, such as databases, to permit the gathering of verified information about threats and attacks against journalists; the establishment of an early warning and rapid response mechanism to give journalists, when threatened, immediate access to the authorities and protective measures.
 
The PEC seizes this opportunity to request every State in this room to report on the implementation of the resolution and what it has done to develop the best practices agreed upon. 

The PEC is deeply concerned that some States have done nothing to implement the resolution since September last year, and, on the contrary, have threatened, arrested, abducted, dismissed, injured, killed journalists. We are particularly concerned by the situation in Azerbaijan, Egypt, Guatemala, Honduras, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Mexico, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine (Crimea), Yemen and Venezuela.

The Geneva based NGO PEC calls upon the authorities of these countries to implement the resolution that they have adopted in letter and spirit. It calls upon the Council and the OHCHR to follow-up quickly on the implementation of the resolution.

I thank you for your attention.
23 March 2015 

***23.03.2015. HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL - 28th session. PEC statement delivered on item 7: Last year was the worst and the deadliest year in the history of Palestine media

General Assembly
Human Rights Council
28th session
 
Item 7 – Human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories
General  Debate

Mr President,
 
The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) regrets the postponement to the June session of the presentation of its report by the independent Commission of Inquiry on the situation in Gaza. The military operations last summer have killed 16 media workers and these killings must be thoroughly investigated. Media facilities have suffered several attacks which contravened international law. 
 
The PEC calls upon the Commission of Inquiry to shed light on these attacks and killings in order to identify those responsible. The lack of protection given to media workers in the most longstanding conflict between Israel and Palestine is matter of deep concern for our organization.
 
According to the last report of the Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA), a PEC member awarded with the PEC annual Prize for Protection of Journalists in June 2009, a record number (465) of crimes and violations against media freedoms in Palestine has been registered during 2014.
 
Last year was the worst and the deadliest year in the history of Palestinian media.

MADA stated that the Israeli occupation forces committed 351 violations (112 in Gaza, 239 in the West Bank including East Jerusalem) or the equivalent of more than 75% of the total violations monitored and documented. While the different Palestine sides committed 114 violations (24 in Gaza and 90 in the West Bank) which is equivalent to 25%.

The PEC reiterates its condemnation of all violations against media freedoms in Palestine and stresses the need to prosecute the perpetrators of all these violations and to put an end to the escalating attacks against media in Palestine.

The PEC calls on the Members of the Human Rights Council to exert real pressure on the Israeli and Palestine authorities to induce them to comply with international law that guarantee media freedom and freedom of expression.

I thank you for your attention.
23 March 2015 

***17.03.2015. HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL - 28th session - PEC statement delivered on situations that require the Council's attention - PEC requires the Human Rights Council to send a very strong message to all criminals that there would be no impunity for perpetrators of crimes against the freedom of expression

General  Assembly
Human Rights Council
28th session

Item 4 – Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention
General  Debate

Mr President,

The year 2014 has been the second deadliest  year  for journalists during the past decade: 138 media workers were killed in the line of duty in 32 countries. The most dangerous countries in 2014 were  Syria (19 killed), Gaza (16), Pakistan (12), Iraq (10), Ukraine (9), Mexico (8), Afghanistan (7), Honduras (6), Somalia (5), Brazil (5), and Central African Republic (4).
 
Middle East was on the top of the list, with 52 journalists killed, followed by Asia with 32, Latin America with 29, Sub-Saharan Africa with 15 and Europe 10.

The situation is deteriorating rather than improving. As of today, 33 journalists have already been killed in 2015, which represents a significant increase compared to the same period of last year, with 12 more killed in only 2 months and a half.
 
Among them  are the victims of the attack against  Charlie Hebdo in France. The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) was horrified by the attack that resulted in a dozen deaths  at the headquarters of the French weekly. It condemned a despicable attack against freedom of expression with no justification, targeting in particular four well-known cartoonists, symbols of tolerance.
 
The PEC honors the struggle and battle for the freedom of expression of all cartoonists around the world.
 
The PEC expresses its deep concern that these attacks and others by extremists could have a chilling effect on the free press around the world. 
 
These attacks against freedom of expression require the Human Rights Council to react firmly and to send a very strong message to all criminals that there would be zero tolerance and no impunity for perpetrators of such crimes. No concession must be made to those assailants on freedom of expression.

I thank you for your attention.
 
17 March 2015 

***17.03.2015: HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL - 28th session - PEC statement delivered on the report of the International commission of inquiry on Syria: "not to publish names at this juncture of the investigation would be to reinforce the impunity"

General  Assembly
Human Rights Council
28th session

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

Report of the Independent international commission of inquiry on the situation in the Syrian Arab Republic (A/HRC/28/69) 

Mr President,

The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) commends the Independent international commission of inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic for its report. Journalists paid a very high price to inform the public opinion of the terrible human sufferings and the gross human rights violations in Syria. 

According to the PEC records, in 4 years, since March 2011, at least 75 media workers have been killed in Syria. During the past three years, Syria was the most dangerous place for journalists to work. The PEC pays tribute today to their sense of duty, which is indispensable to document the tragedies of war.
 
A peak in the horror was reached in recent months. Three brave and experienced journalists  were beheaded by ISIS:  the Japanese Kenji  Goto and  the Americans Steven Sotloff and James Foley. The PEC strongly condemned these outrageous acts of barbarism and banditry and calls upon the international commission of inquiry to document those responsible for those heinous acts and to put them on the list of perpetrators to bring them to justice. 
 
The PEC fully agree with the conclusion of the Commission, in order to maximize the potential deterrent effect of its findings, that after  four years of intensive monitoring and the submission of four confidential  lists of perpetrators, not to publish names at this juncture of the investigation would be to reinforce the impunity that the Commission was mandated to combat. 
 
The PEC is still very concerned about the fate of Mazen Darwish, who received in 2012 the PEC annual Award in absentia. The Director of the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression is held in arbitrary detention since February 2012 with his two colleagues Hani Zitani and Hussein Al Ghurair. The PEC urges the Syrian authorities to release them immediately.
 
PEC requests the Human Rights Council and the OHCHR to draw the lessons from  Syria and to expedite their work in order to find ways to better protect journalists in zones of conflict.
 
I thank you for your attention.
17 March 2015

***10.03.2015. GUATEMALA - Dos periodistas asesinados en Mazatenango, Suchitepéquez - Two journalists shot dead in Guatemala, another wounded (Cerigua/PEC)

Los periodistas, Danilo López y Federico Salazar, corresponsales de Prensa Libre y Radio Nuevo Mundo, en Mazatenago, Suchitepéquez (167 kilómetros al suroccidente de la ciudad capital) fueron atacados por dos individuos que se conducían en una motocicleta, cuando se encontraban en el parque central de esa ciudad.

En el lugar murieron López y Salazar, en tanto que un reportero más que se encontraba con ellos, Marvin Túnchez, del canal 30 local, quedó herido.

El Observatorio de los Periodistas recuerda que el periodista Danilo López, había sido objeto de intimidaciones por parte de distintas autoridades del departamento, debido a sus artículos críticos.

Suchitepéquez ha sido el departamento donde más hechos graves contra la prensa se han registrado en los últimos años. El 19 de agosto de 2013 fue asesinado el periodista Carlos Alberto Orellana Chávez; unos días antes, el 12 de agosto de ese mismo año, el periodista Fredy Rodas fue herido gravemente en un atentado. A mediados de febrero de 2014 el periodista Nery Morales, también fue objeto de un ataque a tiros, del que salió ileso.

Hoy, nuevamente en Suchitepéquez, fueron asesinados los compañeros Danilo López y Federico Salazar, de manera alevosa, por dos individuos que se conducían en una motocicleta.

En horas de la tarde de este mismo día, la Policía Nacional Civil detuvo a un posible responsable, que supuestamente se conducía en el vehículo utilizado en el crimen.

Nuevamente el Observatorio de los Periodistas alerta a periodistas y comunicadores, medios de prensa, organizaciones defensoras de la libertad de expresión, nacionales e internacionales, sobre los riesgos que estamos enfrentando en el país y que previsiblemente se incrementarán en contra de las y los trabajadores de la información, en el contexto del año electoral.

Patentiza su solidaridad con las familias de los colegas asesinados y con el compañero Túnchez, con Prensa Libre, Nuevo Mundo y Canal 30.

"Las autoridades deben investigar en profundidad este ataque y enjuiciar a los responsables", afirmó Blaise Lempen, secretario general del PEC (Campana Emblema de Prensa).

López trabajó como corresponsal de Prensa Libre en Suchitepéquez durante más de una década y con frecuencia escribía sobre temas de corrupción y la fiscalización del gasto público, según el diario. También había comparado a políticos corruptos con las mafias que operan en la región.

***01.03.2015. PEC statement - Ukraine: one more journalist killed on the eve of the Human Rights Council session

Geneva, March 1 (PEC) One more journalist has been killed on the eve of the session of the Human Rights Council. The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) is deeply saddened by the death of Sergii Nikolaiev, senior photographer of Segodnya daily Ukrainian newspaper and strongly condemns his killing. Since the start of the year, 29 journalists have been killed while only doing their job.

Sergii Nikolaiev died of wounds he received on Feb. 28 in eastern Ukraine. The tragedy occurred in the village of Pisky located just 1.5 kilometers from Donetsk airport, which is now controlled by separatists, according to news reports. Several of his colleagues on the scene reported that Nikolaiev was wounded by explosion of the mine, while Segodnya newspaper reported that he was wounded by shells.

Nikolaiev, 43, has worked in numerous conflict zones, including wars in Georgia, Libya, Syria, and Somalia. He has become the tenth journalist killed since the beginning of 2014 in Ukraine, the seventh directly caused by the war (five Russians, one Italian, one Ukrainian).

One year after the Euromaidan revolution in Kiev, the PEC is concerned that the space for free journalism is steadily decreasing. PEC condemns all obstacles to reporting on the conflict and calls on all parties to respect the freedom of information for all journalists. The war propaganda has created a profound atmosphere of distrust which governments are exploiting to impose their own forms of control on media. Balanced and impartial news to the public are more than ever needed.

The NGO is very concerned by the situation in Russia, where the murder of Boris Nemtsov in central Moscow, if related to the conflict in Ukraine, could have a further chilling effect on the freedom of the press.

At the 28th session of the Human Rights Council, which starts on Monday for four weeks in Geneva, PEC will highlight various worrying situations: the situation in Syria and Gaza, on the reports of both Commissions of enquiry, the restrictions in Ukraine and Russia, the crackdown in Azerbaijan, the intimidation in Egypt, the impunity in Mexico, Honduras, Philippines, Pakistan and other dangerous places.

PEC calls on the Human Rights Council to react firmly to the numerous assassinations of journalists by Islamic groups and extremists in France, Syria, Iraq, Libya, and Yemen.

***13.02.2015. EGYPT. PEC  welcomes a court decision in Egypt that has ordered the release on bail of two Al Jazeera journalists

Geneva, February 13 (PEC) The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) welcomes a court decision in Egypt that has ordered the release on bail of two Al Jazeera journalists being retried for allegedly aiding the banned Muslim Brotherhood.

Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed were imprisoned in June 2013 along with their Australian colleague, Peter Greste.

Jailed Al Jazeera journalist Mohamed Fahmy has been released from prison in Egypt on bail pending a retrial. Fahmy's release early on Friday morning comes a day after an Egyptian court granted bail to him and his colleague Baher Mohamed after they spent 411 days in prison.

PEC says 412 days of their lives were wasted. The NGO based in Geneva calls on the Egyptian authorities to drop all charges against them.

A retrial was ordered by the country's Court of Cassation last month, overturning a lower court's verdict that had falsely found them guilty of helping the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood group.

"Bail is a small step in the right direction, and allows Baher and Mohamed to spend time with their families after 411 days apart," an Al Jazeera spokesman said on Thursday.

"The focus though is still on the court reaching the correct verdict at the next hearing by dismissing this absurd case and releasing both these fine journalists unconditionally."

A third Al Jazeera journalist, Peter Greste, who was also to be retried, was deported on February 1 under a presidential decree after spending 400 days in prison. He has since returned to his home in Australia.

The journalists strenuously deny collaborating with the banned Muslim Brotherhood after the overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi by the military in 2013. They say they were jailed simply for reporting the news.

Judge Hassan Farid adjourned proceedings until 23 February and set bail for Mr Fahmy at 250,000 Egyptian pounds ($33,000; £22,000), while Mr Mohamed was freed without bail.

PEC calls for the release of nine other journalists still detained in Egypt. Two weeks before the beginning of the next session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, the PEC hopes that Egypt will fully comply with its international obligations to respect all human rights. Mass death sentences and harsh punishments at times based on scant or no evidence have come under strong international criticism.

The PEC hopes in particular that Egypt will not restrict the freedom of information on Internet in order to support the development of a modern and open society in a safe environment for journalists as requested by the United Nations in recent resolutions of last year A/C.3/69/L.50/Rev.1 and A/HRC/27/L7.

***11.02.2015. AZERBAIDJAN. The Swiss embassy in Baku has been secretly sheltering Azerbaijani journalist and human rights activist Emin Huseynov for the past six months, a Swiss national television (SRF) report has revealed. The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) calls for the end of the persecution of activists in the country and urges the Aliyev government to grant Huseynov safe passage out of the country.

The SRF current affairs programme Rundschau reported that the 35-year-old critic of President Ilham Aljiev’s regime sought refuge in the embassy because he feared for his life.

Switzerland has guaranteed Huseynov protection “for humanitarian reasons“, the Swiss foreign ministry said in a statement delivered to Rundschau.

“We have been discussing the matter with Azeri government and officials ever since, in order to find a solution,“ it added.

The Swiss government has been negotiating at the highest level possible with Azerbaijan, but the Azerbaijan government has been against letting Emin Huzeynov leave the country.

Last year was particularly difficult for free speech advocates in the former Soviet republic. The oil-rich Azeri government escalated its repression against its critics in 2014, with a dramatic deterioration in its already poor rights record.

The Swiss embassy building in the Old City of Baku is approachable directly from the street, one of the reasons it was chosen by Huseymov last August when he was facing imminent arrest, according to Rundschau investigative journalist Serena Tinari.

Huseymov is the founder of the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety, a non-governmental organisation fighting for press freedom and journalists‘ safety in Azerbaijan.

But Huseymov also had Swiss connections. As part of his pro-democracy activities, he attended an OSCE conference on human rights in the Swiss capital Bern last year, where he met then Swiss president Didier Burkhalter. The journalist had met Burkhalter once before when the Swiss president was on a state visit to Baku.

Florian Irminger of the Geneva-based Human Rights House Foundation, has been following Huseynov’s case. He told Rundschau that the journalist was arrested in 2008 and 2009 and suffered beatings that amounted to torture.

In one of Huseynov’s last public interviews before going into hiding he expressed pessimism with life under the regime: “We have no positive perspectives for the future. Repression against the freedom of opinion is continuing, including the online media.“

An other leading investigative journalist Khadija Ismayilova was arrested on 5 December on a trumped-up charge of inciting a former colleague to commit suicide. Her only crime has been having the courage to investigate a subject that is completely off-limits in Azerbaijan – corruption at the highest level of government.

***09.02.2015 (updated 11.02). SYRIA. Japan confiscates journalist's passport to stop him going to Syria - the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) questions the legitimacy of the decision - the passport seizure has brought sharp criticism from journalists and free-speech advocates.

Government says it took travel documents away from freelance photographer Yuichi Sugimoto, 58, for his own safety

Tokyo defended on Monday its confiscation of the passport of a Japanese journalist planning to travel to Syria, as the country reels from the execution of two citizens by Islamist extremists.

The chief cabinet secretary, Yoshihide Suga, said the government took travel documents away from freelance photographer Yuichi Sugimoto, for his own safety, after learning of his plan to cover refugee camps in the war-torn country.

“Islamic State has expressed its resolve to continue killing Japanese,” Suga told a regular press briefing.

“If a Japanese national enters Syria ... we have assessed that there is a high risk that the person would face immediate danger to his life, like being captured by Isil and other Islamic extremists,” he said.

Suga said the government had given consideration to both the principle of a free press and the government’s responsibility to protect the safety of Japanese nationals in confiscating the document.

But the 58-year-old, who has covered conflict zones in Iraq and Syria over the years, said he had no plans to enter areas controlled by ISIL, Kyodo News reported.

A dangerous precedent

The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) questions the legitimacy of the decision of Japan. Has a government the right to interfere with the free choice of a journalist to do his duty and to inform the public on the human sufferings in war zones ?

The passport seizure has brought sharp criticism from journalists and free-speech advocates.

“It is a dangerous precedent for the government to unilaterally decide where journalists can go and what they can report on. Revoking the passport is a form of censorship and an encroachment on civil liberties,” said Jeff Kingston, director of the Asian Studies program at Temple University’s Tokyo campus.

“Although I realize the Japanese government is balancing many difficult concerns at this time, the right of journalists to cover stories and the principle of freedom of the press must remain an inalienable right,” said Lucy Birmingham, president of the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan. She said the group was considering filing a formal protest.

Japanese officials said last week that they had repeatedly tried to dissuade one of the hostages, journalist Kenji Goto, from traveling to Syria in October, but that he ignored their warnings. He was kidnapped shortly after entering the country.

What do you think ? Send us your opinion to: pressemblem@bluewin.ch

***01.02.2015. EGYPT. PEC welcomes release of Peter Greste, a move in the right direction

The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) welcomes the release of Australian Al Jazeera journalist Peter Greste who left Egypt for his native Australia on Sunday after serving 400 days in an Egyptian prison.

This is a move in the right direction.

The PEC congratulates Greste's family and the Australian government for his release.

Two other Al Jazeera journalists - Baher Mohamed, a producer, and the channel's Cairo bureau chief Mohamed Fahmy - still remain imprisoned in Egypt.
 
The PEC demands the release of Peter Greste's colleagues.

Greste and the two other Al Jazeera journalists were accused of collaborating with the banned Muslim Brotherhood after the overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi by the military in 2013. The three men said they were simply reporting the news. 

***01.02.2015. SYRIA. Beheading of Japanese journalist Kenji GOTO strongly condemned by PEC

Geneva, Feb 1 (PEC) The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) is horrified at the beheading announced by ISIS of Japanese journalist Kenji GOTO, a heinous crime strongly condemned by the PEC.

The PEC, while seriously shocked, sends its condolences to the family of GOTO, the Japanese government and the Japanese people.

There are no words to express the sorrow of the PEC at this tragic development which is a tragedy that humanity and the world at large is to deal with.

Kenji Goto went to north-east of Syria only to help. He was not a fighter. An exchange was possible to save the lives of the hostages. It is better than to pay a ransom, which fuels terrorism, even if we cannot negotiate with criminals who are committing crimes against humanity. Those criminals must be prosecuted.

Including the two Japanese, ISIS since mid-August has beheaded two other American journalists: James Foley et Steven Sotloff, an American humanitarian worker: Peter Kassig, and two other British humanitarian workers: David Haines and Alan Henning, all were kidnapped in Syria.

Up to date 23 journalists have been killed since the beginning of 2015, an unprecedented record. It is the bloodiest month of January on record. Eight journalists have been killed in Paris, at Charlie Hebdo, 5 in South Sudan last week in an ambush, 2 in Iraq in fighting with ISIS, 2 in Libya, 1 in Yemen, 1 in Afghanistan, 1 in the Philippines, 1 in Mexico, 1 in Indonesia and now one in Syria.

PEC hopes that during its next session in March the Human Rights Council will react accordingly. It is more than ever necessary to establish a working group to discuss measures to better protect journalists in conflict zones.

***25.01.2015. SYRIA. PEC calls for the immediate release of Japanese journalist Kenji Goto

Geneva, 25 January (PEC) The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) is deeply concerned by a video released by the Islamic State militant group, showing surviving Japanese freelance journalist Kenji Goto, in handcuffs and dressed in orange, holding a photo of what appears to be beheaded compatriot Haruna Yukawa. PEC firmly condemns an outrageous act of banditry and calls for the immediate release of the Japanese hostage.

Goto, 47, is an experienced freelance journalist covering the conflict in Iraq and Syria. Goto was kidnapped in Syria in October 2014 and had been a journalist for years, contributing to NHK and other Japanese news organizations.

He went in the north-east of Syria to witness the war because as a Japanese he believed to be less at risk than an American, a British or a French. Japan has no military enrolment in Syria or in Iraq.

Since the beginning of this year, 15 journalists had been killed, 8 in Paris at Charlie Hebdo, 1 in Iraq in fighting with ISIS, 2 Tunisian journalists in Libya (not yet confirmed), 1 in Afghanistan, 1 in the Philippines, 1 in Mexico and 1 in Yemen. It is the deadliest month of January on record. The turmoil in the Middle East is taking a heavy toll on the media.

PEC is also very concerned by the renewed  fighting in Ukraine with no respect for civilians. The NGO warns of high risks for journalists covering the conflict.

 Last year, 138 journalists were killed in the line of duty, the second deadliest year over a ten year period.

***19.01.2015. Entretien exclusif avec Laurence Deonna, journaliste, écrivaine: « Pour être publiés, le reporter et le photographe doivent aller au plus près du drame au risque de leur vie » - Propos recueillis par Luisa Ballin pour la PEC

ENGLISH VERSION BELOW - ENGLISH VERSION BELOW

Journaliste, photographe, grand reporter et écrivaine voyageuse, lauréate du Prix Unesco pour l’éducation à la paix en 1987, la Genevoise Laurence Deonna (photo) vient de publier son dernier livre intitulé « Mémoires ébouriffées » (Editions de l’Aire/Ginkgo). Cette fine connaisseuse du Moyen-Orient a accordé un entretien exclusif à la Presse Emblème Campagne (PEC)

Luisa Ballin. Quelles réflexions vous inspirent les événements tragiques qui ont eu lieu à Paris récemment, après l’assassinat de plusieurs dessinateurs du magazine Charlie Hebdo, de policiers et de citoyens de confession juive qui se trouvaient dans un supermarché casher ?

Laurence Deonna. "Je suis Charlie". Des foules gigantesques. Ils ont été des milliers et des milliers à descendre dans la rue afin de rendre hommage à un journal décapité qu'ils n'avaient peut-être jamais lu. Tous pour "Charlie-Hebdo" ! Tous pour la liberté d'expression ! Tous pour la démocratie ! Souvent eux-mêmes objets des caricaturistes, les chefs d'Etat défilaient en rangs serrés. Emouvant, ça l'était, c'est vrai, et pourtant je n'ai pas pu m'empêcher de penser au fol enthousiasme des premiers jours du printemps arabe et à ses fleurs aujourd'hui fanées, ensanglantées, en Libye, en Syrie et au Yémen. Quant aux  interviews télévisées qui ont ponctué les moments tragiques dont vous parlez, j’ai envie de vous dire : des hommes, presque uniquement des hommes. Le monde n'a pas changé. Le monde leur appartient toujours. La liberté d'expression des femmes, c'est pour quand ?  

Comment le métier de reporter dans les zones dangereuses a-t-il évolué par rapport à l’époque où vous partiez en reportage pour le Journal de Genève?

Lorsque j’ai rédigé ce livre de souvenirs « Mémoires ébouriffées », j’avais l’impression d’avoir cent ans et que tout ce que racontais était tellement ancien ! Alors que si l’on regarde l’éternité de l’humanité, cela ne fait que quelques années que le monde a beaucoup changé, notamment dans le domaine du reportage. J’ai toujours pensé que les technologies plus que les idéologies changeaient les peuples et c’est ce que l’on constate ce temps-ci. A mon époque, lorsque l’on partait, il n’y avait pas tous ces contrôles dans les aéroports ni la phobie du terrorisme. Certes, il y avait une grande solitude, pas de téléphones portables, ni d’ordinateurs, on était seul. Si nous parvenions à avoir une ligne téléphonique, il fallait la réserver à une certaine heure, entre 4 et 5 heures de l’après-midi ou envoyer un télégramme, ne sachant souvent pas s’il y avait une poste là où l’on allait.

A l’époque le métier de grand reporter et de photographe était-il plus dangereux ou moins risqué qu’aujourd’hui ?

Je pense qu’il était moins dangereux. Très peu de temps avant sa mort, j’ai parlé avec Ella Maillart (Ndlr : écrivaine, photographe et grande voyageuse genevoise qui était son amie). Elle me disait que tout ce qu’elle avait fait, elle n’aurait pas pu le faire aujourd’hui, comme par exemple de traverser l’Iran, l’Afghanistan ou le Pakistan, des régions que je connais bien. C’est aussi plus dangereux parce que l’on s’est précipité dans une société de consommation effrénée et effarante où tout se vend. Le sang par exemple se vend très bien. Pour être publiés, le reporter et le photographe doivent aller au plus près du drame, au risque de leur vie. J’ai trouvé assez noble de mourir pour une Cause, mais je trouve lamentable et mélancolique de mourir pour un groupe de presse.
 
Vous êtes allée en Afghanistan, au Pakistan, en Iraq, en Syrie, au Yémen, des pays extrêmement dangereux aujourd’hui. Y retourneriez-vous en reportages?

Je n’y retournerais pas pour y faire des reportages. Pourtant, il est important de donner d’autres paroles que celles que l’on voit du matin au soir à la télévision ou que l’on entend toute la journée à la radio parce que l’on entend toujours les mêmes paroles, alors que des millions de gens pensent différemment. C’est cette variété de parole qui manque car elle tourne toujours autour d’événements dramatiques. Ce que j’ai aimé lors de mes reportages, c’était écouter les petites gens. J’aimais traîner mes patins, ce qui est absolument impossible aujourd’hui parce qu’il faut vendre à tout prix, donc être les premiers pour donner la nouvelle. Comment peut-on voir vraiment un pays, écouter les gens, décrire des paysages ou regarder par exemple les affiches qui sont très parlantes ? Cela me semble extrêmement difficile aujourd’hui, tout comme observer les petits détails qui font la richesse d’un vrai reportage. Je ne retournerai pas en Syrie.
 
Pourquoi ? Parce que c’est extrêmement dangereux ?

Parce que cela me ferait pleurer. J’ai connu ce pays dans les années 60 et il ressemblait probablement à la Syrie d’il y a des siècles. Les hommes sont en train là, comme en Irak, au Yémen et ailleurs, de tuer toute une civilisation, de défigurer une culture qui existe depuis des siècles. Cela fait partie d’un bouleversement mondial, aussi violent que le furent la chute de l’Empire romain ou la révolution industrielle. Nous sommes dans l’œil d’un cyclone et nous ne savons pas ce qui va en sortir. Ce monde-là restera heureusement sur mes photos qui deviennent quasiment des archives. Lorsque je les regarde, j’en ai les larmes aux yeux, car ces endroits ont été bombardés ou bétonnés. Cela peut sembler naïf mais j’aime garder ces images de beauté.
 
Vous connaissez bien le Moyen-Orient, Israël, la Palestine, l’Egypte, vous avez d’ailleurs été lauréate du Prix Unesco pour l’Education à la Paix en 1987 pour votre livre « La guerre à deux voix ». Que vous inspire le conflit israélo-palestinien ?

Il est certain que je ne pourrais pas faire aujourd’hui « La guerre à deux voix », parce que contrairement à ce que nous avons tellement espéré et qu’espèrent toujours les pacifistes tant israéliens que palestiniens d’ailleurs, les haines se sont à tel point durcies que je ne vois pas la fin du conflit israélo-palestinien. Lorsque je suis arrivée au Moyen-Orient, en pleine guerre, en 1967, et même après, nous avions encore l’impression, paradoxalement, qu’un dialogue était possible, mais maintenant il est devenu impossible. Tout est figé : dans la géographie, dans la haine, les têtes, les cœurs. J’en parle dans mes souvenirs, car je tenais à rappeler qu’il y a des hommes et des femmes de paix. La haute politique israélo-américaine est claire et notamment pour ce qui est de la Syrie. 
 
En quoi la politique israélo-américaine est-elle claire ?

Pourquoi les Américains se sont-ils empressés d’aller bombarder le Daesh (Ndlr : l’Etat islamique autoproclamé) en Iraq et pourquoi n’ont-ils pas bougé en Syrie ? Parce qu’un Etat dictatorial comme celui de Bachar El-Assad arrangeait plus Israël qu’un Etat un peu démocratique. Je suis mariée à un Arabe (Ndlr : son époux Farag Moussa est Egyptien) qui lit les journaux arabes et regarde les télévisions arabes. En 2010, il se demandait déjà ce qui se passait en voyant de plus en plus de mollahs et de cheiks dans les médias. Il me disait que la chaîne de télévision Al Jazeera en anglais n’avait rien à voir avec Al Jazeera en arabe. Cette traînée de poudre - c’est le cas de le dire -, du Maghreb au Yémen, en passant par la Syrie et l’Irak, n’est pas un hasard. Sans doute faudrait-il téléphoner au Pentagone pour savoir qui a fait tomber les uns après les autres tous ces dominos, mais la ligne est toujours occupée.
 
Vous connaissez bien l’Egypte que vous avez visitée à de nombreuses reprises. Quelles sont vos impressions de ce pays et notamment la situation des femmes et des journalistes?

Je suis scandalisée par ce qui se passe en Egypte et mon mari est démoralisé par ce qui se passe dans son pays. Ils ont remplacé un aviateur par un général des armées de terre. Rien n’a changé sinon que les gens sont plus pauvres, que la corruption est toujours là, que cela est dangereux de sortir, comme me le dit ma nièce. C’est un miroir pervers que les uns et les autres se renvoient. Lorsque je regarde la télévision égyptienne, il y a une dichotomie entre les journalistes femmes qui ne portent pas le voile et les femmes dans la rue qui sont de plus en plus voilées. J’ai l’impression que l’Egypte est devenu un pays avec un corps sans tête où il n’y a plus de vie intellectuelle. Les livres non coraniques ont disparus des librairies. En Egypte, comme en Syrie, les gens les plus instruits qui étaient la structure du pays s’en vont car ils sont les seuls à pouvoir se payer le luxe de partir. Le Moyen-Orient vit une immense tragédie. Les télévisions de ces pays ne montrent plus les intellectuels, les musiciens, les artistes ou les sites témoins de notre Histoire qui sont en train de disparaître. 
 
N’y a-t-il pas un paradoxe de voir que les technologies de la communication ont libéré la parole des peuples dans les pays que nous avons mentionnés et qu’une fois que les révolutions ou « les printemps arabes » ont eu lieu il est difficile de comprendre ce qui s’est passé ?

Il n’y a eu que des paroles, car ces gens, aussi touchants soient-ils, n’avaient aucune structure. Il ne suffit pas de belles paroles pour administrer et gérer un pays. On l’a vu également en Afghanistan, par exemple à l’époque de Massoud, qui ne s’en est pas sorti alors qu’il était pourtant aimé de son peuple. Pourquoi ? Parce que c’était un guerrier et non un administrateur. 
 
Pour en revenir à l’Egypte, comment faut-il comprendre le fait que les Frères Musulmans aient eu un telle popularité parmi le peuple ?
 
Je raconte dans mon dernier livre que j’étais allée au Caire il y plusieurs années avec Farag, dans les quartiers les plus pauvres. Nous sommes arrivés devant une mosquée, sous un soleil de plomb. Des veuves de guerre qui n’avaient jamais reçu leur pension venaient à la mosquée pour pouvoir subsister car la mosquée était le seul endroit où on leur donnait à manger. Ce jour-là, elles recevaient du pain et une orange. Adossée à la mosquée, il y avait une petite clinique ouverte à tout le monde, avec de jeunes médecins qui faisaient un tournus pour soigner les gens gratuitement. Un peu plus loin, une petite bibliothèque permettait d’emprunter des livres. Pourquoi voulez-vous que ces gens ne votent pas pour les Frères Musulmans, puisque l’Etat ne s’occupe pas d’eux? Si l’Etat n’assure pas les services sociaux, un espace vide se crée et en Egypte cet espace a été occupé par les mosquées. Il ne faut pas chercher des idéologies. Dans neuf cas sur dix, si les gens vont de plus en plus à la mosquée, c’est pour des raisons très concrètes. Celles et ceux qui n’ont pas les moyens d’acheter un médicament s’ils sont malades savent qu’ils pourront l’obtenir à la mosquée.

Qu’en est-il des femmes ?

Des jeunes filles se disent qu’en allant à la mosquée, elles vont peut-être rencontrer un garçon qui leur plaira et qui pourra devenir leur mari. Elles ne seront ainsi pas obligées d’épouser leur cousin. C’est toute une structure qu’il faut aussi voir avec leurs yeux et pas seulement avec notre regard d’Occidentaux. Ne faut-il pas aussi leur donner la parole et essayer de comprendre pourquoi tant d’hommes et de femmes votent pour les Frères Musulmans ?
 
Les journalistes ne le font-ils pas assez ?

Les journalistes font ce que leur rédaction attend d’eux. Je connais des reporters qui aimeraient avoir plus de temps pour donner la parole aux petites gens et expliquer la complexité des situations au public, mais pourront-ils vendre leurs reportages ? Car ce n’est plus cela que l’on attend d’eux, mais des images fortes ou des entretiens choc.
 
Que peut faire une petite structure telle que la Presse Emblème Campagne qui tente de sensibiliser les diplomates à l’ONU sur la nécessité d’assurer une protection aux journalistes dans les zones dangereuses ?

Le fait que la PEC donne un coup de projecteur à la situation des journalistes dans les zones dangereuses est important. Car les diplomates sont souvent dans leur bulle et il est primordial qu’ils se rendent comptent de ce qui se passe dans les zones dangereuses. On parle beaucoup, des journalistes occidentaux qui se rendent dans les points chauds. Lorsqu’un journaliste américain est arrêté, tout le monde en parle, mais le 95% des professionnels de l’information sont des locaux qui travaillent sur place. Ceux-là risquent leur vie tous les jours. Eux aussi doivent être protégés. A cet égard, le travail de fond effectué par Reporters sans frontières (RSF) est crucial car ils s’occupent des correspondants qui sont sur place 365 jours par année.

L’ONU, l’Unesco, RSF, la PEC et autres organisations doivent-elles en faire plus ou une plus grande visibilité ne contribue-t-elle pas, involontairement, à renforcer la détermination de ceux qui enlèvent des journalistes?

C’est un paradoxe en effet. Tout au long de l’histoire, dans toute situation de chaos total, des enlèvements ont eu lieu, notamment au Moyen-Orient et à l’époque à Beyrouth, par exemple. Ce qui est effrayant c’est qu’aujourd’hui les journalistes sont particulièrement visés. Il est aussi important de donner la parole aux journalistes qui ne racontent pas que la guerre. Et il faut également interviewer des artistes et des poètes. Dans tous les livres que j’ai consacrés aux pays dont nous parlons, j’ai tenté de dire qu’il n’y a pas que la politique et l’économie, qu’il y a des artistes, des femmes, des enfants, des personnes âgées, des couleurs, qu’il y a la vie. Il faut rappeler au grand public que le Moyen-Orient ce n’est pas seulement la guerre. Et ne pas oublier la dignité de ces personnes, car lorsqu’on respecte la dignité des peuples, on contribue à amener la paix.

Après les reportages et les livres que vous avez écrits, dont ces « Mémoires ébouriffantes » qui viennent de paraître, quel est votre prochain défi professionnel ?

Pas de nouveau défi livresque à l’horizon. J’ai l’intention de me consacrer pendant un certain temps à mes photos. J’en ai exposées un grand nombre à New York, Genève, Paris et au Canada et je compte continuer. Je donne aussi des conférences suite à la parution de ce livre de mémoires. J’ai mis quatre à l’écrire, parce que je devais tout retrouver dans ma tête. Je n’ai pas ouvert un seul de mes carnets de notes qui sont tous dans mes tiroirs. La seule chose que j’ai voulu confirmer était des dates. Je voulais que les gens comprennent aussi pourquoi, après le décès de mon frère et l’accident qui a coûté la vie à mes parents, j’étais si près de la souffrance des gens que je côtoyais. Je voulais que ce livre, qui relate ma vie, ne décrive pas seulement des faits, mais qu’il se lise comme un roman, avec des atmosphères, des visages et des émotions.       

Propos recueillis par Luisa Ballin, vice-présidente de la PEC  

Exclusive Interview with Laurence Deonna, journalist, writer, "To be published, the reporter and the photographer must move closer to the drama at the risk of their lives" - Interview by Luisa Ballin for PEC

Journalist, photographer, reporter and writer traveler, winner of the UNESCO Prize for Peace Education in 1987, the Genevan Laurence Deonna just published her latest book titled "Ruffled Memories" (Editions de l'Aire / Ginkgo). This connoisseur of the Middle East has granted an exclusive interview to the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC).

Luisa Ballin. What are your thoughts after the tragic events that took place in Paris recently:  the assassination of several cartoonists from Charlie Hebdo magazine, police and citizens of Jewish faith who were in a kosher supermarket?

Laurence Deonna. "I am Charlie." Huge crowds. They were thousands and thousands to take to the streets to pay tribute to a beheaded newspaper that they may never have read. All for "Charlie Hebdo"! All for free speech! All for democracy! Often themselves objects of cartoonists, the Heads of State marching in serried ranks. Touching, it was, it is true, and yet I could not help but think of the crazy excitement of the early days of the Arab Spring and its flowers now withered, bloody, Libya, Syria and Yemen. As for television interviews that have marked the tragic moments about which you speak, I want to tell you: men, almost exclusively men. The world has not changed. The world is still owned by them. Freedom of expression for women is when?

How has the profession of reporter covering dangerous areas evolved since the time you went out on assignment for the Journal de Genève?

When I wrote this book of memories "Ruffled Memories" I felt as if I was a hundred years old, and everything I talking about was so ancient! Whereas if you look at the eternity of humanity, in only a few years the world has changed a lot, especially in the area of reporting. I always thought that technologies more than ideologies changed people and that's what we see this time. In my time, when we left, there were not all these checks at airports or phobia of terrorism. Certainly, there was a great solitude, no mobile phones, no computers, we were alone. If we managed to get a phone line, you had to book at a certain time, between 4 and 5 o'clock in the afternoon, or send a telegram, often not knowing if there was a post office where one was going.

At the time was the work of a reporter and a photographer more dangerous or less risky than today?

I think it was less dangerous. Shortly before her death, I spoke with Ella Maillart (Editor's note: Genevese writer, photographer and world traveler who was her friend). She told me that she could not have done today all she had done, such as crossing Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan, areas that I know well. It is also more dangerous because we have rushed into a society of unbridled and frightening consumerism where everything sells. Blood, for example,  sells very well. To be published, the reporter and the photographer must move closer to the drama, at the risk of their lives. I found it noble enough to die for a cause, but I find it pathetic and saddening to die for a press group.
 
You went to Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, extremely dangerous countries today. Would you go back to write stories today?

I would not in order to do stories. Yet it is important to tell things in other words than those we see all day on TV or hear all day on the radio because we always hear the same words, while millions of people think differently. It is this variety of speech that’s lacking because it always revolves around dramatic events. What I liked during my reporting was listening to little people. I loved to take my time, which is impossible today because one must sell at all costs, to be the first to give the news. How can we really see a country, listen to people, describe the landscape or, for instance, look at posters that tell so much? That seems extremely difficult today, to observe the small details that make the richness of a true story. I will not return to Syria.
 
Why? Because it is extremely dangerous?

Because it would make me cry. I knew the country in the 60s and it probably had looked like the same Syria for centuries. Men are there, as in Iraq, Yemen and elsewhere, to kill an entire civilization, to disfigure a culture that has existed for centuries. This is part of a global upheaval as violent as the fall of the Roman Empire and the industrial revolution. We are in the eye of a hurricane and we do not know what will come out. This world will happily remain in my photos that have almost become archives. When I look, I have tears in my eyes because these places were bombed or paved over. This may sound naive but I like to keep these pictures of beauty.

You know the Middle East, Israel, Palestine, Egypt, you have also been awarded the Unesco Prize for Peace Education in 1987 for your book "The war in two voices". What do you think of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?

It is certain that today I could not write "The war in two voices" because, unlike what we hoped for and what, indeed, pacifists both Israeli and Palestinian still hope for, hatreds have so hardened that I do not see the end of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. When I arrived in the Middle East, in the middle of the war in 1967 and even later, we still felt, paradoxically, a dialogue was possible, but now it has become impossible. Everything is fixed: in geography, in hatred, heads, hearts. I talk about this in my memoirs because I wanted to remind people that there are men and women of peace. The high US-Israeli policy is clear, particularly as regards Syria.
 
In what respect is Israeli-American policy clear?

Why were the Americans so quick to go bomb the DAESH (Editor's note: Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant - ISIL) in Iraq and why have they not moved to Syria? Because a dictatorial state like that of Bashar Assad more suited Israel than a somewhat democratic state. I am married to an Arab (note: her husband, Farag Moussa, is Egyptian) who reads Arabic newspapers and watches Arab television. In 2010, he was already wondering what was going on, seeing more and more mullahs and sheiks in the media. He said that Al Jazeera in English had nothing to do with Al Jazeera in Arabic. This gunpowder trail running from the Maghreb to Yemen, through Syria and Iraq, is not accidental. Probably we should call the Pentagon to ask who made all these dominoes fall over one after the other, but the line is always busy.
 
You know Egypt, you have visited there many times. What are your impressions of this country and in particular the situation of women and journalists?

I am outraged by what is happening in Egypt and my husband is demoralized by what is happening in his country. They replaced an airman by a general of the land armies. Nothing has changed except that people are poor, that there is still corruption, it’s dangerous to go out, as I told my niece. It’s a perverse mirror that each turns toward the other. When I watch Egyptian TV, there is a dichotomy between women journalists who do not wear headscarves and women in the street who are more and more veiled. I feel that Egypt has become a country with a headless body where there is no more intellectual life. Non Quranic books have disappeared from bookstores. In Egypt, as in Syria, the most educated people who gave the country its structure are leaving because they are the only ones who can afford to leave. The Middle East is experiencing a great tragedy. Televisions of these countries no longer show intellectuals, musicians, artists or the historical sites that are disappearing.
 
Is it not a paradox to see that communication technologies have freed speech of the peoples in the countries we mentioned and that once the revolutions or "Arab Springs" had taken place it is difficult to understand what happened?

There were only words, because these people, as touching as they are, had no structure. It takes more than nice words to administer and manage a country. We saw also in Afghanistan, for example, at the time of Massoud, who did not succeed although he was beloved by his people. Why? Because he was a warrior, not a manager.
 
To return to Egypt, how should we understand the fact that the Muslim Brotherhood had such popularity among the people?
 
In my most recent book I tell how I went many years ago with Farag to the poorest neighborhoods in Cairo. We arrived in front of a mosque, under a blazing sun. War widows who had not received their pension came to the mosque in order to survive because the mosque was the only place where they were given food. That day, they received bread and an orange. Up against the mosque there was a small clinic open to everyone, with young doctors who rotated to treat people free. A little further, people could borrow books from a small library. Why would these people not vote for the Muslim Brotherhood, since the state does not care about them? If the state does not provide social services, a void is created and in Egypt this space was occupied by mosques. Do not look for ideologies. In nine cases out of ten, if people are going more and more to the mosque, it's for very specific reasons. Those who do not have the means to buy medicine if they are ill know they can get it at the mosque.

What about women?

Girls say that by going to the mosque, they will perhaps meet a boy they will like and who could become their husband. They will thus not be obliged to marry their cousin. It is a structure that we must also see with their eyes and not just with our eyes of Westerners. Should we not also give them a voice and try to understand why so many men and women vote for the Muslim Brotherhood?
 
Do journalists not do enough?

Journalists do what their editors expected of them. I know reporters who would like to have more time to give a voice to ordinary people and explain the complexity of the situations to the public, but will they sell their stories? For it is not that that is expected of them, but rather strong shock images or interviews.
 
What can be done by a small structure like the Press Emblem Campaign which attempts to educate diplomats at the United Nations on the need to protect journalists in dangerous areas?

The fact that the PEC shines a spotlight on the situation of journalists in dangerous areas is important. Because diplomats are often in their bubble and it is essential that they realize what is happening in hazardous areas. There is much talk of Western journalists who travel to hot spots. When a US journalist is arrested, everyone talks about it, but 95% of information workers are locals who work there. They are risking their lives every day. They too must be protected. In this regard, the substantive work done by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is crucial because they deal with correspondents who are there 365 days a year.

Should the UN, Unesco, RSF, the PEC and other organizations do more or does greater visibility contribute unwittingly to strengthening the resolve of those who abduct journalists?

It is a paradox indeed. Throughout history, in any situation of total chaos, abductions took place, including in the Middle East and at the time of Beirut, for example. What is frightening is that today journalists are targeted. It is also important to give a voice to those who do not only talk about war. And one must also interview artists and poets. In all the books I have devoted to the countries we are talking about, I have tried to say that there are not only politics and the economy, that there are artists, women, children, the elderly, colours, there is life. We must remind the public that the Middle East is not only the war. And do not forget the dignity of these people, because when we respect the dignity of the people, it helps to bring peace.

After the articles and books you have written, including those "Ruffled Memories" just published, what is your next professional challenge?

No new book-writing challenge on the horizon. I intend to devote myself for a while to my photos. I have exhibited a lot in New York, Geneva, Paris and Canada, and I intend to continue. I also give lectures following the publication of this book of memoirs. It was easy to write, because I had everything in my head. I have not opened a single one of my notebooks, which are all put away in drawers. The only thing I needed to do was confirm dates. I wanted people to understand why, after the death of my brother and the accident that claimed the lives of my parents, I was so close to the suffering of the people I had rubbed shoulders with. I wanted this book, which tells the story of my life, not only to describe facts, but to read like a novel, with atmospheres, faces and emotions.

Interview by Luisa Ballin, PEC vice-president

***13.01.2015. JE SUIS CHARLIE.  La PEC n’est pas d’accord avec la nouvelle publication de « Charlie Hebdo » - The PEC does not agree with the new publication of "Charlie Hebdo" - La organización internacional de periodistas Campana Emblema de Prensa (PEC) no está de acuerdo con la nueva publicación de "Charlie Hebdo"

Communiqué PEC (English, Spanish and Arabic after French)

La PEC n’est pas d’accord avec la nouvelle publication de « Charlie Hebdo »

Genève, 13 janvier 2015 (PEC) La Presse Emblème Campagne (PEC) tient à se distancer de la nouvelle publication de « Charlie Hebdo » distribuée mercredi 14 janvier dans les kiosques. Elle affirme que la caricature publiée en Une manque de sensibilité et jette de l’huile sur le feu alors qu’il faudrait apaiser les tensions.

« Nous comprenons la volonté de la rédaction de Charlie Hebdo de montrer qu’elle ne se laissera pas intimider par des extrémistes. Mais on ne peut pas tout dessiner, ni tout écrire. La liberté d’expression a des limites, celles fixées par le respect mutuel », a affirmé le secrétaire général de la PEC Blaise Lempen.

« Les journalistes professionnels respectent des règles déontologiques. En particulier il faut éviter les propos diffamatoires et insultants », a-t-il ajouté.

La PEC a fermement condamné les attentats injustifiables de mercredi dernier contre le journal satirique français.  Mais il faut maintenant calmer la situation et non pas faire le lit de l’extrémisme et du fanatisme par des provocations inutiles et blessantes, selon la PEC. C’est vrai pour toute religion, toute croyance quelles qu’elles soient.

La présidente de la PEC Hedayat Abdel  Nabi a souligné qu’il y a une ligne mince entre la liberté d’expression et d’opinion et l’éthique dans le journalisme. Par le passé et aujourd’hui « Charlie Hebdo » a franchi cette ligne, a-t-elle dit.

La PEC, une association de journalistes basée à Genève, se bat depuis plus de dix ans pour renforcer la protection des journalistes dans les zones dangereuses. Prendre certaines précautions dans le langage, comme dans l’apparence,  fait partie des mesures élémentaires pour assurer la sécurité des journalistes.

The PEC does not agree with the new publication of "Charlie Hebdo"

Geneva, 13 January (PEC) - The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) wishes to distance itself from the new publication by “Charlie Hebdo” to be distributed Wednesday to the public. The PEC notes that the cartoon publishes in the front page is lacking in sensitivity and merely adds fuel to the fire whereas it is imperative to reduce tension.

PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen said that we understand the will of the editorial board of “Charlie Hebdo” to show that they will not give in to extremists but one cannot allow just anything to be drawn or written. Freedom of expression has limits, which are set by mutual respect.

“Professional journalists respect ethical rules. In particular, one must avoid defamatory and insulting words”, he added.

The PEC firmly condemned last Wednesday’s unjustifiable attacks on “Charlie Hebdo”. But now the situation calls for calm and not supporting extremism and fanaticism by useless and hurtful provocations, affirms the PEC. This holds for every religion, every belief, whatever it may be.

PEC president Hedayat Abdel Nabi stressed that there is a thin line between freedom of opinion and expression and ethical journalism, in the case of “Charlie Hebdo” the line has been crossed in the past and today.

The PEC, a Geneva based NGO created by journalists, is struggling for more than a decade for the protection of journalists in dangerous areas. Taking certain precautions in use of language, as in appearance, is part of those elementary measures that help assure journalists’ safety.

La organización internacional de periodistas Campana Emblema de Prensa (PEC) no está de acuerdo con la nueva publicación de "Charlie Hebdo"

Ginebra, 13 enero 2015 (PEC). La organización Campana Emblema de Prensa (Press Emblem Campaign, PEC), expresa su distanciamiento y desacuerdo con la nueva publicación de « Charlie Hebdo » distribuido el miércoles 14 de enero último, en kioscos de varios países. PEC afirma que la caricatura publicada es una falta de sensibilidad y que pone combustible al fuego, justo ahora cuando lo que más hace falta es relajar las tensiones.

« Comprendemos la voluntad de la redacción de "Charlie Hebdo", sobre el hecho de no dejarse intimidar por extremistas. Pero no se puede diseñarlo todo, ni escribirlo todo. La libertad de expresión tiene sus límites, los fijados por el respeto mutuo», afirmó el Secretario General de PEC, Blaise Lempen.
« Los comunicadores professionnels respetan las reglas que exige la deontología periodística. En particular, hace falta evitar propósitos difamatorios e insultantes », explicó Lempen.

PEC ha condenado firmemente los atentados injustificables del miércoles (07 enero 2015) contra el semanal satírico francés. Pero ahora, lo que hace falta es calmar la situación y no hacerle el juego al extremismo ni al fanatismo por medio de provocaciones inútiles e hirientes. Esto es válido para toda religión y cualquier tipo de creencia, cualquiera que esta fuere, según PEC.

De su parte, la Presidenta de PEC Hedayat Abdel Nabi, ha insistido en que existe una línea muy fina entre la libertad de expresión, libertad de opinión, y la ética en el periodismo. En el pasado y hoy mismo « Charlie Hebdo » a franqueado esa línea, afirmó Hedayat.

PEC, es una organización de periodistas asentada en Ginebra, se bate desde hace más de diez años por reforzar la protección de periodistas en zonas de conflictivas. Tomar ciertas precauciones en el lenguaje, como en la apariencia, hace parte de medidas elementales para proteger la seguridad de los periodistas.

بيان لحملة الشارة

حملة الشارة الدولية لا تتفق مع كاريكاتور اليوم من صحيفة تشارلي إبدو

جنيف في 13 يناير (الشارة الدولية) – أعلنت اليوم حملة الشارة الدولية لحماية الصحفيين انها لا تتفق مع نشر صحيفة تشارلي ابدو من جديد لكاريكاتور مسيء للرسول عليه الصلاة و السلام و التي ستوزع الأربعاء على الجمهور.

و أضافت حملة الشارة أن الكاريكاتور يتجاهل مشاعر المنتمين للدين الحنيف و يسكب الزيت على النار بدلا من المساعدة على وئد التوتر الحالي. 

و صرح سكرتير عام الحملة بليز ليمبان اننا نتفهم إرادة مجلس  تحرير تشارلي ابدو بأنه لن يستسلم للمتطرفين و لكننا لا نستطيع ان نترك الأشياء تتفاقم بأن نكتب و نرسم ما نراه فقط،  مشيراً إلى أن حرية الرأي و التعبير لها حدود و أهم عناصرها الاحترام المتبادل.  

و أضاف أن المهنيون من الصحفيين لديهم رؤية تحترم بعض المفاهيم و بصفة خاصة التي تتصل بالشتائم و ازدراء الأديان و الأعراق و غيرهما. 

كانت حملة الشارة قد أدانت و بقوة الاعتداء على تشارلي ابدو في الأسبوع الماضي و لكنها ترى أنه بعد أن هدأت الساحة نوعاً ما فعليهم ألا يسلمون الموقف إلى المتطرفين و المتعصبين بعمل أشياء غير مرغوب فيها تؤدي إلى الإثارة و تجرح الأخر هذا ينطبق على كل الأديان، و على كل المؤمنين في كافة أنحاء الأرض.

و قالت رئيسة حملة الشارة الدولية هدايت عبد النبي أن الخط الرفيع الذي يفصل ما بين حرية الرأي و التعبير و المسئولية الأخلاقية في الصحافة خط يجب عدم تجاوزه و في هذا الصدد فقد تخطت تشارلي ابدو هذا الخط الرفيع. 

إن حملة الشارة الدولية منظمة غير حكومية مقرها جنيف تكافح منذ أكثر من عقد من الزمان من أجل زيادة الحماية للصحفيين في المناطق الخطرة و ترى أنه لابد من العناية بالكلمات و الرسوم فهما من الإجراءات الضرورية لضمان سلامة الصحفيين.  

لمزيد من المعلومات برجاء تصفح 
 

***09.01.2015. JE SUIS CHARLIE. CEREMONIE A L'ONU A GENEVE EN HOMMAGE AUX 12 VICTIMES DE L'ATTAQUE CONTRE CHARLIE HEBDO A PARIS, DONT HUIT JOURNALISTES 

Minute de silence dans la salle de presse au Palais des Nations: à gauche la présidente de l'ACANU (Association des correspondants auprès de l'ONU) Gabriela Sotomayor a exprimé sa solidarité également au nom de la Presse Emblème Campagne (PEC) aux côtés du Haut Commissaire aux droits de l'homme, du directeur général de l'ONU, de l'ambassadeur de France, du directeur du Club suisse de la presse et de la cheffe du service de l'information de l'ONU (pec)

Minute de silence à l'ONU à Genève en hommage aux victimes 

Une centaine de journalistes et porte-paroles des agences de l'ONU à Genève ont respecté vendredi matin une minute de silence en hommage aux victimes de l'attentat contre "Charlie Hebdo". Le directeur général de l'ONU et le Haut Commissaire aux droits de l'homme ont exprimé leur solidarité.

"Nous sommes tous Charlie", a déclaré le directeur général de l'ONU Michael Møller. L'attaque perpétrée à Paris mercredi "aura l'effet contraire, celui de renforcer notre détermination à défendre la tolérance et la liberté d'expression", a-t-il dit.

Il a aussi exprimé sa sympathie aux familles des deux journalistes tunisiens assassinés jeudi en Libye par une branche de l'Etat islamique (EI). Sur deux écrans de la salle de presse étaient inscrits en lettres géantes: "Je suis Charlie".

Pas de représailles

"Nous n'avons pas besoin de représailles. Ni l'Islam ni le multiculturalisme en Europe ne doivent être blâmés pour l'attaque sanglante d'il y a deux jours, comme des dirigeants d'extrême-droite ont commencé à le dire", a déclaré le Haut Commissaire aux droits de l'homme Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein.

Pour un musulman comme lui (le Haut Commissaire est Jordanien), certains dessins de "Charlie Hebdo" étaient offensants, comme pour tout musulman, a-t-il confié. Cependant, la réponse n'est pas le meurtre, mais le respect du droit de chacun à s'exprimer et une plus grande compréhension mutuelle, a dit le prince Zeid.

Détermination de la France

L'ambassadeur de France à l'ONU Nicolas Niemtchinow a affirmé la détermination de la France à défendre les valeurs universelles dans le cadre des enceintes de l'ONU à Genève. "Notre volonté de défendre les libertés est totale", a-t-il dit, en soulignant l'engagement diplomatique de la France en faveur de la liberté de la presse au Conseil des droits de l'homme.

"Nous envoyons aujourd'hui un message clair: nous ne serons pas intimidés par les actes barbares des extrémistes. Nous n'avons pas peur", a affirmé Gabriela Sotomayor, présidente de l'Association des correspondants auprès de l'ONU (ACANU), s'exprimant également au nom de l'Association de la Presse étrangère (APES) en Suisse et de la Presse Emblème Campagne (PEC).

Enfin Guy Mettan, directeur du Club suisse de la presse et représentant Cartooning for Peace, un groupe de dessinateurs créé à Genève par Plantu et Chappatte, a exprimé sa solidarité au nom des nombreux dessinateurs frappés par la mort de leurs confrères français de "Charlie Hebdo". (selon ATS)

***07.01.2015. Attaque contre "Charlie Hebdo" à Paris: la Presse Emblème Campagne (PEC) horrifiée s’interroge sur les raisons d’un acte révoltant (English, Spanish and Arabic after French)

La PEC horrifiée s’interroge sur les raisons d’un acte révoltant et appelle à un apaisement des conflits au Moyen-Orient

Genève, 7 janvier 2015 (PEC) La Presse Emblème Campagne (PEC) est horrifiée par l’attaque qui a fait 12 morts et plusieurs blessés à la rédaction du journal  français « Charlie Hebdo » mercredi. Elle condamne une atteinte révoltante à la liberté d’expression, visant en particulier quatre caricaturistes renommés, symboles de la tolérance.

« L’année 2015 commence malheureusement sur la même pente ascendante de la violence que l’année 2014 avec des attaques indiscriminées contre des civils, dont des journalistes. Il faut en trouver la raison dans un Moyen-Orient transformé en poudrière par les rivalités régionales et les interventions extérieures », a affirmé le secrétaire général de la PEC Blaise Lempen.

La PEC exprime ses plus sincères condoléances aux familles des victimes et au personnel de « Charlie Hebdo ». Elle se tient aux côtés des autres associations de journalistes, de la presse et du gouvernement français pour défendre la liberté de l’information face au retour de la barbarie.

« Cet acte horrible perpétré en plein Paris doit pousser les dirigeants politiques à enfin régler, par la diplomatie et non par les armes, les conflits sanglants qui enveniment le Proche-Orient. Seuls des gens désespérés et poussés à bout peuvent commettre des actes aussi insensés. On ne peut pas laisser pourrir des conflits comme en Syrie et en Irak sans conséquences dommageables »,  a déclaré Blaise Lempen.

Pourquoi la France ? Qui sont les commanditaires ? La France doit faire en sorte que tous les auteurs de ce drame et surtout leurs commanditaires soient identifiés et sanctionnés.

La liberté d'expression est intangible et aucune concession ne doit être faite à ceux qui veulent l'abattre. La PEC honore le combat pour la liberté des caricaturistes partout dans le monde.

La PEC rappelle que l’année 2014 a été la seconde année la plus meurtrière pour les journalistes après 2012 sur une période de dix ans avec 138 travailleurs des médias tués.

PEC Press release

The PEC, horrified, can only wonder what is behind the attack and calls for a peaceful solution to the conflicts in the Middle East

Geneva, 7 January 2015 (PEC) The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) is horrified by the attack that resulted in a dozen deaths and many wounded at the headquarters of the French weekly Charlie Hebdo on Wednesday. It condemns a despicable attack against freedom of expression, targeting in particular four well-known cartoonists, symbols of tolerance.

"The year 2015 unfortunately is beginning on the same upward slope of violence that characterized 2014, with indiscriminate attacks against civilians, including journalists. The motivation behind this is to be found in a Middle East transformed into a powder keg by regional rivalries and foreign interventions," declared the PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen.

The PEC expresses its most sincere condolences to the families of the victims and to the personnel of Charlie Hebdo. It stands in solidarity with other journalist associations, with the media and with French government in defending  freedom of information, faced with a regression to barbarity.

"This horrible act perpetrated within the center of Paris should prompt the political leaders to finally settle, by diplomacy and not by force of arms, the bloody conflicts that envenom the Middle East. Only persons who are desperate and pushed beyond the limit commit such senseless acts. One cannot let conflicts such those in Syria and in Iraq degenerate without dreadful consequences," Blaise Lempen continued.

Why France ? Who ordered the attack? France must do everything possible so that the perpetrators of this crime, and especially those directing them, are identified and sanctioned.

No concession must be made to the detractors of freedom of expression. The PEC honors the fight for freedom of all cartoonists around the world.

The PEC recalls that 2014 was the second most murderous year for journalists over the previous ten years, after 2012, with 138 media employees killed.  

Comunicado de la PEC (español)

La PEC horrorizada se interroga sobre las razones de tan repugnante acto y exhorta al apaciguamiento de los conflictos en el Medio Oriente.

Ginebra, 7 enero 2015 (PEC) La Campaña Emblema de Prensa (PEC*) está horrorizada por el ataque a la redacción del periódico francés « Charlie Hebdo », que ha dejado 12 muertos y numerosos heridos el miércoles. La PEC condena el repugnante ataque a la libertad de expresión, enfocado en particular contra cuatro renombrados caricaturistas, símbolos de la tolerancia.

« El año 2015 lamentablemente ha comenzado con la misma escalada de violencia que caracterizó 2014, con ataques indiscriminados a civiles, entre ellos periodistas. Hay que hallar razón en un Medio Oriente transformado en polvorín por las rivalidades regionales y las intervenciones extranjeras », ha afirmado el secretario general de la PEC, Blaise Lempen.

La PEC expresa sus más sinceras condolencias a los familiares de las víctimas y al personal de « Charlie Hebdo ». La Campaña se une a otras asociaciones de periodistas, de la prensa y del gobierno francés para defender la libertad de información frente al regreso de la barbarie.

« Este horrible acto perpetrado en pleno Paris debe empujar a los dirigentes políticos a resolver de una vez por todas, por la via diplomática y no por las armas, los sangrientos conflictos que infectan el Medio Oriente. Solo gentes desesperadas y llevadas al límite pueden cometer actos tan insensatos. No se puede dejar podrir conflictos como los de Siria e Iraq sin consecuencias perjudiciales », ha declarado Blaise Lempen.

Por qué Francia ? Quiénes son los patrocinadores ? En este tipo de ataques terroristas, hay siempre represalias y arreglos de cuentas que subyacen. Francia debe asegurar que todos los autores de este drama y sobre todo sus patrocinadores sean identificados y sancionados.

La libertad de expresión es intocable y no se debe hacer ninguna concesión a aquellos que pretenden abolirla. La PEC rinde honores al combate por la libertad que realizan los caricaturistas en cualquier parte del mundo.

La Campaña Emblema de Prensa recuerda que el año 2014 ha sido el segundo año más mortífero después de 2012 sobre un periodo de diez años, con 138 trabajadores de los medios asesinados.

* - PEC, siglas en inglés

بيان حملة الشارة 

إدانة كاملة لعملية الهجوم على المجلة الفرنسية 

جنيف (حملة الشارة) ٧ يناير -- أعلنت حملة الشارة الدولية عن كامل إدانتها لعملية الهجوم على المجلة الفرنسية تشارلي أبدو اليوم و الذي أدى الى مقتل العديد من الصحفيين مشيرة الى انه هجوم مخيف و موجه ضد حرية الرأي و التعبير بمقتل عدد من رسامي الكاريككاتور و عدد من العاملين في المجلة. 

و صرح سكرتير عام الحملة بليز ليمبان بان هذه السنة بدأت مثل السنة الماضية في بدايتها بهجمات عشوائية ضد مدنيين من بينهم صحفيين. 
 
و تتقدم الحملة بخالص تعازيها لأسر الضحايا و العاملين في مجلة تشارلي أبدو، و تقف الحملة بصلابة مع بقية المنظمات الصحفية و الحكومة الفرنسية بالتمسك بحرية الراى و التعبير و عدم العودة الى الهمجية. 
 
و أكدت الحملة الدولية ان فرنسا عليها ان تقف في مقدمة الصفوف لتقديم مرتكبي هذا الحادث البربري و القيادة الخاصة بهم الى العدالة. . 
 
و تذكر الحملة ان ٢٠١٤ كانت أسوأ سنة من حيث مقتل الصحفيين و جاءت في المرتبة الثانية بعد عام ٢٠١٢. يذكر ان ١٣٨ من الصحفيين قتلوا في ٢٠١٤.

لمزيد من المعلومات برجاء تصفح   

***05.01.2015. PEC annual report – updated : 138 journalists killed in 32 countries in 2014 - 2014 deadliest year after 2012

More than 1000 journalists killed in 9 years 

The figure for the past nine years during which the PEC has been keeping track, stands at more than 1000 journalists (1048, to be precise).
During the past five years (2010 to 2014), the figure stands at a total of 624 journalists killed, which is an average of 125 annually, or 2.4 per week.

PEC annual report – updated (Arabic after English)
138 journalists killed in 32 countries in 2014 – the second deadliest year over ten years

Geneva, 5 January 2015 (PEC) -- The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) has updated its annual report 2014, published December 15 (128 journalists killed at that time). At the end of the year, at least 138 journalists have been killed in 32 countries. 2014 was the second deadliest year after 2012 over ten years.

PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen explained that 4 more journalists (1 in Honduras, 1 in Afghanistan, 1 in Brazil and 1 in DRC) have been killed in 2 weeks since December 15. Then the PEC reviewed its list of journalists killed in Syria. “We missed the murder of 6 journalists according to the CPJ and IFJ records. We now added their names to our statistics. So we have 19 journalists killed in Syria in 2014 and no more 13 as previously reported. Syria is the number one deadliest country as in 2013 and 2012”, he said.

Here is the updated final report: Syria leads the list, with 19 journalists killed, then Gaza with 16 journalists killed by Israel during the Operation Protective Edge, followed by Pakistan (12 killed).

Iraq comes in fourth place among the most dangerous places for media work, with 10 journalists killed, many of whom lost their lives following the military offensive of the Islamic state.

Ukraine takes fifth place, with 9 journalists killed. In Ukraine, journalists from both sides of the conflict were killed, among them 4 Russian journalists.

Mexico ranks 6th with 8 journalists killed; followed by Afghanistan with 7 killed; then Honduras, with 6 killed; and Somalia and Brazil with 5 in each country. The Central African Republic hold the tenth position with 4 journalists killed.

Three journalists were killed in the following countries: Cambodia, Guinea (during a media mission covering the Ebola outbreak), Paraguay and the Philippines.

Two journalists were killed in the following countries: Bangladesh, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), India, Libya, Peru, Turkey and Yemen.

One journalist was killed in each of these countries: Burma, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Lebanon, Nigeria, Panama, Russia, Salvador, and Saudi Arabia.

Middle East on top of the list

By region, the Middle East was the most violent, with 52 journalists killed, followed by Asia with 32, Latin America with 29, Sub-Saharan Africa with 15 and Europe with 10.

In 2013, 129 journalists were killed. During the past five years (2010 to 2014), the figure stands at a total of 624 journalists killed, which is an average of 125 annually, or 2.4 per week.

The figure for the past nine years during which the PEC has been keeping track, stands at more than 1000 journalists (1048, to be precise).

The most dangerous five countries during the past five years have been Syria, 75 journalists killed; Pakistan 63; Mexico 50; Iraq 44; and Somalia 39.

Then comes Brazil, 32 killed; Honduras, 31 killed; Philippines, 29 killed; India 21; and the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) 21.

Lempen stressed that this appalling tally is clearly due to violent armed conflicts that continue and find no political solution. He added that the PEC strongly condemns those crimes. All cases must be fully investigated and those responsible must be brought to justice.

PEC President Hedayat Abdel Nabi, while horrified at the growing numbers, said that the international community is watching the crimes without heading to the core problem which is an instrument for protection. Abdel Nabi added that the question is when will UN member states sit around a negotiating table to discuss measures to enhance the protection of journalists.

 التقرير السنوي لحملة الشارة الدولية تحديث  

138 صحفياً و صحفية قتلوا في 32 دولة في 2014 

 جنيف-القاهرة 5 يناير (حملة الشارة) – طبقا للتقرير السنوي لحملة الشارة الدولية لحماية الصحفيين  و مقرها جنيف فإن الرقم الجديد للقتلى من بين الصحفيين ارتفع من 128 صحفياً و صحفيه قتلوا في 32 دولة طبقا للتقرير الذي نشر في 15 ديسمبر الماضي إلى 138 في 2014 في 32 دولة بزيادة 10.

 و صرح سكرتير عام الحملة الدولية بليز ليمبان أن العام الماضي كان سيئاً للغاية للصحفيين بسبب النزاعات التي انفجرت في أوكرانيا و الهجوم الإسرائيلي على غزة و مقتل العديد من الصحفيين هناك، و في سوريا حيث الوضع اصبح غير مسبوق بذبح صحفيين و بث الجريمة على فيديوهات أذيعت للعالم أجمع.

و قال ان رقم الضحايا قد ارتفع بسبب مقتل صحفي في كل من هندوراس و أفغانستان و البرازيل و جمهورية الكونغو الديمقراطية و 6 صحفيين سجلت منظمات أخرى مقتلهم في سوريا. 

و طبقا لتحديث التقرير فقد قتل في سوريا قتل 19 من الصحفيين و بالتالي تصدرت سوريا العمل الصحفي الخطير كما كانت في 2012 و 2013. و تأتي غزة بعد سوريا بمقتل 16 من الصحفيين ثم باكستان بمقتل 12 من الصحفيين. 

و تأتي العراق في المرتبة  الرابعة كأخطر دول العالم للعمل الصحفي بمقتل 10 صحفيين و قتل الكثيرين منهم بعد عمليات داعش في العراق. و جاءت أوكرانيا في المرتبة الخامسة بمقتل 9
صحفيين حيث قتلوا من الجانبين و بينهم 4 صحفيين روس. 

  ثم جاءت المكسيك في المرتبة السادسة بمقتل 8 صحفيين، فأفغانستان 7 و هندوراس 6 و الصومال و البرازيل بمقتل 5 في كل منهما. كما قتل 4 صحفيين في جمهورية افريقيا الوسطى.

و قتل 3 صحفيين في كل من كمبوديا و غينيا (خلال مهمة صحفية لتقصي حالة ايبولا هناك) و باراجواي و الفلبين.

و قتل 2 من الصحفيين في كل من بنجلاديش و كولومبيا و الهند و ليبيا و بيرو و تركيا و اليمن. 

 كما قتل صحفي واحد في كل من المملكة العربية السعودية و بورما و مصر و لبنان و نيجيريا و باناما و جمهورية الكونغو الديمقراطية و جمهورية الدومينيكان و روسيا و السلفادور.

الشرق الأوسط يتصدر الأماكن الخطرة 

و تصدرت منطقة الشرق الأوسط المناطق الخطرة للعمل الصحفي بمقتل 52 من الصحفيين تليها آسيا 32 ثم أمريكا اللاتينية 29 ثم إفريقيا جنوب الصحراء 15 و أوروبا 10.

و إذا تمت المقارنة بسنة 2013  فقد قتل 129 من الصحفيين و قتل في السنوات التسع الماضية 1048 من الصحفيين، و خلال السنوات الخمس الماضية 624 من الصحفيين بمعدل 125 سنوياً و أكثر من 2 في الأسبوع. 

و كانت أكثر الدول خطورة في السنوات الخمس الماضية هي سوريا بمقتل 75 من الصحفيين، ثم باكستان 63، ثم المكسيك 50 ثم العراق 44 فالصومال 39 ، فالبرازيل 32، ثم هندوراس 31، فالفلبين 29، ثم الهند 21،  فالأراضي الفلسطينية المحتلة 21.

و قال سكرتير عام الحملة بليز ليمبان أن هذه الأرقام المأساوية نتيجة للصراعات المسلحة العنيفة التي تستمر و لا حلول سياسية لها فضلا عن عمليات اختطاف الصحفيين كرهائن و التي أصبحت أكثر شيوعاً في الآونة الأخيرة.

و أضاف أن حملة الشارة تدين كل هذه العمليات الوحشية و مشيراً إلى ضرورة أن يتم التحقيق العاجل و الكامل في كل الجرائم التي ارتكبت بحق الصحفيين و لابد من تقديم مرتكبي هذه الجرائم للعدالة. 

و قالت رئيسة الحملة الدولية هدايت عبد النبي أن مقتل عشرة صحفيين لم يسجلوا يعد من الأمور الخطيرة مما رفع عدد الضحايا من الصحفيين إلى 138 في 2014، فهي إذن مشكلة متفاقمة بمقتل أكثر من مائة من الصحفيين سنوياً و ما زال المجتمع الدولي يشاهد الجرائم و هي ترتكب دون مواجهة لب المشكلة و هي إيجاد وثيقة دولية للحماية.

و اضافت أن القضية سوف تتقدم بشكل إيجابي و بحق حين تجلس الدول حول مائدة مفاوضات للتفاوض حول معاهدة دولية لحماية الصحفيين. 
لمزيد من المعلومات برجاء تصفح موقعنا

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Middle East on top of the list

By region, the Middle East was the most violent, with 52 journalists killed, followed by Asia with 32, Latin America with 29, Sub-Saharan Africa with 15 and Europe with 10.

***15.12.2014. PEC annual report - a terrible year for the journalists: 128 journalists killed in 32 countries 

French, Spanish and Arabic versions after English - go to CASUALTIES for details

Entretien du secrétaire général de la PEC diffusé par TV5 Monde le 18 décembre - watch the video: http://youtu.be/kMlcZEIalt0 -

lire aussi l'entretien publié dans le quotidien suisse "Le Temps" le 15 décembre: http://www.letemps.ch/Page/Uuid/b10f6f3a-83c7-11e4-93e1-673e9b09404c/Halte_%C3%A0_lh%C3%A9catombe_des_correspondants_de_guerre

PEC annual report – summary
128 journalists killed in 32 countries in 2014

Geneva, 15 December 2014 (PEC) -- According to the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) annual report 2014, at least 128 journalists have been killed so far around the world in the course of the year. This figure is very close to the tally in 2013.

PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen said that 2014 was terrible for journalists. New conflicts for media workers opened in Ukraine, in the Israeli assault on Gaza, which led to the killings of many media workers, and in Syria, the situation was unprecedented with the beheading of journalists recorded in video clips.

Gaza leads the list, with 16 journalists killed by Israel during the Operation Protective Edge, followed by Syria (13 journalists killed) and  Pakistan (12 killed).

Iraq comes in fourth place among the most dangerous places for media work, with 10 journalists killed, many of whom lost their lives following the military offensive of the Islamic state.

Ukraine takes fifth place, with 9 journalists killed. In Ukraine, journalists from both sides of the conflict were killed, among them 4 Russian journalists.

Mexico ranks 6th with 8 journalists killed; followed by Afghanistan with 6 killed; then Honduras, with 5 killed; and Somalia with 5. Brazil and the Central African Republic hold the tenth position with 4 journalists killed in each country.

Three journalists were killed in the following countries: Cambodia, Guinea (during a media mission covering the Ebola outbreak), Paraguay and the Philippines.

Two journalists were killed in the following countries: Bangladesh, Colombia, India, Libya, Peru, Turkey and Yemen.

One journalist was killed in each of 10 countries: Burma, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Dominican Republic, Egypt, Lebanon, Nigeria, Panama, Russia, Salvador, and Saudi Arabia.

Middle East on top of the list

By region, the Middle East was the most violent, with 46 journalists killed, followed by Asia with 31, Latin America with 27, Sub-Saharan Africa with 14 and Europe with 10.

Compared to 2013, when 129 journalists were killed, the figures are very close. The figure for the past nine years during which the PEC has been keeping track, stands at more than 1000 journalists (1038, to be precise).

During the past five years (2010 to 2014), the figure stands at a total of 614 journalists killed, which is an average of 123 annually, or 2.4 per week.

The most dangerous five countries during the past five years have been Syria, 69 journalists killed; Pakistan 63; Mexico 50; Iraq 44; and Somalia 39.

Then comes Brazil, 31 killed; Honduras, 30 killed; Philippines, 29 killed; India 21; and the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) 21.

Lempen stressed that this appalling tally is clearly due to violent armed conflicts that continue and find no political solution while hostage-taking has become more frequent.

Positive commitment

"It is positive that governments have committed themselves much more than several years ago to reinforcing safety for journalists through the adoption of United Nations resolutions. One can also note the launch of numerous initiatives by NGOs and international organizations," added the PEC Secretary-General.

Nonetheless, impunity and non-respect of international law by some parties continue in the field. "This is why the PEC has repeatedly called for an international instrument to protect journalists. The political will in the most concerned countries, necessary to shedding light on the murders and bringing those responsible to justice, is lacking, and in conflict countries it is often impossible to launch an enquiry," says Lempen.

"The United Nations, thus, must create a follow-up mechanism at the international level if we are to fight effectively against impunity. This should be the mission of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva," he declared.

He added that, as the problem of media access has escalated, many media have stopped sending their journalists because of the extreme risks. As a result, coverage of such conflicts occupies less space in the media and attracts less public attention, a matter which is of extreme importance to exert pressure to solve such conflicts and for  financing humanitarian aid.

For the president of the PEC, Hedayat Abdel Nabi, whereas more than 100 journalists per year are still being killed, the international community is watching the crimes without dealing with the core problem, which requires a protection instrument. All initiatives are welcome, but, as the PEC's efforts approach their second decade, the question is when the United Nations member states will sit down around a negotiating table to discuss the draft convention to protect journalists, she declared.

Statististical Clarification

It should be noted that in its reporting since 2006, the PEC has taken into account journalists intentionally targeted in the exercise of their profession as well as those killed accidentally and otherwise unintentionally. It is, in fact, very difficult to determine the causes of death, for accounts can vary highly depending on the sources.

For 2014, the PEC estimates that around half of the journalists killed were intentionally targeted by governments, armed groups and criminal gangs. But this is only a rough figure in the absence of independent investigations.

Rapport annuel de la PEC – résumé
128 journalistes tués dans 32 pays en 2014

Genève, 15 décembre 2014 (PEC) Au moins 128 journalistes ont été tués dans 32 pays dans le monde en 2014, selon le rapport annuel de la Presse Emblème Campagne (PEC) publié lundi à Genève, un chiffre très proche du bilan de 2013.

« L’année écoulée a été terrible pour les journalistes. Un nouveau conflit meurtrier pour les travailleurs des médias s’est ouvert en Ukraine, l’offensive israélienne à Gaza cet été a fait de très nombreuses victimes, et en Syrie l’horreur a atteint de nouveaux sommets avec des journalistes  décapités en public », a affirmé le secrétaire général de la PEC.

C’est Israël qui a été à l’origine du plus grand nombre de victimes cette année, avec un total de 16 journalistes tués lors de l’offensive militaire à Gaza.

La Syrie est au second rang du nombre de victimes, avec 13 victimes, devant le Pakistan (12 tués).

L’Irak arrive en quatrième position des pays les plus dangereux avec 10 journalistes tués, dont plusieurs à la suite de l’offensive de l’Etat islamique.

L’Ukraine est au 5e rang avec 9 journalistes tués. En Ukraine, des journalistes des deux camps sont morts dans les affrontements, dont quatre journalistes russes.

Au 6e rang se trouve le Mexique (8 tués), devant l’Afghanistan (6 tués), le Honduras (5 tués) et la Somalie (5 tués). La République centrafricaine et le Brésil sont à égalité au 10e rang avec chacun 4 tués.

Trois journalistes ont été tués dans les pays suivants: Cambodge, Guinée (lors d’une mission d’information sur l’Ebola), Paraguay et Philippines.

Deux journalistes ont été tués au Bangladesh, en Colombie, en Inde, en Libye, au Pérou, en Turquie et au Yémen.

Enfin un journaliste a été tué dans les 10 pays suivants : Arabie saoudite, Birmanie, Egypte, Liban, Nigéria, Panama, République démocratique du Congo, République dominicaine, Russie, Salvador.  

Moyen-Orient, région la plus violente

Par région, le Moyen-Orient est la région la plus violente avec 46 journalistes tués, devant  l’Asie (31), puis l’Amérique latine (27), l’Afrique subsaharienne (14) et l’Europe (10).

L’an dernier 129 journalistes avaient été tués, soit un nombre presque équivalent que cette année. Depuis le début du décompte effectué par la PEC, en 2006, soit en neuf ans, plus de mille journalistes ont été tués (exactement 1038).

Au cours des cinq dernières années, de 2010 à 2014, 614 journalistes ont été tués, soit 123 en moyenne par année, ou 2,4 par semaine. Les cinq pays les plus dangereux au cours des cinq dernières années ont été : la Syrie avec 69 tués, devant le Pakistan 63 tués. Le Mexique est au 3e rang avec 50 tués, devant l’Irak 44 tués et la Somalie (39 tués).

Suivent le Brésil (31 tués), le Honduras (30 tués), les Philippines (29 tués), l’Inde (21 tués) et les Territoires palestiniens occupés (21).

« Ces bilans très élevés sont clairement liés à des conflits armés violents qui perdurent et ne trouvent pas de solution politique. Les prises d’otages sont devenues plus fréquentes », a souligné Blaise Lempen.

Engagement positif des Etats

« Il est positif que les gouvernements s’engagent beaucoup plus qu’il y a quelques années pour renforcer la sécurité des journalistes par l’adoption de résolutions à l’ONU. L’on assiste également au lancement de nombreuses initiatives par les ONG et les organisations internationales», a ajouté le secrétaire général de la PEC.

Mais l’impunité et le non-respect du droit international par les belligérants sont des facteurs qui sur le terrain continuent à prédominer. La volonté politique dans les pays les plus concernés manque pour faire la lumière sur les meurtres et traduire les responsables en justice. C’est la raison pour laquelle la PEC réclame un instrument international, car la justice est défaillante sur le plan local dans plusieurs pays. Dans les pays en conflit ou destructurés, il est dans la pratique impossible de lancer des enquêtes.

« L’ONU doit créer un mécanisme de suivi sur le plan international si l’on veut lutter vraiment contre l’impunité. Ce devrait être la mission du Haut Commissariat aux droits de l’homme à Genève », a déclaré Blaise Lempen.

« Les problèmes d’accès aux zones de conflit restent aigus. Beaucoup de médias renoncent à y envoyer des journalistes en raison de risques trop grands. Mais, de ce fait, la couverture des conflits diminue dans les médias et du même coup la pression de l’opinion publique pour les résoudre et financer l’aide humanitaire indispensable », a commenté Blaise Lempen.

Pour la présidente de la PEC, Hedayat Abdel Nabi, alors que plus de cent journalistes sont tués chaque année, la communauté internationale continue de regarder ces crimes sans traiter le coeur du problème, c’est-à-dire un manque de protection. « Toutes les initiatives sont les bienvenues, mais la question est de savoir quand les Etats membres de l’ONU se mettront autour d’une table pour négocier un nouvel instrument juridique », a déclaré Hedayat Abdel nabi.

Précision statistique

A noter que dans ses décomptes depuis 2006, la PEC tient compte  des journalistes intentionnellement visés en raison de leur métier et à la fois de ceux tués de manière accidentelle ou non volontaire. Il est en effet très difficile de déterminer les causes des décès, les versions étant souvent très différentes selon les sources.

En 2013, la PEC estime à environ la moitié des journalistes tués ceux qui ont été visés de manière intentionnelle par des gouvernements, des groupes armés, ou des bandes criminelles. Mais il s’agit d’un chiffre nécessairement approximatif. Il n’y a le plus souvent pas d’enquête indépendante.

Informe anual de la PEC
128 periodistas asesinados en 32 países en 2014

Ginebra, 15 dic 2014 (PEC) Al menos 128 periodistas fueron asesinados en 32 países durante 2014, según indica el informe anual de la Campaña Emblema de Prensa (PEC por sus siglas en inglés), publicado en Ginebra, casi el mismo número de víctimas mortales que el año precedente.

“El año que finaliza ha sido terrible para los periodistas. Un nuevo conflicto mortífero para los trabajadores de los medios se ha abierto en Ucrania, la ofensiva israelí lanzada este verano en Gaza ha provocado numerosas víctimas, mientras que en Siria el terror ha alcanzado niveles extraordinarios con la decapitación de periodistas en público” , ha afirmado el secretario general de la PEC, Blaise Lempen.

Ha sido Israel el país que ha originado este año el mayor número de víctimas, con un total de 16 periodistas asesinados durante la ofensiva militar en Gaza.

Siria está en segundo lugar por el número de víctimas, con 13 periodistas asesinados. Pakistán está en tercera posición, con 12 periodistas asesinados, la mayoría en las zonas tribales próximas a Afganistán.

La cuarta posición entre los países con mayor peligrosidad la ocupa Irak, donde 10 periodistas fueron asesinados, muchos de ellos como consecuencia de la ofensiva del grupo denominado Estado Islámico.

Ucrania se sitúa en el quinto lugar, con 9 periodistas asesinados. En Ucrania durante los enfrentamientos registrados este año fallecieron periodistas de los dos lados, de los cuales cuatro era rusos.

En el sexto lugar se encuentra México (8 asesinados), delante de Afganistán (6 muertos), luego está Honduras (5 asesinados) y Somalia (5). Dos países, la República Centroafricana y el Brasil comparten el décimo lugar, con un registro de cuatro asesinados en cada uno.

Tres periodistas resultaron asesinados en cada uno de los siguientes países: Camboya, Guinea (durante una misión de información sobre el Ebola) Paraguay y Filipinas.

Dos periodistas fueron asesinados en Bangladesh, en Colombia, en la India, en Libia, en el Perú, en Turquía y en Yemen.

Finalmente, un periodista fue asesinado en los 10 países siguientes: Arabia Saudita, Birmania, Egipto, el Líbano, Nigeria, Panamá, República Democrática del Congo, República Dominicana, Rusia, y El Salvador.

Medio Oriente, la región más violenta

Por regiones, el Medio Oriente es la región más violenta, con 46 periodistas asesinados, delante de Asia (31), América Latina (27), África subsahariana (14) y Europa (10).

El pasado año, 129 periodistas habían sido asesinados. Desde que la PEC dio inicio en 2006 al conteo de víctimas mortales entre los trabajadores de los medios, o sea hace tan sólo nueve años, más de mil periodistas han sido asesinados (exactamente 1038).

En el transcurso de los últimos cinco años, de 2010 a 2014, en total 614 periodistas fueron asesinados, o sea 123 por año, o lo que es igual a 2,4 por semana. Los cinco países de mayor peligrosidad en el curso de los últimos cinco años han sido: Siria, con 69 asesinados, delante de Pakistán, 63 asesinatos. En el tercer lugar está México con 50 asesinados, seguido de Irak 44 asesinados y Somalia (39).

En orden decreciente les siguen Brasil (31 asesinados), Honduras (30 asesinados), Filipinas (29), la India (21 asesinados) y los Territorios palestinos ocupados (21).

“Estos saldos tan elevados están claramente vinculados a los conflictos armados violentos que perduran y que no encuentran una solución política. La toma de rehenes se ha vuelto más frecuente”, ha subrayado Blaise Lempen.

Compromiso positivo

“Es positivo el hecho de que los gobiernos se comprometen mucho más que hace algunos años para reforzar la seguridad de los periodistas por la adopción de resoluciones en la ONU. También se asiste al lanzamiento de numerosas iniciativas por parte de las ONG y las organizaciones internacionales”, ha indicado el secretario general de la PEC.

Pero la impunidad y el no respeto del derecho internacional por parte de los beligerantes son factores que predominan sobre el terreno. Falta la voluntad política en los países más involucrados para dilucidar sobre los asesinatos y llevar ante la justicia a los responsables. Estas son las razones por las cuales la PEC reclama un instrumento internacional, ya que la justicia es deficitaria sobre el plan local en numerosos países. En la práctica es imposible emprender investigaciones en los países en conflicto o no estructurados.

“La ONU debe por tanto crear un mecanismo de seguimiento sobre el plano internacional si verdaderamente se quiere luchar contra la impunidad. Esta debería ser la misión del Alto Comisariado de Derechos Humanos en Ginebra”, ha dicho Blaise Lempen.

“Los problemas de acceso a las zonas de conflicto siguen siendo agudos. Muchos medios renuncian a enviar periodistas ya que los riesgos son muy grandes. Pero, de hecho, la cobertura de los conflictos disminuye en los medios y con ello, la presión de la opinión pública para resolver y financiar la indispensable ayuda humanitaria”, ha comentado Blaise Lempen.

Para la presidenta de la PEC, Hedayat Abdel Nabi, mientras más de un centenar de periodistas son asesinados cada año, la comunidad internacional continua observando esos crímenes sin enfrentar el corazón del problema, es decir, la falta de protección. “Todas las iniciativas son bienvenidas, pero la cuestión está en saber cuándo es que los Estados miembros de la ONU se sentarán alrededor de una mesa para negociar un nuevo instrumento jurídico”, ha declarado Hedayat Abdel Nabi.

Precisión estadística

Es de señalar que en los recuentos efectuados desde 2006, la PEC ha tenido en cuenta los periodistas que fueron intencionalmente blanco de ataques en razón de su profesión y a la vez de aquellos que han sido asesinados de forma accidental o involuntariamente. En efecto, resulta sumamente difícil determinar las causas de las muertes, habida cuenta de que las versiones son por lo general diferentes según las fuentes.

La PEC estima que cerca de la mitad de los periodistas muertos en 2013 fue blanco deliberado de gobiernos, grupos armados, o bandas criminales. No obstante, se trata de una cifra aproximativa. Por lo general, no hay una investigación independiente.

التقرير السنوي لحملة الشارة الدولية

128 صحفياً و صحفية قتلوا في 32 دولة في 2014

جنيف-القاهرة 15 ديسمبر (حملة الشارة) – طبقا للتقرير السنوي لحملة الشارة الدولية لحماية الصحفيين  و مقرها جنيف فإن 128 صحفي و صحفيه قتلوا في 32 دولة في السنة الحالية و حتى صدور التقرير.

و صرح سكرتير عام الحملة الدولية بليز ليمبان أن العام الحالي كان سيئاً للغاية للصحفيين بسبب النزاعات التي انفجرت في أوكرانيا و الهجوم الإسرائيلي على غزة و مقتل العديد من الصحفيين هناك، و في سوريا حيث الوضع اصبح غير مسبوق بذبح صحفيين و بث الجريمة على فيديوهات أذيعت للعالم أجمع.

و في غزة و بسبب العملية العسكرية الاسرائيلية قتل 16 من الصحفيين و في سوريا قتل 13 و في باكستان 12. و تأتي العراق في المرتبة  الرابعة كأخطر دول العالم للعمل الصحفي بمقتل 10 صحفيين و قتل الكثيرين منهم بعد عمليات داعش في العراق. و جاءت أوكرانيا في المرتبة الخامسة بمقتل 9 صحفيين حيث قتلوا من الجانبين و بينهم 4 صحفيين روس.

  ثم جاءت المكسيك في المرتبة السادسة بمقتل 8 صحفيين فأفغانستان 6 و هندوراس 5 و الصومال 5. كما قتل 4 صحفيين في كل من جمهورية افريقيا الوسطى و البرازيل. و قتل 3 صحفيين في كل من كمبوديا و غينيا (خلال مهمة صحفية لتقصي حالة ايبولا هناك) و باراجواي و الفلبين.  و قتل 2 من الصحفيين في كل من بنجلاديش و كولومبيا و الهند و ليبيا و بيرو و تركيا و اليمن. كما قتل صحفي واحد في كل من المملكة العربية السعودية و بورما و مصر و لبنان و نيجيريا و باناما و جمهورية الكونغو الديمقراطية و جمهورية الدومينيكان و روسيا و السلفادور.

الشرق الأوسط يتصدر الأماكن الخطرة 


و تصدرت منطقة الشرق الأوسط المناطق الخطرة للعمل الصحفي بمقتل 46 من الصحفيين تليها آسيا 31 ثم أمريكا اللاتينية 27 ثم إفريقيا جنوب الصحراء 14 و أوروبا 10.

و إذا تمت المقارنة بالسنة الماضية فقد قتل 129 من الصحفيين و قتل في السنوات التسع الماضية 1038 من الصحفيين، و خلال السنوات الخمس الماضية 614 من الصحفيين بمعدل 123 سنوياً و أكثر من 2 في الأسبوع.  

و كانت أكثر الدول خطورة في السنوات الخمس الماضية هي سوريا بمقتل 69 من الصحفيين، ثم باكستان 63، ثم المكسيك 50 ثم العراق 44 فالصومال 39 ، فالبرازيل 31، ثم هندوراس 30، فالفلبين 29، ثم الهند 21، فالأراضي الفلسطينية المحتلة 21.

و أكد ليمبان أن هذه الأرقام المأساوية نتيجة للصراعات المسلحة العنيفة التي تستمر و لا حلول سياسية لها فضلا عن عمليات اختطاف الصحفيين كرهائن و التي أصبحت أكثر شيوعاً في الآونة الأخيرة.

التزامات إيجابية  

و أضاف أنه من التطورات الايجابية التزام الحكومات بشكل أكبر بالمضي قدماً في استصدار قرارات من الأمم المتحدة من أجل تدعيم سلامة الصحفيين، كما بجدر الإشارة إلى العديد من المبادرات التي طرحت من قبل منظمات غير حكومية و منظمات دولية.

و على الرغم من هذا التقدم ذكر ليمبان ان الافلات من العقاب مستمر كذلك عدم احترام القانون الدولي في الميدان. و لهذا قال ليمبان ان حملة الشارة أكدت أكثر من مرة على ضرورة بلورة وثيقة دولية من اجل حماية الصحفيين.

و أضاف أن الإرادة السياسية غائبة في معظم الدول المعنية من أجل القاء الضوء على الجرائم ضد الصحفيين و تبدو عملية شن تحقيقات في الدول التي تدور فيها النزاعات المسلحة امراً غير ممكن.  

و لهذا قال ليمبان إن على الأمم المتحدة إنشاء جهاز مكمل على المستوى الدولي إذا كان لنا أن نكافح الافلات من العقاب بفاعلية و جدية.

و أوضح أن هذه المهمة يجب أن توكل إلى مفوضية الأمم المتحدة لحقوق الإنسان في جنيف.

و أشار إلى أن قضية وصول الصحفيين إلى مناطق الخطر قد تصاعدت و الكثير من المؤسسات الصحفية لا ترسل مراسليها إلى الميدان بسبب الأخطار الحالية و التهديدات الكبيرة مما يؤثر على تغطية النزاعات في وسائل الاعلام و من ثم يقل التأثير على الرأي العام و الجهود الخاصة بجلب معونات للعمل الإنساني الدولي.

و قالت رئيسة الحملة الدولية هدايت عبد النبي أن جهود الحملة تدخل عقدها الثاني و مازالت المشكلة متفاقمة بمقتل أكثر من مائة من الصحفيين سنوياً و ما زال المجتمع الدولي يشاهد الجرائم و هي ترتكب دون مواجهة لب المشكلة و هي إيجاد وثيقة دولية للحماية.

و رغم أنها رحبت بكل الجهود الايجابية نحو تدعيم حماية الصحفيين إلا أنها أكدت أن القضية سوف تتقدم بشكل إيجابي و بحق حين تجلس الدول حول مائدة مفاوضات للتفاوض حول معاهدة دولية لحماية الصحفيين.

و ترى حملة الشارة فأن نصف الذين قتلوا في العام الحالي تم استهدافهم بشكل مباشر من قبل الحكومات و جماعات مسلحة و جماعات اجرامية. و هذه تقديرات عشوائية في غياب تحقيقات مستقلة.

لمزيد من المعلومات برجاء تصفح موقع الحملة 

***15.12.2014. Halte à l’hécatombe des correspondants de guerre - entretien publié dans le quotidien suisse "Le Temps"

Ces neuf dernières années, plus de 1000 journalistes ont été tués en couvrant des conflits à travers le monde. L’année 2014 sera l’une des plus meurtrières, selon le bilan publié ce lundi par la Press Emblème Campagne. L’organisation veut mettre fin à l’impunité des meurtres des correspondants de guerre. Rencontre avec son secrétaire général, Blaise Lempen.

par Simon Petite

Correspondant pour l’Agence télégraphique suisse (ATS) à Genève, auteur *, Blaise Lempen est le secrétaire général de la Presse Emblème Campagne (PEC), une association de journalistes qui vise à mieux protéger les correspondants de guerre.

Le Temps: L’année 2014 sera-t-elle encore une année noire pour
les correspondants de guerre?

Blaise Lempen: Elle a été terrible. Un journaliste d’Al-Jazira a encore été tué mercredi dernier en Syrie. Cela porte le bilan à 128 morts, un chiffre très proche de celui de l’an dernier. C’est Israël qui a été à l’origine du plus grand nombre de victimes cette année, avec un total de 16 journalistes, pour la plupart palestiniens, tués lors de l’offensive à Gaza. La Syrie arrive au second rang des pays les plus meurtriers, suivie du Pakistan, de l’Irak et de l’Ukraine.

– Qu’est-ce qui vous a motivé à créer la PEC il y a dix ans?

– L’événement déclencheur a été l’invasion américaine de l’Irak. Le nombre de journalistes tués a soudainement bondi. Il y en avait une cinquantaine chaque année dans cette guerre. Le tir d’un tank américain contre l’hôtel Palestine en 2003, en plein centre de Bagdad, qui a tué deux cameramen espagnol et ukrainien était particulièrement choquant. Cette guerre a été couverte par des journalistes embarqués (embedded) au sein des unités de l’armée américaine. Aujourd’hui, cela a tendance à devenir la seule manière pour les envoyés spéciaux de couvrir certains conflits. Mais ils y perdent leur indépendance et risquent d’être pris pour cibles. Comme la jeune photographe française Camille Lepage tuée en avril dernier alors qu’elle accompagnait un convoi des anti-balaka, les miliciens chrétiens, en Centrafrique.

– Où en est votre projet d’un emblème pour les médias en zone de guerre, sur le modèle de la Croix-Rouge ou du Croissant-Rouge?

– Notre proposition a été parfois mal comprise. Un tel emblème serait facultatif et aucunement imposé par les gouvernements. Quand je couvrais les guerres en Amérique centrale, au Proche-Orient, au Sri Lanka, en Afghanistan, nous mettions un drap sur notre véhicule où nous avions inscrit au marqueur «Press». Chacun se débrouille dans son coin. Il faudrait au moins un symbole unifié et reconnaissable par tous.

– D’où viennent ces résistances?

– Des médias anglo-saxons qui ont une approche très libérale. Nous parlons d’un secteur où la concurrence est très vive. Certaines grandes chaînes, comme CNN, ont encore les moyens de payer des gardes armés. Elles ne veulent donc pas affaiblir leur avantage comparatif.

– Un emblème offrirait-il vraiment une protection? La discrétion n’est-elle pas plus efficace, alors que l’Etat islamique enlève et décapite des journalistes?

– C’est peut-être vrai pour la presse écrite. Mais les photographes et les journalistes de télévision, avec tout leur matériel, ne passent de toute façon pas inaperçus. Les humanitaires font tout pour être le plus reconnaissables possible. Ils ont une grande expérience du terrain et je ne vois pas pourquoi nous n’en tirerions pas des leçons.

– Parce que les deux professions sont différentes.

– C’est vrai. Les humanitaires apportent une aide concrète. Les populations et les combattants les laissent donc plus facilement passer les barrages et faire leur travail. Mais les journalistes ont une mission essentielle. Ils témoignent sur des conflits qui, autrement, tomberaient dans l’oubli. Je suis, par exemple, frappé par le peu d’images encore diffusées sur la guerre en Syrie. C’est un facteur de la poursuite des combats. Quand la périphérie de Damas a été bombardée à l’arme chimique en août 2013, nous avons vu sur nos écrans des victimes suffocantes et des corps alignés. Sous la pression de l’opinion publique, Barack Obama a été obligé d’envisager des frappes aériennes contre le régime de Bachar el-Assad. Même si le président américain a finalement reculé, c’est un exemple du pouvoir des images.

– Faut-il encore envoyer des journalistes étrangers en Syrie ou en Irak?

– Presque plus personne n’y va. Les journalistes sur place sont des freelancers locaux. La meilleure protection est la connaissance intime du terrain et des différents acteurs. Dans les conditions actuelles, les envoyés spéciaux pour une courte durée n’ont aucune chance de s’en sortir. Il ne faut pas se leurrer: employer des locaux diminue aussi les frais et les primes d’assurance. En étant basés à Genève, centre de la diplomatie internationale, nous essayons d’améliorer la protection juridique des journalistes et avons proposé un projet de nouvelle convention internationale spécifique aux journalistes. Il n’en existe pas, c’est une lacune.

– Les journalistes ne sont-ils pas des civils comme les autres, donc couverts par les Conventions de Genève?

– Pas tout à fait. Dans une guerre, le droit humanitaire demande aux belligérants de laisser fuir les civils s’ils le demandent. Les journalistes, eux, doivent aller sur place pour témoigner. Une nouvelle convention permettrait non seulement de rassembler et clarifier le droit existant mais aussi d’instaurer un mécanisme permettant d’enquêter sur la mort des journalistes. Dans 90% des cas, ces crimes restent impunis. Ces cas sont toujours sensibles, que les journalistes aient été tués volontairement ou involontairement.
Les gouvernements concernés n’ont pas du tout intérêt à ce que la vérité éclate. Voilà pourquoi il faut porter le débat au niveau international. Dans le cadre de la nouvelle convention, un mécanisme d’enquête indépendant pourrait être créé au sein du Haut-Commissariat de l’ONU aux droits de l’homme. Notre modèle, c’est la convention contre les bombes à sous-munitions lancée par la Norvège. Malgré les réticences initiales, 88 Etats l’ont ratifiée. Mais nous n’en sommes pas encore là.

– Quel accueil les Etats réservent-ils à cette idée?

– Le thème de la sécurité des journalistes a beaucoup gagné en visibilité ces dernières années, grâce au travail des ONG et d’un groupe d’Etats. En juin, un débat a été organisé au Conseil des droits de l’homme à l’initiative de l’Autriche, et une résolution adoptée en septembre. Des pays comme le Brésil, le Qatar, la Tunisie, la Grèce et la France soutiennent cette démarche. La Suisse, d’abord frileuse, a rejoint le groupe.
Une première journée internationale contre l’impunité des meurtres de journalistes a été organisée au mois de novembre et elle a connu un grand écho. Même la Russie s’intéresse à ce thème. Quatre journalistes russes ont en effet été tués dans les combats en Ukraine. C’est ironique, alors que la lumière est encore loin d’être faite sur l’assassinat d’Anna Polit­kovskaïa en 2006. Tous les Etats sont concernés, car tous peuvent perdre des journalistes dans des conflits actuels ou futurs ou devoir payer pour libérer des otages.

* La Démocratie à l’ère numérique, dernier ouvrage paru aux Editions Georg.

***23.11.2014. The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) welcomes the resolution which was adopted by consensus at the third committee at the United Nations in New York which aims at enhancing the protection and the safety of journalists, but more needs to be done - five years after the Ampatuan Massacre, no one has been convicted

Arabic below - Read also on our page OTHER NEWS A STATEMENT ON THE FIFTH YEAR SINCE THE 2009 AMPATUAN (MAGUINDANAO) MASSACRE

Read the text of the Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on our page DOCUMENTS

Geneva (PEC, Nov 23) - The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) welcomes the resolution which was adopted by consensus at the third committee at the United Nations in New York which aims at enhancing the protection and the safety of journalists. 

"This new resolution is very positive. It demonstrates the political will of the UN Member States to reinforce the protection of media workers and to fight impunity", said PEC Secretary General Blaise Lempen. 

"The awareness of the problem has increased significantly. However the reality on the ground has not improved. Since January this year, 118 journalists were killed in 26 countries. Last year, there were 129 who were targeted in connection with their reporting. More needs to be done to monitor whether governments are complying with their obligations", he added.

The PEC, said Lempen, calls on the UN to create a new international mechanism to follow-up on the enquiries and bring those responsible to justice. Today is the 5th anniversary of the Ampatuan massacre in the Philippines (32 journalists killed) and still no one has been convicted, he stressed. 

This call to the UN, said PEC president Hedayat Abdel Nabi would translate the resolution on paper to action on the ground and would at the same time include the protection angle as an important ingredient in its formulation.

Abdel Nabi added that this welcome move by the international community could well be coupled with a move to discuss an international instrument to protect journalist, the world is on board, it takes one country or group of countries to trigger the process.

The new resolution reaffirms the concept of journalism as an activity that is evolving and now includes not only professional journalists but also “private individuals and a range of organizations that seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, online as well as offline.”

It reaffirms the obligation to protect journalists in both wartime and peacetime and stresses the need to “create and maintain, in law and in practice, a safe and enabling environment for journalists” and to conduct “impartial, speedy, thorough, independent and effective investigations” into attacks against journalists and other news providers.

The resolution lists all the human rights violations and abuses that constitute a threat to the safety of journalists, not only killing, torture and enforced disappearance but also “arbitrary arrest and arbitrary detention, expulsion, intimidation, harassment, threats and other forms of violence.”

Reinforcing governments’ obligations to combat impunity, it mentions the June 2014 UN Human Rights Council panel on the safety of journalists, it points out that attacks against journalists are on the rise and it describes the fight against impunity as the “biggest challenge” for journalists’ safety.

Paragraph 8 urges governments to cooperate with UNESCO on a “voluntary basis” and to share information about investigations into attacks against journalists, while paragraph 7 refers to the good practices identified in the Human Rights Council resolution of 25 September 2014.

Like the Human Rights Council one, today’s resolution stresses “the particular vulnerability of journalists to becoming targets of unlawful or arbitrary surveillance or interception of communications in violation of their rights to privacy and to freedom of expression.”

It also calls for the release of all journalists who are being held hostage or who are the victims of enforced disappearance and says that not only journalists but also their families should receive compensation for acts of violence.

The resolution which was proposed by France, Greece, Austria, Argentina, Costa Rica and Tunisia and co-sponsored by more than 80 countries, is due to be definitively approved by the General Assembly next month. 

حملة الشارة الدولية ترحب بقرار اللجنة الثالثة لحماية و سلامة الصحفيين 

جنيف القاهرة في ٢٤ نوفمبر (الحملة الدولية) -- رحبت اليوم الحملة الدولية لحماية الصحفيين بقرار اللجنة الثالثة بالأمم المتحدة بنيويورك الا انها أكدت انها لابد من عمل الكثير. 

يذكر ان امس كان الذكرى الخامسة لمذبحة أمباتوان في الفلبين و التي راح ضحيتها ٣٢ صحفيا. 

و صرح بليز ليمبان، سكرتير عام الحملة من جنيف، ان القرار إيجابي و هو يظهر الإرادة السياسية للأمم المتحدة لتدعيم حماية و سلامة الصحفيين و العاملين في الحقل الاعلامي و مكافحة الإفلات من العقاب. 

الا انه أشار الي ان الحالة على ارض الواقع لم تتحسن فقد قتل في العام الحالي و منذ يناير ١١٨ صحفيا و صحفية في ٢٦ دولة و قد قتلوا خلال اداء عملهم. 
 
و شدد على ضرورة عمل المزيد لمراقبة اداء الحكومات في حماية الصحفيين و ترجمة التزامات الدول. 
 
و طالب الامم المتحدة بإنشاء جهاز دولي جديد من احل مواصلة العمل بشأن التحقيقات و تقديم مرتكبي الجرائم ضد الصحفيين للعدالة.
 
و أشارت رئيسة حملة الشارة الدولية هدايت عبد النبي ان هذا النداء اذا تم تنفيذه سيحول القرار من قرار على ورق الى تحرك في الميدان و سوف يدخل عنصر الحماية القانونية كجزء مهم من الصياغة. 

و اضافت عبد النبي ان هذا القرار الجديد الذي نحييه و نرحب به يمكن ان يصاحبه تحرك دولي لمناقشة  وثيقة دولية لحماية الصحفيين فالعالم مستعد الان و هذه العملية لا تتطلب الا ايمان دولة او عدة دول بها لتبدأ.
 
و يشير القرار الي ان الصحافة عملية مستمرة تتعلق بالصحفيين و اخرين و منظمات تسعى لتبادل المعلومات و الأفكار من خلال الانترنت و الكلمة المكتوبة. 

و تؤكد الالتزام بحماية الصحفيين في أوقات الخرب و السلم و تشير الى الحاجة لخلق و الحفاظ على مناخ في إطار القانون و في الميدان لتسهيل عمل الصحفيين و عمل تحقيقات سريعة و كاملة و مستقلة و فعالة في الهجمات التي يتعرض لها الصحفي-الصحفية و الجدد في الميدان.
 
و يقوم القرار بطرح قائمة لكافة الانتهاكات ضد الصحفيين و التي تمثل تهديدا لسلامة الصحفيين. 
 
و يطالب القرار بالإفراج عن كل الصحفيين المختطفين او الذين اختفوا قسريا و يذكر القرار ان التعويضات يجب ان تقدم للصحفيين و كذلك أسرهم. 
 
و من المنتظر إقرار القرار الذي تقدمت به كل من فرنسا و اليونان و النمسا و الأرجنتين و كوستا ريكا و تونس و تبنته 80 دولة في الجمعية العامة للأمم المتحدة في الشهر القادم.
 
لمزيد من المعلومات رجاء تصفح موقع الحملة 

05.11.2014. PEC took part in a meeting in Strasbourg organized by UNESCO: Legal experts discussed frameworks to tackle impunity - and attended the 3rd UN Inter-Agency Meeting on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity

consult the UNESCO website: www.unesco.org/new/en/SafetyofJournalists

The event was organized by the Council of Europe, UNESCO, the Centre for Freedom of the Media at the University of Sheffield, and the European Lawyer’s Union. Participants included senior representatives of the European Court of Human Rights, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, and the Pan African Lawyers Union. The PEC Representative to the United Nations Gianfranco Fattorini attended the meeting.

Among the speakers were Judge Manuel Ventura Robles from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights; David Kaye, the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Opinion; and James Stewart the deputy prosecutor at the International Criminal Court.

Civil society representatives and academic experts were part of the pioneering discussion, which followed the 2 November inaugural International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalism. It was tweeted under the hashtag #dialogprotectjournos.

Participants dissected how states could better implement their obligations to protect freedom of expression through applying universal standards, improving legal frameworks and sharing cross-national experiences.

A consistent theme was that there are many legal instruments at global and regional level which can provide protection and justice for journalists under attack, but these mechanisms need to be publicized within individual countries.

An analysis of several of the instruments is available in a background paper prepared for the seminar by law professor Sejal Parmar.

The 3rd UN-Inter-Agency Meeting on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity took place on 4 November 2014 at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France. This meeting, convened by UNESCO and co-hosted by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Council of Europe, coincides with the inaugural International Day to End Impunity of Crimes against Journalists on 2 November.

This working meeting reviewrd the implementation of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity from 2013 to 2014 including the successes, challenges, lessons learnt and the way forward. The UN Plan of Action was spearheaded by UNESCO and subsequently adopted by the UN Chief Executives Board on 12 April 2012. It marks the first effort to systematically bring the UN family of agencies together with other relevant stakeholders to address the worsening situation of the safety of journalists, media workers, and social media producers, and of the culture of impunity surrounding the crimes against them.

The UN Plan of Action has been highlighted in various international instruments and guidelines including the UN General Assembly Resolution (A/RES/68/163), the Human Rights Council Resolution (A/RES/HRC/21/12), and the EU Human Rights Guidelines on Freedom of Expression Online and Offline as an important tool in addressing the safety of journalists and combating impunity.

Underlining the multi-stakeholder approach of the UN Plan of Action, representatives from different UN Agencies, Member States, international and regional organizations, academia, and media practitioners themselves hace participated in the meeting. The breadth and depth of the issues on the safety of journalists require a broad coalition of different stakeholders. Their collective proficiency and resources provide a thorough and broad perspective which is necessary in achieving the overall objective.

The first UN-Inter-Agency Meeting took place in September 2011 at UNESCO’s headquarters in Paris where the plan was first drafted. A second UN Inter-Agency meeting took place in Vienna in November 2012 where a comprehensive Implementation Strategy was adopted. The strategy included over 120 concrete actions that could be taken on the protection of journalists and its related issues. The Implementation Strategy will serve as the basis for the review process.

For more information regarding the 3rd UN-Inter-Agency Meeting on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, please contact Mr Ming Kuok LIM (mk.lim(at)unesco.org) with copy to Mr Gerwin DE ROY (g.de-roy(at)unesco.org).

Statement of the meeting of civil society delegates of the 3rd UN Inter-Agency meeting on the safety of journalists and the issue of impunity -

We, the undersigned participants of the meeting of the civil society delegates of the 3rd UN Inter-Agency meeting on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, that took place on the 4th November, 2014:

·         Reaffirm our support for the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity while recommending a stronger strategic focus on engaging all stakeholders at domestic levels to implement the plan, given the time passed since its launch;

·         In particular, welcome emphasis on the preventive and protective safety measures outlined in the Plan of Action but encourage more consistent and less disconnected actions at country level to guarantee such precautionary measures;

·         Believe that national mechanisms need to be further developed and strengthened to ensure a broad-based, comprehensive and inclusive approach, based on local ownership;

·         Recognize the need for political will and action by UN member states and other authorities to implement the Plan;

·         Appreciate the efforts to map and continue to identify good practices with the expectation that they can be shared among civil society and media and replicated where appropriate to inspire implementation of the Plan of Action. But we recommend more robust use and application of these practices at country level;

·         Agree to support implementation of the Plan of Action in mutual cooperation and partnership among international, regional and national stakeholders, while also monitoring and assessing the Plan’s impact.

·         We recognize that more needs to be done among international NGOs to ensure more efficient coordination at country level in order to support and facilitate the achievement of the targets set in the action plan;

·         Underscore the need to comply with the decisions of regional mechanisms to address impunity and ensure effective implementation of such structures where they exist;

·         While recalling obligations of the UN and its member states to prevent attacks and combat impunity globally, we recommend implementation of the Plan of Action in a comprehensive manner,

·         Note that increased awareness the UN Action Plan among UN institutions as well as member states and the media themselves is crucial to its successful implementation, and undertake to increase our own efforts to enhance awareness of the Plan among journalists,

·         Encourage regular and timely reviews of the progress of the UN Action Plan by all stakeholders.

***03.11.2014. HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL. UPR EGYPT. Letter sent to Ambassadors by IPI and PEC on the dare situation journalists are facing in Egypt

3 November, 2014

Excellency,

In light of the upcoming Review of Egypt on 5 November in the framework of the 20th session of the UPR Working Group, the International Press Institute (IPI) and the Press Emblem Campaign wish to call your attention to the particularly dare situation journalists are facing in that country.

Since the last Review undergone by Egypt in February 2010 and the adoption of the Report at the 14th session of the Human Rights Council in June 2010, Egypt has witnessed several mass demonstrations. These led in February 2011 to the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak, following which the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces assumed office between February 2011 and June 2012, when general elections brought to power Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Morsi. Following massive protests, the Army deposed President Morsi on 3 July 2013 and installed an interim government led by Judge Adly Mansour. On 14 to 15 January 2014, a new Constitution was adopted by an overwhelming majority of the 39 percent of registered voters who participated to the referendum. In March 2014, General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Head of the Egyptian Armed Forces, resigned from his position and announced his candidacy for the May 2014 presidential elections, which he won overwhelmingly. Al-Sisi took office on 8 June 2014.

In the weeks following the arrest of Morsi, Egyptian security forces rounded up numerous correspondents, freelancers and photographers. At least four journalists died in a single day, 14 August 2013, when the police and military moved against pro-Morsi camps in Cairo and other cities. Briton Michael Deane, a cameraman for Sky News, was among the victims. Some broadcasters were banned and several media outlets were closed down.
 
On 29 December 2013, just two weeks before the country was to vote on a new Constitution, security agents arrested four journalists working for Al Jazeera’s English service. The Interior Ministry accused them of spreading “false news”, “damaging national security” and supporting a banned organization – the Muslim Brotherhood.
 
The new Constitution adopted by referendum in mid-January provides guarantees of press freedom, freedom of publication and the independence of the news media, including protections against censorship, confiscation, suspension and closure of news media (Articles 70, 71 and 72).
 
Nevertheless, on 25 January 2014, a freelance photographer was shot dead while covering demonstrations and many journalists were wounded during clashes on that day. Days later, Egypt’s public prosecutor announced that 20 journalists, including four foreigners said to be working for Al Jazeera, would face trial on charges of terrorism and spreading “false news”. 

Al Jazeera’s Sue Turton and Dominic Kane, both from Britain, were among the four foreigners accused, although both had already left Egypt at that time. The group also included Dutch journalist Rena Netjes, Cairo correspondent for Holland’s Parool newspaper and BNR radio, who fled Egypt shortly after the charges were announced. The fourth foreigner was Australian Peter Greste, an Al Jazeera English correspondent.
 
Greste was tried along with Egyptian Baher Mohamed (producer) and Egyptian-Canadian Mohamed Fahmy (producer), and found guilty on 23 June 2014. Greste and Fahmy were sentenced to seven years in prison, while Baher Mohamed – who was in possession of a spent bullet casing he had found on the ground during a protest – was sentenced to an additional three years for possession of ammunition. Another 11 defendants tried in absentia – including foreigners Turton, Kane and Netjes – were given 10-year sentences.

In August 2014, the lawyers for Greste, Mohamed and Fahmy filed appeals of their convictions. The case will now be heard before the Court of Cassation, which will determine whether to order a retrial or reject the appeals, in proceedings scheduled to begin on 1 January 2015. Meanwhile, on 14 October 2014 Ahmed Mansour, a presenter on Al Jazeera Arabic, was sentenced in absentia to 15 years imprisonment by Cairo’s criminal court on the charge of torturing a lawyer in Tahrir Square during the 25 January 2011 uprising. 
 
It is commonly acknowledged that Egyptian journalists have always worked under self-censorship, but the situation has become worse as the government no longer targets only high-profile journalists. The feeling of insecurity and uncertainty expressed by journalists – foreign correspondents as well as Egyptian – is borne out by the handling of media, both by the police and security services, and by vigilantes. Lack of reforms implementing the freedoms guaranteed by the new Constitution and a lack of awareness of the right of journalists to report news freely appear to be major problems. Further, many Egyptian and foreign correspondents have reported that police and security services officers often refuse to recognise government-issued press credentials.
 
In view of this situation, we would be very grateful if, during the debate of Egypt’s review on 5 November, your delegation could express its concern on this matter and recommend that Egypt respect the letter and spirit of its new Constitution – including Articles 70, 71 and 72 – that the government ensure that those who attack journalists are held accountable and that it establish ongoing training for police and armed forces personnel in recognising journalists and respecting the role they play in a democracy.
 
With highest regards,

Blaise Lempen                                                         Alison Bethel McKenzie
Secretary General                                                    Executive Director
Press Emblem Campaign (PEC)                                    International Press Institute (IPI)
Geneva                                                                  Vienna

***01.11.2014. DOHA. Regional symposium on Safety and Security of Journalists - the Reality of Violations and the Efforts for Protection - International Day to End Impunity. PEC statement delivered by Gianfranco Fattorini

The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC)
Presse Embleme Campagne (PEC)
CAMPANA EMBLEMA DE PRENSA (PEC)
الحملة الدولية "لشعار شارة" حماية الصحفى

The International Day to End Impunity
1st November 2014, Doha - QATAR

Safety and Security of Journalists
the Reality of Violations and the Efforts for Protection

United Nations Plan for the security and safety of journalists:
challenges and good practices

The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) expresses its gratitude to the organizers for the invitation to participate in this very important and timely Symposium that gives us the opportunity to celebrate the first International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists.

The PEC sees the proclamation of this International Day by the United Nations General Assembly a recognition of a major problem – the widespread and persistent Impunity that follows crimes committed against journalists.

To fully understand the extent of this phenomenon, one can just go through the statistic annexed to the Report submitted last month by the Director General of UNESCO to the Intergovernmental Council of the International Program for the Development of Communication (IPDC).

Out of the 593 killings of journalists recorded by UNESCO between 2006 and 2013, in only 31 cases the responsible was convicted, which means 5% of the cases, while in 344 cases, which represent 58% of the recorded killings, no information has been made available.

Regardless of the statistics’ discrepancy of journalists killed around the world, due to different criteria adopted by each organization, nowadays it is commonly admitted that journalists play a particular role in the societies and that the crimes committed against a journalist is an attempt to curb the development of a free and democratic society, an attempt to stop the peoples of the United Nations who are determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, to reaffirm faith in fundamental rights, to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained and to promote social progress.

That’s why this Symposium has an important significance. The celebration of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists must be an occasion for everybody to deeply reflect on the challenges we face to ensure a real and concrete protection of journalists. A wider protection that cannot be limited to the development of measures improving the security and safety of journalists and media workers because clearly, preventive measures may lead to a decrease in the number of crimes committed against journalists, but Impunity can only be fought with by means of investigation and sanctions.

In reality, when we speak about Impunity for crimes against Journalists, we don’t limit the scope of action of this struggle to the killings, but to any form of crime; namely hostage tacking, kidnapping, abduction, arbitrary arrests or detention, enforced disappearance, psychological and physical torture, and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment, and sexual violence against women journalists.

The adoption one year ago of resolution 68/163 by the United Nations General Assembly was a very important step on the path of the struggle against Impunity, as well as it was the adoption in 2006 of resolution 1738 by the Security Council which focused very much on the necessity to prosecute those responsible of crimes against journalists. The resolutions adopted by the UN Human Rights Council, including the one adopted last September, is also part of this struggle and demonstrates that the issue has now become a major concern for the international community.

The studies presented throughout the last ten years to the UN Human Rights Council and to the General Assembly by different Special Rapporteurs and by the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights, as well as the reports presented by the UN Secretary-General to the General Assembly also have denounced the Impunity that follows crimes committed against journalists. The debates held in the UN Human Rights Council as well as those held in the UN Security Council, although they addressed the matter from different angles, allowed everyone to apprehend various aspects of violence and crimes committed against journalists.

The UN Plan of Action on the safety of Journalists and the issue of Impunity is certainly the major tool that the international community - UN system and Governments - have in their hands for the implementation of a comprehensive, coherent, and action-oriented approach to the safety and protection of journalists and the issue of impunity.

While promoting the safety and protection of journalists requires preventive mechanisms and actions to address some of the root causes of violence against journalists, fighting impunity, by definition, requires an after-the-fact action implemented by an independent and effective investigative mechanism and a judicial body, also independent, which can prosecute those responsible.

If one can consider that in times of peace national judiciary systems can efficiently deal with crimes, this is not the case in countries that have to be considered as conflict areas, where journalists can be victims of crimes committed by all parties to the conflict.

In fact, the different reports presented to the UN Human Rights Council demonstrate that none of the existing mechanisms, at the national, regional or international level is instrumental in combating impunity against the crimes committed against journalists in conflict situations.

When one looks to the statistics annexed to the above mentioned report of the Director General of UNESCO, it appears that the vast majority of the 593 journalists killed over the considered period have been local (around 94 percent) and also that about 3/4 of them have been killed in conflict situation, while other forms of violence occurs mainly in conflict zones. This year too, so far, the PEC registers 115 journalists killed around the world; more than 70% of them were killed in armed conflict situations: Palestine, Syria, Iraq, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, etc.

In the course of the Panel discussion held last June at the UN Human Rights Council, prominent human rights officers took a courageous stand. High Commissioner, Mrs. Navy Pillay, called on States to adopt a zero tolerance policy towards any form of violence against journalists and to insure accountability for attacks on them. Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, Mr. Frank La Rue, joined his colleague Mr. Christof Heyns (Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions) in calling for the adoption of a specific UN instrument[1]. The PEC believes that the time has come to open the common reflection on the adoption of a specific international instrument and looks forward to initiate the necessary consultations.

Today we have to admit that there are some fundamental concepts and key aspects related to the protection of journalists and media workers, notably those linked to the fight against Impunity that need a more comprehensive analysis from the international community in order to adopt the effective measures necessary to eradicate the Impunity and thus insure not only the safety but also the indispensable protection journalists and media workers must be entitled to.

********
[1] A/HRC/20/22  par. 124

For more on the meeting, go to: http://www.aljazeera.com/humanrights/2014/11/crimes-against-journalists-go-unpunished-2014111145256359952.html

***17.10.2014. NOUVELLE PUBLICATION - LA DEMOCRATIE A L'ERE NUMERIQUE - La "révolution" Facebook, Google, Twitter et Cie - un livre du secrétaire général de la PEC Blaise LEMPEN - à commander sur: www.georg.ch ou en librairie

La « révolution numérique » est-elle un progrès de la démocratie, des libertés individuelles, un nouvel avenir radieux ou au contraire l’avènement du règne de la surveillance et de la désinformation généralisées ? Jusqu'où peuvent aller la contraction de l'espace et la compression du temps liées aux nouvelles techniques sans déstabiliser nos sociétés ? Observateur des technologies de la communication depuis 30 ans, à la fois thérocien et praticien de l'information, Blaise Lempen pose un regard critique. Il nous met en garde contre leurs conséquences négatives: crises systémiques, conflits socio-culturels, excès de l'ouverture, ingouvernabilité, atteintes aux libertés - (240 pages, Genève, éditions Georg, octobre 2014) (27 francs suisses, 21 euros). Plus d'informations ou pour commander: www.georg.ch

***25.09.2014. HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL: The PEC salutes the adoption of a new resolution on the safety of journalists by the Human Rights Council, marking progress by UN Member States

 Arabic below - read the text of the resolution on our page DOCUMENTS

GENEVA, 25 September (PEC) – The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) salutes the adoption of a resolution on the safety of journalists unanimously by the Human Rights Council. The text of the resolution marks progress which allows governments to be engaged positively.

The resolution was submitted by Austria, Qatar, Tunisia, Morocco, Greece, Brazil and France.

The Geneva based NGO noted that the resolution condemns unequivocally all attacks and violence against journalists and media workers, such as torture, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and arbitrary detention, as well as intimidation and harassment in both conflict and non-conflict situations.

The resolution also strongly condemns the prevailing impunity for attacks and violence against journalists and expresses grave concern that the vast majority of these crimes go unpunished, which in turn contributes to the recurrence of these crimes,

And urges States to promote a safe and enabling environment for journalists to perform their work independently and without undue interference, to prevent attacks and violence against journalists and media workers, to ensure accountability through the conduct of impartial, speedy, thorough, independent and effective investigations into all alleged violence against journalists and media workers falling within their jurisdiction, to bring perpetrators including inter alia those who command, conspire to commit, aid and abet or cover up such crimes to justice and to ensure that victims and their families have access to appropriate remedies.

During the negotiations, the PEC has obtained that the resolution explicitly ensure that the families of the victims have access to appropriated remedies.

The resolution calls upon States to develop and implement strategies for combating impunity for attacks and violence against journalists, including by using, where appropriate, good practices such as those identified during the panel discussion and/or compiled in the report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on good practice on the safety of journalists, inter alia,

(a) the creation of special investigative units or independent commissions;

(b) the appointment of a specialized prosecutor;

(c) the adoption of specific protocols and methods of investigation and prosecution;

(d) the training of prosecutors and judiciary regarding the safety of journalists,

(e) the establishment of information-gathering mechanisms, such as databases, to permit the gathering of verified information about threats and attacks against journalists

(f) the establishment of an early warning and rapid response mechanism to give journalists, when threatened, immediate access to the authorities and protective measures.

The PEC finds that the mechanism of early warning and rapid response as proposed  could be further elaborated in the context of the decision of the Human Rights Council to continue the examination of this global problem in its forthcoming sessions.

PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen noted that in the context of the increasing number of journalists fallen this year, the continued engagement of the UN at all levels is positive. 

“The journalists are the uncontested witnesses of human rights violations whoever is the violator, thus it can help in saving lives,” added Lempen.

He added that in countries witnessing wars or violent unrests judicial authorities are no longer functioning, and it would not be possible to carry independent investigations. The instating of an international mechanism to ensure accountability in conflict zones is indispensable where it is not possible to combat impunity at the national level. 

PEC President Hedayat Abdel Nabi noted that the Human Rights Council and countries concerned must contemplate trials in absentia that would result in a world cry of condemnations against the perpetrators of crimes against journalists.

This is the third Human Rights Council resolution on the safety of journalists. The first was issued in March 2010, the second in September 2012. In addition the UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution on 18 December 2013, and the Security Council adopted the resolution 1738 in December 2006.  

حملة الشارة الدولة تحيي تبني مجلس حقوق الانسان لقرار حول سلامة و حماية الصحفيين و تعتبره خطوة للأمام

جنيف-القاهرة في25 سبتمبر (حملة الشارة) – حيت حملة الشارة الدولية لحماية الصحفيين تبني مجلس حقوق الإنسان لقرار حول سلامة و حماية الصحفيين و تعتبره خطوة إلى الأمام لتأمين العمل الصحفي في الميدان و في الظروف الخطرة و في أوقات الحروب و النزاعات المسلحة.  

و أضافت الحملة، في بيان لها اليوم، أن نص القرار يسمح بمشاركة أوسع في هذا المضمار من الدول أعضاء مجلس حقوق الإنسان.  

و لفتت حملة الشارة الانتباه إلى أن القرار يدين بلا رجعة كل الهجمات و العنف ضد الصحفيين و العاملين في وسائل الاعلام و عمليات التعذيب ضد الصحفيين و عمليات القتل و الاختفاء القسري و الاعتقال العشوائي و ترهيب الصحفيين في ظروف النزاعات و غيرها من الظروف.

كما يدين القرار المناخ السائد من عدم ملاحقة الجناة في هجمات و عمليات عنف ضد الصحفيين و يعرب القرار عن عميق قلقه من أن غالبية هذه الجرائم تتم دون عقاب مما يؤدي إلى تكرار هذه الجرائم.

و يحث القرار الدول بالعمل على تهيئة مناخ سالم للصحفيين للقيام بعملهم بطريقة مستقلة و بدون تدخلات لا لزوم لها من أجل الحد من الهجمات ضد الصحفيين و العاملين في وسائل الاعلام من أجل ضمان التحقق من تقديم مرتكبي هذه الجرائم إلى المحاكمة من خلال عمل تحقيقات سريعة و حيادية و مستقلة و فعالة في جرائم العنف ضد الصحفيين حتى يمكن مقاضاة كل منغمس في العنف ضد الصحفيين و تقديم التعويضات إلى الأسر التي فقدت ذويها.

و يطالب القرار الدول الأعضاء بإنشاء وحدة تحقيق خاصة أو لجان مستقلة، و تعيين مدعي عام خاص، و تبني وسائل تحقيق تستند إلى بروتوكولات خاصة، و تدريب القضاة فيما يتعلق بسلامة الصحفيين، و إنشاء جهاز لجمع المعلومات للتنبيه إلى الأخطار المحدقة بالصحفيين، و إنشاء جهاز للإنذار المبكر لتنبه الصحفيين للاتصال الفوري بالأجهزة المعنية و اتخاذ وسائل الحماية المناسبة.

و خلال المفاوضات قامت الحملة الدولية بتوضيح أهمية أن يكون لآسر الضحايا نفس حقوق الضحايا في التعويضات.

و صرح سكرتير عام الحملة بليز ليمبان بأنه في اطار زيادة عدد الصحفيين ضحايا القتل المتعمد فالحملة ترى أهمية كبيرة لمشاركة الامم المتحدة المستمرة و الايجابية على كل المستويات، مضيفاً بأن الصحفيين هم الشهود لكافة أنواع العنف أياً كان مرتكبه، و بالتالي فهذه الشهادة غير المنقوصة لديها القوة الاخلاقية لإنقاذ حياة الأخرين. 

و قال إن وضع جهاز تحقيق دولي اضافي يساعد الدول التي تمر بمرحلة التفكيك و ينقصها جهازاً قضائياً للفصل في هذه الجرائم ضد الصحفيين.         

 و صرحت رئيسة حملة الشارة الدولية هدايت عبد النبي بأنه لابد للدول أعضاء مجلس حقوق الإنسان أن يدرسوا امكانية اجرا محاكمات غيابية تؤدي إلى صرخة عالمية من الإدانة في وجه مرتكبي هذه الجرائم ضد الصحفيين.

و أضافت أنه في هذا الصدد يكون من المناسب إجراء محاكمة غيابية لمن ذبحوا الصحفيين الأمريكيين و كذلك من قتل 17 صحفيا فلسطينياً في غزة أثناء العملية العسكرية الإسرائيلية الأخيرة مشيرة ففي الحالتين من قتل الصحفيين معروف.    

يذكر أن هذا القرار هو الثالث في سلسلة القرارات الخاصة بسلامة الصحفيين فقد صدر الأول في 20 مارس 2010 و الثاني في

سبتمبر 2012. كما اصدرت الجمعية العامة للأمم المتحدة قرارا في 18 ديسمبر 2013 و أصدر مجلس الأمن قراره الشهير رقم 1738 في ديسمبر 2006.

و قد بلغ عدد القتلى من الصحفيين حتى صدور القرار اليوم 101 من الضحايا.  

لمزيد من المعلومات تصفح:

***24.09.2014. 3e assises du journalisme - 24 septembre 2014, casino de Montbenon - Lausanne. "La Suisse et la liberté de la presse"

plus d'infos sur: www.edito.ch/fr/

www.impressum.ch

http://www.ifj.org/nc/fr/news-single-view/backpid/34/article/time-to-ensure-the-protection-of-journalists-in-conflict-zones/

http://www.ifj.org/nc/en/news-single-view/backpid/34/article/time-to-ensure-the-protection-of-journalists-in-conflict-zones/

http://www.ifj.org/fileadmin/images/EFJ/EFJ_documents/Resolution_fr_docx.pdf

http://www.amnesty.ch/fr/pays/europe-asie-centrale/suisse/docs/2014/suisse-protegeons-notre-liberte/assises-du-journalisme-cedh-et-liberte-de-la-presse-en-suisse

www.rsf-ch.ch

http://www.swissinfo.ch/ara/%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%A8%D8%A6%D8%A9-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A3%D8%AC%D9%84-%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B5%D8%AD%D9%81%D9%8A%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B1%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%A9-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B6%D8%BA%D9%88%D8%B7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D9%82%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%A9/40790150

http://www.tdg.ch/suisse/liberte-presse-suisse-souleve-vives-inquietudes/story/29519003

Débat sur la protection des journalistes dans les zones de conflit: de gauche à droite Patrick Vallélian, auteur de "Qui a tué Gilles Jacquier ?", l'ambassadeur Claude Wild, chef de la division de Sécurité humaine au DFAE, Alain Maillard, responsable d'EDITO, Blaise Lempen, secrétaire général de la PEC et Ricardo Gutierrez, secrétaire général de la Fédération européenne des journalistes (photo PM)

Texte de la résolution adoptée par les organisateurs: Impressum-Les journalistes suisses, Amnesty International, Press Emblem Campaign, Fédération européenne des journalistes, Reporters sans frontières, Univerté de Fribourg:

3èmes Assises du journalisme : « La Suisse et la liberté de la presse » 24 septembre 2014

Résolution

« La liberté de la presse est fondamentale en démocratie. Elle l’est encore davantage au pays de la démocratie
directe. La liberté de la presse est l’une des principales libertés fondamentales à partir de de laquelle les
autres libertés peuvent s’exercer. Or, la liberté de la presse n’est jamais acquise face aux pressions politiques,
économiques ou morale, les journalistes doivent la défendre au quotidien, et les rédacteurs en chef leur offrir
un cadre propice pour qu’ils puissent exercer leur travail d’information sans contrainte. Les éditeurs doivent
contribuer à cette mission en leur en donnant les moyens.

Les organisateurs expriment leur ferme attachement à la protection des sources des journalistes. Cette protection est essentielle pour un travail d’enquête efficace et indépendant.

A la lumière des nombreux exemples récents de violation des droits des journalistes nous réaffirmons l’importance de la Convention Européenne des Droits de l’Homme (CEDH), notamment l’article 10 relatif à la liberté d’information, dans la protection de la liberté des médias en Suisse. Les journalistes ont de fait une responsabilité particulière à informer sur cet instrument qui soutient leur travail.

Au vu du grand nombre de victimes parmi les journalistes dans les zones de conflit, les organisateurs appellent
la Suisse, Etat dépositaire des Conventions de Genève, à lancer des consultations avec les Etats pour élaborer
un mécanisme international destiné à renforcer l’application du droit international et la protection des journalistes dans les zones de conflit armé, incluant en particulier un mécanisme international d’enquête et de suivi.

Les organisateurs invitent également les entreprises de médias en Suisse, les associations de journalistes, les
syndicats et les centres de formation à sensibiliser les journalistes ou étudiants aux risques liés à l’exercice du
métier dans les zones dangereuses. Une formation adéquate pourrait être insérée dans les cours de formation
continue.
 
La recherche de l’Université de Fribourg sur les pressions économiques et les conditions de travail des journalistes constitue un premier pas, mais il y a encore beaucoup à faire dans ce domaine. Les organisateurs espèrent vivement que l’Etat, les Universités et les organisations indépendantes consacreront à l’avenir plus de
moyens pour approfondir les recherches sur la liberté de la presse et les menaces tant politiques
qu’économiques qui pèsent sur cette liberté. Ils demandent de meilleures conditions pour le journalisme, notamment par une aide directe.

Les médias sont une cible privilégiée d’attaques, visant principalement la confidentialité des données. Face à
cette réalité, un accent tout particulier doit être mis sur la sensibilisation envers ces risques, dans une approche
globale. En particulier, savoir repérer et faire face aux méthodes utilisées pour accéder à l’information
est un aspect majeur. De nombreuses technologies de surveillance violent la vie privée des individus et portent
atteinte à la liberté d’information. Les organisateurs demandent que les Etats adoptent des législations à
même de contrôler les exportations de matériel de surveillance informatique et que les entreprises qui se livrent à ce commerce soient poursuivies en justice.

Les organisateurs proposent d’étudier la création d’un Observatoire de la liberté de la presse en Suisse. »

3èmes Assises du journalisme : « La Suisse et la liberté de la presse » 24 septembre 2014. Table ronde sur la protection des journalistes dans les zones de conflit organisée par la Presse Emblème Campagne (PEC)

Avec la participation de : (dans l’ordre alphabétique)

-      Sébastien Faure, producteur Télévision Suisse romande

-      Ricardo Gutierrez, secrétaire général de la Fédération européenne des journalistes (FEJ)

-      Blaise Lempen, correspondant de l’ATS à l’ONU, secrétaire général de la PEC

-      Alain Maillard, rédacteur en chef d’Edito

-      Patrick Vallélian, responsable de Sept Info, auteur de «Attentat Express – qui a tué Gilles Jacquier?»

-      Claude Wild, ambassadeur, chef de la division sécurité humaine au Département fédéral des Affaires étrangères (DFAE)

 
« Journaliste, un métier de plus en plus dangereux »

Par Blaise Lempen

Les nouvelles de l’étranger remplissent des pages des journaux suisses tous les jours et des heures d’émissions radiophoniques et télévisées. Le contenu des medias en Suisse dépend donc étroitement des possibilités d’informer librement dans le reste du monde. Dans les cas de conflit armé, qui occupent en priorité les medias, ces possibilités sont restreintes.

Le cap des 100 journalistes tués depuis le début de l’année vient d’être dépassé.  Ils l’ont été avant tout en Syrie, à Gaza, en Ukraine, en Irak, en Afghanistan, au Honduras, au Pakistan, en République centrafricaine. Un degré sans précédent dans l’horreur a été franchi avec l’exécution de deux journalistes américains en Syrie. Et un degré sans précédent dans l’arbitraire avec la détention depuis 270 jours de nos confrères d’Al-Jazeera en Egypte. L’an dernier, 129 journalistes ont été tués dans 23 pays dans le monde, et cette année le bilan ne sera pas meilleur.

Le bilan élevé est évidemment la conséquence directe de la multiplication des conflits : Syrie, Irak, Ukraine, Centrafrique, Gaza. Du même coup, la statistique des victimes augmente. A Gaza, en un peu plus d’un mois, 15 journalistes palestiniens sont morts dans l’offensive israélienne.

La nature des conflits a évolué

Il est devenu plus dangereux de couvrir des conflits. Il y a plusieurs raisons à cette détérioration de la situation. La nature des conflits a évolué. Ils opposent le plus souvent des groupes armés, sans ligne de front stable. Ces groupes armés, par exemple les groupes rebelles islamistes en Syrie et en Irak, ne respectent pas le droit international. Les combats dans des zones urbaines, la prolifération des groupes avec des chaînes de commandement peu claires sont un facteur de risque, pour les journalistes comme pour les travailleurs humanitaires. Il faut prendre d'énormes précautions pour ne pas tomber dans une embuscade, être enlevé et rançonné, éviter les snipers, les obus et les tirs sans préavis.
 
Les belligérants respectent de moins en moins la distinction entre les combattants et les civils. Un autre problème qui accentue les risques est la situation d'impunité, faute d'enquêtes et de poursuites dans le pays concerné. Si les crimes restent impunis, il y a bien des chances qu'ils se répètent.
 
Ricardo Gutierrez, Patrick Vallélian et Sébastien Faure nous en diront plus sur les risques rencontrés sur le terrain en Ukraine, en Syrie et ailleurs dans le monde. 
 
Le thème s’est imposé au niveau international

Il y a dix ans, lorsqu’un groupe de journalistes basés à l'ONU à Genève a lancé l’ initiative de la PEC, les Etats ignoraient le problème ou faisaient la sourde oreille. Depuis, en 2006, le Conseil de sécurité de l'ONU a adopté une résolution condamnant les meurtres de journalistes, puis le Conseil des droits de l'homme en septembre 2012 et l’Assemblée générale de l’ONU en novembre 2013. Une nouvelle résolution doit être adoptée demain ou vendredi par le Conseil des droits de l’homme. Elle recommande aux Etats la mise en œuvre de bonnes pratiques, comme la création d’une unité d’investigation spéciale, la création de mécanismes d’alerte et de réponse rapide.

La sécurité des journalistes s’est imposée comme un thème de débat sur le plan international. Des Etats se sont mobilisés sur le sujet: mentionnons les efforts de la France, à l’origine de la création l’an dernier d’une Journée internationale, le 2 novembre, pour mettre fin à l’impunité des crimes commis contre les journalistes, de l'Autriche, de la Suisse, du Qatar, du Brésil, de la Tunisie. Toutefois les progrès sont lents, et l’Autriche qui a pris l’initiative au Conseil des droits de l’homme à Genève avance à pas de Sioux…Et d’autres Etats, qui veulent garder les mains libres, surveillent de près le processus pour faire en sorte d’en limiter la portée.

De l’avis de la PEC, il manque des mécanismes d'application concrets et contraignants capables de lutter contre l'impunité, de mener des enquêtes dans les pays en crise, de dédommager les victimes, de faciliter l’accès aux zones de guerre. Rares sont les poursuites lancées contre les auteurs de crimes visant des journalistes. Pour plusieurs raisons : absence d’appareil judiciaire dans les zones de conflit, corruption des organes de police et de la justice, complices des meurtriers, absence de volonté politique. Raison pour laquelle des mécanismes internationaux d’enquête suppléant aux carences des organes nationaux sont nécessaires. C’est illusoire de croire que des Etats en conflit, dont les structures étatiques se sont effondrées,  peuvent faire des enquêtes et rendre la justice.

La présence des journalistes peut faire la différence

Que peut-on faire concrètement ? Renoncer à se rendre dans les zones les plus dangereuses ? C’est souvent le cas, mais c’est renoncer à son métier, à témoigner des souffrances humaines. Il est crucial que des journalistes soient présents sur le terrain pour témoigner des violations des droits de l’homme. Leur témoignage direct, crédible, indépendant peut faire toute la différence pour les victimes et l’évolution d’un conflit.

Je ne citerai qu’un exemple : la militante ukrainienne Irina Dovgan était la semaine dernière à Genève. Elle a raconté qu’elle a été libérée et a peut-être échappé à la mort, après avoir été torturée par des combattants pro-séparatistes, uniquement parce que des journalistes de la presse internationale l’ont filmée, insultée par des passants sur une place de Donetsk. Les images relayées par le New York Times ont suscité une réaction internationale et obligé les rebelles à la relâcher. 
 
Une possibilité d’aller sur le terrain est d’accepter d'être "embedded", ou incorporé dans une unité militaire, mais ce n'est pas non plus une solution, puisque le journaliste y perd son indépendance et peut être considéré comme une cible légitime pour le camp adverse. Les risques de tomber dans une embuscade ne sont d’ailleurs pas négligeables. 
 
Se rendre clandestinement dans un pays, sans autorisation, est aussi risqué, puisque maints journalistes ont été détenus faute de visa et de permis de travail. Et c’est souvent illusoire, car l’on est vite repéré, en tout cas les photographes et cameramen. Porter des gilets pare-balles, se déplacer en groupe, éviter les zones de combat sont des mesures utiles. 
 
Un effort de formation de la part des entreprises des medias est aussi nécessaire. Il faut sensibiliser les journalistes aux risques potentiels dans les zones dangereuses.
 
La responsabilité de la Suisse ?
 
La responsabilité de faire respecter le droit international revient aux Etats. Que faire pour mieux le faire appliquer ? La Suisse est l’Etat dépositaire des Conventions de Genève et le siège du Conseil des droits de l’homme. La Suisse a certainement un rôle à jouer sur ce dossier de la protection des journalistes et peut faire davantage. C’est une question de sécurité humaine, de respect des libertés fondamentales, de défense de la démocratie, et aussi de droit à l’information du public suisse.
B. L. 

Lors du débat avec les 200 participants à la réunion: de gauche à droite Alain Maillard, Blaise Lempen, Ricardo Gutierrez (photo PM). Au terme des travaux, les organisateurs ont adopté une résolution, dans laquelle ils lancent notamment un appel à la Suisse, Etat dépositaire des Conventions de Genève, pour qu'elle lance des consultations.

***23.09.2014. HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL. PEC statement delivered by Gianfranco Fattorini on the human rights situation in Palestine

General Assembly
Human Rights Council
27th session

Item 7  -   Human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories[1]

General debate

Mr. President,

The Press Emblem Campaign has already alerted the Human Rights Council about the limitations imposed and the harassment on media workers in Israel and in the Occupied Palestinian Territories by both, the Israeli and the Palestinian authorities. The PEC consistently denounced the targeting, by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF), of journalists with rubber bullets and tear gas, preventing them from covering events.

But this summer, in the course of the Israeli military operation called “Protective Edge”, journalists suffered a more severe attack in nature. As (partially) documented in our written statement[2], between July 9th and August 25th, 17 journalists have been killed in Gaza; while a number of them have been victimized by the indiscriminate bombing of civilians in Gaza, which per se may constitute a war crime, some have allegedly been purposely targeted by the Israeli Army.

On 9th July, Hamed Shehab (Palestinian, aged 30, media worker at 24 Media) was hit by an Israeli air strike while driving home in a car clearly marked as a media vehicle, the word “TV” printed on the front hood of the car. On 23rd July, Abdulrahman Ziad Abu Hayyin (Palestinian, aged 28, Al-Kitab TV) was killed by an Israeli bomb which destroyed his house in Al-Shajaia neighborhood in Gaza city. On 29th July, Baha’ Edeen Gharib (Palestinian, aged 59, Palestine TV) was killed along side with her daughter Ola by a rocket fired from  Israeli drone while he was going by car to a hospital to treat his daughter. The same day, Ezat Abu Duhair (Palestinian, aged 23, Al-Huriya Media Network) died when his house was shelled by the Israeli Air Force. On July 31st, Mohammed Majed Daher (Palestinian, aged 27, Al-Resallah weekly newspaper) succumbed to severe injuries suffered in the bombing (without a previous warning) by an Israeli airplane of his three-floor house on Sunday 20 July in Al-Shajaiea neighborhood in Gaza city. On August 1st, Abdullah Nasr Fahjan (Palestinian, aged 21, photo reporter) was taking photos in Rafah when an Israeli drone targeted him at around 12:20 pm, and he got severe injuries in his head, he died at around 3:00 pm. On August 4th, Hamada Khaled Maqqat (Palestinian, aged 24), editing director of the online news site SAJA died when the IOF bombarded his house in Gaza.

Those murders, as well as the bombing of 8 media outlets in the Gaza Strip, out of which 5 were deliberately targeted by the IOF, constitute with no doubt war crimes.

The Press Emblem Campaign calls on:

Ø  the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967 to investigate, in the framework of his mandate, on the violation of the fundamental freedoms and rights of journalists and media workers, with a particular attention on the violation of the rights of women journalists;

Ø  the members of the Independent, international commission of inquiry to investigate on the aforementioned crimes against media outlet, journalists and media workers and identify the responsible.

I thank you for your attention.

22 September 2013
[1] The PEC is grateful to the Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) for its collaboration[2] A/HRC/27/NGO/92

***16.09.2014. HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL: Report of the Independent international commission of inquiry on the situation in the Syrian Arab Republic (A/HRC/27/60) - Oral statement delivered by the PEC representative Gianfranco Fattorini

General Assembly
Human Rights Council
27th session

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

Report of the Independent international commission of inquiry on the situation
in the Syrian Arab Republic (A/HRC/27/60)

Mr. President,

The Press Emblem Campaign thanks the members of the Independent international commission of inquiry (IICI) of remaining attentive to the particular situation journalists have to face in the Syrian Arab Republic and reiterates its call for a standing section in the Independent international commission of inquiry’s report dedicated to journalists, considering the particular role they play in collecting information and disseminating it to the public. For this purpose, Annex V of the report, dedicated to “Specifically protected persons and objects” could have been subdivided with a focus on the victims instead of the authors of the crimes.

More than 60 media workers have paid with their life their professional commitment in the Syrian Arab Republic since the beginning of the civil unrest that turned to a civil war. While Syria was the deadliest country in the world for media workers in 2012 and 2013, this year it is second only to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, where 16 journalists and media workers were killed in a few weeks this summer. The PEC strongly condemns the horrific staged killings of James Foley and Steven Sotloff reported by videos released on the social Medias by a criminal non-State actor as well as the murder of Egyptian photograph Ahmad Hassan.

While the report presented by the IICI turns the attention mainly on unidentified armed groups and ISIL, we wish here to underline that all parties to the conflict are responsible of arbitrary arrests, abduction, kidnapping, physical and psychological torture, extrajudicial killings or murder of journalists and media workers and that this situation, leads to a form of self-censorship from the media outlets.

The PEC calls on the Commission of Inquiry to continue to investigate and to report to the Council about the fate of Mazen Darwish, Director of the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression, who was arrested in February 2012. Darwish and his two colleagues Hani Zitani and Hussein Al Ghurair are still held in arbitrary detention.

Finally, the PEC would like to ask a question to the members of the Commission: what would be in your view, the best way to fight impunity for the crimes committed against journalists in the Syrian Arab Republic?

16th September 2014

***16.09.2014. HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL. General debate. Oral statement delivered by the PEC Representative Gianfranco Fattorini

General Assembly
Human Rights Council
27th session

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

General debate

Mr. President,

With almost a hundred journalists and media workers killed since the beginning of the year, 2014 will be one of the most deadly years for the media profession in the 21st Century. The Press Emblem Campaign calls on the Council to keep its constant attention on this particular subject.

The PEC would have appreciated if the Council had requested a study on the matter to its Advisory Committee. It is our conviction that some key aspects related to the protection of journalists and media workers need a more comprehensive analysis from the international community.

While it is commonly admitted that impunity that follows crimes against journalists and media workers is the major factor that fuels the killings and violence to which this category of professionals are subject, no concrete steps are taken in order to ensure a mechanism having the capacity to promptly and independently investigate on such crimes and thus increase the protection of journalists and media workers. Instead, the international community seems to limit itself to improve their security by developing tools in the field of prevention, but leaving journalists and media workers alone once they are victims of crimes.

Recalling last June’s appeal of High Commissioner Navy Pillay to States to adopt a zero tolerance policy towards any form of violence against journalists and to insure accountability for attacks on them, the PEC highlights the fact that the majority of the journalists and media workers are killed in situation of conflict, violent unrests or struggle of governmental forces against political or criminal armed groups.

In referring to our written contributions A/HRC/26/NGO/55 and A/HRC/27/NGO/99, we draw the Council’s attention on the fact that from 1st January 2010 until today, out of the 577 victims, 419 were killed in conflict situations[1]: a total of 73%. It is therefore inaccurate to believe that the majority of the crimes, including abduction, kidnapping, torture and others committed against journalists and media workers occur in time of peace and this illusive perception seriously undermine the reflection on the measures needed for ensuring a better protection for journalists and media workers.

The PEC calls on the Human Rights Council to deepen its reflection beyond the issues of freedom of expression and the security of journalists and media workers.

I thank you for your attention.
[1] 2010: 74 out of 110 – 2011: 77 out of 107 – 2012: 112 out of 141 – 2013: 93 out of 129 – 2014: 63 out of 90

***05.09.2014. EGYPT. Geneva. Swiss Press Club. Free the Al Jazeera journalists detained for 251 days - PEC statement

Before the conference at the Swiss Press Club, a demonstration took place in front of the United Nations in Geneva. At this occasion, PEC Secretary General Blaise Lempen (right) calls for the immediate release of the journalists in Egypt. Christiane Dubois, director of Reporters without Borders in Switzerland (left) joigned the demonstration organized with the Acting Director General of Al Jazeera Media Network, Dr. Mostefa Souag (center) (photo sd)

Dear colleagues and friends,

First of all, the Press Emblem Campaign wishes to thank Mr. Mettan for the timely initiative taken in launching today an international petition calling for the liberation of Peter Greste, Mohamed Fahmy et Baher Mohamed; the three journalists sentenced to imprisonment just for having done their job: inform the public and open space for public dialogue in a country that, after decades of military power, was successfully implementing a democratic process.

Indeed, seeking and providing information to the public has become a quite dangerous work in the 3rd millenary. We may recall that, as of today, about a hundred journalists and media workers have been killed in 2014 and about 1’400 in the years 2000, an average of almost a hundred per year. At the same time, thousands have been harassed, arrested, injured or tortured all around the world, just because being journalists. And last, but not least, how not to mention the horrific staged killings of James Foley and Steven Sotloff reported by videos released on the social medias by a criminal non-State actor.

The international community has realized the extent of the problem and in recent years the protection of journalists and media workers has integrated the agenda of UNESCO, of the Human Rights Council, of the Security Council and that of the General Assembly. Some important steps have been achieved but we all have to find together the way to establish an international mechanism that will concretely protect journalists and media workers and combat the impunity related to crimes against journalists.

The Press Emblem Campaign calls on all of you to support the petition for the liberation of the three Aljazeera journalists as well as the efforts undertaken to achieve the establishment of an international mechanism for the protection of journalists and media workers.

I thank you.

Gianfranco Fattorini, PEC Representative at the United Nations

***04.09.2014. Human Rights Council -Twenty-seventh session. Two written statements submitted by the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC)

Agenda item 7 - Human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories

15 journalists and media workers killed during operation “Protective Edge”: the responsible have to be held accountable

Introduction

As of the day of submission of this contribution (25th August), 15 journalists and media workers have been killed in the context of the operation “Protective Edge” launched by the Israeli forces on 8 July 2014 on the Gaza Strip. Additionally, many journalists were injured by Israeli attacks, the houses of 16 of them were destroyed (often purposely targeted), and 8 media outlets were shelled. The Israeli army also interrupted the broadcasting of different TV and radio stations as well as media websites[1].

The lack of protection given to media workers in the most longstanding conflict is matter of deep concern; it represents an unprecedented escalation of violations against journalists by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) in the West Bank observed in recent years. The Israeli violations against Palestinian journalists are the most dangerous, life threatening, and the most frequent.

The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) denounces the harassment against journalists and media workers as well as the smear campaign of the Israeli diplomacy against foreign journalists falsely accused to work for Hamas[2] that leads to a sneaky form of self-censorship.

The PEC also deplores methods employed by the Hamas authorities and their representatives against visiting international journalists in Gaza over the past month. Foreign reporters working in Gaza have been harassed, threatened or questioned over stories or information they have reported. The PEC denounces the system of "vetting" Hamas is putting in place, a procedure that would allow for the blacklisting of specific journalists.

Media outlets attacked

The IOF destroyed 8 media outlets in the Gaza Strip. 5 of them were targeted deliberately, i.e.: the 3 headquarters of Al-Aqsa TV and satellite channel, the office of Alwataniya Agency for Media, and Al-Jazeera TV premises. 2 media outlets were hit indirectly, the first by the shelling of a nearby building, the second by the bombing of the building inside which the outlet was located.

Three headquarters of Al-Aqsa TV and satellite channel (where 325 journalists, media workers, programmers and employees work) were shelled, as well as the Alwataniya Agency for Media (where 35 journalists and employees were present). Al-Jazeera TV office was shelled a day after the Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Avigdor Lieberman threatened to close Al-Jazeera office. The destruction of Forsan Al-Hyrriya radio station resulted from the shelling of a nearby house. The shelling of a building where Sawt Al-Watan radio was located caused material damages and injured employees.

In addition to shelling and destroying media outlets, the Israeli occupation army deliberately disturbed the broadcasting of 7 radio and TV stations and websites, and used these stations to broadcast inciting messages against the Palestinian resistance, as they did in their previous attacks on the Gaza Strip. The following radio stations and websites were targeted: Al-Aqsa radio, Sawt Al-Quds radio, Sawat Al-Sha'eb, Filistin Il-Yom TV and website, Al-Ra'ei website.

The victims of crimes

9 July                  Hamed Shehab (Palestinian, aged 30, media worker at 24 Media) hit by an Israeli air strike while driving home on Omar al-Mukhtar street in a car clearly marked as a media vehicle, the word “TV” printed on the front hood of the car;

10 July               Mohammed Smeri (Palestinian, Gaza Now website) killed in an Israeli war jet bombardment on Deir Albalah town, south of the Gaza Strip;

20 July               Khalid Hamad (Palestinian, aged 25, Continue TV Production) was killed during Israeli artillery shelling of the city's Shujaya (aka Shuja'iyya) residential district while wearing a vest clearly marked "Press";

23 July               Abdulrahman Ziad Abu Hayyin (Palestinian, aged 28, Al-Kitab TV) killed by an Israeli bomb which destroyed his house in Al-Shajaia neighbourhood in Gaza city, his brother and grandfather were also killed in the attack;

29 July               Baha’ Edeen Gharib (Palestinian, aged 59, Palestine TV) was killed along side with her daughter Ola by a rocket fired from  Israeli drone while he was going by car to a hospital to treat his daughter;

                            Ezat Abu Duhair (Palestinian, aged 23, Al-Huriya Media Network) died along with four members of his family when his house was shelled by the Israeli Air Force

30 July               Ahed Afif Zaqout (Palestinian, aged 49, Palestine TV) was killed in his apartment during an attack on the Italian tower in Gaza City;

                            Rami Rayan (Palestinian, aged 25, Palestinian Network for Press and Media) killed by Israeli shelling when he was reporting on a previous shelling of Shojayah market in Gaza city;

                            Sameh Al-Aryan (Palestinian, aged 26, Al-Aqsa TV) killed by Israeli shelling when he was reporting on a previous shelling of Shojayah market in Gaza city;

31 July               Mohammed Majed Daher (Palestinian, aged 27, Al-Resallah weekly newspaper) succumbed to severe injuries suffered in the bombing (without a previous warning) by an Israeli airplane of his three-floor house on Sunday 20 July in Al-Shajaiea neighborhood in Gaza city, i n the shelling of his house his daughter Dana whose age is a year and two months, his parents, his brother and his sister were killed;

1 August            Abdullah Nasr Fahjan (Palestinian, aged 21, photo reporter) was taking photos at Al-Falouje street in Al-Jineene neighborhood in Rafah when an Israeli drone targeted him at around 12:20 pm, and he got severe injuries in his head, he died at around 3:00 pm;

2 August            Shadi Hamdi Ayad (Palestinian, aged 24, freelance) was killed following the shelling of Alzaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City by Israeli Forces, his father who was accompanying him was also killed;

                            Mohammed Nur al-Din Al-Dairi (Palestinian, aged 26, Palestinian Network for Press and Media) died from a severe wounds he suffered in the head on 30/07/2014, after the shelling of the Shojae'ya market in Gaza City;

4 August            Hamada Khaled Maqqat (Palestinian, aged 24), editing director of the online news site SAJA died when the IDF bombarded his house in Gaza,

13 August          Simone Camilli (Italian, aged 38, Associated Press) and Ali Shehda Abu Afesh (Palestine, Associated Press) died when an unexploded missile believed to have been dropped in an Israeli airstrike blew up as Gaza police engineers were working to neutralize it in the northern town of Beit Lahiya.

Conclusion and recommendations

The large number of targets and the way in which media organizations and journalists have been attacked by the IOF, suggest that a strategy has been finalized at the highest levels of the State of Israel. Targeting non-combatants is itself a war crime that, as such, must not enjoy impunity.

The Press Emblem Campaign calls on:

Ø  the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967 to investigate, in the framework of his mandate, on the violation of the fundamental freedoms and rights of journalists and media workers, with a particular attention on the violation of the rights of women journalists;

Ø  the members of the Independent, international commission of inquiry created by decision of the Human Rights Council[3] at its 21st Special session to investigate and identify those responsible for the crimes committed against media outlet, journalists and media workers.
                        

[1] PEC pays tribute to the work of Palestinian Center for Development & Media Freedoms (MADA) which provided an impressive amount of reliable information, see more at http://www.madacenter.org/report.php?lang=1&id=1487&category_id=13&year=2014[2] http://www.huffpostmaghreb.com/2014/08/04/tve-alvarez-attaque-israe_n_5648135.html?utm_hp_ref=algeria[3] A/HRC/RES/S-21/1 (OP 13) 

Human Rights Council
Twenty-seventh session

Agenda item 4 - Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention
                           
90 journalists killed so far in 2014: a new step is required by the UN in order to combat impunity

Introduction

As of the day of submission of this contribution (25th August), 90 journalists and media workers have been killed around the globe while accomplishing their duty: this brings at the end of August 2014 to 700 journalists or media workers killed since 1st January 2009 and more than a thousand since 1st January 2006.

Here is the list of countries where journalists and media workers have lost their lives in 2014 and the number of them: Palestine (Gaza Strip - 15 killed by the Israeli occupation forces), Iraq (8), Syria (7), Ukraine (7), Afghanistan (5), Honduras (5), Mexico (5), Brazil (4), Central African Republic (4), Pakistan (4), Philippines (3), Cambodia (2), Colombia (2), Libya (2), Paraguay (2), Somalia (2), Bangladesh (1), Democratic Republic of the Congo (1), Dominican Republic (1), Egypt (1), India (1), Lebanon (1), Nigeria (1), Panama (1), Peru (1), Salvador (1), Saudi Arabia (1), Russia (1) and Yemen (1).

Dozens other have been injured or were victims of harassment, intimidation, arbitrary arrests, abduction, kidnapping and torture.

Most warring situations

·           Israel and the Occupied Territory of the State of Palestine:

in the context of the operation “Protective Edge” launched by the Israeli forces on 8 July 2014 on the Gaza Strip, 15 journalists have been killed (some of them being purposely targeted), many others have been injured because of the shelling of their homes, 16 Palestinian journalists have lost their homes as a result of Israeli bombing and shelling, 8 media outlets have been destroyed, in addition the Israeli army deliberately disturbed the broadcasting of 7 radio and TV stations and websites[1], many journalists have been arrested by the Israeli forces.

·           Iraq:

in this country devastated by the civil war that followed the withdrawal of the US forces, the media and journalists are the victims of numerous violations of their fundamental rights, during this year of parliamentary elections, journalists were victims of harassment, threats and violence while the Iraqi authorities have showed their hostility towards media and journalists by riding into TV station and by calling third countries to close down media outlets critical to the Al-Maliki Government[2], the open conflict in the Kurd region has further worsened the situation of journalists in the capital Baghdad as well as in the Kurdish region.

·           Syria:

while the government continues to exercise a strict control over the media, rebel forces continued the harassment of journalists, their abduction and the violence culminated on the 20th August with the staging of the execution (by beheading) of US journalist James Foley whose video was posted on social networks.

·           Ukraine:

beside the 7 journalists and media workers killed, a large number of journalists have been victims of physical assault and beatings while often law enforcement officers present failed to respond to the incidents; a number of journalists are victim of arbitrary arrests or kidnapping[3] by Ukrainian forces while acts of harassment, confinement or detention have been allegedly committed by separatist groups in Eastern Ukraine.

·           Afghanistan:

this very sensitive presidential electoral year has put again the country among the most dangerous ones for journalists and media workers, local and international journalists have been harassed, jailed, banned from leaving the country or expelled, while in a concrete step Afghan journalist’s associations have adopted a national “Code of Good Conduct” aiming at ensuring a professional and responsible approach of the information.

·           Honduras:

following the coup d’état in June 2009, a severe policy censorship and crackdown on media outlets and journalists has been developed, the adoption last January by the Parliament of a law on Official Secrets and Classification of Public Information, which severely restricts the right to information and threatens the ability of independent reporters to accomplish their duty, was the starting point for a campaign of intimidation and harassment towards media and journalists, supported at the highest level of the State.

·           Mexico:

the climate in the country is permanently very difficult for journalists who are not supported by the State authorities, that, on the contrary, dismiss reports on violence against journalists and recently passed a law on telecommunication which would threaten freedom of information, while the local Congress of Sinaloa State adopted a law that would severely restrict the possibility to report on criminal investigations.

A careful analysis of the list presented above helps to determine that out of the 90 victims, 59 were killed in countries where a war is going on and 16 in countries where the State authorities are engaged in an armed confrontation with criminal or political groups. This figure illustrates the fact that most of the media workers (84%) are killed in conflict situations.

The ongoing debate in the UN

Nowadays it is commonly admitted that impunity that follows crimes against journalists and media workers is the major factor that fuels the killings and violence to which this category of professionals are subject.

Moreover, the lack of legal provisions in the code of conduct of warring parties in conflict zones leads to an escalation of attacks against journalists and media workers.

The international community has certainly realized the importance of the phenomenon and the Security Council has hold two particular debates on the matter in the recent months and adopted a resolution, last year the General Assembly also adopted a resolution regarding impunity, the Human Rights Council asked two Special Rapporteurs a study on the matter, held two Panel discussions concerning the situation of journalists and media workers and adopted two resolutions on the matter. Under the auspices of UNESCO, a “UN Plan of Action on the safety of journalists and the issue of impunity” has been adopted in 2011 and implemented since, the next round of the process will take place in November.

In the course of the Panel discussion held last June, prominent human rights officers took a courageous stand. High Commissioner, Navy Pillay, called on States to adopt a zero tolerance policy towards any form of violence against journalists and to insure accountability for attacks on them. Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, Frank La Rue, joined his colleague Christof Heyns (Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions) in calling for the adoption of a specific UN instrument[4].

Conclusion and recommendations

The Summary of the Panel discussion held last June[5], presented at this 27th session, clearly illustrate the necessity, on one hand, to adopt the more global approach of “protection of journalists” (instead of “security” which is an important element of it) and new measures in order to insure a concrete protection to journalists and media workers and, on the other hand, to deepen the reflection on the ways and means to strengthen the protection of journalists and media workers, notably in conflict situations.

The PEC invites the Human Rights Council to request the Advisory Committee to put forward proposals for new ways and means to strengthen the protection of journalists and media workers.

The PEC calls upon the Human Rights Council to implement the proposal of Christof Heyns (the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions) which calls for the adoption of a specific UN instrument, and to forward it to the General Assembly for adoption.
                              

 [1] Al-Aqsa radio, Sawt Al-Quds radio, Sawat Al-Sha'eb, Filistin Il-Yom TV and website, Al-Ra'ei website[2] Al-Baghdadiya, Al-Rafidin, and Al-Hadath in Egypt and Al-Abasiya in Jordan[3]Anton Skiba (freelance journalist), Graham Phillips (Russia Today), Yury Lelyavsky, (freelance journalist), Sergey Belous (Serbian weekly Pecat), Roman Gnatyuk (112 Ukraina TV channel), Sergey Boyko ( freelance journalist), Yevgeny Shlyakhtin ( freelance journalist) Yevgeny Tymofeyev (freelance journalist), Yury Lelyavsky (freelance journalist) [4] A/HRC/20/22  par. 124[5] A/HRC/27/35 

***03.09.2014. SYRIA. PEC condemns with force the slaughtering of American journalist Steven Sotloff, urges the Human Rights Council to act

Geneva, September 3 (PEC) -- The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) condemns with force the heinous, brutal, barbaric and horrendous crime of beheading the second American journalist Steven J. Sotloff by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS).

PEC urges the Human Rights Council to act on the protection of journalists at its next regular session which starts Monday in Geneva, and not only to repeat old statements.

Steven J. Sotloff, was shown in a video sent out September 2 by ISIS and like the previous victim, James Foley beheaded on 19 August, a masked figure stands above, wielding a knife. Mr. Sotloff addresses the camera and describes himself as “paying the price” for Mr. Obama’s decision to strike the group, the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, in northern Iraq.

The slaughter of Mr. Sotloff, 31, came despite televised pleas from his mother to the leader of ISIS seeking mercy for her son, a freelance journalist who was captured in northern Syria a year ago. Steven Sotloff worked for a number of publications, including Time, Foreign Policy, World Affairs and The Christian Science Monitor. His travels took him to Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey -- among other countries -- and eventually Syria where he was taken hostage.

The current tally of journalists killed since the beginning of the year stands at 96, a record number for this period.

PEC has welcomes the statement made Sept 1 by four international freedom of expression rapporteurs which warned that: “The prevailing impunity for attacks on civilians, including journalists, encourages perpetrators to believe that they will never be held to account for their grave crimes”. The rapporteurs called "for improved international protection for anyone engaged in journalism, especially during conflict situations.”

“Attacks against journalists covering conflicts victimize individuals first and foremost, but they also harm us all,” they said. “But attacks also deter and sometimes prevent journalists from exercising their right to seek and disseminate information. Attacks deprive all of us of the right to know and to access information about critical situations around the world.”

The rapporteurs, including the new UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression, Mr. David Kaye, “called for an open and committed dialogue among governments, non-state groups, journalists and other interested parties in order to strengthen protection to promote the safety and respect for those reporting on a conflict, especially to ensure that those responsible for such violence are held accountable.” PEC calls on the international community to swiftly engage in this dialogue.

Read the UN Security Council statement on: http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2014/sc11550.doc.htm

***03.09.2014. UKRAINE. The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) calls for a thorough and independent investigation on the death of Russian journalist Andrey Stenin

Missing in eastern Ukraine for a month, he was confirmed dead today. Working for RIA Novosti, he was traveling in a convoy containing escaping civilians when it came under heavy fire in the vicinity of Donetsk, according to news reports.

The PEC strongly condemns the shelling of civilians and urges the international community to enhance the protection of journalists in conflict zones. The PEC urges the Human Rights Council to act and not only to repeat old statements.

According to the NGO based in Geneva, with Andrey Stenin, 8 media workers have been killed since January in Ukraine. Ukraine is the third most dangerous countries after Gaza and Syria.

The current tally of journalists killed all around the world since the beginning of the year stands at 97, a record number for this period. “Journalists, in Ukraine and in the Middle East pay a heavy tribute to the ongoing conflicts. This must stop”, said PEC Secretary General Blaise Lempen.

***01.09.2014. IRAQ. UN Human Rights Council – Special Session - Human Rights Situation in Iraq - PEC written statement

Human Rights Council
Twenty Second special session

1 September 2014

Written statement submitted by the Press Emblem Campaign, a non-governmental organization in special consultative status*  

The crimes committed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant against journalists and media workers must not enjoy impunity 

Background

Seven journalists[1] and media workers have already lost their lives in Iraq in 2014 and the figures of Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) show that 47 journalists lost their lives in the country since 2009, when the United States of America handed power over to the Iraqi authorities.

Al-Maliki government in recent years has showed its hostility towards Medias (some have been just closed down) and journalists remained victims of numerous violations of their fundamental rights. Mid-July, Iraqi security forces broke into Al-Taakhi[2] headquarters in Bagdad, threatened the outlet’s employees and left with broadcast equipment, computers, mobile phones, and some money.

Even though the Kurdish Autonomous Region of Iraq has long been regarded as a quieter area, away from the turmoil that ravaged the rest of the country, journalists have always been strictly controlled by the authorities and were subject to pressure when addressing topics deemed critical by the authorities.

During the above mentioned period, hundreds of attacks against journalists have been recorded by reliable sources in Iraqi Kurdistan, with a dramatic increase in 2011, when longstanding demonstrations were held in the region. Authorities of the Kurdish Autonomous Region also violate the fundamental rights of Kurdish journalists sympathetic to other political tendencies. The great majority of those attacks enjoyed impunity.

Although there are hundreds of media outlet and despite the fact that most recently there it has been a significant growth of social media, which play a role that traditional medias never could play, self-censorship is a necessity when one wants to address some political or social topics.

The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant

The PEC expresses its deepest concern about the security conditions and the protection of journalists working in Iraq, where the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant is operating. In fact the concern goes beyond the borders of Iraq because it is in all the territory controlled by this organization that journalists have to work in extremely dangerous conditions.

On 15 June, members of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant went to the home of the family of Ali Al-Hamdani (correspondent of the Shiite satellite TV station Al-Faiha) who left the house some days earlier after receiving threats.

On 16 June, a commando of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant set fire to the Kurdistan News TV station’s offices in the Ta’mim district of Mosul.

The PEC condemns the horrific killing of James Foley reported by a video released by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant. No element of the video allows ascertaining whether the killing took place in Syria or on the Iraqi territory, but this heinous crime should not pass without bringing the perpetrators to justice in a trial that would sentence them in absentia.

At the end of that video, a militant shows a second man, who was identified as another American journalist, Steven Sotloff, who was kidnapped near the Syrian-Turkish border in August 2013 and freelanced for Time, the National Interest and MediaLine. The PEC warns that he could be next captive killed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant.

Conclusion and recommendation

In recent years, neither the Al-Maliki Iraqi Government, nor the authorities of the Kurdish Autonomous Region did insure freedom and protection to media as called for by the Vienna World Conference on Human Rights or promote a safe and enabling environment for journalists to perform their work independently and without undue interference as called for by the Human Rights Council in its resolution A/HRC/RES/21/12.

In this context, the armed confrontation with the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant increase the threats over journalists in territory controlled by this armed group.

The Press Emblem Campaign calls upon the Government of Iraq and the authorities of the Kurdish Autonomous Region:

Ø  to thoroughly investigate all cases of violence against media and journalists and to held accountable those who are responsible of violations of fundamental rights and of violence and crimes against journalists;

Ø  to respect their obligations under international human rights law and international humanitarian law and to allow, within the framework of applicable rules and procedures, media access and coverage, as appropriate, of the ongoing  armed conflict.

The Press Emblem Campaign calls upon the Human Rights Council to firmly condemn all crimes committed against journalists by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant.

______________________
[1] The term of « journalists » includes all media workers carrying out their duty on a professional basis[2] Arabic-language daily supporting the PDK (one of Kurdistan’s two ruling parties) is run by Masoud Barzani, Kurdistan’s president.

***31.08.2014. PAKISTAN. A black-week in Pakistan’s media history-- two journalists and three media workers killed and others were brutally tortured and injured.

by ISRAR KHAN, PEC representative in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) has strongly condemned the killing of two journalists and three other media workers in various parts of Pakistan in four-day time and also expressed serious concern on the manhandling and torture on journalists and cameramen of private television channels through the hands of police while they were discharging their duties and covering anti-government sit ins in Islamabad.

Out of four provinces, three provinces including Sindh, Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkwah saw brutal killings of journalists and other media persons. Besides, many media persons and cameramen were injured by police in Islamabad on Saturday night while they were covering clashes between police and agitators who demanding the ouster of Premier Nawaz Sharif on the alleged polls rigging in 2013 general election.

Mr. Nadir Shah, the associate producer of Urdu-language JAAG Television was shot dead by unknown gunmen near his house in Korangi, Karachi late Wednesday night, August 27.

Shah was sitting near his place when four gunmen riding on two motorcycles opened fire on him, police said. He was shifted to the Jinnah Hospital but soon succumbed to his injuries, as sustained seven bullet wounds said doctors.

In another brutal incident on Thursday evening, August 28, two journalists including and an accountant of ‘Online’ news agency were killed by unknown gunmen in Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan province of Pakistan.

Unidentified armed militants barged into the office of the news agency and gunned down Irshad Mastoi, the Bureau Chief of the agency and reporter Ghullam Rasool and accountant Muhammad Younas of the same agency.

Mastoi was also Assignment Editor of ARY News in Quetta and General Secretary Baluchistan Union of Journalist (BUJ).

In Mardan city of Khyber Pakhtunkwah, an office assistant Muhammad Ehsan of the Urdu-language daily ‘Mashriq’ was also shot dead when some armed men stormed into his office and killed him at the spot.

Media men tortured:

On Saturday night, when anti-government protestors tried to march towards the front of the Prime Minister house, clashes erupted and police started tear gas shelling, baton charged and even fired rubber bullets at the protestors that killed three people and more than 400 people.

As the media persons were busy in covering the clashes, police attacked at media vehicles and broken the wind screens and ‘brutally’ beaten reporters and cameramen of seven television channels. They also broke cameras of television channels.

Since August 12, tensions have gripped the country due to the standoff between the opposition party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Tahir-ul-Qadri, the religious leader and head of the opposition party Pakistan Awami Tehreek (Pakistan People’s Movement) with Nawaz Sharif government.

Authorities in Islamabad have sealed all routes to the Red Zone, where the foreign embassies, key government buildings and important offices are located. Army troops have also been deployed to certain areas ahead of the marches.

Pakistan has a history of military coups and martial law, and the protestors – led by opposition leader Imran Khan and cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri – have raised fears of turmoil and disorder in the nuclear-armed country.

Response from Journalist Unions:

President Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) Rana M. Azeem and Secretary Gen. Amin Yousuf have strongly condemned the killings of Journalists manhandling of reporters and cameramen of television channels.

The PFUJ has demanded the government to avoid attack on journalists busy in discharging their professional duties.

The journalists’ community in Pakistan has always been sacrificing their lives while discharging their duty of unearthing truth. More than 100 journalists have been martyred while hundreds have been issued threats on telephones. Renowned journalist Talat Hussain has also been threatened couple of days ago. “We have asked the government time and again to take measures for the safety of the working journalists but all in vain” the union expressed concern.

Besides, all unions of journalists in different cities have protests to condemn the killings.

***20.08.2014. SYRIA. PEC condemns the killing of James Foley, calls for a trial of the perpetrators in absentia

Geneva, Aug 20 (PEC) The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) condemns the killing of James Foley as reported by a video released by the Islamic state in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and joins the media community in mourning his loss in a barbaric method. This heinous crime should not pass without bringing the perpetrators to justice in a trial that would sentence them in absentia.

The horrific killing of James Foley brings the number of journalists killed in the line of duty since the beginning of the year to 90 journalists, a record number at this period.

At the end of the video, a militant shows a second man, who was identified as another American journalist, Steven Sotloff, and warns that he could be next captive killed. Sotloff was kidnapped near the Syrian-Turkish border in August 2013 and freelanced for Time, the National Interest and MediaLine. PEC calls for his immediate release.

Foley, 40, a freelance journalist, vanished in Syria in November 2012 while covering the Syrian civil war for GlobalPost. The car he was riding in was stopped by four militants in a contested battle zone that both Sunni rebel fighters and government forces were trying to control. He had not been heard from since.

In 2011, Foley was among a small group of journalists held captive for six weeks by the government in Libya and was released after receiving a one-year suspended sentence on charges of illegally entering the country. In a May 2011 interview about his experience, he recounted watching a fellow journalist being killed in a firefight and said he would regret that day for the rest of his life. At the time, Foley said he "would love to go back" to Libya to report on the conflict and spoke of his enduring commitment to the profession of journalism.

The PEC extends its heartfelt wishes for healing to James Foley family and friends during this very difficult time after two years of anxiety.

Read the UN Security Council statement on: http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2014/sc11531.doc.htm

***01.08.2014. PEC press release (English/French) - PEC condemns the killing of 9 palestinian journalists in three weeks in Gaza

Geneva, August 1rst (PEC) - The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) condemns in the strongest possible manner the killing of 9 journalists in Gaza by the Israeli offensive according to different reliable sources.

It seems that some journalists were killed accidentally and were not directly targeted by the Israeli army. This does not absolve Israel of its obligation to spare all civilians and to respect the international humanitarian law.

Palestinian journalists are taking huge risks to be testimony of the suffering of the victims. They play an essential role to document possible war crimes. The PEC salutes the Palestinian journalists as well as other journalists covering the war in Gaza.

The Geneva based NGO condemns the targeting of media installations and homes of journalists some of those media installations are no longer functional. Even if some are media of the Hamas, the international law is clear: there is no justification to deliberately target any media building.

In the Gaza offensive by Israel there is no need to enquire about the perpetrator, the perpetrator of those crimes is the Israeli war machinery which must be brought to justice.

The PEC calls on all parties to spare all civilians, including journalists, and when it is not possible to distinguish clearly journalists, the PEC reminds all parties to not target media vehicles and media buildings.

According to the Human Rights Council Resolution of 23 July the Council called on Switzerland as depository of the Geneva Conventions and their additional protocols to convene the conference of the contracting parties to ensure that international law be implemented in the occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) and here the PEC would call upon the contracting parties to enforce the legal protection of journalists and to recognize the press emblem.

Since the beginning of the year 76 journalists have been killed. The figure of this year up to date is higher than the figure during the same period of last year which stood at 69 killed, that is 7 more journalists.

La PEC condamne le meurtre  de 9 journalistes palestiniens en 3 semaines à Gaza

Genève, 1er août (PEC)  Depuis le début de l’offensive israélienne à Gaza il y a trois semaines,  neuf journalistes palestiniens ont été tués dans les bombardements israéliens, selon diverses sources. La Presse Emblème Campagne (PEC) condamne fermement ce bilan tragique.

Une partie des journalistes palestiniens ont été tués, semble-t-il, de manière accidentelle et n’ont pas été directement visés par l’armée israélienne. Cela n’enlève rien au fait que l’Etat israélien doit épargner tous les civils et respecter ses obligations en droit international.

Les journalistes palestiniens prennent de grands risques pour témoigner des souffrances des victimes. Ils jouent  un rôle essentiel pour documenter les éventuels crimes de guerre. La PEC rend hommage à leur travail très difficile.

La PEC dénonce aussi le fait que des bâtiments des médias ont été visés par les tirs israéliens, au moins à quatre reprises, certains endommagés et rendus inutilisables. Même si certains de ces bâtiments abritaient des organes d’information affiliés au Hamas, une attaque délibérée contre ces organes n’est pas justifiée en droit international.

Dans le cas de l’offensive à Gaza, il n’y a pas besoin d’enquête. Les responsables de ces crimes sont les militaires israéliens qui devront répondre de leurs actes en justice.

La PEC demande donc que tous les belligérants respectent leurs obligations de protéger les journalistes et, s’il n’est pas possible de les distinguer clairement sur le champ de bataille, d’éviter de viser des véhicules et des bâtiments clairement identifiés comme appartenant à des médias.

Le Conseil des droits de l’homme a appelé le 23 juillet le gouvernement suisse à entamer des consultations pour réunir une conférence des Etats parties aux Conventions de Genève pour appliquer le droit international dans les territoires palestiniens occupés. La PEC appelle les Etats parties à garantir à cette occasion la protection légale des journalistes et à reconnaître l’emblème de la presse.

Depuis le début de l’année, les violences à Gaza sont venues s’ajouter à d’autres conflits, en Ukraine, en Syrie et en Irak. La PEC déplore un bilan déjà très élevé cette année, qui  au bout de sept mois cette année atteint  le chiffre de 76 tués, contre 69 pour la même période de l’an dernier.

***23.07.2014. Gaza: PEC welcomes the special session of the Human Rights Council (for Arabic,see below)

Geneva, July 23 (PEC) The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) welcomes the Special session of the Human Rights Council organized Wednesday in Geneva on the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

The NGO supports the statement of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navy Pillay which stresses that civilians must not be targeted and that civilian homes are not legitimate targets unless they are being used for, or contribute to, military purposes at the time in question.

The PEC condemned the killing of journalists in armed conflicts as well as targeting media offices and homes of journalists under any circumstances.

On Tuesday the Israeli army targeted Al-Jazeera offices in Gaza and following the attack the Doha based station withdrew its team from the offices. 

Israeli forces also continued shelling journalist's houses. The journalist and producer Rima Mahmoud  Abu Sabha, 26, reported that Israeli forces shelled her house by two rockets without a previous warning. Therefore, her father was killed, and their one-floor house, where 11 people live, was destroyed. Eight people, who live in her uncle's house which is next to their house, were injured. Then Israeli airplanes shelled the remaining of the house again. 

On 20 July, the Israeli forces committed another crime against Palestinian Journalists when they killed the photo reporter Khalid Hamad, 26, who works for the Continue TV production company. He was wearing a press jacket,  while he was covering Israeli military operations on Al-Shujaieh neighbourhood in Gaza city.

The PEC suports the call launched by the Palestinian Authority and the Human Rights Council that "the Government of Switzerland, in its capacity as depositary of the Fourth Geneva Convention, promptly reconvene the conference of High Contracting Parties to the Convention on measures to enforce the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and to ensure its respect in accordance with article 1 common to the four Geneva Conventions".

On this occasion, it would be important to reaffirm the principles of the protection of journalists as independent witnesses in armed conflicts and discussions must start on putting in place new mechanisms of protection as well as access and enquiry. As of today, according to the PEC, 69 journalists were killed in 22 countries since January this year.

حملة الشارة الدولية ترحب بالجلسة الخاصة حول غزة

جنيف-القاهرة-23 يوليو (حملة الشارة) – رحبت اليوم حملة الشارة الدولية لحماية الصحفيين بالجلسة الخاصة لمجلس حقوق الإنسان التي عقدت اليوم بجنيف حول الاوضاع في الأراضي الفلسطينية المحتلة.

و تدعم حملة الشارة الدولية بيان مفوضة حقوق الانسان نافي بيلاي الذي القته صباح اليوم في مستهل الجلسة و التي أكدت فيه أنه لا يجوز استهداف المدنيين و لا منازلهم فهي ليست اهدافاً مشروعة إلا إذا استخدموا كغطاء للأهداف العسكرية في وقت الاستهداف. 

و كانت حملة الشارة قد أدانت قتل الصحفيين و العاملين في وسائل الاعلام و استهداف مكاتب الصحفيين و منازلهم تحت أي ظرف من الظروف. 

و قامت القوات الاسرائيلية الثلاثاء باستهداف مكاتب قناة الجزيرة في غزة مما أدى إلى إجلاء العاملين بها. و استمرت القوات الاسرائيلية في قصف منازل الصحفيين حسب رواية الصحفية و المخرجة ريما محمود أبو صبحا -26 سنة- التي استهدفت القوات الإسرائيلية بصاروخين أسفرا عن مقتل والدها، و استمرت القوات في القصف حتى سوي المنزل بالأرض.

و منذ 3 أيام قتلت القوات الإسرائيلية المصور الصحفي الفلسطيني خالد حماد – 26 عاماً – و يعمل مع إحدى القنوات التليفزيونية في الوقت الذي كان يؤدي عمله في تغطية القصف في حي الشجاعية.

و أضافت حملة الشارة أنها تؤيد نداء السلطة الفلسطينية و مجلس حقوق الانسان بالتوصية لسويسرا الحاضنة لمعاهدات جنيف يعقد مؤتمر الاطراف للمعاهدة و بروتوكولاتها الأربعة من أجل تطبيق المعاهدة الدولية و بروتوكولاتها في الأراضي الفلسطينية المحتلة بما في ذلك القدس الشرقية.       

و أكدت الحملة في بيانها أنه من المهم إعادة تأكيد المبادئ الخاصة بحماية الصحفيين كشهود مستقلين في النزاعات العسكرية و على ضرورة البدء في وضع موضع التنفيذ اجراءات جديدة لحماية الصحفيين و أيضاً ما يوفر لهم تغطية الاحداث دون تهديد، و التحقيق الفوري في مقتل الصحفيين و تقديم مرتكبي هذه الجرائم للعدالة و فوراً.

و طبقاً لأرقام حملة الشارة فقد قتل حتى اليوم 69 صحفيا و صحفية في 22 دولة منذ بداية العام الحالي.

لمزيد من المعلومات تصفح  

***22.07.2014. PEC Biannual report 2014 (French and Arabic after English) - 61 journalists killed in first half of 2014 - Ukraine more dangerous than Syria

Geneva, PEC (22 July) – According to the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) biannual report 61 journalists were killed in 22 countries since the beginning of this year, a figure higher than that of the first 6 months of 2013 where the number of killed journalists stood at 59 journalists.

PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen noted that there is no improvement in the protection of journalists. He added that the great number of conflicts have increased dramatically the risks facing media workers.

“With the current pace and with new media victims falling in the Gaza war it is expected that the tally for 2014 could become one of the worst in the recent years,” stressed Lempen.

PEC Secretary-General said that with 7 media workers killed in Ukraine the torn country becomes with Iraq the most dangerous country for media work even ahead of Syria. “It is very worrying that a European country heads the list of most dangerous countries while in the past Europe did not flag in the statistics of killed journalists”, he said.

Since January, according to the PEC records, 7 media workers were killed in Ukraine, as well as another 7 in Iraq, and six in Syria.

Following the first three most dangerous countries comes Afghanistan, Brazil, Central African Republic and Pakistan with 4 journalists killed in each country.

Mexico, the Philippines, Honduras follow in rank with three journalists killed in each country.

Two journalists were killed in Cambodia, Libya, Paraguay and Somalia respectively.  

While one journalist was killed in the following countries: Bangladesh, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, India Lebanon, Panama and Saudi Arabia.

By region the Middle East and North Africa lead as the most dangerous region with 17 journalists killed. Asia follows, 15 killed, Latin America 14 killed, Sub-Saharan Africa with 8 killed and Europe 7 killed.

The great majority of journalists were killed in conflict zones (41 out of 61).

In July, since the start of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, already two media workers were killed in Gaza. PEC President Hedayat Abdel Nabi calls upon the international community to impose on Israel the implementation of the laws of war and Human Rights so as not to target media workers and media buildings, and to stop committing massacres against helpless civilians. According to the PEC criteria, 129 journalists were killed in 2013 and 141 media workers in 2012.

61 journalistes tués au cours des six premiers mois de 2014
L’Ukraine plus dangereuse que la Syrie

Genève, PEC (22 juillet) Le nombre de victimes parmi les journalistes a augmenté au cours des six premiers mois de 2014 par rapport à la même période de l’an dernier, selon le rapport intermédiaire de la Presse Emblème Campagne (PEC), publié mardi à Genève. De janvier à fin juin, 61 journalistes ont été tués dans 22 pays, contre 59 journalistes tués dans 23 pays au cours des six premiers mois de 2013.

« Il n’y a pas d’amélioration dans la protection des journalistes. Le grand nombre de conflits en cours expose les medias à des risques croissants. A ce rythme, avec de nouvelles victimes ces derniers jours à Gaza, le bilan de l’année 2014 risque d’être l’un des plus lourds de ces dernières années », a déclaré le secrétaire général de la PEC Blaise Lempen.

« Avec sept employés des medias tués, l’Ukraine est devenue avec l’Irak le pays plus dangereux. Il est consternant de constater qu’un pays européen est désormais en tête de liste, même devant la Syrie, alors que l’Europe était pratiquement absente de la statistique ces dernières années », a ajouté Lempen.

Depuis janvier, selon le décompte de la PEC, sept employés des medias ont été tués en Irak et sept en Ukraine. La Syrie suit avec six tués.

Au 4e rang, sont à égalité avec quatre tués dans chaque pays, l’Afghanistan, le Brésil, la République centrafricaine et le Pakistan. Suivent avec trois tués dans chaque pays le Mexique, les Philippines et le Honduras. Deux journalistes ont en outre été tués au Cambodge, en Libye, au Paraguay et en Somalie.

Enfin, un journaliste a été tué dans les pays suivants : Arabie saoudite, Bangladesh, Colombie,  Egypte, Inde, Liban, Panama et République démocratique du Congo.

Par région, le Moyen-Orient et Afrique du Nord est toujours la zone la plus dangereuse, avec 17 journalistes tués au total. Vient ensuite l’Asie avec 15 victimes et l’Amérique latine avec 14 victimes. L’Afrique subsaharienne dénombre huit victimes et l’Europe suit de près avec sept victimes.

La grande majorité sont morts dans des zones de conflit armé (41 sur 61).

En juillet, depuis le début de la guerre entre Israël et le Hamas, déjà deux travailleurs des médias ont été tués à Gaza. La présidente de la PEC Hedayat Abdel Nabi a demandé à la communauté internationale de faire en sorte qu’Israël applique les lois de la guerre et respecte les droits de l’homme de manière à ne pas viser des travailleurs des medias ou des bâtiments accueillant des medias et de cesser de commettre des massacres contre des civils innocents. Pour rappel, selon le décompte de la PEC, 129 journalistes ont été tués dans l’exercice de leur fonction en 2013 et 141 en 2012.

61 من الصحفيين يقتلون من يناير إلى يونيو 2014

سقوط ضحايا في حرب غزة

اوكرانيا الأسوأ قبل سوريا

تقرير حملة الشارة منتصف العام

جنيف-القاهرة – 22 يوليو حملة الشارة – أعلنت حملة الشارة الدولية لحماية الصحفيين في تقريرها النصف السنوي أن 61 صحفياً و صحفية قد قتلوا منذ بداية 2014، و هو رقم أعلى من الفترة المماثلة في 2013 حيث يلغ عدد الضحايا من الصحفيين 59.

و طبقا لتصريح سكرتير عام الحملة بليز ليمبان فإن الوضع لم يشهد تحسنا في قضية حماية الصحفيين، و أن زيادة اعداد و حدة النزاعات المسلحة تجعل المخاطر تزداد امام العمل الصحفي في هذه المناطق، و انه بمعدلات العام الحالي حتى الآن فإنه من المنتظر زيادة عدد القتلى من الصحفيين في 2014 مما ينذر بجعل العام الحالي و احداً من الأسوأ في السنوات الأخيرة. 

و أضاف ليمبان لأنه بمقتل 7 من العاملين في وسائل الاعلام في أوكرانيا فقد تقدمت أوكرانيا مع العراق – 7 قتلي- كأسوأ دولتين بعد سوريا-6 قتلى من الصحفيين، و هو أمر يقلق بوجود دولة اوروبية في مقدمة دول المخاطر بعد أن كانت الدول الأوروبية قد اختفت من الاحصائيات.  

و تأتي بعد أوكرانيا و العراق و سوريا كل من أفغانستان و البرازيل و جمهورية افريقيا الوسطى بمقتل 4 صحفيين في كل من هذه الدول، ثم المكسيك و الفلبين و هندوراس حيث قتل 3 من الصحفيين في كل من هذه الدول، ثم 2 من الصحفيين قتلوا في كل من كمبوديا و ليبيا و باراجواي و الصومال، و مقتل صحفي واحد في كل من بنجلاديش و كولومبيا و جمهورية الكونغو الديمقراطية و مصر و الهند و لبنان و باناما و السعودية، ثم .

و اصبحتا منطقتا الشرق الأوسط و شمال إفريقيا اخطر المناطق للعمل الصحفي حيث قتل 17 من الصحفيين، ثم آسيا: 15، ثم امريكا اللاتينية: 14، ثم إفريقيا جنوب الصحراء: 8 و في أوروبا: 7. و الغالبية العظمى من الصحفيين قتلوا في نزاعات مسلحة: 41 من 61.

و ناشدت رئيسة حملة الشارة الدولية هدايت عبد النبي المجتمع الدولي بفرض تطبيق الخطوط العريضة لقانوني الحرب و حقوق الإنسان على إسرائيل في حربها على غزة حتى لا يتحول من يعمل كصحفي إلى هدف عسكري، و أن تتوقف إسرائيل عن ارتكاب المذابح ضد المدنيين حيث ارتفعت نسبة الضحايا من الاطفال في هذه المجازر إلى ثلث المجموع الكلي للقتلى.

و طبقاً لنفس المعايير لتسجيل القتلى من الصحفيين فقد قتل في 2013 عدد 129 صحفياً و في 2012 عدد 141 صحفياً.

لمزيد من المعلومات رجاء تصفح. 
 

***13.07.2014. GAZA. PEC calls upon the Israeli authorities to allow media workers to carry on their work (Arabic below)

Geneva, July 14 (PEC) - As the conflict enters its second week, the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) calls on Israel to respect the laws of war and to refrain from killing civilians and media workers. The PEC calls upon the Israeli military authorities to distinguish between combatants and media workers, to spare the media installations from being targeted and to allow media workers to carry on their work.

Journalists must be able to document other facets of the conflict such as the launching of Hamas rockets at Israel.
The NGO based in Geneva condemned strongly last week the killing in Gaza of Hamed Shehab, 27, who worked for a local press company Media 24. He was driving a car that had the letters “TV” affixed to it in large, red stickers when it was struck by an Israeli missile.
 
PEC secretary-General Blaise Lempen said that with seven journalists killed in Syria, six in Iraq, six in Ukraine, four in Afghanistan and four in Central African Republic media workers already paid a heavy tribute to the upsurge of conflicts this year.

"This must stop”, said Lempen.

طالبت حملة الشارة الدولية لحماية الصحفيين إسرائيل باحترام قانون الحرب و عدم استهداف العاملين في وسائل الاعلام 

جنيف - القاهرة 14 يوليو (حملة الشارة) – و الحرب على غزة تدخل أسبوعها الثاني طالبت حملة الشارة الدولية لحماية الصحفيين  اسرائيل باحترام قانون الحرب و عدم مهاجمة المدنيين و العاملين في المؤسسات الاعلامية بعد مقتل حامد شهاب الذي كان يقود سيارته التي وضحت عليها علامة تليفزيون بالخط الأحمر العريض حين قصفت بصاروخ إسرائيلي الأربعاء، مشيرة إلى أن مقتل حامد شهاب بواسطة صاروخ إسرائيلي هو من جرائم الحرب. 
 
كما طالبت السلطات الحربية الإسرائيلية بالتفرقة ما بين المقاتلين و العاملين في وسائل الاعلام، و عدم التعرض للمنشآت الإعلامية و عدم استهدافها و السماع للعاملين في وسائل الاعلام بالقيام بعملهم. 
 
و أدانت بقوة مقتل حامد شهاب -31 عاماً- الذي كان يعمل بمؤسسة ميديا 24 المحلية في غزة، و كان يقود وقت استهدافه سيارة مكتوب عليه بالخط الأحمر الواضح كلمة تليفزيون حين قصفت بصاروخ إسرائيلي. 
 
و طالب سكرتير عام الحملة بليز ليمبان بالوقف الفوري لهذه العمليات مشيرا إلى أن 7 صحفيين قتلوا في سوريا و 6 في العراق و 4 في أفغانستان و 4 أخرين في جمهورية إفريقيا الوسطي و ها هم قد دفعوا ثمناً باهظاً لانفجار النزاعات خلال العام الحالي. 
 
لمزيد من المعلومات تصفح 

***23.06.2014. EGYPT. PEC calls on Egyptian President al-Sissi to release sentenced journalists including Peter Greste (read also below a statement issued by Al Jazeera)

Être journaliste n'est pas un un crime !Un tribunal égyptien a condamné lundi à des peines de sept à dix ans de prison trois journalistes de la chaîne qatarie Al-Jazeera. Ils étaient accusés de soutenir les Frères musulmans du président destitué Mohamed Morsi. Nous ne pouvons accepter que le régime au pouvoir en Egypte emprisonne des journalistes pour leur appartenance à un média “interdit”, nous ne pouvons accepter qu'un gouvernement impose les sujets pouvant être filmés par une chaîne de télévision.
Nous exigeons des autorités égyptiennes la libération immédiate et l'abandon de toutes les charges pesant sur les trois journalistes d'Al Jazeera. signez et faites signer cet appel !

LINK WITH THE PETITION - LIEN AVEC LA PETITION:

http://beingjournalistisnotacrime.wesign.it/fr

Geneva, June 23 (PEC) – The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) joined hands with Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott and called upon Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to release the sentenced journalists including Australian journalist Peter Greste.

Three Al-Jazeera journalists who have been held in Egypt since December have been sentenced to seven years in jail, according to an Ahram Online reporter at the courthouse.

The three defendants are Australian Peter Greste, Egyptian-Canadian Mohamed Fahmy and Egyptian Baher Mohamed.

They have been on trial along with 17 others on charges of "spreading false news," falsely portraying Egypt as being in a state of "civil war," as well as and aiding or joining the backlisted Muslim Brotherhood.

The Australian journalist and two other reporters working for the Qatar-based Al Jazeera English have been detained since December and are among 20 accused, in a trial that has triggered international outrage amid fears of growing media restrictions in Egypt.

The PEC believes that such a course is a dangerous precedent affecting freedom of opinion and expression and becomes a dangerous impediment to the work of journalists.

The Geneva based NGO condemns the sentence and believes it is an extreme course that Egypt could have avoided.  (end)

FYI - Media Release Al Jazeera - Egypt verdict “defies logic, sense, and any semblance of justice”

- “Not a shred of evidence” against journalists

- “We will continue with resolve until Peter, Baher and Mohammed are free”

Following today’s verdict in Cairo, Al Jazeera English managing director Al Anstey said:

“Today three colleagues and friends were sentenced, and will continue behind bars for doing a brilliant job of being great journalists. “Guilty" of covering stories with great skill and integrity. "Guilty" of defending people’s right to know what is going on in their world.

“Peter, Mohamed, and Baher and six of our other colleagues were sentenced despite the fact that not a shred of evidence was found to support the extraordinary and false charges against them. At no point during the long drawn out “trial” did the absurd allegations stand up to scrutiny. There were many moments during the hearings where in any other court of law, the trial would be thrown out. There were numerous irregularities in addition to the lack of evidence to stand up the ill-conceived allegations.

“There is no justification whatsoever in the detention of our three colleagues for even one minute. To have detained them for 177 Days is an outrage. To have sentenced them defies logic, sense, and any semblance of justice.

“The support shown for Mohamed, Peter, and Baher has been loud, unified, and determined, and has come from every corner of the world. The call for their freedom has come from journalists, people right around the globe, as well as leaders worldwide. This great solidarity is a stand for basic freedoms - the freedom of speech, for the right for people to be informed, and for the right for journalists around the world to be able to do their job. And, of course, a demand to free our colleagues.

“There is only one sensible outcome now. For the verdict to be overturned, and justice to be recognised by Egypt. We must keep our voice loud to call for an end to their detention. Alongside us is a worldwide solidarity, a global call for their release, and a demand for basic freedoms to be respected. The authorities in Egypt need to take responsibility for their actions, and be held to account by the global community.

“We will continue with resolve and determination until Baher, Peter, and Mohamed are free and safely reunited with their families.”  (end)

***23.06.2014. HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL - 26th session. Oral statement delivered by the PEC Permanent Representative at the UN Gianfranco Fattorini - item 4 - Ukraine, Israel/Palestine, Iran

General Assembly
Human Rights Council
26th session

Item 4  -  Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention
 
General debate
 
Mr. President,

The Press Emblem Campaign draws the attention of the Council on the dire situation of journalists in armed confrontation or conflict situations.

First of all in Ukraine, where a civil unrest has turned to a civil war which may escalate into a sub-regional conflict. With reference to our written statement (A/HRC/26/NGO/52), we express our concern as, since the beginning of the civil unrests last November, hundreds of cases of different kind of physical and/or psychological violence against journalists and media workers have been reported; five media workers have lost their lives. Last Wednesday, the UN Security Council voiced its deepest condolences to the families of all journalists who have been killed while covering the crisis in Ukraine, and encouraged a thorough investigation of all such incidents. Among the casualties are two Russian journalists killed on 17 June, and an Italian photojournalist who was killed on 24 May along with his Russian interpreter.

According to different reliable sources, hundreds of local and international journalists and media workers were wounded during the mass protests that took place in Kiev and other localities, an increasing number of broadcasting (TV and radio) stations and newspapers have also been targeted by armed groups and the facilities have been damaged, broken or stolen; some have been banned from broadcasting and even closed down.

We wish to underline here that all parties involved in the confrontation are responsible for acts of violence against media workers. As in every armed confrontation, the propaganda utilised by all actors calls for a free and protected access to journalists and media workers in the field in order to ensure the widest possible coverage of events and to allow for the greater diversity of perspectives.

In Israel and in the occupied territory of the State of Palestine, Palestinian journalists continue to be subject of harassment and acts of violence from Israeli security forces which pushed away journalists while being in an area dedicated to media, threw grenades at photographers and allowed demonstrators to attack journalists without protecting them. The PEC calls on the Israeli Government to ensure a safe and enabling environment for journalists and media workers.

Finally, the PEC denounces the climate of censorship and threats pursued by the Iranian authorities against journalists. Media outlet criticizing the Government policy have been closed, journalists have been imprisoned while the elected candidate Rohani promised, during his presidential campaign, for an environment of freedom of expression for journalists.

23rd June 2014

***17.06.2014. UKRAINE. The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) strongly condemns the killing of two journalists near Lugansk in Ukraine.

Two journalists for Russian TV channel Rossiya have died from wounds sustained during a Ukrainian military shelling attack near Lugansk, eastern Ukraine, according to various reports. Reporter Igor Kornelyuk passed away on the operating table, a doctor at the hospital confirmed to RT. The doctor told RT that "sadly, he has passed away."

The second alleged victim is sound engineer Anton Voloshin. According to RT's information, he died immediately at the scene. The Rossiya channel crew consisted of three people with only one of them, Viktor Denisov, the cameraman, surviving the Ukrainian military shelling.

The PEC expresses its deep sadness and offer its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims.

“We are shocked by the death of these media workers. The crisis in eastern Ukraine is getting more and more violent and dangerous for the journalists covering it. We call on all parties to the conflict to respect the work of journalists, regardless of the editorial policies of their news organizations”, said PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen.

Denisov told LifeNews how he managed to get out of harm’s way during the attack that claimed his colleague’s life. The cameraman said he was standing 100 meters from the spot where the mortar exploded.

“I must say I was really lucky, I’d walked toward our cars, about 100 meters away, and that’s when the shelling started. My colleagues were supposed to have been out of the range of fire, but for some reason one of the shells flew straight into them,” Denisov said.

When the attack began, Denisov ran toward the fleeing residents, who stood nearby. They managed to escape together. Speaking to Vesti, Denisov recounted the events that transpired in the initial minutes of the shelling.

He recalled getting closer to shoot some footage, but was told not to go further. As soon as soldier motioned with his hand for everyone to get down, Denisov heard the pop next to the defense forces.

“This is when I ran over to our guys and to the soldiers that had been wounded in the explosion, all the while trying to get some footage and help to get the fleeing people to safety. We walked for a kilometer,” he said. “Walking in the open was dangerous. The sound of exploding mines could be heard the entire time. We had shrapnel fly in our direction.”

The killing in a mortar attack of two russian journalists follows the murder of Italian photojournalist Andrea Rocchelli and his Russian fixer and interpreter, Andrei Mironov, by  mortar fire near Sloviansk, in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region on 24 May. William Roguelon, a French photographer working for the Wostok Press agency who was with them, sustained leg injuries from the same shell.

Rocchelli, Roguelon, Mironov and their driver were caught in an exchange of fire in Andreievka, a village a few kilometres south of Sloviansk, on the evening of 24 May. Roguelon said “between 40 and 60 mortar shells” were fired, one of them landing in the ditch in which they had taken cover.

Many more journalists were physically attacked or injured in Ukraine in the first five months of this year.

***17.06.2014. SYRIA. 26th session of the Human Rights Council. Report of the international commission of inquiry - PEC statement delivered by Gianfranco Fattorini, PEC Permanent Representative at the UN

General Assembly
Human Rights Council
26th session

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

Report of the Independent international commission of inquiry on the situation
in the Syrian Arab Republic

Mr. President,

The Press Emblem Campaign thanks the members of the Independent international commission of inquiry of remaining attentive to the particular situation journalists have to face in the Syrian Arab Republic and for highlighting the danger of the extension of the armed confrontation to Iraq as two Iraqi journalists have already lost their lives in recent days in northern Iraq. The PEC is particularly concerned by the radicalization of the armed groups which may be conducive to a regional destabilization and calls for an urgent reinforcement of the protection of journalists and media workers.

Indeed, Syria was the deadliest country in the world for media workers in 2012 with 37 media workers killed and again in 2013 with 17 media workers killed. Since the beginning of the civil unrest that turned to a civil war, 61 media workers have paid with their life their professional commitment in the Syrian Arab Republic.

The PEC wish to point out here that all parties involved in the internal conflict, the governmental forces as well as the armed opposition groups and the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria are responsible of arbitrary arrests, abduction, kidnapping, physical and psychological torture, extrajudicial killings or murder. This situation, regrettably, leads to a form of self-censorship from the media outlets which are reluctant to send correspondent in the field.

While welcoming the recent release of two Spanish and four French journalists, the PEC is still concerned about the important number of journalists held in detention or hostages. The PEC calls on all factions involved in the Syrian conflict to release unconditionally all journalists and media workers.

The PEC calls on the Commission of Inquiry to continue to investigate and to report to the Council about the fate of Mazen Darwish, Director of the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression, who was arrested in February 2012. Darwish and his two colleagues Hani Zitani and Hussein Al Ghurair are still held in arbitrary detention.

Finally, the PEC would like to ask a question to the members of the Commission: considering that the State is responsible of the majority of the crimes committed against journalists in Syria and that at the same time the State has the primarily responsibility to protect journalists and media workers which would be in your view, the best way to protect journalists in the Syrian Arab Republic?

17th June 2014

***11.06.2014. 26th session of the Human Rights Council. Panel discussion on the Safety of Journalists. Oral statement delivered by the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) Representative Gianfranco Fattorini

"Mr. President,

Our organisation welcomes this second Panel on journalists’ rights four years after the first one which focused on “Protection of journalists in armed conflict”. Since then, the Council had the opportunity to examine at its 20th session the reports presented respectively by the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions (Mr. Heyns) and by the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression (Mr. La Rue) and, at its 24th session, the report prepared by the Office of the the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

In order to apprehend correctly the problems faced by journalists[1] and media workers and thus better identify challenges and good practices we firmly believe that it has to be kept in mind that the great majority of the media workers are killed in conflict situations, violent civil unrest or in countries where the State authorities have to face political or criminal armed movements: all kind of situations where the State cannot develop policies and practices in a regular way; on the contrary, authorities are militarily engaged in a confrontational struggle against a more or less large part of the population.

In this context, while recognizing the valuable contribution of the above mentioned studies to the reflection on violence suffered by journalists, including their murders, we believe it would be more appropriate, as requested by the Council itself in Resolution 21/12, to consider the Protection of journalists at large instead of limiting the reflection on Safety only, which of course is an important element of the Protection.

As highlighted in our written statements (A/HRC/24/NGO/47 and A/HRC/26/??), impunity is the major challenge governments, and the international community as a whole, have to face when they truly want to protect journalists. The Press Emblem Campaign is still convinced that only an independent, international mechanism accessible not only to journalists themselves, but to their families too, would be able to combat effectively the impunity accompanying violence against journalists.

We do hope that the conclusions to this Panel will lead us to a step further on the road to the adoption of a specific UN instrument as Mr. Heyns called for in the Conclusions of his report[2] - for which Mr Frank La Rue the UN special rapporteur on freedom of expression also called during the panel today - and we look forward to participating to these efforts."

11 June 2014

[1] The term “journalists” includes all media workers accompanying them.

[2] A/HRC/20/22, par. 124

FYI - Opening remarks of Ms Navi Pillay, United Nations High Commissionner for Human Rights - Panel discussion on the Safety of Journalists

Mr. President,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak on this important topic. Sound, bold and independent journalism is vital in any democratic society. It drives the right to hold and express opinions and the right to seek, impart and receive information and ideas. It ensures transparency and accountability in the conduct of public affairs and other matters of public interest. And it is the lifeblood that fuels the full and informed participation of all individuals in political life and decision-making processes. 

The safety of journalists is quite simply essential to the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of all of us, as well as to the right to development. However, to my consternation, more than a thousand journalists have been killed since 1992 as a direct result of their profession. 2012 and 2013 were among the deadliest years, and at least 15 have been killed since the start of this year. In many States, the perpetrators of these attacks could virtually count on impunity. According to reports, between 2007 and 2012 fewer than one in ten killings of journalists resulted in a conviction.

Many more journalists have faced violence, harassment and intimidation – including abduction, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, expulsion, illegal surveillance, torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment, and sexual violence against women journalists. They have been tried on spurious grounds such as espionage, threats to national security or alleged bias. Many have been sentenced to excessive terms of imprisonment, and they often suffer unreasonably long pre-trial detention. Prompt and fair trials are as much a right for journalists as for us all.

In recent years, there has been increased international awareness of the frequency with which journalists are attacked because of their work, and the need to ensure greater protection. The Security Council, the General Assembly, and this Human Rights Council have adopted resolutions condemning attacks against journalists. They have called upon all States to act on their legal obligations to promote a safe and enabling environment for journalists, so that they can perform their work independently and without undue interference.

In 2012, UNESCO, in collaboration with my Office and other UN agencies, developed the United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, which is now being implemented in five pilot countries: Iraq, Nepal, Pakistan, South Sudan and Tunisia. Regional organizations, including the OSCE, the Council of Europe and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, have also taken initiatives.

As requested by this Council, my Office presented at its 24th session a report on good practices in the protection of journalists, including the prevention of attacks and the fight against impunity. Today's panel discussion will, I hope, be a platform to share experiences and ideas about how best to put those key points into practise. 

Allow me to remind you that above all, there must be unequivocal political commitment to ensuring that journalists can carry out their work safely. The international legal framework for the protection of journalists is in place. It must now be implemented at the national level. States must create an enabling environment in which the rights of journalists and other members of society can be fully respected, with clear and public agreement by officials that issues of public interest can, and should, be examined and discussed openly in the media. They must also adopt legislative and policy measures for ensuring the safety and protection of journalists and other media workers, with zero tolerance of any form of violence against journalists, and full accountability for any such violence.

Linked to the issue of political commitment is the question of who can be considered to be a journalist. From a human rights perspective, it is clear: all individuals are entitled to the full protection of their human rights, whether the State recognizes them as “journalists” or not; whether they are professional reporters or “citizen journalists”; whether or not they have a degree in journalism; whether they report online or offline.

The Human Rights Committee, in its General Comment no. 34, has defined journalism as “a function shared by a wide range of actors, including professional full-time reporters and analysts, as well as bloggers and others who engage in forms of self-publication in print, on the Internet or elsewhere”.

Last year the General Assembly also acknowledged, in resolution 68/163,  that “journalism is continuously evolving to include inputs from media institutions, private individuals and a range of organizations that seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds – online as well as offline – in the exercise of freedom of opinion and expression, thereby contributing to shape public debate.”

I urge States to approach the issue under discussion from this human rights perspective, and to protect journalists and other media workers in the broadest sense.

Another key good practice is the creation of an early warning and rapid response mechanism to give journalists and other media actors immediate access to the authorities, and to protective measures, when they are threatened. Such a mechanism should be able to provide protection, including emergency evacuations and safe havens. It should be established in consultation with journalists and other media actors and organizations, and should comprise representatives from State bodies concerned with law enforcement and human rights, together with representatives from civil society, including journalist and media organizations. 

Most importantly, States must combat impunity. Every act of violence committed against a journalist that goes uninvestigated, and unpunished, is an open invitation for further violence. Ensuring accountability for attacks against journalists is a key element in preventing future attacks. Failure to do so may be interpreted as tolerance of, or acquiescence to, violence. The investigation and prosecution of all attacks against journalists through an effective and functioning domestic criminal justice system is imperative, and there must be remedy for the victims.

Examples of good practices in this regard include the creation of special investigative units, or independent mechanisms to carry out investigations, with specialized expertise. Specific protocols and methods of investigation and prosecution can be developed. Law enforcement and military personnel, as well as prosecutors and the judiciary, may require training regarding their obligations under international human rights law and international humanitarian law, with a focus on the safety of journalists. I encourage States to examine, reinforce and replicate such initiatives.

I am convinced that much more can be done to protect the vital work of journalism. I look forward to your discussions, and I trust they will identify workable solutions that will improve the safety of journalists on the ground. 

Navi Pillay - 11 June 2014 - salle XX - Palais des Nations 

***06.06.2014. 26th session of the Human Rights Council. Written statements delivered by the Press Emblem Campaign on 1) journalists in Ukraine and 2) the safety of journalists

United Nations A/HRC/0/NGO/X
General Assembly Distr.: General

English only
Human Rights Council

Twenty-sixt session

Agenda item 4

Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention

               Written statement* submitted by Presse Embleme Campagne, a non-governmental organization in special consultative status

The Secretary-General has received the following written statement which is circulated in accordance with Economic and Social Council resolution 1996/31.

[26 May 2014]

Journalists need protection in Ukraine

The Press Emblem Campaign draws the attention of the Human Rights Council on the situation of journalists and media workers in Ukraine. Since the beginning of the civil unrests last November, hundreds of cases of different kind of violence against journalists and media workers have been reported; three journalists have lost their lives, the last one being killed on the same day of writing this contribution (24 May 2014).

Like in other countries where violent and armed confrontation prevails, in Ukraine too journalists and media workers are targeted physically and psychologically and have become victims of different forms of violence, torture and killing.

While in the period 2005 to 2010, the independence of the media in Ukraine increased and legislative measures allowed the establishment of a safe and enabling environment for journalists and media workers, since 2010 the situation has constantly deteriorated leading to an atmosphere of diffused self-censorship.

The political crisis erupted last November, which turned into an internal armed conflict, has had a dramatic impact on the working conditions of journalists.

According to different reliable sources, hundreds of local and international journalists and media workers were wounded during the mass protests that took place in Kiev and other localities; when attacked by protestors, the security forces did not protect them; sometimes the victims were deliberately targeted by governmental forces although they were readily recognizable as media workers.

An increasing number of broadcasting (TV and radio) stations and newspapers have also been targeted by armed groups and the facilities have been damaged, broken or stolen; some have been banned from broadcasting and even closed down. Journalists and media workers have been victims of brutality, threatened, harassed and beaten, forced to resign; some have been deported, kidnapped, abducted or detained by different armed groups or the governmental forces. Often their equipment is seized.

An increasing number of journalists and media workers are banned from entry into Ukraine or Crimea, although they are duly accredited by the State authorities.

Recommendations

The Press Emblem Campaign calls on:

Ø the Ukrainian and Russian authorities to ensure journalists and media workers can carry out their duty freely and to bring to justice those responsible for the offences and crimes committed against journalists and media workers;

Ø a prompt and independent investigation on the circumstances which led to the murder of the italian photojournalist Andrea Rocchelli and his Russian translator on May 24 near Slavyansk;

Ø the Human Rights Council to consider innovative initiative conducive to a better protection for journalists and media workers in situations of violent or armed confrontation.                                
 

United Nations A/HRC/0/NGO/X
General Assembly Distr.: General

English only
Human Rights Council

Twenty-sixt session

Agenda item 3

Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development

               Written statement* submitted by Presse Embleme Campagne, a non-governmental organization in special consultative status

The Secretary-General has received the following written statement which is circulated in accordance with Economic and Social Council resolution 1996/31.

[26 May 2014]

Journalists need protection in order to ensure their safety

Focus on the subject

As of the day of submission of this written contribution (25 May 2014), 44 journalists and media workers have been killed around the world in 2014. The deadliest countries being Iraq and the Syrian Arab Republic with 5 victims each followed by the Central African Republic, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Brazil with 4 victims each and Ukraine with 3 victims. An undefined number (between 30 and 50) are detained or held incommunicado either by governmental forces or non-State actors, mainly in the Middle-East region.

In order to apprehend correctly the problems faced by journalists and media workers and thus better identify challenges and good practices it has to be kept in mind that the great majority of the media workers are killed in conflict situations, violent civil unrest or in countries where the State authorities have to face political or criminal armed movements: all kind of situations where the State cannot develop policies and practices in a regular way; on the contrary, authorities are militarily engaged in a confrontational struggle against a more or less large part of the population.

This is evident when one looks at the recent year’s statistics[1] of killed journalists and media workers. In 2013, out of the 129 victims, 17 were killed in the Syrian Arab Republic, 16 in Iraq, 14 in Pakistan, 11 in the Philippines, 8 in Somalia, 7 in Egypt, 6 in Brazil, 5 in Mexico, 3 in Afghanistan, Colombia and Libya. In 2012, out of the 141 victims, 37 were killed in the Syrian Arab Republic, 19 in Somalia, 12 in Pakistan, 11 in Brazil and Mexico, 6 in the Philippines, 3 in Gaza/Israel, Nigeria, Eritrea and Iraq, 2 in Afghanistan and Colombia. In 2011, out of the 107 victims, 12 were killed in Mexico, 11 in Pakistan, 7 in Iraq and Libya, 6 in the Philippines and Brazil, 5 in Yemen, 4 in Somalia, 3 in Afghanistan, Egypt, India, Peru and in the Russian Federation, 2 in Syria and 1 in Colombia, Gaza (OPT). In 2010, out of the 110 victims, 14 were killed in Mexico and Pakistan, 10 in Honduras, 8 in Iraq, 6 in the Philippines, 5 in Nigeria and in the Russian Federation, 4 in Brazil, 3 in Somalia and Nepal and 2 in Afghanistan.

In these circumstances, there is no doubt that impunity is the fuel of the more than thousand journalists and media workers killed in the last 10 years, whether the responsible of the crimes belong to the State authorities or to a political or criminal armed group.

Due to the role journalists play in informing the public and in contributing to transparency and accountability in the conduct of public affairs, it is essential for the international community to have as many of them as possible on the ground to report and analyse specific situations so that the plurality of the reports can insure a broader image of the reality and a better understanding of the challenges of a crisis. Governments have to accept the idea that journalists are influenced by their education, cultural and philosophical background and opinions as well as by their respective editorial instructions.

The limitations of existing international instruments

The reports presented to the twentieth session of the Human Rights Council by the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression[2] and the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions[3], as well as the report of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on good practices concerning the safety of journalists[4] clearly demonstrate that none of the existing mechanisms, at the national, regional or international level, is instrumental in combating impunity, notably against the crimes committed in conflict situations.

While all those norms, rules, policies and practices can be effectively instrumental in reinforcing freedom of opinion and expression, including freedom of the press, in a peaceful world, they suddenly become powerless when a situation of tension and armed confrontation arises in a country.

The International Humanitarian Law, even though it offers protection to journalists and media workers as civilian (in other terms as human beings not participating to the conflict) it does not provide them with a real protection for the duty they are carrying out. In reality, journalists and media workers have no protection at all since their specific role is not formally recognized.

There is an urgent need for the international community to adopt a more comprehensive approach of a global protection of journalists and media workers which could concretely combat the plague of impunity with independent special mechanisms for investigation and prosecution.

Conclusion

In his report[5] to the Human Rights Council, the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions invited States and relevant United Nations bodies and agencies, in consultation with all relevant stakeholders, to explore the need for a specific United Nations instrument.

The Press Emblem Campaign considers that the time has come for the international community to take further steps in order to strengthen the protection of journalists and media workers and invites the Human Rights Council to request a study to its Advisory Committee.                           

 
[1] Press Emblem Campaign statistics are available at http://www.pressemblem.ch/5037.html[2] A/HRC720/17[3] A/HRC/20/22[4] A/HRC/24/23[5] A/HRC/20/22  par. 124

***04.06.2014. PEC press release. The 2014 PEC Prize for the Protection of  Journalists awarded to the Hirondelle Foundation (for more, speeches, go to our page PEC AWARD) (French, Spanish and Arabic versions below)

The director general of the Hirondelle Foundation Jean-Marie Etter receiving the PEC Award 2014 for the Protection of Journalists at the Swiss Press Club in Geneva (photo pec) (other photos, speeches on our page PEC AWARD)

During the ceremony for the PEC Award 2014, at Palais Eynard, from right to left: the mayor of the city of Geneva Sandrine Salerno, PEC President Hedayat Abdel Nabi, the director general of the Hirondelle Foundation Jean-Marie Etter and PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen (photo pec)

Geneva (PEC, 4 June 2014) The Press Emblem Campaign awarded its annual prize for the protection of journalists Wednesday in Geneva to the Hirondelle Foundation. The PEC Committee thus recognized the support provided by the Foundation to the journalism profession in Africa and its efforts to counter the propaganda and hate that intensify conflict.

By awarding the prize this year to Africa, the PEC is also honoring the memory of those who have sacrificed their lives these past months in order to inform: Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon, from Radio France Internationale, killed in Kidal in Mali on 2 November; Kennedy Germain Mumbere Muliwavyo, from Radio-television Muungano Oïcha, killed in North Kivu in DRC on 16 February; Désiré Sayenga, from the Démocrate, killed in Bangui in CAR on 30 April; René Padou, from Voix de la Grâce radio, who died from his wounds in Bangui in CAR on 5 May; and Camille Lepage, a French photographer killed in Gallo in CAR on 13 May.

“The Executive Committee of the PEC was unanimous. While conflicts have recently made numerous victims in Mali, the Central African Republic (CAR), South Sudan, Somalia and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the necessity of independent and impartial information is imperative. The Hirondelle Foundation has been striving in this direction for 19 years. Bravo!” declared PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen.

“In all armed conflicts, journalists take enormous risks to bear witness to the worst of human suffering. In Africa, twenty years ago, the Rwanda genocide was preceded by the diffusion by the media of propaganda inciting to hate and violence. This must not happen again. The control of information is a major element in armed conflicts. Employees of  Ndeke Luka radio, supported by the Hirondelle Foundation were threatened with death on 7 May in Bangui because they were broadcasting reliable information,” stated Blaise Lempen.

PEC President Hedayat Abdel  Nabi  joined hands with the PEC Secretary-General to congratulate the Hirondelle Foundation and it's work: “This year, the PEC is honoring the admirable work of the Hirondelle Foundation in Africa. It is exemplary. It is my hope that the laureate Foundation will join our efforts and help to mobilize support for our draft convention in Africa”.

Abdel Nabi added that she hopes the Foundation can start work in Egypt, where ten journalists have been killed since 25 January 2011, the date marking the revolution that ousted former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak. “Young journalists”, she added, “are those who pay the highest price, being used by newspapers to cover the field with no insurance or protective measures.”

The Director General of  the Hirondelle Foundation,  Jean-Marie Etter, thanked the PEC for the award:  “The PEC award, given by journalists, is a human and professional recognition that is precious for us. Central African journalists live constantly under the threat of violence and death, within murderous communities. Their daily life is inhabited  by fear, and their future circumscribed. In these conditions, it is extremely difficult to produce independent journalism, and it requires immense courage and conviction”.

“The very existence of independent media in regions in crisis is at stake. The challenge is political, economic, professional. It is central to peace, but little known”, added Jean-Marie Etter.

The PEC thanks the Administrative Council of the City of Geneva for is support on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the PEC and its support for the prize awarded  this year to the Hirondelle Foundation.

Since 1995, the Hirondelle Foundation has been creating and supporting media devoted to general, citizen independent information, in order to contribute to peace and citizenship in areas of conflict and endemic crisis. It is an organization of professional journalists, for the most part from French, Swiss and British public service media. It attributes great importance to credibility, through the rigorous and factual journalism of its members, who are nationals of the countries where the media are based, currently CAR, DRC, Mali, Tunisia, South Sudan, Guinea and Ivory Coast, after having worked in Rwanda, Liberia, Kosovo, Timor and Nepal. Its 2013 budget was over CHF 10 million (US$ 11 million).

The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) was founded exactly ten years ago by a group of journalists accredited to the United Nations in Geneva with the purpose of reinforcing the protection of journalists in areas of conflict. It enjoys consultative status with the United Nations and intervenes regularly at the Human Rights Council to alert governments and denounce abuses. It works to sensitize the international community to this problem, which is becoming ever more serious as evolution of conflict becomes ever more chaotic, and promotes a better observance of international law. Last year, 129 journalists died in the exercise of their profession throughout the world. As of the end of May, in the five months since the beginning of the year, they already numbered 47.

The award for the Protection of Journalists is given each year by the PEC board. It recognizes an individual or an organization that has worked in conflict zones for the defense of press freedom and media workers. The prize was awarded in 2013 to the NGO Cerigua in Guatemala; in 2012 to the Syrian Democrats and the Center for the freedom of media of Mazen Darwish; in 2011 to the militants of the Arab Spring in Tunisia, Libya and Egypt; in 2010 to the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility and to the Fund for the Victims of Ampatuan in the Philippines; in 2009 to the Palestinian NGO MADA. 

Le Prix PEC 2014 pour la Protection des Journalistes décerné à la Fondation Hirondelle

Genève (PEC, 4 juin 2014) La Presse Emblème Campagne (PEC) a décerné mercredi à Genève son Prix annuel pour la Protection des Journalistes à la Fondation Hirondelle. Le comité de la PEC a récompensé le soutien  de la Fondation à l’exercice du métier de journaliste en Afrique et ses efforts pour endiguer les discours de propagande et de haine attisant les conflits.

En consacrant cette année le prix à l’Afrique, la PEC honore aussi la mémoire de ceux qui ont sacrifié ces derniers mois leur vie pour informer : Ghislaine Dupont et Claude Verlon, de Radio France Internationale, tués à Kidal au Mali le 2 novembre,  Kennedy Germain Mumbere Muliwavyo, de la radio-télévision Muungano d’Oïcha, tué dans le Nord-Kivu, en RDC le 16 février, Désiré Sayenga, du Démocrate, tué à Bangui en RCA le 30 avril, René Padou, de la radio Voix de la Grâce, décédé de ses blessures à Bangui le 5 mai, et Camille Lepage, photographe française tuée à Gallo en RCA le 13 mai.

« Le comité directeur de la PEC a été unanime. Alors que des conflits ont fait récemment de nombreuses victimes au Mali, en Centrafrique (RCA), au Soudan du Sud, en Somalie et en République démocratique du Congo (RDC), la nécessité d’une information indépendante et impartiale est particulièrement nécessaire. La Fondation Hirondelle s’y emploie depuis 19 ans. Un grand bravo », a déclaré le secrétaire général de la PEC Blaise Lempen.

«Dans tous les conflits armés, les journalistes prennent des risques énormes pour témoigner des pires souffrances humaines. En Afrique, il y a vingt ans, le génocide au Rwanda avait été précédé de la diffusion par des médias d’une propagande incitant à la haine et à la violence. Cela ne doit pas recommencer. Le contrôle de l’information est un enjeu majeur dans les conflits armés. Des employés de la radio Ndeke Luka soutenue par la Fondation Hirondelle ont été menacés de mort le 7 mai à Bangui parce qu’ils diffusent une information crédible », a affirmé Blaise Lempen.

La présidente de la PEC Hedayat Abdel Nabi  a également félicité la Fondation Hirondelle et son travail: « Cette année la PEC honore le travail admirable et exemplaire de la Fondation Hirondelle en Afrique. J’espère que la Fondation se joindra à nos efforts dans le but d’aider à mobiliser les pays africains en faveur de notre projet de convention ».

Abdel Nabi a ajouté souhaiter que la Fondation puisse commencer à travailler en Egypte où dix journalistes ont été tués depuis le 25 janvier 2011 et le début de la révolution  qui a renversé l’ex-président égyptien Hosni Moubarak. « Les jeunes journalistes sont ceux qui paient le prix le plus élevé parce qu’ils sont utilisés par des organes de presse pour couvrir les événements sans assurance ni mesures protectrices », a-t-elle déclaré.

Le directeur général de la Fondation Hirondelle Jean-Marie Etter a remercié la PEC pour ce prix : « Le prix de la PEC, décerné par des journalistes,  est une reconnaissance humaine et professionnelle qui nous est précieuse. Les journalistes centrafricains vivent sous la menace de violences, des menaces de mort, au sein de communautés meurtries; leur quotidien est habité par la peur et leur avenir est bouché.  Dans ces conditions, il est extrêmement difficile de produire un journalisme indépendant, et cela demande beaucoup de courage et de conviction ».

« L'existence même des médias indépendants en zones de crises est en question. Le défi est politique, économique, professionnel. Il est central pour la paix, mais méconnu », a ajouté Jean-Marie Etter.

La PEC remercie le Conseil administratif de la Ville de Genève pour le soutien accordé au 10e anniversaire de la PEC et au prix décerné à la Fondation Hirondelle.

La Fondation Hirondelle crée ou soutient depuis 1995 des médias d’information généralistes, indépendants et citoyens, pour contribuer à l’instauration de la paix et à la citoyenneté dans des zones de conflit violent ou de crise endémique. C’est une organisation de journalistes professionnels, issus pour la plupart des medias de service public français, suisse et britannique. Elle accorde la plus grande importance à la crédibilité, à travers le journalisme rigoureux et factuel de ses collaborateurs ressortissants des pays où se trouvent les médias, actuellement en RCA, en RDC, au Mali, en Tunisie, au Soudan du Sud, en Guinée et en Côte d'Ivoire, après avoir été actifs au Rwanda, au Libéria, au Kosovo, à Timor, au Népal. Son budget a dépassé en 2013 les dix millions de francs.

La Presse Emblème Campagne (PEC) a été fondée il y a dix ans exactement par un groupe de journalistes accrédités à l’ONU à Genève dans le but de renforcer la protection des travailleurs des médias dans les zones de conflit. Dotée du statut consultatif à l’ONU, elle intervient régulièrement au Conseil des droits de l’homme pour alerter les Etats et dénoncer les abus. Elle s’efforce de sensibiliser la communauté internationale à ce problème de plus en plus grave en raison de l’évolution chaotique des conflits et travaille à une meilleure application du droit international. L’an dernier, 129 journalistes ont péri dans l’exercice de leurs fonctions dans le monde. Ils sont déjà 47 à fin mai en cinq mois depuis le début de l’année.

Le Prix pour la Protection des Journalistes est décerné chaque année par le comité exécutif de la PEC. Il récompense un individu ou une organisation ayant oeuvré dans les zones de conflit pour la défense de la liberté de la presse et des travailleurs des médias. Le Prix a été décerné en 2013 à l’ONG Cerigua au Guatemala, en 2012 aux Démocrates syriens et au Centre pour la liberté des medias de Mazen Darwish, en 2011 à des militants du printemps arabe de Tunisie, de Libye et d’Egypte, en 2010 au Centre d’information des médias aux Philippines et au Fonds pour les victimes d’Ampatuan, en 2009 à l’ONG palestinienne MADA.

El Premio PEC 2014 por la Protección de los Periodistas concedido a la Fundación Hirondelle

Ginebra, 4 jun 2014 (PEC) La Campaña Emblema de Prensa (PEC*) ha otorgado en esta ciudad su Premio anual por la Protección de los Periodistas a la Fundación Hirondelle. El Comité de la PEC ha recompensado el apoyo de la Fundacióm al ejercicio de la profesión periodística en África, así como los esfuerzos para contrarrestar la propaganda y el odio intensificados en los conflictos.

Al conceder el premio de este año al África, la PEC honra la memoria de aquellos que han sacrificado sus vidas en estos últimos meses con el fin de informar : Ghislaine Dupont y Claude Verlon, de Radio Francia Internacional, asesinados en Kidal, en Mali el 2 de noviembre, Kennedy Germain Mumbere Muliwavyo, de la radio-televisión Muungao de Oïcha, asesinado en Kivu-Norte, en RDC, el 16 de febrero, Désiré Sayenga,  del « Démocrate », asesinado en Bangui, en RCA el 30 de abril ; René Padou, de la radio « Voix de la Grâce », fallecido a causa de las heridas, en Bangui, el 5 de mayo, y Camille Lepage, fotógrafo francés muerto en Gallo, en RCA, el 13 de mayo.

« El Comité de dirección de la PEC ha sido unánime. Mientras que los conflictos han causado recientemente numerosas víctimas en Mali, en Centroáfrica (RCA), en Sudán del Sur, en Somalia y en la República Democrática del Congo (RDC), la necesidad de una información independiente e imparcial es un imperativo. La Fundación Hirondelle se ha consagrado a ello durante 19 años. Un gran « bravo », ha expresado el Secretario general de la PEC, Blaise Lempen.

« En todos los conflictos armados, los periodistas asumen riesgos enormes para dar testimonio de los peores sufrimientos humanos. En África, hace veinte años, el genocidio en Rwanda fue precedido de la difusión por los medios de una propaganda que incitaba al odio y a la violencia. Esto no debe suceder de nuevo. El control de la información es un tema importante en los conflictos armados. Los empleados de la radio Ndeke Luka, sostenida por la Fondación Hirondelle, han sido amanazados de muerte el 7 de mayo en Bangui porque difundían una información creíble », ha afirmado Blaise Lempen.

La presidenta de la PEC, Hedayat Abdel Nabi, ha felicitado también a la Fundación Hirondelle y a su trabajo : « Este año la PEC honra el trabajo admirable y ejemplar de la Fundación Hirondelle en África. Espero que se una a nuestros esfuerzos y contribuya a movilizar el apoyo de los países africanos a nuestro proyecto de convención. »

Abdel Nabi también expresó el deseo de que la Fundación pueda comenzar a trabajar en Egipto, donde diez periodistas han sido asesinados desde el 15 de enero de 2011, fecha que marca el inicio de la revolución que derrocó al expresidente egipcio Hosni Moubarak. « Los jóvenes periodistas –añadió- son los que pagan el precio más alto porque son utilizados por órganos de prensa para cubrir los sucesos sin garantías ni medidas de protección ».

El director general de la Fundación Hirondelle, Jean-Marie Etter, ha agradecido a la PEC por este premio : « El premio de la PEC, concedido por los periodistas, representa un reconocimiento humano y profesional precioso para nosotros. Los periodistas centroafricanos viven bajo amenazas de violencias, amenazas de muerte, en el seno de comunidades asesinas ; su día a día está marcado por el miedo y su futuro está bloqueado. En tales condiciones, es extremadamente difícil realizar un periodismo independiente, y para ello se requiere de mucho coraje y de convicción ».

« La existencia misma de los medios independientes en las zonas de crisis está cuestionada. El desafío es político, económico, profesional. Es un factor central para la paz, pero ignorado », ha dicho Jean-Marie Etter.

La PEC agradece al Consejo administrativo de la Ciudad de Ginebra el apoyo dado al 10mo aniversario de la PEC y al premio otorgado a la Fundación Hirondelle.

Desde 1995, la Fundación Hirondelle ha creado y apoyado a los medios de comunicación  dedicados a la información ciudadana en general,  independiente, con el objetivo de contribuir a la paz y la ciudadanía en las zonas de violentos conflictos o de crisis endémica. Es una organización de periodistas profesionales, en gran parte procedentes de los medios del servicio público francés, suizo y británico.  Atribuye gran importancia a la credibilidad, a través del periodismo riguroso y objetivo de sus miembros,  los cuales son nacionales de los países en los que los medios están basados,  actualmente en RCA, República Democrática del Congo, Malí, Túnez, Sudán del Sur, Guinea y Costa de Marfil,  luego de haber estado activos en Rwanda, Liberia, Kosovo, Timor y Nepal.  En 2013 su presupuesto sobrepasó los diez millones de francos.

La Campaña Emblema de Prensa (PEC) fue fundada hace exactamente diez años por un grupo de periodistas acreditados ante la ONU en Ginebra, con el objetivo de reforzar la protección de los trabajadores de los medios en las zonas en conflicto. Dotada del estatuto consultivo de la ONU, interviene regularmente en el Consejo de Derechos Humanos para alertar a los Estados y denunciar los abusos. Se esfuerza por sensiblizar a la comunidad internacional sobre la creciente gravedad de este problema en razón de la caótica evolución de los conflictos, y promueve una mejor observancia del derecho internacional.  El pasado año 129 periodistas murieron en el ejercicio de sus funciones en el mndo. A finales de mayo, en los cinco meses transcurridos desde el inicio del año, ya han fallecido 47.

El Premio por la Protección de los Periodistas se concede cada año por el Comité ejecutivo de la PEC.  Es una recompensa o un reconocimiento a un individuo o a una organización que en las zonas en conflicto haya obrado en defensa de la libertad de la prensa y de los trabajadores de los medios. En 2013 el Premio fue otorgado a la ONG Cerigua de Guatemala, en 2012 a los Demócratas sirios y al Centro para la libertad de los medios de Mazen Darwish. En 2011 a militantes de la primavera árabe de Túnez, de Libia y de Egipto. En 2010, al Centro de información de los medios en Filipinas y a los Fondos para las víctimas de Ampatuan ; en 2009 a la ONG palestina MADA.

Conferencia de prensa a las 15h00 en el Club suizo de la presna, en Geinebra. La ceremonia de entrega del premio tendrá lugar a las 18h00 en el Palacio Eynard.

*- Siglas en inglés

حملة الشارة الدولية لحماية الصحفيين

تقدم جائزتها لعام 2014 لمؤسسة هيروندل

جنيف في 4 يونيو 2014 (حملة الشارة) – اعلنت اليوم حملة الشارة الدولية لحماية الصحفيين أن جائزتها لعام 2014 ذهبت لمؤسسة هيروندل و مقرها سويسرا لما قدمته المؤسسة من دعم للصحفيين في إفريقيا و لنبذ لغة الكراهية في النزاعات المسلحة. 

و صرح سكرتير عام الحملة الدولية بليز ليمبان أن قرار مجلس إدارة الحملة الذي صدر بالإجماع لمنح الجائزة لمؤسسة هيروندل لهو أمر يذكرنا بالضحايا الكثر الذين سقطوا في نزاعات في مالي و جمهورية وسط إفريقيا، و جنوب السودان، و الصومال و جمهورية الكونغو الديمقراطية حيث الحاجة إلى اعلام مستقل و حيادي و هذا هو عمل مؤسسة هيروندل طوال 19 عاماً في إفريقيا، تحية كبيرة للمؤسسة. 

و ضمت رئيسة حملة الشارة الدولية هدايت عبد النبي صوتها إلى صوت بليز ليمبان لتهنئة المؤسسة و عملها مشيرة إلى عمل المؤسسة الرائع في إفريقيا و معربة عن املها في أن تعمل المؤسسة على نشر مشروع معاهدة الشارة لحماية الصحفيين في إفريقيا.

كما أعربت عبد النبي عن املها في أن تبدا مؤسسة هيروندل عملها في مصر التي سقط فيها 10 من الصحفيين و هم يؤدون مهام عملهم منذ ثورة 25 يناير 2011.

و قالت أن شباب الصحفيين هم أكثر الصحفيين الذين يدفعون ثمن العمل الصحفي لأن صحفهم تستغل فيهم قوة الشباب و تزج بهم في النزاعات دون حماية او تأمين. 

و دعت مؤسسة هيرونديل أن تصبح عضوا في حملة الشارة و الشارة تبدأ عامها الحادي عشر من العمل الجاد لحماية الصحفيين. 

 و شكر المدير العام لمؤسسة هيرونديل جان ماري أيتر حملة الشارة على الجائزة قائلا أنها عندما تأتي الجائزة من صحفيين ممارسين فهو اعتراف بعمل المؤسسة نقدره كثيراً.

و اضاف أن الصحفيين في جمهورية إفريقيا الوسطى يعيشون في ظل تهديد العنف و التهديد ضد حياتهم في أماكن في غاية الخطورة و يعيش من يتبع وسائل الاعلام هناك في خوف في ظل مستقبل مشلول.

و قال إن مثل هذه الظروف تعد صعبة للغاية لإنتاج صحافة مستقلة تتطلب شجاعة فائقة و إيمان كبير، مشيراً إلى صعوبة وجود إعلام مستقل وسط مناطق الأزمة، فالتحدي سياسي، اقتصادي و مهني، و الاعلام المستقل  مهم لاستتباب السلام و لكنه غائب.  

عملت مؤسسة هيروندل منذ 1995 في إفريقيا لدعم الاعلام المستقل من أجل استعادة السلام و فكرة المواطنة في مناطق النزاعات شديدة العنف. الكثير من مصداقيتها تعود إلى أن مصادر معلوماتها تأتي من ميدان الأزمة في جمهورية افريقيا الوسطي، و جمهورية الكونغو الديمقراطية، و مالي، و تونس، و جنوب السودان، و غينيا و كوت ديفوار. و تجاوزت  ميزانيتها 2 مليون فرنك سويسري في عام 2013.

و طبقا لرصد حملة الشارة فقد قتل 129 من الصحفيين في العام الماضي و لم يمض سوى خمسة أشهر على العام الحالي و قتل حتى الآن اكثر من 47 من الصحفيين و هو يؤدون عملهم.

لمزيد من المعلومات  

***15.05.2014. PEC condemns horrific attack on British Journalists in Syria

The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) condemns in the strongest possible manner the appalling attack by rebel kidnappers on two British journalists in Syria yesterday, Wednesday 14 May.

According to media reports, Times writer Anthony Lloyd and photographer Jack Hill had spent several days reporting from the city of Aleppo and were returning to the Turkish border early on Wednesday when the car they were travelling in was forced to the side of the road. Lloyd was bound to the back seat of a car, while Hill and a local guide were put in the boot before being driven to a warehouse in the town of Tall Rifat.

Reports say that Hill and a guide attempted to escape, but they were recaptured. Hill was severely beaten while Lloyd was shot in the legs to prevent him from escaping. They were eventually freed and managed to cross the border into Turkey after receiving treatment in a Syrian hospital.

Both PEC President Hedayat Abdel Nabi and PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen thanked God that the two British journalists were freed. The PEC since the beginning of the internal conflict in Syria has labeled the country as the most dangerous for media work (read also on OTHER NEWS)

***14.05.2014. La PEC profondément attristée par le meurtre d’une jeune journaliste française en République centrafricaine (English version below)

Genève (PEC, 14 mai 2014) La Presse Emblème Campagne (PEC) condamne le meurtre en République centrafricaine d’une jeune photographe française Camille Lepage. Elle est la 41e journaliste tuée depuis le début de l’année dans le monde. Il est malheureux de constater, après le meurtre d’Anja Niedringhaus en Afghanistan le mois dernier, que des photographes femmes courageuses sont de plus en plus touchées.

Six mois après l'assassinat de deux reporters français de RFI au Mali, une autre journaliste française, la photographe Camille Lepage, 26 ans, a été tuée alors qu'elle effectuait un reportage en République centrafricaine (RCA). Le président François Hollande, qui a annoncé mardi 13 mai le décès de la jeune femme originaire d'Angers, a ensuite indiqué à la presse que Camille Lepage était "sans doute tombée dans un guet-apens".

"Cela date de deux jours. Camille Lepage était en compagnie des milices anti-balaka pour son reportage. Ils seraient tombés dans une embuscade certainement tendue par des éléments armés qui écument la région. Elle a subi des tirs, et les anti-balaka ont remonté le corps ainsi que ceux de leurs compagnons. Une enquête est ouverte pour déterminer les circonstances exactes de son décès", a expliqué à l'AFP une source militaire française.

La PEC se félicite que le président François Hollande ait promis de mettre en œuvre "tous les moyens nécessaires pour faire la lumière sur les circonstances de cet assassinat et retrouver les meurtriers". Le Conseil de sécurité de l'ONU a "condamné fermement" le meurtre et a réclamé une enquête aux autorités centrafricaines.

Le travail de Camille Lepage a été publié par Le Monde, le Sunday Times, le Washington Post, le Wall Street Journal. Elle avait couvert la révolution égyptienne en 2011, elle était au Soudan du Sud en 2012.

Deux autres journalistes ont été tués dans les troubles en République centrafricaine il y a deux semaines.

La PEC consacrera son prochain Prix pour la protection des journalistes, décerné chaque année à Genève le 4 juin, au combat des journalistes en Afrique.

The PEC deeply saddened by the murder of a young French journalist in the Central African Republic

Geneva (PEC, 14 May 2014) The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) condemns the murder in the Central African Republic of a young French photo-journalist, Camille Lepage. She is the 41rst journalist killed in the world since the beginning of the year. It is disturbing to note, after the murder of Anja Niedringhaus in Afghanistan last month, that courageous women photographers are more and more targeted.

Six months after the murder of two French reporters from RFI in Mali, another French journalist, the photographer Camille Lepage, 26 years old, was killed while reporting in the Central African Republic (CAF). The French president François Hollande, who announced on Tuesday, 13 May, the death of the young woman from Angers, then stated to the media that Camille Lepage had "no doubt been ambushed".

"That was two days ago. Camille Lepage was accompanied by anti-Balaka militia during her reporting. They were apparently ambushed by the armed elements that plague the region. She was fired upon, and they recovered the body as well as those of her companions. An inquiry has been opened to determine the exact circumstances of her death," explained a French military source to AFP.

The PEC welcomes the promise of President François Hollande to deploy "all necessary means to shed light on the circumstances of this murder and to find the murderers". The United Nations Security Council "strongly condemned" the murder and called for an investigation by the Central African authorities.

Camille Lepage's work was published by Le Monde, The Sunday Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal. She had covered the Egyptian revolution in 2011 and was in South Sudan in 2012.

Two other journalists were killed in the unrest in the Central African Republic two weeks ago.

The PEC will award its next Journalist Protection Prize, given each year in Geneva, on 4 June, to honor the struggle of journalists in Africa.

***05.05.2014. Mexico y Centroamerica - Violaciones contra la libertad de expresión en México y Centroamérica – Abril 2014 - Colaboración de Cerigua para PEC.

Guatemala: 

-       El miércoles 2 de abril el periodista Julio Sicán, del diario local “Proceso” en el departamento de Sacatepéquez, denunció amenazas de muerte por parte del hijo de un funcionario, acusado de corrupción. 

El hijo del síndico, identificado como Mauricio López Asencio, insultó al periodista junto a varios de sus familiares y le aseguró que lo asesinaría. El hecho se dio luego de una audiencia en un juzgado de Sacatepéquez.
 
-       La tarde del 5 marzo, la radio “La Nueva Mega 91.7”, ubicada en la cabecera departamental de Quetzaltenango, fue blanco de robo por parte de desconocidos, quienes se llevaron equipo valorado en Q100 mil (poco más de 12 mil dólares).

-       José Fredy López y Selvin Rolando Morales, corresponsales de Prensa Libre y Nuestro Diario en el departamento de Izabal, sufrieron intimidaciones y restricciones a la fuente por parte de trabajadores de una empresa bananera, así como por miembros del Ministerio de Salud Pública y de un sindicato.
 
Los reporteros se encontraban dando cobertura a un inspección que miembros de salud pública realizarían en una bananera, sin embargo el gerente del lugar les pidió que se retiraran del lugar y les fuera quitada las mascarillas de seguridad.
 
Acto seguido, los salubristas y sindicalistas mostraron su descontento por la presencia de la prensa. Cuando ambos salían del lugar, la seguridad de la empresa les pidió sus identificaciones, como acto de intimidación.

-       El 21 de abril autoridades del Ministerio Público (MP) y de la Policía Nacional Civil (PNC), en acompañamiento de miembros del ejército, allanaron dos radios comunitarias ubicadas en el municipio de Ixcán, departamento del Quiché, al occidente del país. 
 
En el primer operativo, fue allanada la radio “Estéreo Luz”, donde las autoridades decomisaron el equipo de transmisión, valorado en más Q30 mil quetzales (alrededor de 3 mil 500 dólares). El responsable de la emisora, Juan Tzul, denunció que los soldados apuntaron con sus armas a las mujeres presentes, lo que les causó crisis nerviosa.
 
Ese mismo día fue allanada la emisora “La Voz de Sonora”, donde las autoridades decomisaron equipo valorado en más de Q60 mil (aproximadamente 7 mil 500 dólares).
 
-       Durante el sepelio del Kevin Díaz, un joven que fue asesinado por seguidores de un club deportivo, varios de los acompañantes impidieron a camarógrafos y fotógrafos tomar imágenes, argumentando que ello serviría de burla a quienes mataron a su amigo.
 
México: 
 
-       El domingo 6 de abril el diario El Buen Tono, que circula en el Estado de Veracruz, recibió amenazas por parte de un desconocido, quien aseguró que quemaría las instalaciones del medio. En noviembre del 2011, al menos 10 personas ingresaron al edificio del matutino, provocando un incendio, que afortunadamente dejo únicamente pérdidas materiales.
 
-       La madrugada del miércoles 2 de abril, el director del Grupo Editorial Noroeste, en el Estado de Sinaloa, fue herido de bala en una de sus extremidades inferiores, por dos sujetos que le interceptaron el paso cuando se dirigía a su hogar. Los agresores lo bajaron de su vehículo y lo golpearon en el pavimento.
 
Luego de robar sus pertenencias y su vehículo los delincuentes se retiraron de la escena, sin embargo uno de ellos regresó y le disparó en una pierna al periodista.
 
-       A mediados de abril, tres diputados del Estado de Michoacán denunciaron penalmente al periodista Daniel Díaz, de La Jornada Michoacán, luego que se publicara una nota en la que se presume una investigación contra 11 legisladores, por presunto enriquecimiento ilícito.
 
En declaraciones brindadas a un medio local, el diputado Salomón Rosales Reyes señaló que la denuncia es para conocer la fuente de Díaz y evitar que se repitan este tipo de publicaciones.
 
-       La periodista Brenda Escobar, del diario El Sur del Estado Guerrero, denunció que el 21 de abril fue agredida físicamente por guardaespaldas del Gobernador Ángel Aguirre Rivero.  Escobar señaló que la seguridad del funcionario le impidió que se acercara a él, pese a que daba declaraciones a otros medios, y luego la apretaron hasta sofocarla y la golpearon en el abdomen.
 
-       La tarde del 6 de abril, miembros del ejército mexicano agredieron y amenazaron a reporteros que documentaban un accidente de tránsito, en el que se vio involucrado un vehículo militar con un autobús particular.
 
Los soldados arremetieron contra tres reporteros, cuando éstos tomaron fotografías y videos del accidente, diciéndoles que los desaparecerían.
 
-       Organizaciones de la sociedad civil, defensores de derechos humanos y de la libertad de expresión criticaron severamente la propuesta de reforma a la ley de telecomunicaciones, ya que esta atentaría contra la Libertad de Expresión. 
 
Entre los cambios a la norma se establece que el gobierno puede intervenir contenido mediático de manera excepcional y solo cuando exista urgencia, atendiendo al interés social y al orden público. Además faculta al Ejecutivo a bloquear la señala de telecomunicaciones en lugares y eventos críticos, para la seguridad nacional y pública.
 
Honduras: 

-       El 11 de abril fue encontrado en su vivienda el cuerpo de Carlos Mejía Orellana, trabajador de Radio Progreso, quien presentaba heridas de arma blanca en el tórax. 
 
Mejía, al igual que otros trabajadores de Radio Progreso, recibió amenazas de muerte por su oposición al Golpe de Estado de junio de 2009. La Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos (CIDH) ordenó medidas cautelares a favor de Carlos Mejía Orellana, sin embargo éstas nunca fueron acatadas por las autoridades hondureñas.
 
-        A principios de abril el periodista Julio Ernesto Alvarado, de Globo TV, fue condenado a 16 meses de prisión bajo la acusación de haber difamado a la decana de la Facultad de Ciencias Económicas de la Universidad estatal. El periodista fue demandado por la directiva de la facultad, luego que diera a conocer que la Corte Suprema de Justicia (CSJ) formuló cargos contra ella, por falsificación de títulos a nivel superior, cuando se desempeñaba como secretaria de esa dependencia.

Alvarado pudo evitar la prisión, a cambio de pagar una multa de 246 dólares, sin embargo fue sentenciado a no poder ejercer el periodismo durante 16 meses.          
 
 Panamá: 
 
-       El periodista Ramón Cano fue asesinado la madrugada del martes 1 de abril, en las afueras de su hogar, cuando desconocidos intentaron asaltarlo. Cano se dirigía a su trabajo en Radio Ondas Chicanas.
 
El ataque contra el comunicado se dio alrededor de las 5 horas, cuando dos desconocidos intentaron asaltarlo, sin embargo él al oponer resistencia, le dispararon en la cabeza. Cano falleció en un hospital cuatro horas después del ataque.
 

***30.04.2014. PEC statement for the World Press Freedom Day 2014 (French and Arabic versions after English)

 PEC dedicates World Press Freedom Day 2014 to three journalists killed in Afghanistan and one in Egypt during the past two months

Geneva (30 April 2014) – The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) is dedicating World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) Saturday, to three brave journalists killed in Afghanistan in the past two months and one in Egypt. The PEC also wants to join the call of many other organizations to integrate freedom of the press in the UN sustainable development objectives post 2015.

The PEC honors the sacrifice of a colleague laureate German photographer Anja Niedringhaus who worked for the Associated Press (AP) and was based in Geneva. The board of the PEC knows well Anja Niedringhaus who was killed on April 4 in Khost by the bullets of blind fanaticism while covering the will of the Afghan people to move to democracy.

The PEC also honors the memory of Nils Horner, the correspondent of the Swedish radio, killed in Kabul on March 11, and the memory of Sardar Ahmad, a senior journalist of Agence France-Presse (AFP) killed in Kabul on March 20.

"Afghanistan is one of the poorest countries in the world and is passing through a very critical period of its troubled history. For journalists to be there as witnesses on the ground is a duty and very dangerous. The courage of our colleagues is exemplary", said PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen.

Up to date, a total of 34 journalists were killed since the beginning of the year in 14 countries; they were victims of violence mainly in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Egypt, Pakistan, Brazil, and Ukraine.

Hedayat Abdel Nabi, PEC President, pays a special tribute to honor Mayda Ashraf a young courageous journalist killed by the bullets of hatred while covering a violent demonstration in greater Cairo, Egypt, last month.

Today, in Egypt, after 10 journalists were killed since the start of the 25 January 2011 revolution,  journalists are signing a petition and the numbers are coming close to 1000 signatures to support the PEC draft convention to protect journalists in conflict zones and dangerous situations.

PEC calls for the integration of freedom of the press in the UN objectives post-2015

On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the PEC joins the call of many other organizations to integrate freedom of the press in the UN sustainable development objectives included in the post 2015.

The theme of this year’s World Press Freedom Day 2014 is ”freedom of the media for a better future: contributes to the development agenda post 2015”.

The PEC calls on the Open Working Group to fully integrate the governance recommendations of the UN High Level Panel of Eminent Persons Report (A New Global Partnership: Eradicate Poverty and Transform Economies through Sustainable Development) into the proposed Post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals, specifically in relation to its recommendations to: Establish a specific goal to “ensure good governance and effective institutions” and to: Include as components of this goal a clause to "ensure people enjoy freedom of speech, association, peaceful protest and access to independent media and information" and to "guarantee the public's right to information in all circumstances".

The PEC underlines that in order to guarantee the right to public information it becomes an absolute must to protect the security of journalists under all circumstances and at all times including in dangerous situations.

Journalists are independent witnesses without them very often serious human rights violations and violations of humanitarian law pass unchecked.

PEC 10th anniversary

The PEC will celebrate its 10th anniversary inJune. The NGO based in Geneva worked for a decade and more to mobilize the international community to proceed to strengthening the protection of journalists. Important texts were adopted on the safety of journalists by consensus at the UN Security Council in December 2006, by the Human Rights Council in 2012 and in December 2013 by the UN general Assembly.

However the PEC finds its work more needed than ever and a vital contribution since some 1000 journalists have been killed in a decade.

It is the hope of the PEC that during the June panel organized by the Human Rights Council on the Safety of journalists more progresses will be done, especially related to respect of good practices, the struggle to combat impunity and mechanisms of follow-up and pursuit of justice.

PEC concerned by the deterioration in Ukraine

In a world engulfed by many conflicts, threatening world peace, more efforts are indispensable to avoid that each week two journalists are killed while exercising their professional duty.

The PEC is particularly worried about the increasing tensions in Ukraine where two journalists have been killed since the beginning of the year. Other journalists, including foreign journalists were interrogated and detained, and others were hindered from doing their work, while media buildings were occupied by armed groups to censor the news or to deviate the information.  

The Geneva based NGO condemns all attempts to halt the exercise of free and independent flow of information by the media throughout Ukraine.

La PEC dédie la Journée mondiale de la liberté de la presse 2014 à trois journalistes tués en Afghanistan et une en Egypte au cours des deux derniers mois

Genève (30 avril 2014) La Presse Emblème Campagne (PEC) dédie la Journée mondiale de la liberté de la presse 2014, célébrée samedi, à trois journalistes courageux tués en Afghanistan au cours de ces deux derniers mois et une en Egypte. La PEC veut se joindre aussi à l'appel d'autres organisations pour intégrer la liberté de la presse dans les objectifs de l'ONU pour l'après-2015

La PEC rend hommage au sacrifice de la photographe allemande Anja Niedringhaus qui travaillait pour l’Associated Press (AP) et était basée à Genève. Le comité directeur de la PEC connaissait bien Anja Niedringhaus qui a été tuée le 4 avril à Khost par les balles du fanatisme aveugle alors qu’elle contribuait à témoigner de la volonté démocratique du peuple afghan.

La PEC honore aussi la mémoire de Nils Horner, correspondant de la radio suédoise, tué à Kaboul le 11 mars, et la mémoire de Sardar Ahmad, un journaliste de l’Agence France-Presse (AFP), tué à Kaboul le 20 mars.

« L’Afghanistan est l’un des pays les plus pauvres du monde et traverse une période critique de son histoire mouvementée. C’est un devoir pour les journalistes d’être présents sur place, mais c’est très dangereux. Le courage de nos confrères est exemplaire », a déclaré le secrétaire général de la PEC Blaise Lempen.

Depuis le début de l’année, 34 journalistes ont été tués dans 14 pays. Ils ont été les victimes des violences principalement en Irak, en Syrie, en Afghanistan, au Pakistan, au Brésil, en Ukraine et en Egypte.

La présidente de la PEC Hedayat Abdel Nabi a rendu un hommage spécial à la jeune journaliste égyptienne Mayda Ashraf, qui a été tuée par les balles de la haine alors qu’elle couvrait une manifestation violente au Caire le 28 mars.

En Egypte, alors que dix journalistes ont péri depuis le début de la révolution du 25 janvier 2011, près d’un millier de journalistes ont signé jusqu’ici une pétition en soutien au projet de Convention de la PEC sur la protection des journalistes dans les zones de conflit et en mission dangereuse.

La PEC se joint à l'appel d'autres organisations pour intégrer la liberté de la presse dans les objectifs de l'ONU pour l'après-2015

A l'occasion de la Journée mondiale de la liberté de la presse célébrée samedi, la Presse Emblème Campagne (PEC) se joint à l'appel de nombreuses autres organisations pour que la liberté de la presse soit incluse dans les objectifs de développement durable fixés par l'ONU pour l'après-2015.

La Journée mondiale de la liberté de la presse 2014 met l'accent sur le thème global La liberté des médias pour un avenir meilleur : contribuer à l'agenda de développement post-2015.

La PEC appelle dans ce contexte à intégrer pleinement les recommandations en matière de gouvernance formulées dans le rapport du Groupe de personnalités de haut niveau mandaté par les Nations Unies dans les objectifs de développement durable pour l’après-2015, et tout particulièrement la recommandation de fixer un objectif spécifique consistant à "assurer une bonne gouvernance et un cadre institutionnel efficace" - en incluant dans cet objectif une clause visant à "garantir le droit à la liberté d’expression, à la liberté d’association et à la liberté de réunion pacifique, ainsi que l’accès à des informations et des médias indépendants » pour « assurer le droit du public à l’information en toutes circonstances".

La PEC souligne que pour garantir le droit du public à l'information, il est essentiel que la sécurité des journalistes soit assurée en toutes circonstances, y compris dans les zones dangereuses. Les journalistes sont des témoins indépendants sans la présence desquels des violations des droits de l'homme et du droit humanitaire ont lieu trop souvent impunément.

La PEC célèbre son 10e anniversaire

La PEC va célébrer en juin le dixième anniversaire de sa création. Elle a contribué depuis dix ans à sensibiliser la communauté internationale à la nécessité de renforcer la protection des journalistes. Des textes importants sur la sécurité des journalistes ont été adoptés par consensus en décembre 2006 par le Conseil de sécurité de l'ONU, en septembre 2012 par le Conseil des droits de l'homme et en décembre 2013 par l'Assemblée générale de l'ONU.

Mais la PEC constate que son travail est plus que jamais nécessaire, alors que plus de mille journalistes ont été tués en une décennie.

Elle espère que le panel organisé sur la sécurité des journalistes à la prochaine session de juin du Conseil des droits de l'homme sera l'occasion de nouveaux progrès, en particulier dans le respect de bonnes pratiques, la lutte contre l'impunité et les mécanismes de suivi et de justiciabilité.

La PEC inquiète de la détérioration en Ukraine

Dans un monde secoué par de nombreux conflits, menaçant la paix mondiale, davantage d'efforts sont indispensables pour éviter que deux journalistes en moyenne soient tués chaque semaine dans l'exercice de leur métier.

La PEC est aussi inquiète des tensions grandissantes en Ukraine, où deux journalistes ont été tués depuis le début de l'année. Plusieurs journalistes, y compris étrangers, ont été interpellés et détenus, d'autres empêchés de faire leur travail et des bâtiments de médias ont été occupés par des groupes armés pour censurer ou détourner l'information. 

La PEC condamne toute entrave à un exercice libre et indépendant du travail d'information des médias sur l'ensemble du territoire de l'Ukraine. 

حملة الشارة الدولية تهدي يوم الصحافة العالمي إلى ذكرى 3 صحفيين قتلوا في أفغانستان و صحفية مصرية قتلوا خلال الشهرين الماضيين

جنيف-القاهرة 30 إبريل (حملة الشارة) – اهدت حملة الشارة الدولية يوم الصحافة العالمي هذا العام السبت القادم لإحياء ذكرى 3 صحفيين قتلوا في أفغانستان و صحفية قتلت في مصر خلال الشهرين الماضيين. 

و انضمت حملة الشارة، في نفس الوقت، الى نداءات منظمات متعددة تطالب بإدماج حرية الصحافة و الاعلام كجزء من أهداف التنمية المستدامة للأمم المتحدة في حقبة ما بعد 2015.

و قالت حملة الشارة أنها تحي ذكرى زميله لصحفيي جنيف و هي المصورة الصحفية العالمية أنجا نيدرينجهوس التي فازت بالعديد من الجوائز العالمية و عملت من جنيف مع وكالة الاسوشيتدبرس و قتلت في أفغانستان في 4 إبريل في خوست بواسطة رصاصات التطرف العمياء و هي تغطي رغبة الشعب الأفغاني للتحول إلى الديمقراطية.

كما تحي حملة الشارة الدولية ذكرى نيلز هورنر مراسل الاذاعة السويدية الذي قتل في 11 مارس الماضي و ساردار أحمد و كان يعمل مع وكالة الانباء الفرنسية و قتل في 20 مارس.     

و صرح سكرتير عام الحملة الدولية بليز ليمبان أن أفغانستان من أفقر دول العالم و تمر بمرحلة صعبة للغاية في تاريخها المتوتر مشيرا إلى وجود الصحفيين هناك كشاهد على الاحداث أمر في غاية الخطورة و يتطلب شجاعة فائقة منهم و من ثم لأننا نحي شجاعتهم.

و طبقاً لرصد الحملة فأنه قتل حتى الان 34 صحفيا و صحفية في 14 دولة بسبب العنف بالدرجة الأولى في 14 دولة منها العراق و سوريا و أفغانستان و مصر و باكستان و البرازيل و أوكرانيا.  

و قالت هدايت عبد النبي، رئيسة الحملة، ان الحملة تعتبر عيد الصحافة العالمي هذا العام إحياء أيضا لذكرى الصحفية المصرية ميادة أشرف التي قتلت في مظاهرة عنيفة برصاصات الكراهية في القاهرة الكبرى الشهر الماضي.

كما قتل في مصر منذ ثورة 25 يناير 2011 عشر صحفيين و يقوم الصحفيون حاليا بجمع الف توقيع لتعبئة السلطات المصرية نحو التوقيع على مشروع المعاهدة الدولية لحماية الصحفيين التي اعدتها الحملة الدولية في جنيف. 

و سوف تحتفل حملة الشارة بعقد على انشائها في 4 يونيو القادم و هي تعمل منذ لذلك الحين على المطالبة بتوفير الحماية القانونية للصحفيين في مناطق النزاعات المسلحة و الظروف الخطرة.

و تري الحملة أن عملها في غاية الأهمية بعد مقتل أكثر من ألف صحفي و هم يؤدون عملهم خلال السنوات العشر الماضية. 

و تأمل حملة الشارة في أن تتركز أعمال الحلقة النقاشية حول سلامة الصحفيين في يونيو القادم في مجلس حقوق الانسان على تحقيق التقدم في هذا الصدد و خاصة فيما يتعلق باحترام الإجراءات السليمة و مكافحة الافلات من العقاب و ايجاد أجهزة لتقديم الجناة إلى العدالة.

و اعربت الحملة عن قلقها الشديد بسبب التوتر المتزايد في أوكرانيا حيث قتل 2 من الصحفيين منذ بداية العام الحالي. و تدين حملة الشارة كل المحاولات لوقف ممارسة حرية و استقلال المعلومات من قبل الاعلام في كل أنحاء أوكرانيا.

لمزيد من المعلومات
  

***28.04.2014. Secretary-General report to the General Assembly on the implementation of
General Assembly resolution 68/163 - PEC contribution as requested by the United Nations (consult for reference the text of the resolution on our page Documents)

Introduction

Since the adoption of GA resolution 68/163, according to our organisation figures, 41 media workers have lost their lives in carrying out their duty. An undefined number (between 30 and 50) are detained or held incommunicado either by governmental forces or non-State actors, mainly in the Middle-East region.

Last year (2013), the second deadly year for media workers in the last ten years, 129 media workers were killed in the line of duty in 28 countries because of the coverage of several armed conflicts. Among those 129 victims 90 of them (70%) were killed in conflict zones or in violent unrest. Three quarter of them were intentionally targeted, others were killed mostly accidentally in bomb attacks. In 75% of the cases the victims are local media workers.

Almost none of these killings have been investigated and, like for the 96% of the more than thousand media workers killed in the last 10 years, the crimes remain unpunished.

Awareness is rising

Confronted to this new reality where the journalist who hunts information become a prey for terrorist groups, insurgents, paramilitary and governmental forces, the professional institutions have developed a number of tools in order to better prepare the media workers to work in dangerous situations.

International organisations, as well as trade unions, have developed training courses that enable media workers to acquire the basic knowledge of how to behave and to react in situations of armed confrontation or social tension.

Notably because of the increasing number of killed journalists and media workers around the world, the issue of their safety and protection has upgraded in the agenda of the international community.

Focus on the subject

While the issue of the safety of journalists has upgraded in the agenda of the international community, the PEC considers that a number of disturbing confusions may undermine the appreciation of the problems faced by media workers as well as their role and can jeopardize the analysis leading to the protection of them.

Media workers, journalists and their technical support colleagues, have been prepared for years in order to perform their job and they are bound by ethical rules to which private individuals are not.

Media workers are influenced by their education, cultural background, philosophical opinions and editorial instructions so that they can hardly be compared or assimilated to human rights defenders.

Due to the role journalists play in shaping public opinions, it is essential for the international community to have as many of them as possible on the ground to report and analyse specific situations so that the plurality of the reports can insure a broader image of the reality and a better understanding of the challenges of a crisis.

That is why media workers: need a specific protection that goes beyond the purpose of the IV Geneva Convention.

The limitations of existing international instruments

The reports presented to the twentieth session of the Human Rights Council by the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression and the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, as well as the report of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on good practices concerning the safety of journalists clearly demonstrate that none of the existing mechanisms, at the national, regional or international level, is instrumental in combating impunity, notably against the crimes committed in conflict situations.

Policies implemented by governments aimed at establishing a safe and enabling environment for media workers are effective only when a culture of freedom and plurality of opinion is already accepted. This is not the case of the large majority of countries confronted to mass uprising and violent confrontation or internal conflict: something else must ensure the protection of media workers.

Among his recommendations, the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions invited States and relevant United Nations bodies and agencies, in consultation with all relevant stakeholders, to explore the need for a specific United Nations instrument (A/HRC/20/22  par. 124).

Move from Impunity to the “Zero tolerance” culture

The Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action in 1993 already called for the protection of the media, a concept which is much larger than just security.

Impunity is without any doubt the main cause of the large number of killing of media workers as well as the growing phenomenon of violence against them such as torture, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and arbitrary detention, as well as intimidation and harassment, notably in conflict zones.

The most worrying aspect of this issue is that, too often, governmental authorities are the perpetrators of the crimes and that no action at all is taken in order to investigate and punish the responsible: one can assume that those acts are part of a deliberated policy of the State.

Under these conditions, it is unrealistic to believe that the State itself will conduct an independent inquiry on the crimes committed against a media worker. Only an international mechanism can insure a prompt and independent investigation that would be able to offer the protection media workers deserve.

Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), 28 April 2014.

***14.04.2014. EGYPT. PEC President Hedayat Abdel Nabi received from Egypt's Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy the Foreign Ministry Medal for outstanding media work.

PEC President Hedayat Abdel Nabi (left) received from Egypt's Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy (right) the Foreign Ministry Medal for outstanding media work during the very difficult times of Egypt's foreign policy.

Abdel Nabi, after the ceremony, handed to the Minister the PEC draft Convention to Protect Journalists in Conflict Zones and Dangerous Situations.

Journalists meet to create the international initiative to protect journalists-Egypt branch

Cairo-April 22 ( IIPJ)- In response to the growing attacks against journalists in Egypt, a group of journalists have met and established the International Initiative to Protect Journalists (IIPJ)-Cairo branch- whose objective is to solicit public support among journalists for the PEC Draft Convention to Protect Journalists in Conflict Zones and dangerous situations.

The IIPJ whose membership is of young Egyptian journalists also call upon newspapers to appoint trainees and insure that those who will cover in the field are properly trained and insured upon.

The group chose PEC President Hedayat Abdel Nabi, as President and

AbdelGawad Abukab as Secretary-General.

Ten journalists so far have been killed in Egypt since the 25th of January revolution.

The IIPJ will hold its second meeting next Saturday to mobilize 1000 journalists to sign the PEC draft convention.

The item published online in Arabic:

http://www.gomhuriaonline.com/main.asp?v_article_id=159477

***03.04.2014. PEC first quarter report: 27 journalists killed in 3 months - PEC worried about the protection of journalists during demos (French and Arabic below)

PEC first quarter report: 27 journalists killed in 3 months
PEC worried about the protection of journalists during demos 
 
Geneva (PEC) 3 April – The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) has registered the killing of 27 journalists in 13 countries since the beginning of the year while exercising their profession and is worried at the growing number killed during the coverage of demonstrations.

5 journalists were killed in Iraq which makes it again the most dangerous country for media work, followed by Pakistan 4 killed, same figure for Brazil, 3 in Afghanistan, 2 in Syria and 2 in Mexico.

One journalist was killed in the following countries: Saudi Arabia, Cambodia, Colombia, Egypt, Lebanon, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Ukraine.

During the same period the tally last year stood at 30 journalists killed.

Violent demonstrations in many countries

Since the beginning of the year four journalists were killed in demonstration’s coverage: one in Brazil, one in Egypt, one in Pakistan and one in Ukraine.

Many others were wounded physically attacked and hindered from doing their work during the coverage of popular uprisings in Ukraine, Brazil, Turkey, Egypt and Venezuela.

PEC secretary-general Blaise Lempen noted that during uprisings demos escalate and turn into violence in many countries and journalists who are there to cover and pay testimony are put in direct danger due to the violence.

Lempen added that the PEC calls upon the authorities of law and order to respect the independence of journalists and to guarantee in an effective manner their protection during popular uprisings.

PEC reminds that the United Nations adopted at the 25th session of the Human Rights Council a resolution on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of peaceful protests (A/HRC/25/L20) which stated:

“8. Calls upon all States to pay particular attention to the safety of journalists and media workers covering peaceful protests, taking into account their specific role, exposure and vulnerability;

12. Calls upon States to investigate any death or significant injury committed during protests, including those resulting from the discharge of firearms or the use of nonlethal weapons by officials exercising law enforcement duties;” 

The PEC reminds governments of their obligations as well as keeping the journalists safe during the cross fire or sniper activity.

In addition the PEC denounces the fact that a dozen of foreign journalists including four French are detained in inhuman conditions since months in Syria.

Lempen stressed that such prolonged detention is scandalous and for families of the detained it equals torture.

The perpetrators of those kidnappings in Syria must be held accountable.

Growing support in Egypt

PEC president Hedayat Abdel Nabi uncovered the growing movement in Egypt following the killing of the young Egyptian journalist Mayada Ashraf last Friday during a pro-Muslim brother demonstration in Cairo.

Abdel Nabi noted that dozens of young Egyptian journalists have pledged to endorse the PEC draft convention for the protection of journalists in conflict zones and dangerous situations.

She added that they have placed on Facebook an event carrying the name of the PEC in Arabic and the draft convention is flagged on the page event.

They plan, she said, is to collect thousands of signatures to endorse the draft then bring the endorsement to the attention of the Egyptian government in order to move to a historic step to sign it.

She called upon journalists who face similar circumstances in popular uprisings in other countries to follow suit.


Rapport PEC pour le premier trimestre 2014
En trois mois, 27 journalistes tués - La PEC inquiète pour la protection des journalistes lors de manifestations 

Genève (PEC), 3 avril 2014 – Depuis le début de l’année, 27 journalistes ont été tués dans l’exercice de leurs fonctions dans 13 pays, a affirmé jeudi la Presse Emblème Campagne (PEC). L’ONG est particulièrement préoccupée par le nombre accru de victimes lors de manifestations.

Avec cinq journalistes tués depuis le début de l’année, l’Irak est redevenu le pays le plus dangereux, devant le Pakistan (quatre tués), à égalité avec le Brésil (quatre tués). Trois journalistes ont été tués en Afghanistan, 2 en Syrie et 2 au Mexique.

Un journaliste a été tué dans les pays suivants : Arabie saoudite, Cambodge, Colombie, Egypte, Liban, République démocratique du Congo et Ukraine. Pendant la même période de l’an dernier, 30 journalistes avaient été tués.

Manifestations violentes dans plusieurs pays

Depuis le début de l’année, quatre journalistes ont été tués lors de manifestations : un au Brésil, un en Egypte, un au Pakistan, et un en Ukraine. Beaucoup d’autres journalistes ont été blessés, agressés physiquement, empêchés de faire leur travail lors de mouvements populaires en Ukraine, au Brésil, en Turquie, en Egypte et au Venezuela.

« Les manifestations de protestation se multiplient dans de nombreux pays et les journalistes qui sont là pour témoigner sont directement mis en danger par les violences », a affirmé le secrétaire général de la PEC Blaise Lempen. « Nous appelons les autorités responsables de l’ordre public à respecter l’indépendance des journalistes et à assurer de manière efficace leur sécurité lors de manifestations populaires», a-t-il ajouté.   

La PEC rappelle que le 28 mars dernier, l’ONU a adopté à la 25e session du Conseil des droits de l’homme une résolution sur « La promotion et la protection des droits de l’homme dans le contexte de manifestations pacifiques » (A/HRC/25/L20) qui, entre autres: 

« 8. Demande à tous les États d’accorder une attention particulière à la sécurité des journalistes et des professionnels des médias qui couvrent les manifestations pacifiques, en tenant compte de leur rôle spécifique, de leur exposition et de leur vulnérabilité; » et

« 12. Engage les États à enquêter sur tous les cas de décès ou de blessure survenus
pendant une manifestation, y compris ceux qui découlent de tirs d’armes à feu ou de
l’utilisation d’armes non létales par des agents des forces de l’ordre; »

La PEC rappelle aux gouvernements leurs obligations, y compris la nécessité d’assurer la sécurité des journalistes lors de tirs croisés ou de francs-tireurs.

La PEC tient aussi à dénoncer le fait qu’une dizaine de journalistes étrangers, dont quatre Français, sont détenus depuis des mois en Syrie, dans des conditions inhumaines. « Cette détention prolongée est scandaleuse et s’assimile pour les victimes et les familles à de la torture », a déclaré Blaise Lempen. Les auteurs de tels kidnappings devront rendre des comptes.

Mouvement de soutien en Egypte

La présidente de la PEC Hedayat Abdel Nabi a affirmé que le mouvement de soutien s’est élargi en Egypte à la suite du meurtre de la jeune journaliste égyptienne Mayada Ashraf vendredi dernier pendant une manifestation pro-Morsi au Caire.

Plusieurs dizaines de journalistes égyptiens ont promis de soutenir le projet de Convention de la PEC sur la protection des journalistes dans les zones de conflit et zones dangereuses. Une page Facebook a été ouverte en arabe avec le projet de convention dans le but de recueillir des milliers de signatures et de le soumettre ensuite au gouvernement égyptien, a indiqué Hedayat Abdel Nabi.

La présidente de la PEC a invité les journalistes confrontés à des circonstances similaires lors de révoltes populaires dans d’autres pays à suivre cet exemple.

تقرير حملة الشارة: 27 صحفيا و صحفية قتلوا منذ بداية العام

حملة الشارة تعرب عن قلقها لحالة حماية الصحفيين خلال المظاهرات

جنيف-القاهرة -2 إبريل (حملة الشارة) – اعلنت حملة الشارة الدولية لحماية الصحفي في تقريرها الربع سنوي ان 27 صحفيا و صحفية قتلوا في 13 دولة خلال الأشهر الثلاثة الأوائل من هذا العام خلال أداء عملهم معربه عن قلقها عن زيادة عدد الذين قتلوا خلال تغطية المظاهرات.

و عادت العراق إلى الصدارة في خطورة العمل الصحفي بمقتل 5 صحفيين، ثم باكستان 4 و نفس الرقم في البرازيل، 3 في أفغانستان، 2 في سوريا و 2 في المكسيك.

و قتل صحفي واحد في أوكرانيا، و في كمبوديا و في كولومبيا و صحفية في مصر و أخر في لبنان و اخر في جمهورية الكونغو الديمقراطية و أخر في السعودية.

بلغ عدد القتلى من الصحفيين في العام الماضي 30 في نفس الفترة.

منذ بداية العام الحالي قتل 4 صحفيين خلال تغطيتهم المظاهرات في البرازيل و مصر و باكستان و أوكرانيا.

كما جرح عدد كبير منهم و لم يتمكنوا من اكمال عملهم خلال مظاهرات صاخبة في أوكرانيا و البرازيل و تركيا و مصر و فنزويلا.

و صرح سكرتير عام الحملة بليز ليمبان أنه خلال الانتفاضات تتحول المظاهرات إلى العنف في عدد كبير من الدول و يجد الصحفيون انفسهم في خطر مباشر عند التغطية التي تهدف نقل الوقائع و الشهادات. 

و طالب السلطات المعنية في هذه الدول عن النظام و الامن باحترام الصحفيين و ضمان بطريقة عملية حمايتهم في الانتفاضات.

و تدكر حملة الشارة الجمهور في كل مكان و الدول أعضاء مجلس حقوق الإنسان أن المجلس قد أقر قرارا يوم 28 مارس 2014 في دورته الـ 25 لتدعيم و حماية حقوق الانسان في ظل التظاهرات السلمية و الذي ينص على

 (A/HRC/25/L20) 

* يطالب القرار  الدول بالعناية بصفة خاصة بسلامة الصحفيين و العاملين في الاعلام خلال تغطيتهم للمظاهرات السلمية اخذين في الاعتبار دورهم المحدد و تعرضهم للخطر و كونهم عزل

*يطالب الدول بالتحقيق في اية حوادث وفاة أو اصابات ملموسة ترتكب خلال المظاهرات التي يتسبب فيها انتشار الأسلحة أو استخدام الاسلحة غير القاتلة من قبل المسئولين الذين يعملون على تنفيذ واجبات القانون.

إن حملة الشارة الدولية تذكر الحكومات بالتزاماته بما في ذلك التحقق من سلامة الصحفيين خلال تبادل اطلاق النار أو حين تبدأ فرق القنص الخارجة عن القانون في ارتكاب جرائمها.

كما تستنكر حملة الشارة أن العشرات من الصحفيين الأجانب قد اعتقلوا في سوريا في ظروف غير انسانية منذ أشهر. 

و أكد ليمبان أن هذه الفترات المطولة من الاعتقال فضيحة  و ترقى بالنسبة لأسر الصحفيين المعتقلين إلى مرتبة التعذيب مؤكدا على ضرورة تقديم الجناة إلى المحاكمة.   

في حين كشفت رئيسة حملة الشارة الدولية هدايت عبد النبي عن حركة تتزايد في مصر بعد مقتل الصحفية مياده أشرف يوم الجمعة الماضي في مظاهرات موالية للإخوان بالقاهرة لجمع الاف التوقيعات لتبني مشروع المعاهدة الدولية لحماية الصحفي و المقدمة من حملة الشارة.

و اضافت أنه تم فتح صفحة على الفيس بوك باسم حملة الشارة وضع عليها مشروع المعاهدة الدولية مشيرة إلى أن حركة شباب الصحفيين تهدف الى تقديم الاف التوقيعات للحكومة المصرية كي تتحرك في اتجاه تاريخي للتوقيع على المعاهدة.

و طالبت عبد النبي الصحفيين في الدول التي لها ظروف مشابهه لحالة المظاهرات في مصر أن يبدؤوا نفس التحرك لدعم المعاهدة الدولية. لمزيد من المعلومات حول الضحايا

***03.04.2014. Violaciones contra la libertad de expresión en México y Centroamérica – Marzo 2014 -
Colaboración de Cerigua para PEC.

Guatemala:

Jueves 13 de marzo 

1.    Miembros de la Policía Nacional Civil (PNC) agredieron a varios miembros de la prensa cuando cubrían una diligencia ministerial en el municipio de Amatitlán, aledaño a  la capital guatemalteca.

Los agentes trataron de impedir que  los reporteros tomaran imágenes del lugar, además de tapar las lentes de las cámaras y halar a uno de ellos para que no hiciera su trabajo. Aparentemente, los oficiales tenían órdenes del Ministerio Público (MP) de retirar a los periodistas del área.

Los reporteros intentaban cubrir un hecho de mucha relevancia.

2.    Durante la captura de un sujeto en estado de ebriedad que provocó daños a unas motocicletas, un agente de la PNC trató de impedir a un camarógrafo que tomará imágenes del sindicado, argumentado que con ello violaba sus derechos. El incidente se produjo el 13 de marzo en el departamento de San Marcos, fronterizo con México.

Sábado 15 de marzo 
 
3.    Desconocidos irrumpieron en la vivienda del columnista del Diario  Prensa Libre Antonio Mosquera, hurtando equipo de cómputo, joyas y objetos de valor. Los malhechores dejaron tirado documentos de identificación de familiares del profesional, así como dinero en efectivo, lo que hace pensar que se trató de un acto de intimidación.
 
Mosquera contaba con seguridad perimetral debido a amenazas en su contra, sin embargo ese día los agentes que los resguardaban se retiraron, al concluir el período de las medidas de protección.
 
Sábado 22 de marzo 
 
4.    El reportero Mynor Mazariegos, de Siglo 21, sufrió amenazas por parte de aficionados y directivos de un club deportivo de segunda división, luego de un encuentro futbolístico. Uno de los sujetos, a quien llamaban “Don Edwin” le afirmó que si en caso publicaba algo del incidente lo asesinaría.

Martes 25 de marzo

5.    Los reporteros Andrea Ortiz y Remigio López, de los noticieros locales  Regional Informativo de Oriente y Noticiero La Verdad fueron agredidos por la directora de un centro educativo y sus familiares, cuando daban cobertura a un incidente con padres y madres de familias de alumnos del establecimiento.

La presencia de los periodistas molestó a la directora, por lo que llamó a sus familiares, quienes amenazaron, intentaron quitarles su equipo de trabajo y los retuvieron por varios minutos.
 
Viernes 28 de marzo

6.    Elementos del Cuerpo de seguridad  de la Presidencia negaron el acceso a una reunión entre el Mandatario guatemalteco y  el Presidente electo de El Salvador, al reportero Rodrigo Estrada, de elPeriódico, argumentando que no estaba acreditado.
 
Carmen Mora, asistente de la Secretaría de Comunicación de la Presidencia,  dijo al reportero que no lo podía dejar ingresar porque no contaba con la acreditación de dicho evento, además aseguró que eran órdenes de la seguridad presidencial. A todos los periodistas que cubrían la actividad se les permitió el ingreso sin necesidad de dicho documento.
 
7.    Tres días después, el lunes 31 de marzo, un miembro de la seguridad presidencial intentó vedar nuevamente el acceso a Casa Presidencial al periodista, sin embargo éste se comunicó con un abogado y con la Procuraduría de Derechos Humanos (PDH) para informar de la situación, por lo que minutos después lo dejaron entrar.
 
8.    La revista Contra Poder fue demanda penalmente por allegados a un político, quienes acusaron al medio de de cuatro delitos y de haberles causado daños morales, debido a errores en una nota.

Días antes, el semanario publicó una nota, respecto a un campo pagado donde personas mostraban su apoyo al político, pero  no mostraron sus nombres sino solo números de identificación profesional.
 
Ante esto, el medio buscó en el Colegio de Abogados a los firmantes, encontrado que siete de ellos estaban muertos. El medio erróneamente  adjudico los nombres a este Colegio, sin embargo las personas pertenecían a diversas profesiones. Luego de esto, el semanario publicó una rectificación, tanto en su edición escrita como en línea, del escrito.

MÉXICO: 
 
1.    El semanario “Proceso” denunció la compra masiva de la edición 150 de su revista en varios puntos del Estado de México y en la ciudad de Guadalajara, Jalisco.
 
Varios sujetos se apersonaron con los voceadores y les pidieron “todas las ediciones de la Revista Proceso”, pagando en efectivo por ellas. En esa edición, el medio colocó como portada una fotografía del Gobernador Eruviel Ávila, del Estado de México, con el título “Disputa Sangrienta”.

2.    La corresponsal de Reporteros sin Fronteras en México, Balbina Flores Martínez, recibió amenazas de muerte el miércoles 12 de marzo, por parte de un sujeto que le aseguró que lo habían contratado para dañarla.
 
Dicho individuo, quien dijo ser el “Comandante Omar Treviño”, llamó a la corresponsal de RsF para verificar su identidad, luego se comunicó con ella nuevamente para decirle que le habían pagado para hacerle daño y conocía bien sus movimientos, porque desde hacía 15 días la investigaba.

3.    La noche del domingo 16 de marzo, la vivienda del director de Artículo 19, Darío Ramírez, fue allanada por desconocidos, quienes robaron computadoras, con información de trabajo y otros objetos de valor.
 
El hecho se dio a pocos días que la organización hiciera público su estudio sobre libertad de expresión en México, del 2013, titulado “Disentir en Silencio: violencia contra la prensa y criminalización de la protesta”.
 
4.    El lunes 3 de marzo policías agredieron a tres reporteros, durante las manifestaciones a favor de Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán”, supuesto narcotraficante detenido semanas atrás.
 
Durante las marchas, realizadas en el Estado de Sinaloa, los policías dispararon al aire para dispersar a las personas. Cuando un reportero del diario Noroeste tomaba fotografías de los casquillos, fue agredido físicamente por los agentes, quienes le causaron lesiones en la cabeza, costillas y piernas.
 
Posteriormente, una camarógrafa del sitio en red Noroeste documentaba la marcha, cuando cuatro agentes la despojaron de su equipo de trabajo. Horas antes, un fotógrafo de Noroeste fue golpeado por oficiales, al momento en que tomaba imágenes de la detención de manifestantes.
 
5.    Gerardo Duque, reportero de la empresa Corporativo de Medios, en San Luis Potosí, denunció haber sido arrestado arbitrariamente por agentes de la Secretaría de Seguridad Pública del Estado. 
 
El reportero fue detenido el viernes 31 en horas de la madrugada y fue acosado por “orinar” frente a un oficial.  Sin embargo el afectado afirmó que los policías lo encañonaron cuando se encontraba en su vehículo y lo bajaron por la fuerza, esposándolo y subiéndolo al vehículo policial.
 
Duque consideró esta acción como una represalia a su trabajo, debido a que ha dado a conocer abusos cometidos por las fuerzas de seguridad contra comunidades indígenas.
 
HONDURAS: 
 
1.    La mañana del miércoles 4 de marzo la difusión de la emisora Cadena Hondureña de Noticias (CHN) fue interrumpida por un lapso aproximado de cinco horas, por miembros de la Oficina de Bienes Incautados de Honduras (OABI), argumentando que se debía a órdenes de la Presidencia. Aparentemente, con esta acción se buscaba dejar fuera del aire a la radio.
 
2.    El Presidente de la República, Juan Orlando Hernández, señaló a Canal 36 y Radio Globo de hablar de “Limpieza social”  por los recientes asesinatos de varios jóvenes en el país, para culpar al Gobierno. Ya sabemos cuál es su agenda política y el pueblo hondureño ha aprendido a discernir de dónde vienen las cosas y porqué las dicen, afirmó el Mandatario en una entrevista televisiva.

Fin

***01.04.2014. Taliban declare War on Pakistani Media - exclusive report of the PEC correspondent in Islamabad Israr Khan

ISLAMABAD: The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) has expressed grave concern over the pathetic condition of journalists’ safety in Pakistan where media is passing through the worst time of its 67-yer history. Journalists, television anchors, and media houses are under a constant threat of militants’ attacks, as they have been warned several times by Taliban, “If you are not with us, then don’t be against us.”

The outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a local group of militants who also have tentacles of Al-Qaida and harboring in Pakistan’s Tribal areas bordering Afghanistan has put dozens of journalists and television anchor on its hit list to be targeted if found a chance. These journalists are boldly exposing and criticizing their brutalities.

Taliban declare war on Media:

The trade unions and senior media practitioners have termed it a new war of ‘sword and pen, camera and bomb, and microphone and gun’. The militants organization two-month back in February went to the extent that it issued a 29-page fatwa (religious decree) against the media and warned it, “If you are not with us, then don’t be against us. Be impartial, otherwise ready for your death.” It further said that a few security men cannot guard you, if we can hit military installations, then what you are.

It blamed that Pakistani media is working for infidels and is not impartial and fair in coverage. It has been acting as propagandists and continuously lying about the TTP.

It was the first time that TTP took a clear stance against Pakistani media. It indicates that the media has a very deep impact on Pakistani society and it is afraid that media is awakening the masses against their brutalities and militancy which they (militants) think could become a serious threat to their existence.

Taliban have disclosed to the journalists who have sources in TTP that they have a hit-list of about six dozen journalists’ and television anchors who are working against them. However, they will not disclose the names and are keeping a vigilant eye over them if found chance will target them.

Express Media Group under constant attacks:

In a latest case of violence against media, unidentified gunmen opened fire on the car of Express television anchor and analyst Raza Rumi in Lahore, injuring him and killing his driver. The attack took place just he left office after hosting his television programme.

Although he had not received any direct threats, he was reportedly on the hit-list of some extremist groups. “Was fired at near Raja Market… I was dreading this day,” Rumi tweeted soon after the attack.

After the attack in an interview with his channel he said, “We will continue to speak the truth and not back down. Politicians will not benefit from remaining quiet while journalists are muzzled… these bullets will target them tomorrow if they do not take notice today,” he said. “There will be no security or governance left in Pakistan.”

Nobody has claimed the responsibility for the attack on Rumi, however fingers are still raised towards same militant outfit. Obviously, it will not openly claim the responsibility, as it will be then considered as violation of a month-long ceasefire agreement with government.

This was the fifth attack on Express Media group during last few months. On March 19, a bomb was also found outside the residence of Express television bureau Chief Mr. Jamshed Baghwan in Peshawar.

In another assault, four armed men fired indiscriminately outside the entrance of the Express Media Group office in Karachi, injuring two members of staff, including a guard who is paralyzed and a woman on August 16, 2013.

On December 2, 2013, three people were injured when the Karachi office came under attack. Two hand grenades were hurled at the office building, while unknown assailants opened indiscriminate fire. The TTP later claimed its responsibility.

On January 17, three employees of the same television channel were brutally killed in Karachi when militants targeted its digital satellite news gathering (DSNG) van. In this attack, technician Waqas, driver Khalid, and guard Ashraf were killed.

After killing these staffers, TTP claimed the responsibility and its former spokesman Ihsanullah Ehsan told Express TV that the channel had been attacked, as Taliban considered its coverage biased. They will continue attacking journalists whom they disagree. The Express television quoted Ehsan as saying, "Channels should give coverage to our ideology. Otherwise we will continue attacking the media."

Journalists Casualties from Jan-March 2014:

Since January 2014, four Pakistani journalists have been killed in various parts of the country. Besides, score of journalists have been tortured through the hands of militants, political parties and sometimes agencies.

On the eve of New Year, Mr. Shah Dahar, a senior journalist of a news television channel ‘Aaab Tak’ was targeted in Badha area of Larkana, Sindh province. He was taken to hospital in serious condition, but unfortunately next morning on Jan 1, he succumbed to his injuries.

Interestingly, Dahar had nominated the culprits before his death in a statement that indicates that he was targeted for his reporting. He was working on a story about sale of government medicines at local private drug stores. Shan captured some footage for samples of medicines available at private drug stores as proof to highlight the corruption depriving the poor from due right to get medicine purchased by government by national exchequer money.

Drug store owners were annoyed with him. Shan received threatening calls and text messages from some unknown numbers and he subsequently informed Police of the area and showed the threatening text but no action was taken timely and lethargy led to the killing.

On January 30, the body of a missing journalist Mr. BakhTaj Yousafzai was found in district Mardan of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He was brutally slaughtered by unidentified men and dumped his body. He was working with a local Urdu language daily Manzareaam. He got married six months ago and had no enmity with anyone.

On Feb 2, Senior Journalist and Reporter of Daily Balochistan times Quetta Mr. Muhammad Afzal Khwaja and his driver were shot dead by armed men along Dera Allah Yar road in Balochistan. Police said that they were returning from Jacobabad in a vehicle, as their vehicle reached in Cattle Thana police area, five armed men standing along Dera Allah Yar road signaled to stop the vehicle but driver took it away. Gunmen opened fire in which they died on the scene.

Mr. Ibrar Tanoli who was attached with a London-based Reuters’ news agency as stringer photojournalist, reporter with a local paper and General Secretary of Mansehra press club was seriously injured by unidentified gunmen in District Mansehra, Pakistan on March 2, 2014. He was taken to hospital in serious condition where he latter succumbed to his injuries next day (March 3).

Nawaz Sharif government’s military action against Militants:

The government had opened negotiations with the TTP to end its bloody seven-year insurgency. But still there was violence against media, public and military. It was media that pushed Nawaz Sharif’s government to take action against the banned TTP in North Waziristan and other parts of the tribal areas. The Pakistani Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, has pledged to do more to protect Pakistani journalists.

After accurately precisely targeting their hideouts, dozens of militants were killed. The talks remained stalled for more than two months.

To get things going again, the Pakistani government used its unmanned drones to effectively create fear and disarray. Seeing the drones made them feel threatened — as if something bad is coming soon. Not long after, Taliban announced a month-long ceasefire and agreed to resume negotiations with the government.

They are using this mountainous region borders Afghanistan as a springboard to carry out major terrorist attacks inside Pakistan.

Aerial military strikes against these local and foreign militants forced them to flee the area and are now desperately searching for a safe spot to hide. They are moving near a restive region along the Afghan–Pakistan–Iran border and Afghanistan’s Nimroz province. The lingering threat of an expected full-scale military offensive strike has also pushed the disbanded TTP to announce a month-long ceasefire and hold purposeful talks with the government.

Israr Khan, PEC Rep in Islamabad

***29.03.2014. EGYPT. PEC condemns the killing of Egyptian woman journalist

Geneva - March 29 (PEC) - The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) condemns forcefully the killing of Mayada Ashraf, Friday, who worked for the privately owned Al-Dustour newspaper.

Mayada Ashraf, 22 years of age, an active, brave and courageous journalist, had been covering for the past months pro-Muslim brotherhood demonstrations, Friday's was one of the worst in the district of Ein Shams.

Reports claim that Mayada was targeted by pro-Muslim brotherhood thugs, was shot in the neck while covering clashes in the northern neighborhood of Ein Shams.

The PEC, while lamenting with deep sorrow the killing of the Egyptian journalist, awaits the results of the investigations into her death and who shot her.

Mayada graduated from the Media faculty last year. Read more on:

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/news/africa/10589-egypt-who-killed-mayada-ashraf

***24.03.2014. HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL. 25th session. PEC statement delivered on the situation of journalists in Ukraine

General Assembly
Human Rights Council
25th session

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

General debate

Mr. President,

In 1993, at the Vienna World Conference on Human Rights, underlining the importance of objective, responsible and impartial information about human rights and humanitarian issues, the international community encouraged the increased involvement of the media, for whom freedom and protection should be guaranteed[1].

In adopting resolution 21/12, this very Council called upon States to promote a safe and enabling environment for journalists to perform their work independently and without undue interference.

Since the adoption of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, the killing of media workers, as well as the number and the different forms of interference have increased dramatically, in particular in zones of conflict and in countries confronted with turmoil and civil unrests.

The Press Emblem Campaign is deeply concerned by the fact that dozens of journalists were injured while covering the violent demonstrations in Kiev. Many of these journalists were deliberately targeted although they were clearly identifiable and not participating in the protests; none of their cases have been yet properly investigated.

The PEC is equally concerned by the different form of threats journalists have to face in Crimea since the annexation of the province to the Russian Federation. Several media workers have been reportedly abducted, arbitrarily arrested, beaten threatened, tortured and they belongings were damaged, sequestered or stolen.

The PEC, recalling GA resolution 68/163 adopted last December, calls on the Ukrainian and Russian authorities to do their utmost to prevent violence against journalists and media workers, to ensure accountability through the conduct of impartial, speedy and effective investigations into all alleged violence against journalists and media workers falling within their jurisdiction and to bring the perpetrators of such crimes to justice and ensure that victims have access to appropriate remedies.

I thank you for your attention.

[1] A/CONF.157/23 (par. 39)

***24.03.2014. HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL. 25th session. PEC statement delivered on the situation of journalists in Palestine 

General Assembly
Human Rights Council
25th session

Item 7  -   Human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories

General debate
 
Mr. President,

The Press Emblem Campaign denounces the limitations imposed and the harassment on media workers in Israel and in the Occupied Palestinian Territories by both, the Israeli and the Palestinian authorities. Ultimately the lack of protection given to media workers in the most longstanding conflict is matter of deep concern for our organization.

Observers witnessed an unprecedented escalation of violations against journalists by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) in the West Bank; the Israeli violations against Palestinian journalists are the most dangerous, life threatening, and the most frequent, but the Palestinian violations are still high in numbers.

According to the Annual report 2013 published two weeks ago by the Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA), the total violations of media freedoms in Palestine during 2013 were 229. The Israeli occupation committed 151 violations in the West Bank only, while various Palestinian parties committed 50 violations in Gaza and 28 in the West Bank. The different kind of violations are: physical assault, detention, arrest, prevention from coverage, travel bans, interrogation, threat, raiding, closing and blocking, trial, and confiscation of equipment.

February witnessed a serious escalation of violations by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) against journalists in the occupied Palestine, embodied by the targeting of journalists with rubber bullets and tear gas, preventing them by exercising violence from covering events, the detention of a cartoonist, and extending the administrative detention of another journalist.

The PEC is particularly alarmed by and strongly condemns the growing number of violations of the rights of women journalists in the West Bank as well as in Gaza. Here women journalists face numerous threats due to their profession, including the threat of fabrication of a moral case against the journalist if she continues her criticism of the local government.

Considering the important role media workers have to play in providing information from different sources to the public and to the decision-makers, particularly, in a situation of foreign occupation and conflict, , we invite the Special Rapporteur to include in his report a section dedicated to the situation of media workers in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

I thank you for your attention.

***19.03.2014. HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL. 25th session. PEC STATEMENT DELIVERED AT THE OCCASION OF THE GENERAL DEBATE by the PEC Representative at the United Nations

General Assembly
Human Rights Council
25th session

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

Mr. President,

The year 2013 has been the second deadly year for media workers in the last ten years because of the coverage of several armed conflicts. 129 media workers were killed in the line of duty in 28 countries. Among those 129 victims 90 of them (70%) were killed in conflict zones or in violent unrest. Three quarter of them were intentionally targeted, others were killed mostly accidentally in bomb attacks. Details of the geographical distribution of the casualties can be found in our written contribution (A/HRC/25/NGO/107). As of today, 24 media workers have been already killed in 2014, which represents more or the less the same monthly average as last year.

The Press Emblem Campaign is particularly concerned about the situation of journalists and media workers in conflict zones. We have to stress here, on one hand, the particular role journalists and media workers play in providing information to the public and the decision makers and, on the other hand, the importance to have different sources of information, which is the only guarantee to give everyone the possibility to have an accurate picture of a troubled situation.

The Press Emblem Campaign calls on the attention of the Council on the growing phenomenon of severe intimidation media workers have to face in conflict zones, notably arbitrary arrests, abduction and kidnapping, either for political reasons or merely to finance the armed struggle.

The PEC expresses its deep concern about the large number of media workers arrested and detained for unreasonable long term in Turkey and in Egypt, as well as about the climate of violence against media workers and the impunity prevailing in Pakistan, especially in conflict zones.

Impunity at large, fuels violence and violations of human rights, war crimes and crimes against humanity; States have the primarily responsibility to implement international law and protect human rights. The impunity linked to the crimes committed against media workers fuels those crimes; States have to find the adequate mechanism to effectively protect media workers in conflict zones.

The time has come to move from a culture of impunity to a “zero tolerance” culture towards violence against journalists and media workers.

I thank you for your attention.

***18.03.2014. SYRIA - Report of the commission of inquiry - PEC STATEMENT DELIVERED AT THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL by the PEC Representative at the United Nations Gianfranco Fattorini

General Assembly
Human Rights Council
25th session

Item 4  -   Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention
 
Report of the Independent international commission of inquiry on the situation
in the Syrian Arab Republic (A/HRC/25/65) 

Mr. President,

The Press Emblem Campaign commends the Independent international commission of inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic for its report and expresses its appreciation for its established practice to have a particular section dedicated to the situation of journalists facing all possible violation of their fundamental rights which remain unpunished.

The PEC strongly condemns hostage-taking and arbitrary detention of more than 30 foreign journalists occurred during last year, with at least a dozen of them still held for several months in inhuman and unjustifiable circumstances; PEC calls upon all States to cooperate for their immediate release and contribute to respect international humanitarian law in accordance with their obligations. We invite the IICI to update the Council with the list of media workers detained or kidnapped either by the Syrian government or the opposition armed groups, a practice that should be considered as a crime and, as such, cannot be accepted.

Indeed, Syria was the deadliest country for media workers in 2013 and, as of today, since the closing of the last session of this very Council, the PEC counts 5 more media workers killed in the country. We wish to point out here again that PEC statistics counts only professional journalists and media workers in order to highlight the specific mission accomplished by them that, in our view, requires a specific protection.

The PEC expresses its deep concern about the different forms of threat posed on media workers by the armed opposition groups and vigorously denounces the inhuman or degrading treatment imposed on media workers. Self censorship has become the most vicious and pervasive way to silence journalists in Syria; with many leaving the country. We wish to call the attention of the IICI on the case of Mrs Sevra Baklaci a Turkish journalist who is subject to death threat by opposition groups because she conducted a research on the crimes committed against the Alawites.

The PEC honours the courage of the journalists who created the Syria’s first independent Kurdish-language newspaper Nu Dem (New Time).

Finally, the PEC is still very concerned about the fate of Mazen Darwish, Director of the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression, who was arrested in February 2012 and is still held in arbitrary detention with his two colleagues Hani Zitani and Hussein Al Ghurair are. The PEC calls again on the Commission of Inquiry to investigate and to report to the Council on this particular case.

I thank you for your attention.
18 March 2014

***11.03.2014. PEC statement. A bloody month of March - The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) dismayed by the killing of 5 journalists in 4 days

Geneva, 11 March 2014 (PEC) - The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) condemns today in the strongest terms the killing of 5 journalists in 4 days, all in conflict zones: 2 in Syria, 2 in Iraq and 1 in Afghanistan.

The NGO based in Geneva calls for a thorough investigation into the brutal murder of Swedish journalist, Nils Horner (51), in Afghanistan today. He was shot dead in Kabul, as he conducted interviews ahead of next month’s presidential election in Afghanistan. The motive for the killing of the veteran journalist working for Sveriges Radio is unknown.

The PEC is also sad to learn that Canadian freelance photographer Ali Mustafa (30), born in Toronto, was killed in Syria last Sunday by a barrel bomb in Aleppo, apparently while photographing the destruction caused by an earlier bomb.

Another journalist was killed in Syria, a Lebanese journalist, Omar Abdel Qader, last Saturday, 8 March. According to media reports, Qader, a cameraman for Beirut-based satellite television channel Al-Mayadeen, was shot by a sniper while covering clashes between regime forces and rebels in the province of Deir Ezzor.

Two journalsits were killed in Iraq in the province of  Babel Sunday, 9 March. Cameramen Muthanna Abdul Hussein and Khaled Abdel Thamer, who were working for the Al Iraqia TV Channel, were killed in an explosion caused by a suicide bomber who was targeting the al Athar check point at the northern entrance of the city of Hilla. The IJS says the cameramen were covering the distribution of voting cards from the police electoral center in the city when the attack occurred. A total of 14 journalists have now been murdered in Iraq since October last year.

Since the beginning of this year, the trend is very worrying: according to the PEC, 24 journalists were killed in the line of duty. The PEC is urging the UN Member States to consider new guidelines for the protection of journalists on the occasion of the panel organized by the Human Rights Council next June.

***10.02.2013. Violaciones contra la Libertad de Expresión en México y Centroamérica – Febrero 2014 
Colaboración de Cerigua para PEC.

Guatemala:

1.    Luis López García, corresponsal de Nuestro Diario en la cabecera de Sololá, al occidente del país, denunció ante autoridades intimidaciones en su contra, por parte de dos desconocidos con apariencia de pandilleros, que lo estaban buscando en cercanías de su hogar, la noche del 2 de febrero.

2.    William Gularte, fotógrafo de elPeriódico y de la Agencia Reuters, fue víctima de agresiones físicas y verbales por miembros de Bomberos Voluntarios, durante una actividad que realizaron en un parque de la capital, el domingo 9 de febrero.

Gularte señaló que los bomberos le solicitaron una acreditación especial para dicho evento, a pesar que era en un lugar público; el periodista solo presentó sus identificaciones de los medios para los que trabaja, las que fueron descalificadas por los bomberos, quienes lo insultaron, golpearon y retiraron del lugar.

3.    La noche del miércoles 12 de febrero el periodista Nery Morales, de Canal “Optimo 23” en la ciudad de Mazatenango, Suchitepéquez, al sur occidente del país, salió ileso de un ataque armado en su contra, cometido por dos desconocidos que se movilizaban en motocicleta.

El periodista indicó que cuando se dirigía a su hogar, en su automóvil, dos sujetos le dispararon, sin embargo logró salir ileso al recostarse en el asiento del copiloto.

4.    El martes 25 de febrero, los periodistas Ángel Martín Tax, de Prensa Libre, Otoniel Rivera, de Al Día, y Erick Maas, de CRN Noticias, fueron agredidos verbalmente y retenidos brevemente por pobladores de la comunidad Pequixul, en Cobán, Alta Verapaz, al nororiente del país, cuando iban a cubrir una noticia.

Los tres corresponsales se movilizaron al área a recabar información sobre cuatro personas retenidas, pero no les fue permitido el paso por los pobladores. Cuando hacia una toma panorámica, sin que aparecieran los rostros de las personas, los vecinos arremetieron contra los periodistas, a quienes amenazaron y obligaron a borrar sus fotos.

5.    Ese mismo día, Stuardo Villatoro Reyes, trabajador de la revista C4, fue retenido, fotografiado y amenazado por parte de trabajadores del Instituto Nacional de Electrificación (INDE), cuando promocionaba ejemplares del medio, del cual le fueron arrebatadas 150 revistas. El hecho se registró en las instalaciones del INDE en ciudad de Guatemala.

Richard Shaw, representante legal de Comunicación 24.7, casa editora de la revista, llegó a la institución para exigir la devolución de las copias, sin embargo fue agredido física y verbalmente por directivos del INDE.

6.    El miércoles 26, varios periodistas denunciaron agresiones verbales e intento de agresiones físicas por parte de Luis Hernández, director del Instituto de Ciencias Forenses (INACIF) en Huehuetenango, departamento ubicado al occidente del país, cuando daban cobertura al crimen de una persona  asesinada, primo de un supuesto narcotraficante.

Los reporteros denunciaron que Hernández los quería sacar del lugar y posteriormente intentó golpearlos y les tomó fotografías, para intimidarlos.

7.    El jueves 27 en el departamento de San Marcos, al occidente del país,  autoridades del Ministerio Público (MP) y agentes de la Policía Nacional Civil (PNC) clausuraron la radio comunitaria “San José”, decomisando el equipo de transmisión y capturando a una persona, que no fue identificada.

México:

1.    Durante este mes se reportó el segundo asesinato de un periodista. Gregorio Jiménez, reportero de Notisur, en el Estado de Veracruz, fue secuestrado el 5 de febrero en su hogar y su cadáver fue encontrado seis días después.

El periodista había denunciado amenazas de muerte, por haber publicado información sobre un bar donde retenían a inmigrantes, para luego pedir rescate a sus familias para dejarlos ir.

2.    El lunes 10 de febrero, durante la marcha que miembros de la prensa realizaron para que apreciara con vida Jiménez, elementos de la Secretaría de Seguridad Pública (SSP) de Veracruz, fotografiaron y tomaron vídeo a los participantes de la caminata.

3.    El diario “Noroeste”, en Estado de Sinaloa, denunció amenazas contra sus trabajadores, las que llegaron vía telefónica el domingo 23 de febrero. En las llamadas, desconocidos les pidieron que dejaran de publicar sobre la policía municipal, luego que el medio indagara con autoridades sobre supuesto vínculos de ésta con el narcotraficante Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.
 
Un día antes, elementos de la Secretaría de Marina obligaron a uno de sus periodistas a borrar las fotografías que había captado, en el hotel donde fue detenido el narcotraficante.
 
4.    El martes 18 de febrero policías del Distrito Federal detuvieron arbitrariamente al periodista Luis Méndez, del sitio “Somos el Medio”, cuando daba cobertura al desalojo de vendedores ambulantes indigentes en dos estaciones del metro.

5.    La mañana del viernes 28 el periodista Pedro Arzate García, de Siga TV, señaló que un vehículo color rojo, que se encontraba fuera de su oficina, lo persiguió, hecho por el cual interpuso una denuncia. Cuando el profesional se dirigía a la Procuraduría a  poner la denuncia, desconocidos ingresaron a su casa a robar.
 
6.    La última semana del mes Paola Ochoa, locutora de la emisora comunitaria “Radio Identidad”, en Estado de Veracruz, fue condenada a dos años de prisión, por utilizar ilegalmente una frecuencia, pese a que ella únicamente dirigía un programa donde se discutían temas de género. La periodista no guardará prisión, pues pagó una fianza, pero deberá presentarse a firmar cada quince días. 
 
Honduras:

1.    A principios de mes se conoció que el periodista Julio Alvarado, de Globo TV, podía ser condenado a un año y cuatro meses de prisión y a ser inhabilitado, por cierto tiempo, para ejercer el periodismo, luego de una demanda en su contra por parte de una autoridad universitaria. 
 
Alvarado fue acusado de difamación por la Decana de la Facultad de Ciencias Económicas de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras, Belinda Flores Mendoza, por haber difundido los cargos que se presentaron en su contra, por supuesta falsificación de títulos universitarios.  
 
En marzo de 2012 un Tribunal de Sentencias declaró inocente al reportero, sin embargo Flores apeló la decisión con un recurso de casación y la CSJ,  la Sala Penal, dio la razón a la decana, con lo que se declaró al comunicador culpable de difamación.
 
2.    El 18 de marzo el designado presidencial Ricardo Álvarez, señaló de “terroristas mediáticos” a Canal 36 Cholusat Sur y Radio Globo, cuando fue cuestionado sobre su relación con un ex funcionario acusado de corrupción.

FIN

***26.02.2014. UNITED NATIONS. HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL. PEC written statement submitted to the 25th session. 

General Assembly - Human Rights Council - Item 4
Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) - written statement

The necessity to move to a “zero tolerance” culture towards violence against media workers in order to insure their protection

The year 2013 has been the second deadly year for media workers in the last ten years because of the coverage of several armed conflicts. 129 journalists were killed in the line of duty in 28 countries.

In 2012, 141 journalists were killed, a record figure due to the deadly Syrian conflict. The number of journalists killed in Syria in 2013 has decreased however abductions of foreign journalists have increased: 15 so far are still in captivity in Syria or have disappeared.

Using the same yardstick, 107 journalists were killed in 2011, 110 in 2010 and 122 in 2009. A total of 609 journalists have been killed during the past 5 years; on average: 122 per year and 2,3 per week, one every three days.

Among the 129 journalists killed in 2013 around the world 90 (70%) were killed in conflict zones or in violent unrest. Three quarter of them were intentionally targeted, others were killed mostly accidentally in bomb attacks.

Overview

The journalists covering the Middle East were the hardest hit 44 (34%), followed by Asia 37 (29%), then Latin America 27 (21%), Africa follows with 18 (14%) ahead of Europe 3 (2%).

Syria ranks first in 2013 as the deadliest country for media workers for the second year with 17 journalists killed. Iraq comes second with 16 killed, followed by Pakistan with 14, the Philippines 11 and India with nine killed.

According to the PEC observations, the situation has unfortunately deteriorated again in Iraq after an improvement: 16 journalists were killed in the country in 2013 against 3 in 2012.

Somalia comes in 6th place with 8 killed against 19 in 2012. Egypt follows with 7 killed, a marked deterioration following the 30 of June revolution that led to the ousting of former President Morsi. Brazil ranks in 8th position with 6 journalists killed (against 11 in 2012), and Mexico 5 (against 11), Guatemala follows with 4 journalists killed.

Afghanistan, Colombia, Honduras, Libya and Russia witnessed the killing of 3 journalists in each country. Two journalists were killed in Haiti, Kenya, Mali, Paraguay. And one in each of the following countries: Cote d’Ivoire, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Nigeria, Peru, Uganda, Tanzania and Yemen.

Syrian Arab Republic: unprecedented kidnapping

In Syria, the number of journalists killed has diminished (-20) however the number of journalists kidnapped has risen dramatically. At the time of writing, at least 13 foreign journalists are in captivity: Didier François (France), Edouard Elias (France), Nicolas Hénin (France), Peter Torres (France), Basher Fahmi (Jordanian/Palestinian), James Foley (USA), Austin Tice (USA), Ishak Mostar (Mauritania), Samir Kassab (Lebanon), Bunyamin Aygun (Turkey), Marc Marginedas (Spain), Javier Espinosa Robles (Spain), Ricardo García Vilanova (Spain). Two Swedish journalists were released last January.

At least another 15 foreign journalists were freed or were successful in fleeing captivity, marking the total to a high of 30 kidnapped or disappeared in 2013.

Those kidnappings in Syria by armed groups are unprecedented; even in Iraq between 2003 and 2006 this high figure was not common which renders the coverage of the ongoing war in this country extremely dangerous for journalists. Those armed groups only seek financing of their armed struggle which places them on the level of criminal groups.

The PEC calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all journalists detained or abducted in the Syrian Arab Republic.

Pakistan: a high environment of impunity

Pakistan is a country selected by the United Nations for its Action Plan against Impunity. During last several years, Pakistan has consecutively remained the third deadliest country for journalists on this globe. According to the list of the PEC, 11 journalists were murdered with impunity in 2011, it further roses to a dozen journalists’ casualties in 2012 and in 2013 it further inched up to 14.

This appalling record is constantly drawing attention of world community and media defense groups including the PEC that are calling upon Pakistani government for greater journalist’s protection, and investigation and prosecution of the murderers of more than 100 journalists.

Dozens of journalists have been intimidated, abducted, attacked and injured, but except a few, others ‘kept mum’ and did not report due to ‘high environment of impunity’ they are experiencing in other journalists’ cases who are either been killed or seriously injured in line of duty.

Enormous threats are posed to the journalists’ safety in Pakistan, especially in conflict zones. Scores of journalists have been killed in these regions including Baluchistan and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) that is bordering Afghanistan.

Journalists who had been threatened with death have relocated themselves and their families to safe places or resorted to self-censorship. Many have been killed by militants, but sometime fingers are also raised at state agencies.

In March 2013, international media support groups, UN representatives, journalists trade unions, civil society and associations working on journalists’ safety and media freedom gathered in Islamabad in a two-day international conference and launched the United Nations Action Plan against Impunity, in Pakistan. Another international conference was held in Pakistan and launched ‘Pakistan Coalition of Media on Safety (PCOMS)’ which is an alliance of media stakeholders seeking to promote a unified agenda of safety for journalists, media workers and media establishments in the country to take advantage of global UN plan against impunity in Pakistan.

Nawaz government’s information and broadcasting minister assured during first meeting of the PCOMS steering committee in October 2013 that the government of Pakistan will extend support for the implementation of the UN Action Plan with the help of the PCOMS. The government will fully support the efforts of the UN and its partners in Pakistan for combating impunity against journalists for keeping them safe. The PEC will follow closely the concrete actions taken by the government in this regard.

Progress at the international level

Progress has occurred while mobilizing the international community, the Security Council has convened two meetings on the protection of journalists, the UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution and the Human Rights Council decides to convene in June 2014 a Panel discussion on the same issue, while UNESCO continues the implementation of its Plan of action.

This awakening is a great success for organizations that defend journalists; now the question is what has to be done in order to effectively protect journalists in conflict zones.

More recently in Ukraine dozens of journalists were injured during the demonstrations in Kiev et one murdered. It shows the need of further reflection on how to protect media workers in conflict zones and violent unrests. Since the beginning of 2014 to February 20, 16 journalists were killed in the line of duty.

Conclusion

With less than 5% of the cases of media workers’ killing solved in the last 10 years, impunity remains the major cause of the high number of victims. The PEC is firmly convinced that the time has come to move from the impunity culture to a culture of “zero tolerance” towards violence against media workers.

***07.02.2014. LATIN AMERICA. Brazil : Journalist Badly Wounded by Flare During Rio Protest, declared brain dead by doctors - first journalist killed in Mexico

Santiago Andrade, a Brazilian cameraman, was badly wounded in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday evening when he was struck in the head by an explosive device while covering clashes between protesters and the police. He remained in critical condition on Friday after four hours of neurosurgery, according to the local Globo news site.

Mr. Andrade’s injury was captured on video by colleagues from the BBC, who rushed to his aid.

A BBC News video report on fare-price protests in Rio on Thursday showed a Brazilian cameraman being badly injured.

A Russian state news agency later published footage that showed a flare burning on the pavement before suddenly becoming airborne and striking the journalist in the head.

Video from the Russian state news agency Ruptly showing a Brazilian journalist being wounded at a protest in Rio on Friday.

Globo reported that a photographer who also recorded the events leading up to the injury said that the device burning on the ground near Mr. Andrade had been thrown by a masked man in a gray T-shirt, shown running away just before the explosion.

However, another witness, a videographer for the activist news collective Jornal Zona de Conflito Mídia Independente, insisted in a Facebook post that showed the incident from yet another angle that the projectile seemed to have come from police lines.

Brazilian cameraman Santiago Andrade, who was injured in clashes between protesters and police last week in Rio de Janeiro, is brain dead, doctors say Monday morning (February 10). 

VIOLACIONES CONTRA LA LIBERTAD DE EXPRESIÓN Y DE PRENSA EN MÉXICO Y CENTROAMÉRICA – ENERO 2014 - Colaboración de Cerigua para PEC.

México: El jueves 23 de enero se reportó el primer asesinato de un periodista en México. El columnista y periodista Miguel Ángel Guzmán fue encontrado muerto, con señales de violencia, en su hogar en el Estado de Guerrero. Autoridades adujeron como posible móvil del crimen el robo, debido a que se llevaron varias de sus pertenencias.

La madrugada de ese mismo día un oficial del Estado de Coahuila, identificado como José Antonio Campa, golpeó al fotorreportero Emanuel Martínez, de Grupo Zócalo, cuando daba cobertura a un hecho delictivo. Campa recriminó al comunicador por su presencia en el lugar y revisó su automóvil, luego de eso lo agredió físicamente por la espalda.

La periodista radial Sofía Valdivia es investigada por la Procuraduría General de la República (PGR), luego que diera a conocer mediante una red social la supuesta reaparición de un grupo criminal en Estado de Oaxaca.

El 27 de enero, Irene Muñoz, funcionaria del Gobierno del Distrito Federal, presentó una denuncia penal contra un bloguero conocido con el seudónimo de “Renegado Legitimo”, bajo la acusación de hechos constitutivos contra su persona. El bloguero había denunciado que la funcionaria privilegiaba con publicidad oficial a medios de comunicación amigos del gobierno del DF. (Con información de Artículo 19).

Guatemala: El 9 de enero el diario “La Hora” dio a conocer la denuncia contra Fernando Mollinedo, columnista del medio, por supuesta discriminación. La demanda se inició a raíz de un artículo publicado en noviembre de 2009, donde Mollinedo cuestionaba los abusos cometidos por agentes de la policía de tránsito, en la ciudad capital.

Radio Punto señaló que uno de sus reporteros que se encontraba en el municipio de Nebaj, Quiché (al occidente del país), fue perseguido por varios seguidores del Partido Patriota (oficialista), cuando cubría la entrega de víveres en la sede de esa entidad política, durante la repetición de las elecciones en el lugar.
 
El 28 de enero trabajadores de una empresa dedicada a la instalación del tendido eléctrico agredieron verbalmente a varios periodistas de Totonicapán, entre estos a Edgar Domínguez, de Prensa Libre; los reporteros daban cobertura a la detención de un grupo de trabajadores de esa empresa, sindicados de golpear a un guardia particular. 
 
Los empleados trataron de atropellar con sus motocicletas a los reporteros y atacaron a patadas a José Daniel García, corresponsal de Nuestro Diario.

Costa Rica: El Diario Extra de Costa Rica denunció un supuesto espionaje judicial, por parte del Ministerio Público y del Organismo Judicial de Investigación (OIJ), con el objetivo de conseguir información de sus fuentes periodísticas.

La vigilancia telefónica a varios de sus reporteros habría durado 10 meses, tiempo en el que las autoridades habrían buscado los nombres de los funcionarios que daban información al medio.
 
El Salvador: La noche del jueves 30 el director del diario CoLatino, Francisco Valencia, fue detenido por agentes de la Policía Nacional Civil (PNC), por una denuncia de difamación  de 1996, contra el entonces jefe de la policía, el cual ya había sido resuelta por acuerdo entre las partes. El caso fue denunciado por la Asociación de Periodistas de El Salvador (APES).
 
Las autoridades argumentaron que el arresto se debió a un error del sistema y dijeron que investigarían para corroborar este extremo y pedir las disculpas públicas. 
 
Honduras: Tras concluir su jornada de trabajo en Canal 35, la madrugada del 1 de enero, el periodista Héctor Madrid encontró su vehículo con siete perforaciones de arma de fuego. Madrid dijo no tener sospechas por el hecho, que fue denunciado a las autoridades.
 
El Ministro de Educación, Marlon Escoto, respondió de manera grosera y ofensiva, a través de Twitter, a los periodistas que según él lo ofenden. A todos los periodistas que me insultan en sus medios los disculpo, primero porque no tiene culpa de su baja formación académica y cultural, aseveró el funcionario.
 
Escoto señaló directamente al periodista de Radio Globo Marvin Ortiz, a quien le dijo que lo iría a buscar para que le comentará sobre sus insultos y si le debía algo.

Guatemala 3 de febrero de 2014.
Ileana Alamilla 

***20.01.2014. PAKISTAN. The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) shocked to report on the brutal killing of three employees of a private television channel network in Karachi

ISLAMABAD: The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) has saddened and deeply shocked to report on the brutal killing of three employees of a private television channel network through the hands of Taliban in port city of Karachi, Pakistan on Friday, 17 January.

The incident took place in the evening when a van belonging to the Express television network parked near the Matric Board Office as part of routine field deployment.

It left technician Waqas , driver Khalid, and guard Ashraf injured. They were rushed to the hospital where they succumbed to their wounds.

Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) with whome, the government is in war since several years. This banned organization has killed thousands of civillionas and law enforcement personels in Pakaistan. It has claimed the responsibility for the ‘deadly attack’ on media workers accusing the Express channel and others media outlets of supporting the government. TTP think that Pakistani media is ‘propegating agaisnt Islam and Taliban’ and also threatened further violence against media outlets.

Ehsanullah Ehsan, a former TTP spokesman, told Express TV that the channel had been attacked, as taliban considered its coverage biased.They will continue attacking journalists whome they disagree. The Express television quoted Ehsan as saying, "Channels should give coverage to our ideology. Otherwise we will continue attacking the media."

The television station was attacked twice last year, with the TTP claiming responsibility for one of the incidents in December 2013. On August 16 last year, firing outside the Express media group in Karachi, two employees of the same group- a security guard and woman were killed.

“It is an attack on the entire journalist communinty of Pakistan,” journalists protesting in all over the country said. Three sacred professions including mediacal staff, worship places and journalists are under attack in Pakistan which had always been cared of even in war, they say.

The government’s reaction

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif while condemning the attack on the media workers formed a two-member commiitee to immidiately cordinate with the media houses and asses the thretas they are facing.

Nawaz directed the committee to present ‘workable solutions’ soon as to quell the security fears of media groups. The committee comprises Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar and Information and Broadcasting Minister Pervaiz Rashid.

Journalists, media outlets and civil society members held protests across the country to show solidarity with media. The information minister, speaking to Express News, said “Militancy was an issue for all Pakistanis and not just the media, as educational institutions and places of religious worship were also not safe.”

PEC Rep in Islamabad, Israr Khan

***14.01.2014. PEC ANNUAL REPORT FOR PAKISTAN, third deadliest country in 2013 after Syria and Iraq with high environment of impunity

ISLAMABAD/GENEVA, January 14 (PEC) The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) expressed grave concern on continuous unabated ‘violence and intimidation’ against media in Pakistan. An ‘high environment of impunity’ has been breeding violence against media and ultimately seriously affecting ability of journalists to exercise ‘freedom of expression’. 

During last several years, Pakistan has consecutively remained the third deadliest country for journalists on this globe. According to the list of the PEC, 11 journalists were murdered with impunity in 2011, it further roses to a dozen journalists’ casualties in 2012 and in 2013 it further inched up to 14. 
 
This appalling record is constantly drawing attention of world community and media defense groups including the PEC that are calling upon Pakistani government for greater journalist’s protection, and investigation and prosecution of the murderers of more than 100 journalists. 
 
Dozens of journalists have been intimidated, abducted, attacked and injured, but except a few, others ‘kept mum’ and did not report due to ‘high environment of impunity’ they are experiencing in other journalists’ cases who are either been killed or seriously injured in line of duty, the Swiss-based PEC notes. 
 
Threats to Journalists, Media Houses and Self-censorship 
 
Enormous threats are posed to the journalists’ safety in Pakistan, especially in conflict zones. Scores of journalists have been killed in these regions including Baluchistan and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) that is bordering Afghanistan. Even in peaceful and settled areas including Karachi and Peshawar, journalists have been killed in last several years. Journalists who had been threatened with death have relocated themselves and their families to safe places or resorted to self-censorship. Many have been killed by militants, but sometime fingers are also raised at state agencies. 
 
Besides journalists’ killings, big private print and electronic media houses have been attacked in port city of Karachi. On August 16 last year, firing outside the Express media group in Karachi, two employees of the same group- a security guard and woman were killed. During this year, cases were registered against ARY television channel in trouble province of Baluchistan under Pakistan’s Anti-terrorist Act 1997. The television aired a video clip of the destruction of the residence of Pakistan’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah where he spent his finals days in 1947 after Pak-India partition. The government claimed that the airing the footage can incite violence or glorify the crime and was in contravention of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA).
 
UNESCO campaign against impunity 
 
In March 2013, international media support groups, UN representatives, journalists trade unions, civil society and associations working on journalists’ safety and media freedom gathered in Islamabad in a two-day international conference and launched the United Nations Action Plan against Impunity, in Pakistan. The UNESCO has selected Pakistan as one of the five pilot countries where its Action Plan will be implemented to check the killing of journalists. The other pilot countries include Nepal, Iraq, South Sudan and Mexico. 
 
The PEC is one of the active supporters to the UN action plan and has been proactively making efforts for promoting security and safety of journalists in Pakistan. It is also striving for mobilizing the international community on the issue of impunity for violence against journalists which is of great importance for ‘democracy and respect for human rights’. 
 
Last year in the international conference, ‘The International Friends of Media Alliance on Safety’ was established that comprised of Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Media Legal Defence Initiative (MLDI), Article 19, International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Freedom House (FH), International News Safety Institute (INSI), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), International Media Support (IMS), UNESCO, International Press Institute (IPI), Internews Network, International Federation of Freedom of Expression (IFEX), Amnesty International (AI), World Association of Newspapers (WAN-IFRA) and Fojo Institute.
 
The PEC keeps a vigilant eye on the cases of violence against media in Pakistan and timely reporting on it and also conveys the message to the Pakistani high authorities and government over and over again to push it on ensuring journalists’ protection and freedom of expression. 
 
Progress on Local Media stakeholders’ Response
 
Keeping in view the high environment of impunity against Journalists, an international conference last year held in Pakistan and launched ‘Pakistan Coalition of Media on Safety (PCOMS)’ which is an alliance of media stakeholders seeking to promote a unified agenda of safety for journalists, media workers and media establishments in the country to take advantage of global UN plan against impunity in Pakistan. 
 
Currently, PCOMS is working on “National Charter on Media Safety” to outline priorities, collaborative and individual actions, develop resources, tools and mechanisms, to promote a unified agenda of safety and security of journalists, media workers and media establishments of Pakistan. Although not a concrete development has been made so far, however we are approaching to all stakeholders including the government, media houses, newspapers associations, broadcasting association, journalists trade unions and others as to bring them at a point for devising a ‘code of ethics’, the former secretary general of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), Mazhar Abbas told the PEC. Mr. Abbas is also chairman of one of the subcommittees of the PCOMS. 
 
Mr. Adnan Rehmat, director media development of Civic Action Resources (CAR), who is also member of the PCOMS, told PEC, PCOMS was mandated to work for reducing impunity while coordinating with the media groups and the government. It has so far held three meetings in this regards and has formed two sub-committees under which one is headed by  Mr. Mazhar Abbas now working on gathering code of ethics regarding safety of journalists as to how the media houses themselves could work on this issue to reduce risks.
 
The other committee is working on the idea how the government could itself take steps to minimize the threats and reduce impunity. The PCOMS asked the government to appoint a  ‘special prosecutor’ having the authority equaling to a High Court’s judge to take up and pursue cases of attacks on media and its workers. It has also been asked to the government and political parties to develop a ‘Journalists Safety Bill’ and to be tabled in parliament for enactment into a law, Mr Rehmat said. 
 
The PCOMS’ Steering Committee that met on 8 October 2013 with the Pakistan’s federal information and broadcasting minister Perveez Rasheed endorsed the UN action plan and issued a comprehensive ‘Islamabad Declaration’ outlining a set of action items and recommendations for key stakeholders on combating impunity against journalists in the country. The declaration covers three main categories of stakeholders and their proposed action items which includes media sector actors; state institutions and political parties; and civil society. 
 
The PCOMS is going to hold its meeting at end-January and will assess the progress and also may add more steps for the protection of media and impunity reduction in Pakistan. 
 
The Government’s Response
 
This government of Mr. Nawaz Sharif came to power on the promise to provide security, justice and respect human rights, but on the ground the situation is different. Despite their claims of addressing the journalists’ killings, still the numbers of assassinations are higher than last years. 
 
Nawaz government’s information and broadcasting minister assured during first meeting of the PCOMS steering committee in October 2013 that the government of Pakistan will extend support for the implementation of the UN Action Plan with the help of the PCOMS. The government will fully support the efforts of the UN and its partners in Pakistan for combating impunity against journalists for keeping them safe.
 
PEC Rep in Islamabad
Israr Khan
 

***10.01.2014. REGIONAL ANNUAL REPORT FOR CENTRAL AMERICA AND MEXICO, one of the most dangerous regions with 12 killed last year - REPORTE DE CERIGUA PARA PEC - Síntesis anual de las violaciones a la libertad de expresión en México y Centroamérica enero – diciembre 2013.

Guatemala:

Durante el 2013 las violaciones a la libertad de expresión y las agresiones contra la prensa aumentaron considerablemente en Guatemala, en comparación con los años anteriores. Documentamos 55 violaciones contra miembros de la prensa, en comparación con 36 que registró durante el 2012 y 33 en el 2011.

La situación para la prensa a nivel departamental es sumamente peligrosa. Las acciones de grupos del crimen organizado y del narcotráfico, han implantado censura y autocensura en el gremio, violando así la libertad de prensa y el derecho a la información de la sociedad ya que hay temas riesgosos que no pueden ser cubiertos. Esto se remata con las acciones de políticos locales, alcaldes y diputados que han censurado o amenazado a reporteros y periodistas.

En la región Centroamericana, Guatemala es el país que más periodistas asesinados reporta este año, superando a Honduras, que ha sido catalogado, junto a México, como uno de los más peligrosos para ejercer el periodismo en el mundo, sin estar en guerra.
 
El Salvador 
 
Este país se ha caracterizado por no registrar agresiones contra la prensa. En este año la única violación que se cometió contra miembros de la prensa salvadoreña fue en Honduras. El 17 de septiembre soldados retuvieron a cinco periodistas salvadoreños en la Isla Conejo, mientras realizaban un reportaje sobre esa zona en disputa entre los dos países. 
 
Honduras 
 
Este país centroamericano, al igual que México, se ubica entre los más peligrosos para los comunicadores. En 2013 fueron asesinados tres periodistas, el último de ellos perdió la vida de forma violenta el 7 de diciembre. 
 
La situación para la prensa en Honduras se agravó después del golpe de Estado, en junio de 2009. Desde esa fecha más de 20 periodistas han perdido la vida de forma violenta. Entre las principales problemáticas que enfrentan los profesionales de la comunicación son las amenazas de muerte y la censura, aparentemente por las líneas críticas hacia el gobierno. 
 
Uno de los casos que más atención generó, además de los tres asesinatos, fue el atentado contra un equipo de prensa del canal “Hable como Habla” en la ciudad de La Ceiba, a manos de sicarios que se conducían en moto. Los individuos acertaron nueve balazos al vehículo en el viajaban el periodista Ramón Maldonado y su camarógrafo. Ninguno resultó herido.
 
Un día después de las elecciones, el 25 de noviembre, una delegación de FIDH, Federación Internacional de Derechos Humanos, encabezada por el juez español Baltazar Garzón y Luis Guillermo Pérez, secretario general de FIDH con sede en París, hizo público en Tegucigalpa, un listado de unos 20 hondureños que se encuentran en una lista de personas para ser asesinadas. Entre ellos cuatro periodistas:
 
David Romero Ellner, director de Radio Globo y un incansable enemigo a la corrupción que reina en la nación centroamericana.
 
Lidieth Díaz, periodista en el Canal 36 Cholusat Sur.

Félix Antonio Molina, director del programa “Resistencia”.
 
Héctor Longino Becerra, Director Ejecutivo de C-Libre, un organismo de vigilancia y protección de los derechos humanos de los periodistas de Honduras.

Al menos dos periodistas más recibieron amenazas de muerte por distintas vías en diciembre.

Nicaragua

En este país no existen muchos problemas de agresiones hacía la prensa, sin embargo en los últimos meses algunos comunicadores han denunciado violaciones a sus derechos por parte del gobierno. 
 
Citamos el caso del periodista Ismael López Ocampo, sobre presunta vigilancia y seguimiento por miembros de la Dirección de Información para la Defensa. A finales de julio, fue asesinado el periodista Edilberto Saavedra Oliva, por disparos realizados por desconocidos, que aparentemente buscaban robarle. En el lugar del crimen fue encontrado dinero en efectivo y un arma de fuego, que posiblemente pertenecía a los agresores. 
 
En mayo La periodista Martha Vásquez y el fotógrafo Manuel Esquivel, del diario “La Prensa” de Nicaragua, fueron víctimas de la policía en la sede de un complejo judicial. Los comunicadores denunciaron que la agresión se produjo al ingresar al lugar, sin embargo autoridades argumentaron que éstos no quisieron registrarse al entrar al edificio. 
 
Panamá 
 
En Panamá no se han dado conocer muchas violaciones a la libertad de prensa, sin embargo en la mayoría que se han documentado existe un denominador común, fuerzas de seguridad pública y autoridades como presuntos responsables. 
 
El lunes 8 de mayo agentes de la policía detuvieron arbitrariamente al periodista Rafael Jiménez, de El Siglo de Panamá, bajo la acusación de pertenecer a una pandilla. El periodista fue consignado pese a presentar su carné de prensa. 
 
En junio Elizabeth González y el camarógrafo Bolívar Jurado, de la Televisora TVN, fueron retenidos durante varias horas cuando filmaban en las oficinas del Consejo de Seguridad. Los oficiales argumentaron que se encontraban en una zona prohibida, sin embargo ellos negaron esto. 
 
Cuando Filemón Medina, secretario general del sindicato, se acercó para mediar en la situación, fue agredido físicamente por Alejandro Garúz, viceministro de seguridad.
 
México 
 
En México, considerado en los últimos años como uno de los países más riesgosos para ejercer el periodismo en el mundo, sin estar en guerra, han sido asesinados cinco profesionales de la comunicación. 

De enero a septiembre se registraron 225 agresiones contra la prensa, entre ellas, amenazas y agresiones físicas. Además se han documentado varios ataques con explosivos y armas de fuego, contra sedes de medios de comunicación. 
 
El crimen organizado, autoridades de gobierno, fuerzas de seguridad pública y maestros, que realizan manifestaciones contra la reforma educativa, han sido los actores que en mayor medida han agredido a la prensa.
 
El 2 de diciembre, el periodista Ildefonso Chávez, presidente y director del diario El Pueblo de Chihuahua, inició una huelga de hambre en reclamo por el retiro de la publicidad oficial de parte del gobierno estatal, en aparente represalia por su posición editorial crítica.

Para PEC - Ileana Alamilla
10 de enero de 2014. 

Guatemala: Observatorio de los Periodistas refuta acciones penales contra Jose Rubén Zamora

El Observatorio de los Periodistas de CERIGUA manifiesta su preocupación por la situación creada en el ámbito de la libertad de expresión ante las acciones legales iniciadas en contra del periodista Jose Rubén Zamora, por parte del Presidente de la República, Otto Pérez Molina y de la Vice Presidenta Roxana Baldetti, y considera que las mismas violentan garantías Constitucionales con la pretensión de acallar una voz crítica.

El artículo 35 de la Constitución Política de la República establece claramente que “no constituyen delito o falta las publicaciones que contengan denuncias, críticas o imputaciones contra funcionarios o empleados públicos por actos efectuados en el ejercicio de sus funciones o con ocasión de ellas, aun y cuando hubieren cesado en dichos cargos al momento de hacérseles alguna imputación”.

La Ley de Emisión del Pensamiento, de rango Constitucional, indica el procedimiento a seguir cuando una persona se sienta agraviada por actos que “falten al respeto, a la vida privada o a la moral, o incurran en los delitos y faltas sancionados por esta ley”.

“Los delitos y faltas en la emisión del pensamiento por los medios de difusión serán juzgados privativamente por un jurado que declare, en cada caso, conforme a su leal saber y entender, si el hecho es constitutivo de delito o falta, o no lo es.”

Es decir, que los Periodistas tenemos el privilegio de contar con un mecanismo legal para dirimir si nuestras actuaciones en el ejercicio profesional están enmarcadas en la tipificación de un hecho delictivo. Este procedimiento, que no es opcional sino de obligatorio cumplimiento, no fue respetado por la figura presidencial lo que constituye
una acción inaceptable sobre todo por su investidura, sus funciones y representatividad.

Cuestionable también es la actitud de la Juez y del Juez que dieron trámite a dichas demandas pues su función exige absoluto respeto y apego a la Constitución Política de la República, no importa quienes estén promoviendo las acciones.

Es a todas luces inaceptable que el Presidente Pérez Molina y la Vicepresidenta Roxana Baldetti acudan a la vía penal para que cesen las críticas de Zamora para lo cual lo acusan de incurrir en violencia contra la mujer, coacción, extorsión, violación a la Constitución e incluso desacato a los presidentes de los organismos del Estado,
delito que fue expulsado de la legislación guatemalteca.

El Observatorio de los Periodistas no aprueba el léxico denigrante que en varias ocasiones se ha utilizado en espacios publicados en el medio del cual el señor Zamora es Presidente, sobre todo el estilo que priva en el llamado “ el peladero” que no puede ser considerado un periodismo serio, carece de fuente y no está calzado con firma
responsable alguna, lo que vulnera el ejercicio periodístico, la ética y la responsabilidad profesional, sin embargo considera que esto es parte de lo permisible en una democracia; en todo caso, la vía a la que se debió acudir es la que marca la Carta Magna que tiene prevalencia sobre cualquier otra ley. Esta vía es el Tribunal de Imprenta, cuya integración y procedimiento está claramente regulado en la Ley de Emisión del Pensamiento.

Asimismo, exhorta a las autoridades judiciales que den fiel cumplimiento a lo que la Constitución Política de la República y la Ley de Emisión del Pensamiento establecen para estos casos, actuación que es la que corresponde a su investidura y es lo que la ciudadanía espera de quienes tienen en sus manos la aplicación de la ley.

Finalmente, el Observatorio de los Periodistas hace un llamado a las altas autoridades del país para que rectifiquen, que recurran a la vía correspondiente que la Constitución establece y que eviten crear más problemas al gremio periodístico que ya está suficientemente afectado con el clima de violencia que rodea su ejercicio profesional,
con los 4 asesinatos ocurridos el año anterior, las reiteradas violaciones provocadas por distintos actores, incluyendo autoridades de distinto nivel; Insta al sistema de justicia para que aplique correctamente la ley y a nuestros colegas a cerrar filas en defensa de la libertad de expresión un derecho tutelado por la máxima ley del país, requisito
indispensable en la democracia.

Guatemala, 10 de enero de 2014.

***30.12.2013. PEC annual world report (French, Spanish and Arabic below after English) - 2013 another deadly year for journalists: 129 killed // 2013, une nouvelle année meurtrière pour les journalistes: 129 tués // 2013 otro año con muchas muertes de periodistas: 129 muertos // 2013 سنة أخرى قاتلة للصحفيين  - list of casualties on our page CASUALTIES

Most dangerous countries in 2013: Syria 17 killed, Iraq 16, Pakistan 14, Philippines 11, India 9, Somalia 8, Egypt 7, Brazil 6, Mexico 5, Guatemala 4, Afghanistan 3, Colombia 3, Honduras 3, Libya 3, Russia 3, Haiti 2, Kenya 2, Mali 2, Paraguay 2

The journalists covering the Middle East were the hardest hit 44, followed by Asia 37, then Latin America 27, Africa follows with 18 ahead of Europe 3.

2013 another deadly year for journalists 

Geneva,  30  December 2013 (PEC) – The year 2013 has been another deadly year for journalists because of the coverage of several armed conflicts. 129 journalists were killed in the line of duty in 28 countries, a decrease of 8 percent as compared to the figures of the PEC report 2012.
 
Last year 141 journalists were killed, a record figure due to the deadly Syrian conflict. The number of journalists killed in Syria this year has decreased however abductions of foreign journalists have increased: 15 so far are still in captivity in Syria or have disappeared.

Using the same yardstick, 107 journalists were killed in 2011, 110 in 2010 and 122 in 2009 - a total of 609 journalists during the past 5 years, on average 122 per year and 2.3 per week, one every three days. 
 
Among the 129 journalists killed this year around 90 (70%) were killed in conflict zones or in violent unrest. Three quarter of them were intentionally targeted, others were killed mostly accidentally in bomb attacks. 
 
Syria ranks first as the deadliest country for media work for the second year with 17 journalists killed. Iraq comes second with 16 killed, then Pakistan with 14 killed, the Philippines 11 killed and India with nine killed.  
 
Unprecedented kidnapping 
 
In Syria, the number of journalists killed has drastically diminished (-20) however the number of journalists kidnapped has risen dramatically. At least 15 foreign journalists are in captivity: Didier François (France), Edouard Elias (France), Nicolas Hénin (France), Peter Torres (France),  Basher Fahmi (Jordanian/Palestinian), James Foley (USA), Austin Tice (USA), Ishak Mostar (Mauritania), Samir Kassab (Lebanon), Bunyamin Aygun (Turkey),  Marc Marginedas (Spain), Javier Espinosa Robles (Spain), Ricardo García Vilanova (Spain), Magnus Falkehed (Sweden), Niclas Hammarström  (Sweden).

At least another 15 foreign journalists were freed or were successful in fleeing captivity, marking the total to a high of 30 kidnapped or disappeared this year.

PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen has commented by saying that those kidnappings in Syria by armed groups are unprecedented, even in Iraq between 2003 and 2006 this high figure was not common which renders the coverage of the ongoing war in this country extremely dangerous for journalists. Those armed groups only seek financing of their armed struggle which places them on the level of criminal groups.

PEC calls for the release of all journalists detained before the international conference Geneva 2 on Syria in Switzerland 22 January.

According to the PEC end of year report the situation has unfortunately deteriorated again in Iraq particularly in Mosul after an improvement last year. So far 16 journalists were killed this year against 3 in 2012.

Somalia comes in 6th place with 8 killed against 19 last year. Egypt follows with 7 killed, a marked deterioration following the 30 of June revolution that led to the ousting of former President Morsi.

Brazil ranks in 8th position with 6 journalists killed (against 11 in 2012), and Mexico 5 (against 11), Guatemala follows with 4 journalists killed.

Afghanistan, Columbia, Honduras, Libya and Russia witnessed the killing of 3 journalists in each country. Two journalists were killed in Haiti, Kenya, Mali, Paraguay. And one in each of the following countries: Cote d’Ivoire, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Nigeria, Peru, Uganda, Tanzania and Yemen. 

The journalists covering the Middle East were the hardest hit 44 (34%), followed by Asia 37 (29%), then Latin America 27 (21%), Africa follows with 18 (14%) ahead of Europe 3 (2%).

Progress at the international level 

Lempen noted that good progress has occurred while mobilizing the international community, the Security Council has convened two meetings on the protection of journalists,  the UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution and the Human Rights Council decides to convene a debate on the same issue, while UNESCO continues the implementation of its plan of action. 

He added that this awakening is a great success for organizations that defend journalists, when years ago governments ignored the problem or gave a blind eye. Now the question is not if we have to do something, but what we have to do to protect journalists in conflict zones.

For the PEC, he stressed, there is however a lot to be done for concrete changes in the field, especially in the struggle against impunity.

PEC President Hedayat Abdel Nabi said that the world is now moving in the right direction to bring justice to journalists who have lost their lives in defense of their profession and human rights. 

Rapport annuel de la PEC
2013, une nouvelle année meurtrière pour les journalistes

Genève, 30 décembre 2013 (PEC) L'année 2013 a été encore une année très meurtrière pour les journalistes, en raison de la poursuite de plusieurs conflits armés. De janvier à décembre, 129 travailleurs des médias ont été tués dans leurs fonctions dans 28 pays, en baisse de 8% par rapport à 2012, selon le rapport annuel de la Presse Emblème Campagne (PEC).
 
L'an dernier, un record de 141 journalistes avaient péri, une augmentation provoquée surtout par la guerre en Syrie. Cette année, le nombre de journalistes tués en Syrie a diminué, mais par contre un nouveau phénomène est apparu avec l'enlèvement de très nombreux journalistes étrangers, dont au moins 15 sont encore détenus ou disparus en Syrie.
 
Comparativement, et selon les mêmes critères, 107 journalistes avaient été tués en 2011, 110 en 2010 et 122 en 2009 - soit au cours des cinq dernières années un total de 609 victimes, une moyenne de 122 par année, 2.3 par semaine, un tous les trois jours.
 
Sur les 129 journalistes tués, environ 90 (70%) l'ont été dans des régions en conflit ou ayant connu des troubles internes cette année. Le trois quart des victimes a été intentionnellement visé, le reste ayant péri de manière accidentelle (pour la plupart lors d'attentats à la bombe).
 
La Syrie arrive en tête de la liste des victimes pour la deuxième année consécutive, avec 17 journalistes tués. L’Irak est en 2e position avec 16 tués, devant le Pakistan avec 14 tués, les Philippines avec 11 tués et l'Inde (9).
 
Enlèvements sans précédent

En Syrie, le nombre de journalistes tués a fortement diminué (-20), par contre le nombre de journalistes enlevés a connu une très forte hausse. Au moins 15 journalistes étrangers sont actuellement détenus ou disparus: les Français Didier François, Edouard Elias, Nicolas Hénin, Peter Torres; les Américains James Foley et Austin Tice; les Espagnols Marc Marginedas, Javier Espinosa Robles, Ricardo García Vilanova ; les Suédois Magnus Falkehed et Niclas Hammarström ;  Basher Fahmi (Jord/Palestinien),  Ishak Mostar (Mauritanie), Samir Kassab (Liban), Bunyamin Aygun (Turquie).

 Au moins 15 autres journalistes étrangers ont été détenus et libérés ou ont réussi à s'enfuir cette année, soit au total 30 enlèvements/disparitions. "Ces enlèvements systématiques par des groupes armés sont sans précédent. Même en Irak pendant la guerre de 2003 à 2006, jamais autant de journalistes n'avaient été enlevés. Cela rend extrêmement périlleuse la couverture de la guerre dans ce pays", a déclaré le secrétaire général de la PEC Blaise Lempen. Ces groupes armés cherchent à financer leur lutte armée en se livrant à une activité qui les assimile à des groupes criminels.

La PEC lance un appel à la libération de tous les journalistes détenus avant la conférence internationale Genève 2 sur la Syrie le 22 janvier en Suisse.

La PEC constate malheureusement que la situation s'est à nouveau détériorée en Irak, en particulier à Mossoul, après une amélioration l'an dernier (16 tués cette année contre 3 en 2012).

Au 6e rang des pays les plus dangereux, la Somalie connaît un répit relatif avec 8 tués contre 19 l'année précédente. Suit  l'Egypte, avec 7 tués, une détérioration marquée provoquée par le renversement du président Morsi le 30 juin.

Au 8e rang, le Brésil a connu moins de victimes (6 contre 11 en 2012), de même que le Mexique (5 contre 11). Avec quatre tués, le Guatemala entre dans la liste des dix pays les plus dangereux.

Suivent l’Afghanistan, la Colombie, le Honduras, la Libye et la Russie, avec trois tués dans chaque pays. Deux journalistes ont été tués en Haïti, au Kenya, Mali et Paraguay. Enfin un journaliste a été tué en Côte d'ivoire, Centrafrique, Equateur, Nigéria, Ouganda, Pérou, République démocratique du Congo, Tanzanie et Yémen.

Par région, le Moyen-orient et l'Afrique du Nord arrivent en tête avec 44 tués (34%), devant l'Asie 37 (29%) et l'Amérique latine 27 tués (21%). L'Afrique vient en 4e position avec 18 tués (14%), devant l'Europe 3 tués (2%).

Progrès sur le plan international

"Un grand progrès a eu lieu cette année sur le plan de la mobilisation de la communauté internationale", a souligné Blaise Lempen. Le Conseil de sécurité de l'ONU a tenu deux réunions sur la protection des journalistes, l'Assemblée générale de l'ONU a adopté une résolution, le Conseil des droits de l'homme a décidé d'organiser un débat et l’UNESCO a poursuivi de son côté l'application de son plan d'action.

"Cette prise de conscience est un immense succès pour les organisations de défense des journalistes. Il y a quelques années, les gouvernements ignoraient le problème ou fermaient les yeux. Aujourd'hui, la question n'est plus de savoir s'il faut faire davantage pour protéger les journalistes dans les zones de conflit, mais ce qu'il faut faire concrètement", a dit Blaise Lempen. Pour la PEC, il reste cependant beaucoup à faire pour des changements concrets sur le terrain, en particulier dans la lutte contre l'impunité.

La présidente de la PEC Hedayat Abdel Nabi a affirmé que la communauté internationale va dans la bonne direction pour rendre justice aux journalistes qui ont perdu la vie dans la défense de leur profession et des droits de l’homme.

PEC informe anual
2013 otro año con muchas muertes de periodistas

Ginebra, 30 de diciembre 2013 (PEC) – El año 2013 ha sido otro año de muertes para los periodistas debido a la continuación de conflictos armados en varias partes del mundo. En 28 países 129 profesionales de la prensa fueron muertos en el ejercicio de su profesión, según el informe anual de la Campana Emblema de Prensa (PEC).
 
Una baja de 8% comparado con 2012,  año récord en que 141 periodistas murieron, debido esencialmente a la guerra en Siria. Este año, a pesar de que el número de periodistas muertos en este país disminuyó, es el secuestro de muchos profesionales de la prensa extranjera que ha predominado; 15 de ellos siguen detenidos o desaparecidos. 
 
A título de comparación, cabe recordar que en 2011, 107 periodistas fueron asesinados, 110 en 2010 y 122 en 2009, totalizando 609 víctimas en cinco años, lo que representa un promedio de 122 por año, 2,3 por semana, uno cada tres días.
 
En lo que se refiere a los 129 periodistas que perecieron este año, aproximadamente 90 (70%) fueron muertos en las regiones en conflicto o en enfrentamientos internos. Cabe destacar que la mayoría de las víctimas fueron intencionalmente asesinadas, el resto murió de manera accidental (muchos en atentados con bomba).
 
Siria encabeza, por segundo año consecutivo, la lista de países con más periodistas víctimas, con 17 profesionales de la prensa asesinados. Sigue Irak con 16, Pakistán 14, Filipinas 11, y la India con 9 muertos. 

Secuestros sin precedentes

A pesar de que en Siria la cifra de los periodistas muertos disminuyó (-20),  la cifra de periodistas secuestrados aumentó considerablemente.  Por lo menos 15 profesionales de la prensa extranjera se encuentran actualmente detenidos o desaparecidos.
 
Entre ellos los franceses Didier François, Edouard Elias, Nicolas Hénin, y Peter Torres.  A la lista se agregan los estadoudinenses James Foley y Austin Tice; Basher Fahmi (Jordano-Palestino), Ishak Mostar (Mauritania), Samir Kassab (Líbano), Benyamin Aygun (Turquía), los suecos Magnus Falkehed y Niclas Hammarström, y los españoles Marc Marginedas, Javier Espinosa Robles, y Ricardo Garcia Vilanova.
 
Por lo menos 15 otros periodistas extranjeros fueron detenidos y liberados o lograron escaparse este año, lo que suma un total de 30 secuestros/desapariciones.
 
« Estos secuestros sistemáticos por grupos armados son un hecho sin precedente. Ni siquiera durante la guerra en Irak de 2003-2006, tantos periodistas fueron secuestrados. Eso significa que cubrir la guerra en ese país es muy peligroso », declaró el Secretario general de la PEC Blaise Lempen. Esos grupos armados solo buscan recursos para financiar su lucha armada llevando acabo una actividad que los asimila a grupos criminales. 
 
La PEC lanza un llamado para que todos los periodistas detenidos sean liberados antes de la conferencia internacional llamada Ginebra 2, que tendrá lugar el 22 de enero en Suiza.

Desafortunadamente la situación se ha deteriorado nuevamente en Irak, en particular en Mosul después de una mejora el año pasado (16 periodistas muertos este año contra 3 en 2012), constata la PEC.
 
En el sexto rango de los países mas peligrosos se encuentra Somalia, que conoce una tregua relativa con 8 periodistas muertos contra 19 el año precedente. Sigue Egipto, con 7; deterioración debida al derrocamiento del presidente Morsi el 30 de junio pasado.
 
En el octavo rango se sitúa, Brasil, con menos víctimas (6 contra 11 en 2012), así como México (5 contra 11). Guatemala, con cuatro periodistas asesinados, entra en la lista de los diez países más peligrosos para la profesión.
 
Sigue Afganistán, Colombia, Honduras, Libia y Rusia, con tres periodistas muertos. Dos periodistas murieron en Haití, Kenia, Mali y Paraguay. Un periodista muerto en Costa de Marfil, República Centroafricana, Ecuador, Nigeria, Uganda, Perú, República Democrática del Congo, Tanzania y Yemen.
 
Por región, Medio oriente y África del Norte encabezan la lista con 44 periodistas muertos (34%), sigue Asia 37 (29%), América Latina 27 (21%), África 18 (14%) y Europa 3 (2%).

Avances en el ámbito internacional
 
« Un gran avance registró este año la movilización de la comunidad internacional », subrayó Blaise Lempen. El Consejo de Seguridad de la ONU llevó a cabo dos reuniones sobre la protección de los periodistas, la Asamblea General de la ONU adoptó una resolución, el Consejo de los Derechos Humanos decidió organizar un debate y la UNESCO sigue aplicando su plan de acción.
 
« Esta toma de conciencia es un gran éxito para las organizaciones de defensa de los periodistas. Hace algunos años, los gobiernos ignoraban el problema o cerraban los ojos. Hoy, ya no se trata de saber si hay que hacer algo para proteger a los periodistas en las zonas de conflicto, sino que es lo que hay que hacer concretamente », añadió Lempen.
 
Para la PEC, mucho queda por hacer para que hayan cambios concretos en el terreno, en particular en lo que se refiere a la lucha contra la impunidad.
 
La Presidenta de la PEC Hedayat Abdel Nabi destacó que la comunidad internacional avanza en el camino correcto para rendir justicia a los periodistas que han perdido la vida en la defensa de su profesión y de los derechos humanos.

2013 سنة أخرى قاتلة للصحفيين 

جنيف – القاهرة  30 ديسمبر 2013 (حملة الشارة) –أعلنت حملة الشارة الدولية لحماية الصحفي تقريرها لنهاية العام أوضحت فيه أن سنة 2013 سنة أخرى قاتلة للصحفيين بسبب قيامهم بتغطية عدد من النزاعات المسلحة فقد قتل 129 صحفياً و صحفية و هم يمارسون مهنتهم في 28 دولة، و هو رقم يمثل نقصانا بنسبة 8 بالمائة عن رصد الحملة في 2012.

ففي العام الماضي قتل141 صحفياً و صحفية بسبب النزاع الدموي في سوريا، غير أن عدد القتلى من الصحفيين في سوريا قد انخفض هذا العام بالمقارنة بالعام الماضي إلا أن عمليات الاختطاف قد زادت فمازال 15 صحفياً مختطفاً أو قد اختفوا في سوريا.  

و قد قتل 107 صحفيين في 2011، و 110 في 2010 و 122 في 2009 و بلغ اجمالي من قتل في السنوات الخمس الماضية 609 صحفياً و صحفية، بمتوسط 120 في السنة و ما بين 2 و 3 في الأسبوع، و واحد كل 3 أيام.

من بين الـ 119 الذين قتلوا هذا العام لقي 25 منهم مصرعه في مناطق خارج نطاق النزاع المسلح و 82 بالمائة في مناطق النزاع المسلح. 

تأتي سوريا في مقدمة الدول الخطيرة للعمل الصحفي للسنة الثانية على التوال بمقتل 17 صحفياً، ثم العراق بمقتل 16 صحفياً فباكستان بمقتل 14، ثم الفلبين 11، و الهند 9.

تعد طاهرة اختطاف الصحفيين في سوريا من حيث الحجم ظاهرة غير مسبوقة و هم بأسمائهم باللغة الانجليزية 

Didier François (France), Edouard Elias (France), Nicolas Hénin (France), Peter Torres (France),  Basher Fahmi (Jordanian/Palestinian),  Marc Marginedas (Spain), James Foley (USA), Austin Tice (USA), Ishak Mostar (Mauritania), Samir Kassab (Lebanon), Bunyamin Aygun (Turkey),  Javier Espinosa Robles (Spain), Ricardo García Vilanova (Spain), Magnus Falkehed (Sweden), Niclas Hammarström  (Sweden).

و تم تحرير على الأقل 15 صحفيا أجنبيا مما يعني أن العدد وصل إلى 29 ما بين مختطف أو مختفي.

و صرح سكرتير عام حملة الشارة بليز ليمبان بأن عمليات الاختطاف في سوريا غير مسبوقة حتى بالمقارنة بالعراق في الفترة ما بين 2003 و 2006 فلم تشهد مثل هذه الارقام العالية مما يجعل تغطية الحرب في سوريا في غاية الخطورة.

و طالب ليمبان بضرورة الافراج عن الصحفيين المختطفين تزامناً مع مؤتمر جنيف 2 الذي يعقد 22  يناير القادم لمناقشة الأزمة السورية.  

و أعرب ليمبان عن أسفه من أن هذه المجموعات تستخدم وسيلة الاختطاف لجلب الفدية لتمويل نزاعهم المسلح مما يضعهم في مصاف الجماعات الاجرامية.

و طبقاً لتقرير الحملة فإن الاوضاع قد تدهورت أيضاً في العراق و بصفة خاصة في الموصل بعد تحسن نسبي في العام الماضي. 

و تأتي الصومال في المرتبة السادسة حيث قتل 8 صحفيين في مقابل 19 في السنة الماضية و مصر في المرتبة السابعة بمقتل 7 صحفيين عقب أحداث ما بعد 30 يونيو 2013 و عزل الرئيس السابق محمد مرسي.

و تأتي البرازيل في المرتبة الثامنة بمقتل 6 صحفيين في مقابل 11 في السنة الماضية ثم المكسيك 5 مقابل 11 في السنة الماضية ثم 4 في جواتيمالا. 

و قتل 3 صحفيين في كل من هندوراس و كولومبيا و ليبيا و 2 في كل من مالي و كينيا و كوت ديفوار و أفغانستان، و جمهورية إفريقيا الوسطى، و أكوادور و نيجيريا و أوغندا و بيرو و جمهورية الكونغو الديمقراطية و تنزان

و قتل (44)  صحفياً و صحفية في منطقة الشرق الأوسط، (37) في آسيا (27) في أمريكا اللاتينية (18) في إفريقيا و 3 في أوروبا.  

اكد ليمبان أن التقدم قد تحقق من قبل المجتمع الدولي الذي شارك في تعبئة العالم للنظر في هذه القضية المهمة حيث اجتمع مجلس الأمن مرتين للنظر في قضية حماية الصحفيين و اقرت الجمعية العامة للأمم المتحدة قراراً من أجل مناقشة هذه القضية و يستكمل اليونسكو العمل بتطبيق خطنه لحماية و سلامة الصحفيين.

و أوضح أن هذه الصحوة صحوة نجتح كبير بعدما عكفت الدول لسنوات طويلة عن مواجهة هذه المشكلة بأعين مغلقة.

و بالنسبة للحملة أضاف موضحاً فإن أمامنا الكثير لا نجازه لتحقيق التغيير الملموس في الميدان و بصفة خاصة في مكافحة الافلات من العقاب.

بينما أكدت رئيسة حملة الشارة الدولية هدايت عبد النبي أننا نتجه إلى الطريق الصحيح من أجل تحقيق العدالة للصحفيين الذين فقدوا حيالتهم دفاعاً عن مهنتهم و دفاعاً عن حقوق الانسان.

للمزيد من المعلومات تصفح
 

***17.12.2013. PAKISTAN: interview with a senior journalist Mudassar Shah reporting from troubled Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA): "To be a journalist in this region is the most dangerous job"

by Israr Khan, PEC Representative in Islamabad

Pakistani Journalists who are doing journalism in the world’s most troubled Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) and Baluchistan on the sensitive international border with Afghanistan are in a great danger. They are at the mercy of Taliban and military forces, as it has become too much dangerous for them to report from these armed conflict areas and bring the truth to the world.
In FATA, Pakistan, since 2004, about 150 thousand Pakistani military force is stationed fighting with Taliban militants to flush them out of the area. Since the US and NATO coalition forces poured in in Afghanistan to hunt down Al-Qaida and Taliban, domestic insurgency popped up on this side of the border, now reporting on these warring groups is grave risky for journalists.
The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) in its effort to mobilize the world community to stand by journalists in conflicts zones and dangerous situations has attempted to interview a senior Pakistani freelance journalist Mr. Mudassar Shah (photo) 38, who has been reporting regularly from FATA region, including Waziristan, the Swat Valley, Islamabad and Afghanistan since 1998.
Mr. Shah files news stories regularly for the US Free Speech Radio News, Asia Calling, and various other radio including DW and print media organizations. His reporting focuses on militancy and other socioeconomic issues that affect Pakistanis and Afghans, such as music, the conditions in refugee camps, the effects of Sharia law on tribal communities, the collapse of Pakistani’s judicial system and health related issues including AIDS.

PEC: What is your experience of the conflict zone as a reporter?
SHAH: Since the US and NATO forces entered into Afghanistan, it introduced a new dimension to reporting in the Pakistan, namely conflict reporting. It also put much responsibility on journalists and media covering stories in these troubled areas including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, tribal areas and in Baluchistan province where security and safety situation is worse.

PEC: What dangers and difficulties you face while covering this area?
SHAH: To be a journalist in this region is the most dangerous job, as you can’t differentiate between enemy and friend. Intimidation to journalists by the unknown people is a common custom. In view of the increasingly complex nature of conflict situations, we are stuck between devil and deep sea while reporting on various sensitive issues. These militants are considering journalists the ‘enemy and western spies’. They think us as anti-Islamic if we report against them. Reporting on the military is also ‘to be careful’ topic.

"You cannot report on women rights"

PEC: Can you pinpoint those sensitive issues which need a great care for you to report on?
SHAH: Well, for example you cannot report on female education and women rights, and if you do so, then unknown threatening calls will not only make your life miserable but they could also anytime hit you badly. In most cases reporters face with threats and harassments from the military, police and militants. Journalists reporting on the Taliban’s activities, military operations and other security-related issues often incur the wrath of the warring sides and sandwiched between them. Journalists from these areas increasingly report threats, coercion, kidnapping and targeted killings by both militants and the military, and many self-censor to avoid retribution.

PEC: Why they [militants] are against reporting on these issues?
SHAH: Militants think that reporting on female education is an effort to encourage girls for becoming another Malal Yousafzai who was been targeted and injured in Swat valley by Taliban. There is a hill of issues in FATA education sector, but if you report on them, they will threat you for dire consequences. Females are still playing a proactive role in this region in education sector and without taking the danger in account, they are still ready to get education, but the facilities are meager.

PEC: Apart from these gender issues, what are topics that are almost untouchable for you?
SHAH: Smuggling of goods and drugs on Pak-Afghan border is another topic which is much dangerous to be reported on, if you want to stay safe then keep quite. If you report on such issues, you will every time feel that you could be detained or targeted at any moment.
As, there is no access of foreign journalists to this region and for local journalists even doing independent investigation and reporting on the US drone attacks is also not possible. However, still we take the risk and try to report on these issues.

"We are always a soft target"

PEC: What is the level of support of the government in protecting journalists in the conflict zone?
SHAH: Unfortunately, there is no media law in Pakistan that provides for complete protection to the journalist community facing threats and violence. Several tribal Pakistani journalists had been killed, many other injured and harassed through the hands of unknown enemy while performing their duties. No culprit has been so far brought to justice. We are always a soft target, as no government is protecting us.

PEC: How does it feel to almost get you arrested or targeted?
SHAH: As, I am reporting in conflict zone for the international print and electronic media, I have been receiving threats, sometimes life threats from both sides. It is painful when you feel that an unknown enemy is every time chasing you and you are helpless.
Three week back, when I was working on the smuggling issue on Pak-Afghan border, I was detained for several hours my camera and voice recorder were been broken by levies [the force recruited indigenously on a tribal basis, fall under the federal government’s control, and are appointed by the political agent who is also their commanding officer]. Recalling another incident happened to me in December 2011, while I was going for interviewing somebody, on the way suddenly some unknown peoples attacked on me. There was intense firing, I escaped but my nephew got injured and was put in custody. The next day, I went to Assistant Political Agent [APA] Jamrud, khyber agency but he was reluctant to listen to me. During that meeting, a phone call came to APA and I was harshly beaten and put behind bars. Latter, I developed abdominal pain and infection. I was put in cell with known Taliban militants among whom most were involved in NATO containers cases. Mentally and physically, I was in extremely bad condition for nothing.
Later, I was released, but when I started work on another story “NATO OIL TANKER JOCKEYS”, life threatening phone calls started coming to me. The story was on tribal children of under 18 who were supposed to sit at the back of the oil tanker when they reach the difficult areas of Khyber Agency. It seemed like camel jockeys while those helper got very less amount for all this and most of them did not know of human rights and its violation. After threats, I left this area for some weeks and went to other cities, but was spotted. At last, again came to this area where I had family and home.

PEC: How do you manage your relationship with your family? (I mean how you deal with it when every time you work in danger zone and sometime get life threats. How you convince it.)
SHAH: Yes, my family is always worried about my safety. Since my family is residing in tribal area, so when I am under threats, my family also gets the threatening calls which are always much hurting. However, I try to convince my family that if journalists are not telling the true picture to the world, then who will come to help us. In such areas when situation becomes intense, even the volunteer organizations leave, still journalists will be there on the scene covering news for readers.

PEC: What are your suggestions to improve the access to the conflict zones?
SHAH: Direct access of foreign media and journalists is almost impossible to these areas, however by well equipping and well training the local journalists, they can access to the area. Even some time, we local journalists are presumed as agents of any foreign country by the local people. Safety trainings are required there and the journalists’ defense groups and organization should play their proactive role in this regards. No government or media organization for which the reporter is working are not ready to well equip them or train them to cope and face with such difficult situation in conflict zones.
END

***04.12.2013. REPORTE DE CERIGUA PARA PEC - Violaciones a la libertad de prensa en México y Centroamérica durante noviembre del 2013.

Guatemala: Durante noviembre se documentaron ocho violaciones contra la prensa, siendo estas: una agresión física y detención arbitraria; cuatro agresiones físicas; una amenaza; el cierre de una radio comunitaria y una agresión física y amenazas.

El periodista Jorge Guillermo Lemus Alvarado denunció que el 1 de noviembre policías lo golpearon y arrestaron arbitrariamente, implantándole pruebas, en las afueras de su negocio, en la zona 1 capitalina. De acuerdo con el afectado, esto se debe a su trabajo como periodista.
 
El sábado 9 de noviembre agentes policiales lanzaron gas pimienta a varios periodistas, que esperaban la llegada de un reo a la torre de tribunales de la ciudad de Guatemala. La agresión se repitió nuevamente el miércoles 13, cuando esperaban que el reo saliera de brindar declaración ante un juez.
 
Ese mismo día, la periodista Verónica Alonso resultó golpeada, cuando con otros compañeros evitó la detención de un Bombero Voluntario. El 17 de noviembre Óscar Rivas, fotógrafo de Prensa Libre, fue golpeado por aficionados de un club deportivo.
 
El sábado 21 de noviembre, autoridades allanaron la radio comunitaria “Damasco”, ubicada en San Marcos, departamento fronterizo con México, arrestando a Víctor Ángel, quien se encontraba en cabina en ese momento.
 
La última semana de noviembre César Pérez Méndez, director editorial de elQuetzalteco, recibió amenazas vía telefónica y mensajes de texto, donde lo intimidaron para que deje de publicar información “que no le importa”. Esa misma semana Edgar Trigueros, reportero de una página en línea, fue golpeado por el jefe de servicios de la municipalidad de Jalapa, aparentemente por críticas hacía su trabajo.
 
Honduras: En el marco de las elecciones presidenciales, celebradas el 24 de noviembre, el periodista radial César Obando Flores, de la emisora Libre Estéreo, fue advertido de que en caso diera cobertura a los comicios, sufriría las consecuencias. 
 
Durante las elecciones, varios periodistas denunciaron que militares con pasamontañas y fuertemente armados custodiaban las antenas de transmisión de Canal 11, Canal 13, Canal 36, Radio Globo y TV Globo.
 
El 11 de noviembre Nery Adalberto Recarte, periodista y propietario de Canal 34 y radio La Popularísima, sufrió un atentando armado junto con su chofer. Recarte subía a su vehículo, cuando dos desconocidos lo atacaron con armas de fuego. Ambos resultaron ilesos.
 
Jorge Cabrera Alfaro, corresponsal de Reuter, fue agredido verbal y físicamente por guardias de un centro médico, cuando estacionaba su vehículo. El afectado indicó que el incidente se dio cuando los guardias le dijeron que no se podía estacionar, a lo que él les respondió que siempre que llega al lugar y nunca ha tenido inconvenientes.
 
México: El lunes 4 de noviembre en Estado de Sonora fue asesinado a tiros el periodista Alberto Angulo Gerardo, cuando se transportaba junto a familiares en un vehículo.
 
A inicios de mes voceadores de Chiapas dejaron de vender las ediciones del diario “Contrapoder en Chiapas”, argumentando que tenían órdenes de autoridades para no distribuirlo.
 
El 12 de noviembre, desconocidos ingresaron a las instalaciones del taller donde se imprime el diario Notivisión, dañando equipo utilizado para la impresión del rotativo.
 
Silvia Núñez, del portal de noticias AGN Veracruz, denunció ser vigilada por la Agencia Veracruzana de Información (AGN). La periodista afirmó que el jueves 7 de noviembre notó la presencia de una unidad de la agencia, cerca de su vivienda, lo que catalogó como posible hostigamiento a su trabajo, ya que es consideraba por autoridades como incomoda.

Ileana Alamilla
Guatemala, 4 de diciembre de 2013. 

***27.11.2013. PEC welcomes heartily the creation of an International Day to End Impunity for crimes against journalists on November 2 (read the text of the UN resolution on safety of journalists and impunity below)

Geneva, November 27 (PEC) – The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) welcomes heartily the decision of the UN Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly in a consensus resolution creating an international Day to End Impunity for crimes against journalists, the day will be celebrated each year on November 2.

PEC President Hedayat Abdel Nabi noted that this resolution is a great step forward for all media workers who are living the trauma of acute danger in the field, a danger that is growing daily and changing in character.

PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen said that the overwhelming majority of crimes against journalists are committed with impunity.

Lempen added that so far this year 108 journalists were killed, and noted that the PEC is also very concerned by the fate of a dozen foreign journalists kidnapped in Syria, among them 2 Swedish journalists, abducted last week-end. 

He thanked France for this important initiative co-sponsored by more than 70 countries and expressed hope that other initiatives to protect journalists will follow in the right direction which the PEC adheres to since 2006. 

The resolution unequivocally condemns all attacks, intimidation and violence against journalists and media workers, and calls on all Member States to protect them, to ensure that all crimes against them are investigated and brought to justice, and to promote an environment in which journalists and media workers can work independently and without interference.

It also expresses support for the United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, an unprecedented step in the promotion of freedom of expression.

The PEC, since launching its campaign ten years ago further developed it in December 2007 to include draft convention to protect journalists in conflict zones and dangerous situations, among the many provisions of the draft is to hold the perpetrators of crimes against journalists accountable.

The Geneva based NGO initiated this year interviews with journalists who were abducted such as Francois Aubenas of France and Giuliana Sgrena of Italy in order to mobilize the world community to stand by journalists in conflicts zones and dangerous situations.

The resolution which passed 26 November pays homage to French journalists of Radio France Internationale, Ghislaine Dupont et Claude Verlon, killed in Mali on 2 November this year.

Abdel Nabi and Lempen expressed hope that more steps will be taken in 2014 to strengthen the legal aspects of protection for journalists. 

TEXT OF THE RESOLUTION: United Nations - General Assembly - A/C.3/68/L.40/Rev.1

Sixty-eighth session
Third Committee
Agenda item 69 (b)

Promotion and protection of human rights: human
rights questions, including alternative approaches for
improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and
fundamental freedoms
 
Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia
and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia,
Cyprus, Czech Republic, El Salvador, Estonia, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece,
Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Luxembourg, Mali, Malta, Netherlands,
Nigeria, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea,
Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, United States of
America and Uruguay: revised draft resolution
 
Safety of journalists and the issue of impunity

The General Assembly,

Guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations,

Reaffirming the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and recalling

relevant international human rights treaties, including the International Covenant on

Civil and Political Rights and the International Convention for the Protection of All

Persons from Enforced Disappearance, as well as the Geneva Conventions of

1949 and the Additional Protocols thereto,

Recalling the United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and

the Issue of Impunity, endorsed by the United Nations System Chief Executives

Board for Coordination on 12 April 2012, in which United Nations agencies, funds

and programmes were invited to work with Member States towards a free and safe

environment for journalists and media workers in both conflict and non-conflict

situations, with a view to strengthening peace, democracy and development worldwide

Recalling also Human Rights Council resolutions 21/12 of 27 September 2012

on the safety of journalists, 20/8 of 5 July 2012 on the promotion, protection and

enjoyment of human rights on the Internet and 24/15 of 27 September 2012 on the

World Programme for Human Rights Education and Human Rights Council decision

24/116 of 26 September 2013 on a panel discussion on the safety of journalists, as

well as Security Council resolution 1738 (2006) of 23 December 2006,

Taking note of the reports of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and

protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression and the Special

Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, submitted to the

Human Rights Council at its twentieth session,

Commending the role and the activities of the Office of the United Nations

High Commissioner for Human Rights and the United Nations Educational,

Scientific and Cultural Organization with regard to the safety of journalists and the

issue of impunity,

Taking note with appreciation of the report of the Office of the United Nations

High Commissioner for Human Rights on good practices on the safety of

journalists, submitted to the Human Rights Council at its twenty-fourth session,

Noting with appreciation the international conference on the safety of

journalists held in Warsaw on 23 and 24 April 2013 and its specific

recommendations,

Acknowledging that journalism is continuously evolving to include inputs from

media institutions, private individuals and a range of organizations that seek, receive

and impart information and ideas of all kinds, online as well as offline, in the

exercise of freedom of opinion and expression, in accordance with article 19 of the

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, thus contributing to shape

public debate,

Recognizing the relevance of freedom of expression and of free media in

building knowledge-inclusive societies and democracies and in fostering

intercultural dialogue, peace and good governance,

Recognizing also that the work of journalists often puts them at specific risk of

intimidation, harassment and violence,

Taking note of the good practices of different countries aimed at the protection

of journalists, as well as, inter alia, those designed for the protection of human

rights defenders that can, where applicable, be relevant to the protection of

journalists,

Recognizing that the number of people whose lives are influenced by the way

information is presented is significant and that journalism influences public opinion,

Bearing in mind that impunity for attacks against journalists constitutes one

of the main challenges to strengthening the protection of journalists,

Recalling in this regard that journalists, media professionals and associated

personnel engaged in dangerous professional missions in areas of armed conflict

shall be considered as civilians and shall be respected and protected as such,

provided that they take no action adversely affecting their status as civilians,

Expressing concern at the threat to the safety of journalists posed by non-State

actors, including terrorist groups and criminal organizations,

Acknowledging the specific risks faced by women journalists in the exercise of

their work, and underlining, in this context, the importance of taking a gendersensitive

approach when considering measures to address the safety of journalists,

1. Takes note with appreciation of the United Nations Plan of Action on the

Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity;

2. Condemns unequivocally all attacks and violence against journalists and

media workers, such as torture, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and

arbitrary detention, as well as intimidation and harassment in both conflict and

non-conflict situations;

3. Decides to proclaim 2 November as the International Day to End

Impunity for Crimes against Journalists;

4. Requests the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural

Organization, in consultation with relevant entities of the United Nations system,

and mindful of the provisions of the annex to Economic and Social Council

resolution 1980/67 of 25 July 1980, to facilitate the implementation of the

International Day in collaboration with Governments and relevant stakeholders;

5. Urges Member States to do their utmost to prevent violence against

journalists and media workers, to ensure accountability through the conduct of

impartial, speedy and effective investigations into all alleged violence against

journalists and media workers falling within their jurisdiction, and to bring the

perpetrators of such crimes to justice and to ensure that victims have access to

appropriate remedies;

6. Calls upon States to promote a safe and enabling environment for

journalists to perform their work independently and without undue interference,

including by means of: (a) legislative measures; (b) awareness-raising in the

judiciary and among law enforcement officers and military personnel, as well as

among journalists and in civil society, regarding international human rights and

humanitarian law obligations and commitments relating to the safety of journalists;

(c) the monitoring and reporting of attacks against journalists; (d) publicly

condemning attacks; and (e) dedicating the resources necessary to investigate and prosecute such attacks

7. Invites the relevant agencies, organizations, funds and programmes of the

United Nations system to consider identifying focal points for the exchange of

information about the implementation of the United Nations Plan of Action on the

Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, in cooperation with Member States

and under the overall coordination of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and

Cultural Organization;

8. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its

sixty-ninth session on the implementation of the present resolution.

END 

***22.11.2013. Journée internationale contre l’impunité - Interview de Giuliana Sgrena par Luisa Ballin: « Enlever des journalistes : arme de guerre et business »

Giuliana Sgrena, journaliste italienne et envoyée spéciale de Il Manifesto, enlevée en Irak en 2005, était de passage à Genève à l’occasion de la présentation du film « Voix de reportages », consacré à sa consœur genevoise Laurence Deonna. Luisa Ballin l’a interviewée pour la Presse Emblème Campagne (PEC) sur les conditions tragiques de sa libération et la protection des professionnels de l’information dans les zones dangereuses en vue de la Journée internationale contre l'impunité le 23 novembre. Un témoignage plein d'enseignements. Giuliana Sgrena fait plusieurs suggestions pour améliorer la protection des journalistes et dénonce l'impunité dans le cas de la mort de celui qui lui a sauvé la vie - à cause de "la coutume du drapeau". Lire aussi la reprise de l'interview dans la "Tribune de Genève" (édition du 25 novembre):

http://www.tdg.ch/geneve/actu-genevoise/informer-devenu-metier-tres-dangereux/story/14671987

Luisa Ballin. Que pensez-vous de ce qui s’est passé au Mali avec la mort des deux journalistes français de RFI, Ghislaine Dupont et Claude Verlon?

Giuliana Sgrena. Je pense que le métier de journaliste est devenu très dangereux. Je me demande souvent quelles pourraient être les mesures pour éviter que cette profession soit aussi périlleuse, car je suis convaincue que nous ne pouvons pas renoncer à faire notre métier qui est d’informer y compris dans les zones difficiles. De nos jours ce qui prévaut dans les zones de conflit ce sont les reporters embedded, embarqués avec les militaires et je pense que ce n’est pas la vraie façon de faire du journalisme. Il faut aller chercher les informations, les vérifier et les écrire ou les transmettre. Pour continuer de le faire, il faudrait un minimum de protection.

Q. De quelle manière pourrait-on protéger les professionnels de l’information au Mali, en Irak, pays où vous êtes rendue à plusieurs reprises et où vous avez été enlevée, et en Syrie, où il est pratiquement impossible de travailler comme journaliste?

- Il devrait y avoir un réseau international indépendant, au service des représentants des médias. Grâce aux nouvelles technologies de l’information, nous avons de nombreuses possibilités de suivre tous les mouvements. Nous sommes d’ailleurs sans cesse espionnés ! Tout le monde sait où nous allons et ce que nous faisons. Pourquoi ne pas utiliser ces technologies de façon positive pour vérifier si tout va bien pour un journaliste qui se trouve dans une zone difficile ? Nous pourrions être épaulés par des personnes fiables qui s’engageraient à suivent notre parcours et qui seraient capables d’intervenir en cas de difficulté. Certes, une telle structure n’est pas facile à mettre en place, mais nous devrions pouvoir y parvenir.

Q. Pensez-vous à une structure composée uniquement de journalistes ou également de représentants d’organisations non gouvernementales?

- Nous pourrions associer des ONG à cette structure parce nous nous sommes souvent trouvés dans des situations similaires. Mais il faudrait que ces organisations non gouvernementales soient indépendantes, car dans le cas contraire, d’autres intérêts pourraient prévaloir. 

Q. Après la publication de votre livre intitulé « Fuoco amico » (« Feu ami », paru chez Bianca Feltrinelli) et avec le recul, comment analysez-vous ce qui vous est arrivé lorsque vous avez été enlevée en 2005, pendant un mois en Irak?

- J’avais tenté de prendre toutes les précautions pour éviter d’être enlevée, mais à l’évidence cela n’a pas suffi. Je ne pense pas que mes ravisseurs m’aient choisie comme cible de l’enlèvement, je me suis trouvée à un endroit où je ne devais pas être à ce moment-là. D’autres personnes ont été enlevées à cet endroit, mais je ne le savais pas. En tant que journalistes, nous prenons des risques lorsque nous sommes dans certaines situations et malheureusement le tribut à payer est très lourd. Mais nous ne pouvons pas renoncer à exercer notre métier (photo: Giuliana Sgrena lors de son enlèvement en 2005).

Q. De plus en plus de professionnels de l’information sont enlevés dans plusieurs pays. Est-ce devenu un business ?

- C’est devenu une arme de guerre. Mes ravisseurs m’ont dit : nous utilisons toutes les armes dont nous disposons y compris toi !  De fait, je me suis sentie utilisée comme une arme. Sans oublier l’aspect business. Les ravisseurs ne sont pas partout pareils, ils peuvent avoir des objectifs différents.

Q. Contre qui vos ravisseurs vous ont-ils utilisée ?

- Ils voulaient m’utiliser pour obtenir des résultats précis. Mes ravisseurs faisaient partie d’un groupe qui luttait contre l’occupation de leur pays. Ils exigeaient le retrait des troupes d’occupation y compris italiennes. Je ne pense pas qu’ils s’imaginaient qu’un enlèvement suffirait à obtenir un retrait. Ils demandaient un résultat politique qui était la réinsertion des Sunnites dans le panorama politique irakien, parce que mon enlèvement est intervenu après les élections de la fin janvier 2005. Seuls quelques Sunnites avaient participé à ces élections puisque la grande majorité d’entre eux les avaient boycottées affirmant qu’il ne fallait pas voter sous occupation. Les Kurdes et les Chiites ayant voté, les Sunnites se sont trouvés en difficulté. Ils étaient hors du jeu politique et des affaires, pouvoir et business allant souvent de pair. Ils cherchaient ainsi à se réinsérer. Mes ravisseurs ont donc aussi demandé de l’argent.

Q. Le paiement d’une rançon est tabou. Que pouvez-vous en dire ?

- Lorsqu’il s’agit d’enlèvements qui ont lieu dans des pays en guerre, où plus aucune légalité ne prévaut, on ne peut pas avoir la même attitude que lorsqu’il s’agit de pays où la légalité existe. Dans une guerre, tous sont hors la loi : ceux qui font la guerre, ceux qui occupent un pays et ceux qui enlèvent des personnes. Dans les cas où des professionnels se trouvent dans ces pays pour faire leur travail, dans des situations qui ne sont pas normales, et qu’ensuite il y a une demande de rançon pour les libérer, il faut payer pour sauver des vies humaines.

Q. Dans votre cas, outre votre enlèvement, il y a eu la mort de celui qui vous a libérée. Où en est l’enquête sur la mort de Nicola Calipari ?

- Malheureusement, l’enquête n’avance pas. Nous nous sommes battus pour qu’il y ait un procès en Italie à l’encontre de Mario Lozano, le soldat de l’armée américaine qui a tiré contre notre voiture. Nous n’y sommes pas parvenus malgré un procès préliminaire lors duquel le juge avait décidé d’envoyer Mario Lozano devant la justice pour l’homicide politique volontaire de Nicola Calipari, le numéro deux du SISMI (les services italiens de la sûreté de l’Etat, ndlr) et pour la tentative d’homicide contre moi et contre l’autre agent du SISMI Andrea Carpani. Nous sommes allés en Cour d’assises. Lors du procès préliminaire, Lozano était introuvable. Il n’avait pas d’avocat de confiance mais disposait d’un avocat commis d’office. Puis le procès en Cour d’assises a commencé, Lozano a nommé un avocat et ne s’est jamais présenté. Son avocat a demandé de revoir les questions dont nous avions discuté lors du procès préliminaire, comme la possibilité de juger Lozano. La veuve de Nicola Calipari et moi avons accepté de discuter. Malheureusement, la Cour d’assises est arrivée à la conclusion opposée à celle que le juge avait prononcée lors du procès préliminaire. A la Cour d’assises, il y avait un jury populaire. Le juge a conclu que nous n’avions pas le droit de juger Mario Lozano en se basant sur « la coutume du drapeau ».  

Q. De quoi s’agit-il ?

- D’une pratique obsolète utilisée il y a très longtemps lors de conflits en mer, qui décrétait qu’un soldat répondait uniquement au drapeau du pays qu’il portait dans son sac à dos. Dans le cas de Lozano, celui des Etats-Unis. Après cette sentence, le Ministère public, l’avocat de l’Etat italien - qui s’était constitué partie civile - et moi, avons fait recours à la Cour de cassation. Le Procureur général a jugé la sentence de la Cour d’assises sans fondement, la « coutume du drapeau » étant obsolète. Mais notre recours a été rejeté car le juge a conclu qu’il ne s’agissait pas de crimes de guerre parce qu’il n’y avait eu qu’un mort ! Après avoir été blessée tout comme le deuxième agent du SISMI par les tirs de Lozano lorsque nous étions à 900 mètres de l’aéroport pour rentrer à Rome, j’ai été condamnée à payer les frais de justice.  S’il s’était agi d’un crime de guerre nous aurions pu avoir ce procès. Le résultat ? Pour l’Italie, il n’y a plus aucune possibilité que Mario Lozano soit jugé. Et nous ne pouvons pas faire recours auprès d’une cour internationale puisque ni l’Irak, ni les Etats-Unis ne reconnaissent la Cour pénale internationale.

Q. Après avoir beaucoup œuvré pour vous libérer, le gouvernement italien vous a-t-il soutenue?

- Il y a eu plusieurs changements de gouvernement en Italie. Lorsque j’ai été libérée, Silvio Berlusconi était Premier Ministre, lorsque le procès en Cour d’assises a débuté, le Premier Ministre était Romano Prodi – dont le gouvernement s’était constitué partie civile – et lorsque nous sommes allés en cassation, Silvio Berlusconi était revenu au pouvoir. Pendant l’intervention de l’avocat de l’Etat italien, un appel téléphonique est arrivé de Palazzo Chigi (siège de la Présidence du Conseil des ministres italien, ndlr) disant qu’il fallait tout arrêter. Le Gouvernement italien a ainsi décidé qu’il valait mieux ne pas avoir de procès. Avec tous les gouvernements qui se sont succédé en Italie, il n’y a jamais eu de pressions particulières sur les Etats-Unis pour que ce procès ait lieu. Les Etats-Unis avaient fait une enquête militaire qui avait conclu que ce genre de chose arrive en guerre et qu’il n’y avait pas de motif pour juger Lozano. Et aujourd’hui en Italie, on ne parle plus de Nicola Calipari.

Q. Que peuvent faire les journalistes ?

- Ils peuvent sensibiliser l’opinion pour défendre leurs consœurs  et leurs confrères et toutes les personnes qui se trouvent dans une zone difficile pour faire leur travail. Je rappelle que Nicola Calipari avait déjà libéré les deux Simone (Simona Torretta et Simona Pari, ndlr). Nicola était un homme au service de l’Etat. Il n’était pas au service du gouvernement mais au service des citoyens italiens. J’estime qu’il faut protéger ceux qui défendent les personnes qui font leur travail, journalistes et volontaires.

Q. Lors du retour de la dépouille de Nicola Calipari en Italie, le pays entier lui avait pourtant rendu hommage. N’est-il pas considéré un héros national ?

- Avant de libérer des personnes enlevées, Nicola Calipari avait lutté contre la ndrangheta (la mafia calabraise, ndlr), lorsqu’il travaillait à l’Office des migrations. C’était un homme bien que tout le monde a célébré comme un héros et que beaucoup préfèrent oublier.

Q. Pourquoi ?

- Je pense que le meurtre de Nicola Calipari n’était pas seulement dû aux Américains, mais qu’il y avait aussi une complicité italienne. Lorsque Calipari a été tué, il y avait un affrontement au sein des services italiens, structure composée d’une aile très pro-américaine estimant qu’il ne fallait pas traiter pour libérer les personnes séquestrées et qu’en tant qu’alliés des Américains, l’Italie devait suivre la même ligne qu’eux. L’autre aile, non pas anti-américaine, mais un peu plus indépendante pour une question de souveraineté nationale, estimait qu’il fallait tout faire pour ramener ses concitoyens à la maison. Après la mort de Calipari, cette aile a été laminée et la composante très pro-américaine a prévalu. Lorsque Nicolas Calipari se trouvait à Bagdad pour venir me chercher, il a reçu un appel. Des gens voulaient l’envoyer ailleurs. S’il était allé là où la personne qui était au bout du fil voulait qu’il aille, il aurait certainement fini dans une embuscade. Il ne m’aurait jamais libérée et il serait mort de toute façon...Je lui dois deux fois la vie. Non seulement il m’a libérée, mais il m’a aussi protégée avec son corps lorsqu’ils nous ont tiré dessus.

Q. Etes-vous retournée en Irak ?

- Oui, j’y suis retournée deux fois, à la recherche des lieux de cette tragédie et pour retrouver un sentiment de sécurité que je n’avais plus.

Q. Quelle est la première chose que vous avez faite après votre enlèvement ?

- Après mon enlèvement en 2005, je suis allée en Afghanistan pour suivre les élections. Si  je n’avais pas recommencé tout de suite à travailler dans des zones difficiles, je ne l’aurais sans doute plus jamais fait.   

Interview réalisée par Luisa Ballin, membre du comité directeur de la PEC 

***08.11.2013. REPORTE DE CERIGUA PARA PEC. Violaciones contra la libertad de expresión y de prensa en México y Centroamérica durante el mes de octubre de 2013.

Guatemala: El sábado 19 de octubre fue asesinado Viltor García, miembro de la seguridad de Karina Rottman, periodista y co-propietaria de Vea Canal; García recibió varios impactos de bala por desconocidos, en cercanías de la vivienda de la comunicadora. Dos semanas antes de este ataque, otros dos guardaespaldas de Rottman fueron agredidos físicamente, en la zona 10 capitalina, luego de que sostuvo una reunión con personal del Ministerio Público (MP).

Rottman dijo que los atacantes tienen relación con transportistas del departamento de El Progreso. Previo a estos hechos, Otto Rottman, esposo de de la señora Rottman y directivo del medio, denunció que en varias empresas de cable han bloqueado la señala de Vea Canal, aparentemente por su contenido crítico.
 
Honduras: El 24 de octubre en la ciudad de Tegucigalpa fue muerto a tiros el camarógrafo de Globo TV, Manuel Murillo Varela, quien desde el 2010 contaba con medidas cautelares por parte de la Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos (CIDH). En 2010 el comunicador fue secuestrado y torturado por policías vestidos de civil.
 
El 16 de octubre Rigoberto Mendoza denunció amenazas de muerte por parte de un dirigente campesino, debido a unas declaraciones que dio respecto a un paro en el departamento de Colón, donde participaba el dirigente Vitalino Álvarez.
 
Adolfo Hernández, conductor del programa “No se Deje”, transmitido en Telered 21, denunció que su espacio al aire había sido censurado, por parte de directivos del medio el día 28 de octubre, aparentemente por presión de autoridades, luego de dar a conocer anomalías en hospitales públicos.
 
El jueves 31, Ariela Cáceres periodistas del programa “Hable Como Hable”, denunció amenazas en su contra y señaló que ese día, antes de salir de su hogar, sospechosos estaban en su automóvil.
 
México: El 2 de octubre, en el marco de la marcha por la masacre de Tlatelolco, más de 30 periodistas sufrieron violaciones por parte de autoridades y manifestantes, entre estas agresiones físicas, verbales y amenazas.

El 20 de octubre oficiales del Estado de Baja California arrestaron arbitrariamente al periodista Jorge Nieto, cuando daba cobertura a un incidente de tránsito, en el que estaban involucrados elementos de la policía.
 
La madrugada del 28 de octubre las emisoras hermanas “La FM Maya” y “La Estrella Maya que Habla”, en Quintana Roo, fueron atacadas con una bomba molotov, por sujetos encapuchados que ingresaron a las instalaciones del medio. Ningún trabajador resulto lesionado.

Ileana Alamilla
PEC Rep in Guatemala
8 de Noviembre 2013. 

15.11.2013. Cerigua rechaza utilización de gas pimienta contra la prensa y exige a las autoridades investigar a los responsables

El Observatorio de los Periodistas de Cerigua repudia la agresión cometida por agentes de la Policía Nacional Civil (PNC) contra miembros de la prensa, a quienes lanzaron gas pimienta cuando trasladaban a un reo hacia el sótano de tribunales.  
 
Es inaceptable que nuevamente miembros de las fuerzas públicas agredan a reporteros y periodistas, que realizan su labor profesional, con el agravante que  los hechos hayan tenido lugar en la sede del Organismo Judicial (OJ).
 
La mañana del miércoles 13 de noviembre agentes de la PNC rociaron gas pimienta a reporteros y periodistas de varios medios de comunicación que intentaban obtener declaraciones de Roberto Barreda, señalado de ser el presunto asesino de su esposa Cristina Siekavizza y a quien se imputan otros delitos, el detenido era escoltado por el pasillo del piso 14 de Torre de Tribunales por fuerzas de seguridad y miembros del SP.
 
De acuerdo con Siglo 21, el oficial encargado de ordenar que se lanzara el químico contra los comunicadores fue Edín Santizo, de la Subdirección General de Investigación Criminal (SGIC). Los reporteros Wilder López, de Siglo 21, Ivan Quiñónez, de TV Azteca y Karla Mejía, de Nueve Mundo, requirieron asistencia médica.
 
Este fue el segundo incidente que se registró en menos de una semana contra miembros de la prensa por parte de fuerzas de seguridad. El sábado 9 noviembre cuando Barreda era trasladado a tribunales, la policía también utilizó ese gas contra los reporteros que buscaban acercarse para formular preguntas al detenido. 
 
Ileana Alamilla, coordinadora del Observatorio de los Periodistas, mostró su repudió ante estas acciones y aseguró que violan la Constitución Política de la República  así como los derechos humanos, tanto de los periodistas como de las demás personas que resultaron afectadas por los gases.
 
Alamilla recordó que estas violaciones se suman a una larga lista de hechos que han ocurrido contra la prensa en lo que va del 2013, entre ellos  los asesinatos de 4 profesionales de la comunicación, que hasta la fecha no han sido esclarecidos y el atentado contra la vida de otro periodista.
 
Otro de los casos que aun no se resuelven y en el que está involucrada la fuerza pública, fue la amenaza de muerte y la detención, por parte del subinspector de San Marcos, José Reginaldo de la Cruz,  contra dos reporteros la última semana de agosto, acto en el que colocó esposas a los afectados.

 Autoridades del Ministerio de Gobernación anunciaron que de la Cruz sería dado de baja de la institución tras haber encontrado que había cometido una falta, sin embargo, según informaciones,  hasta la fecha el subinspector continúa trabajando en las filas de la PNC.

El Observatorio de los Periodistas de la Agencia Cerigua demanda:

a)     Del Ministro de Gobernación y demás autoridades involucradas el acatamiento y sujeción al orden jurídico, respeto al trabajo de la prensa y someter a los tribunales a quienes han violentado la Constitución y las leyes. Si como ha dicho el funcionario tienen protocolos para estos casos, debe deducir responsabilidades administrativas a quienes los están incumpliendo.

b)    Exige al Ministerio Público su pronta intervención en el caso y que las investigaciones sean prontas y que presenten resultados;

c)    Pone en conocimiento de la Relatora de la Libertad de Expresión de la OEA, Doctora Catalina Botero; las  entidades de la Red IFEX, de Reporteros sin Fronteras, del Comité de Protección al Periodista y de la SIP este caso para que exijan al gobierno respeto al derecho humano de libertad de expresión, de información y de prensa.

d)    Presenta su solidaridad con los colegas periodistas víctimas de las autoridades.
 
Guatemala, 14 de noviembre 2013.

***06.11.2013. MALI. La Presse Emblème Campagne (PEC) appuie la demande de trois syndicats français de journalistes de création d'une commission d'enquête parlementaire sur l'assassinat des deux journalistes dans le nord-est du Mali. De nombreuses questions restent sans réponse et leur mort ne peut rester impunie. Lire la lettre ci-dessous:

Paris, le 5 novembre 2013

A l’attention de M. Le président du Sénat, Jean-Pierre BEL

Monsieur le Président,

Les syndicats français de journalistes (SNJ, SNJ-CGT, CFDT-journalistes), membres de la Fédération européenne des journalistes (FEJ 300.000 membres), appellent à la formation urgente d’une commission d’enquête parlementaire suite au lâche assassinat commis samedi contre nos deux confrères de RFI en mission au nord Mali.

Nous voulons symboliquement en faire la demande officielle au moment où est célébrée la traditionnelle journée européenne des journalistes sous l’égide de la FEJ (Stand up with journalism) le 5 novembre.

En effet, une fois l’émotion et l’indignation exprimées avec force par tous après l’annonce de la mort tragique de Ghislaine Dupont et Claude Verlon, de nombreuses questions restent, à nos yeux, sans réponse.

Pourquoi la force Serval en place au Mali ne les a pas protégés et a refusé de les transporter ?

Est-il exact qu’un appareil militaire (hélicoptère et ou avion) a survolé la zone sans trouver leur trace ?

Quels sont les commanditaires de l’assassinat des deux salariés de RFI ?

Comment ont-ils pu être kidnappés à Kidal, sans réaction immédiate des forces présentes ?

Nous devons aussi rappeler que des otages français sont toujours détenus quelque part au Sahel, malgré la libération de quatre de nos compatriotes. Mais là encore les conditions de leur élargissement restent sur de nombreux points énigmatiques. Quel est le rôle d’Areva dans cette zone ? Quid des réseaux de la Françafrique ? Y a-t-il un lien avec la mort des journalistes français ?

La disparition brutale de nos deux collègues de RFI témoigne de la difficulté des journalistes et des techniciens des medias à faire leur travail. 120 journalistes de par le monde ont été tués dans l’exercice de leur mission l’an dernier, selon les chiffres de la Fédération internationale des Journalistes.

Un constat dramatique qui montre qu’à l’instar de nos deux confrères de RFI, s’il n’y avait pas de journalistes sur le terrain en Syrie, comme en Afghanistan, au Mali, ou dans des pays où le droit d’expression est baillonné (Iran, Irak, Pakistan, Russie, Turquie etc), l’information serait totalement inexistante.

Les « saigneurs » de la guerre et leurs commanditaires de tous ordres kidnappent et tuent les journalistes pour faire peur, intimider. Mais surtout au-delà du symbole que représentent les journalistes, ils commettent ces crimes pour continuer à imposer la loi du silence et exercer leur pouvoir de nuisance sans témoins.

Cette impunité doit cesser une fois pour toute.

Ne doit-on pas enfin faire vivre les résolutions de l’ONU sur la protection des journalistes, comme le demande la FIJ ? Par exemple en exigeant une protection des journalistes dans les zones de conflit. Mais aussi en entrainant pour les preneurs d’otages et pour ceux qui tuent et embastillent les journalistes une condamnation pour crimes passibles de la CPI?

Nous nous adressons donc solennellement aux présidents de l’Assemblée et du Sénat et aux groupes parlementaires pour leur demander de mettre en place urgemment une commission d’enquête parlementaire après la mort de Ghislaine Dupont et Claude Verlon.

Leur mort ne peut rester impunie.

SNJ, SNJ-CGT, CFDT Journalistes

***03.11.2013. MALI. La Presse Emblème Campagne (PEC) est consternée par l'enlèvement et l'assassinat de deux journalistes français de Radio France Internationale Ghislaine Dupont et Claude Verlon près de Kidal / The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) is appalled by the abduction and murder of two French journalists, Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon, near the northern city of Kidal. They worked for Radio France Internationale

PEC press release (French below)

The PEC condemns in the strongest possible manner the summary executions of Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon in the north of Mali 
 
Geneva, November 3 (PEC) -- The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) condemns in the strongest possible manner the summary executions of French journalists working for Radio France Internationale Ghislaine Dupont (57) and Claude Verlon (55). 
 
PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen described the horrendous crime as unprecedented. The journalists were kidnapped and shot after conducting an interview in Kidal, Mali. Their bodies were found about 10 km from the town centre. 
 
“The profession of journalism has become more and more dangerous. Some armed groups do not respect any more the independence of media, as we can see recently in countries like Syria, Iraq, Pakistan and now Mali”, said Lempen.  
 
Other dramatic incidents but not in the same circumstances led to decapitation of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl, by his abductors in Pakistan in 2002, and Italian journalist Enzo Baldoni, kidnapped and executed in Iraq in 2004. 
 
More than 100 journalists were killed during their media assignments from the beginning of this year, according to the PEC. And the toll is growing every week.

The PEC calls upon the media community to revolt against this heinous act and cowardly conduct, they must rise worldwide to defend their fallen courageous colleagues by calling for an urgent investigation and bringing the perpetrators of this horrible crime to justice. 

La PEC condamne de la manière la plus ferme les exécutions sommaires des journalistes français Ghislaine Dupont et Claude Verlon dans le nord du Mali.

Genève, 3 novembre (PEC) La Presse Emblème Campagne (PEC) condamne de la manière la plus ferme les exécutions sommaires des journalistes français de Radio France Internationale Ghislaine Dupont et Claude Verlon.

Le secrétaire général de la PEC Blaise Lempen a affirmé que ce crime horrible est sans précédent. Les deux journalistes ont été enlevés et tués après avoir mené une interview à Kidal, dans le nord du Mali. Leurs corps ont été découverts à environ dix kilomètres du centre de la ville.

« La profession de journaliste est devenue de plus en plus dangereuse. Des groupes armés ne respectent plus l’indépendance des médias, comme nous avons pu le constater récemment dans des pays comme la Syrie, l’Irak, le Pakistan et maintenant le Mali », a affirmé Lempen.

D’autres incidents dramatiques, mais dans des circonstances différentes, avaient conduit à la décapitation du correspondant du Wall Street Journal Daniel Pearl en 2002 au Pakistan et à l’exécution du journaliste italien Enzo Baldoni en Irak en 2004.

Plus de 100 journalistes ont été tués dans leurs fonctions depuis le début de l’année, selon le décompte de la PEC. Et le bilan s’alourdit chaque semaine.

La PEC lance un appel à la communauté des médias pour qu’elle se révolte contre cet acte odieux et lâche et défende des collègues courageux en demandant d’urgence une enquête et la poursuite des responsables de ce crime horrible en justice.  

The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) welcomes and supports the UN SECURITY COUNCIL statement: SECURITY COUNCIL  STRONGLY CONDEMNS KILLING OF FRENCH JOURNALISTS IN MALI

New York, Nov 3 2013
The United Nations Security Council has strongly condemned the kidnapping and assassinations of two French journalists in northern Mali, and called on the Government to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Armed gunmen reportedly abducted the two journalists, working for Radio France Internationale (RFI), on Saturday in Kidal.

In a <"http://www.un.org/en/sc/documents/press/2013.shtml">statement to the media late last night, the 15-member Council expressed its condolences to the family of the victims, as well as to the French Government.

"In accordance with international humanitarian law, journalists, media professionals and associated personnel engaged in dangerous professional missions in areas of armed conflict are generally considered as civilians and shall be respected and protected as such," the statement reiterated.

The Council members demanded that "all parties to an armed conflict comply fully with the obligations applicable to them under international humanitarian law, including as related to the protection of civilians in armed conflict."

They called on the Government of Mali to "swiftly investigate the case" and to hold those responsible to account.

In its statement, the Council also reaffirmed that any acts of terrorism are "criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed".

The Members also reiterated their full support to the UN Mission in Mali and the French forces, and called on all parties to cooperate fully with the Mission.

The Security Council set up the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) in April to support the West African country's recovery from a coup and the occupation of its north by Islamist fundamentalists, its transition back to stability and democratic governance, and the promotion of human rights and provision of humanitarian aid. 

***01.11.2013. PAKISTAN. The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) while expressing serious concern on the increased violence against media in Pakistan said that the killing of journalists has continued unabated in the country and impunity is completely enjoyed by the predators of press freedom

ISLAMABAD: The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) while expressing serious concern on the increased violence against media in Pakistan said that the killing of journalists has continued unabated in the country and impunity is completely enjoyed by the predators of press freedom. Condemning the killing of another journalist on October 11 in northern Pakistan, the watchdog noted that Pakistani journalists’ death toll has reached ‘global high’ and feared that the trend is much dangerous than previous year.

The campaign has also pointed finger towards rising ‘ethnic polarization’ in Pakistan that is putting media in a danger zone. Journalists who cover sensitive issues are feeling insecure and fear that these ethnic groups can give a negative connotation to their single spoken or written word. In Pakistan, violence against journalists has become a cheapest and effective way of silencing the media while reaction from the government has been a few words of condemnation and superficial inquiry.

During October this year, a journalist has been killed, another was brutally attacked and one was kidnapped.

A senior journalist Ayub Khan Khattak was shot dead on 11 October by unidentified gunmen in district Karak of Khyber Pakhtunkwa. He had been associated with GEO television network covering the tribal areas, where the unrest is on the rise due to Taliban and Pakistan’s military operation against them. Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) and Baluchistan bordering Afghanistan are among the most dangerous for journalists and dozen of them had been killed in the last few years.

His murder was linked to his professional work, as he has filed a story on drug mafia operating in the region, local journalists told PEC. He was covering crimes and after exposing criminal elements, he used to receive threats. Later, he was killed by two gunmen riding on motorbikes waiting outside his resident.

In another case that happened on October 12, a senior journalist Sardar Shafiq and former secretary general of the Abbottabad Union of Journalist (AUJ) was been seriously injured when unknown people attacked on him late night in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. He worked for a local Urdu language daily. As he left his office late in the night, three men intercepted him and thrashed with iron rods. He was then taken to the hospital in serious condition and remained there under treatment for more than a week.

Niaz Chandio, a local Sindhi television journalist was kidnapped on 15 October 2013, in Jacobabad district of Sindh province, Pakistan. Police have not yet found any trace of the whereabouts of him.

According to the PEC’s media ticking clock, Pakistani journalists’ death toll has reached 13 and also the same number of journalists killed in Syria since January 2013. Somalia and India was also at the second place with eight journalists dead each. Globally, 101 journalists and media staff lost their lives in targeted attacks, bomb blasts or cross-fire incidents since January 2013 to date. In 2012, the number was 141 with Syria at the top with 37, Somalia 19 and Pakistan with 12 journalists killed.

Current trend of Journalists’ killing is far high than last several year. This is a serious matter of concern for Pakistan and its democratic government. It should take serious measures for the protection of journalists, take serious steps against the killers of journalists and bring the culprits to justice as to fizzle out the high environment of impunity in the country, the PEC asked the government.

Former Secretary General of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) Mr. Mazhar Abbas said that Pakistan has been ranked among the three most dangerous countries in the world for journalists. Despite repeated demands and appeal the government failed in protecting the life of journalist while media houses are not ready to adopt any policy for training and safety of journalist. Concrete measures are needed both for safety and ethical journalism in Pakistan.

ISRAR KHAN, PEC Rep in Pakistan 

***01.11.2013. EGYPT. Freedoms and the new constitution. Egypt’s draft constitution is worryingly ambiguous on freedoms of expression and information, the time being now to reach clarity in the guarantee of fundamental rights, writes PEC President Hedayat Abdel-Nabi - published by Al-Ahram Weekly on Friday 01 November 2013

As a human rights activist since 2004, when a group of journalists and myself launched a non-governmental organisation from Geneva — the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) — geared to defend journalists in conflicts zones, my eyes followed other rights organisations in the field, among them Article 19 based in London, for whom I hold a great deal of respect for its work and contribution in the field of freedom of opinion and expression. A few days ago a new report issued by Article 19 came to my attention, concerning the new Egyptian constitution.

If you may allow me, I will share parts of the analysis with the readership of Al-Ahram Weekly without interfering in its flow.

Article 19 noted that in October 2013 it analysed the Draft Proposed Amendments to the 2012 constitution, dated 20 August 2013 (Draft Constitution), in light of international standards on the right to freedom of expression and information.

An expert committee prepared the draft constitution pursuant to Article 28 of the Constitutional Declaration dated 8 July 2013. It is now under consideration by the 50-Member Committee, which will present its own amendments in November 2013.

Article 19 welcomes that the Draft Constitution includes positive references to a rights-based language throughout, including a dedicated Bill of Rights that sets out the right to freedom of expression and many important related rights.

However, in almost every case, the scope afforded to each fundamental right, including the right to freedom of expression and information is too narrow. At the same time, there is a lack of guidance on how rights may be legitimately restricted to protect other rights, or collective interests, in compliance with international law. In several instances, fundamental rights are qualified in ambiguous terms that give the authorities substantial discretion and that may lead to abuse.

Article 19 calls upon the 50-member committee to ensure that the constitution fully protects the right to freedom of expression and information and related rights. The recommendations that should be considered by the assembly are summarised below.

PREAMBLE: The preamble should stress as a priority the universality of human rights for all people, without limiting this on the basis of citizenship. This could include reference to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other instruments, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

Principle 7 of the preamble should be revised to reflect that while the right to express oneself freely in public is important, private expression is also protected.

Principles 4-6 should be revised to make clear that national unity and security are not a condition for the enjoyment of human rights, but that these ends can only be achieved through respect for universal human rights.

The preamble should not make the acceptance of the constitution, or a person’s willingness to uphold it, conditional on religious faith or any other belief system.

STATUS OF INTERNATIONAL LAW: The constitution should include a dedicated provision on the status of international law.

International law should have primacy over domestic law, with the exception of the constitution. Domestic law may not be invoked to justify violations of international law.

The requirement that treaties infringing on “sovereignty” should be subject to referenda should be clarified, and this should not be an obstacle to the ratification of human rights instruments.

Treaties should only be repealed, modified or suspended in the manner provided for in the treaties themselves.

RIGHT TO EQUALITY: The right to equality should be guaranteed to all people, regardless of citizenship status.

All of the rights in the constitution should be guaranteed without distinction of any kind.

The protected characteristics in Article 38 should be extended to include: national origin, race and colour, property, birth, political or other opinion, sexual orientation and gender identity.

Articles 10 and 11 should be removed from the constitution because they promote harmful gender-based stereotypes. They should be replaced by a provision explicitly stating the obligation on the state to achieve the elimination of prejudices and customary and all other practices that are based on the idea of the inferiority or the superiority of either of the sexes, or on stereotyped roles for men and women, as per Article 5 of the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND OPINION: The title to Article 48 should reference both the right to freedom of opinion and the right to freedom of expression.

The right to freedom of expression should encompass the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers.

Consideration should be given to specifying the right to freedom of expression through electronic and Internet-based modes of communication.

ACCESS TO INFORMATION: The right of access to information should be guaranteed to all people, regardless of citizenship status.

The constitution should provide the positive obligation on public bodies to proactively disclose information and recognise the principle of maximum disclosure.

The right of access to information should apply to all information held by public bodies, and also to private bodies where that information is required for the exercise or protection of any rights.

Limitations on the right of access to information must comply with Article 19 (3) of the ICCPR, and limitations must be justified on the basis of “harm” and “public interest” tests.

PEACEFUL ASSEMBLY: Article 53 should protect the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, and references to “quiet” assemblies should be removed.

The right to organise and participate in peaceful assemblies should be guaranteed.

Article 53 should place a positive obligation on the state to facilitate the exercise of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly.

The right to freedom of peaceful assembly should not be restricted on the basis of citizenship status.

Restrictions on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, including notification requirements, must comply with the three-part test under Article 22 of the ICCPR.

The right to freedom of peaceful assembly in private does not require separate protection. The right to privacy should be protected comprehensively in a separate provision.

LIMITATIONS ON RIGHTS: The constitution should specify which rights cannot be qualified or limited, including the right to freedom of opinion, as protected by Article 19 (1) of the ICCPR.

The constitution should provide guidance on the limitation of rights that are not absolute, and in relation to the right to freedom of expression and information, and the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, these should comply with Article 19 (3) of the ICCPR and Article 22 respectively.

MEDIA FREEDOM: The new constitution should provide explicit protection for freedom of the media and specifically protect the following elements of media freedom:

There should be no prior censorship.

There should be no licensing or registration system for print media.

There should be no licensing of individual journalists or entry requirements for practising the profession.

The independence of all bodies with regulatory powers over the media, including governing bodies of public media, should be guaranteed.

The right of journalists to protect their confidential sources of information should be guaranteed.

Journalists should be free to associate in professional bodies of their choice.

In a nutshell (and now I go back to my own words), this is how others who have a long-standing record of contributing to the positive protection of human rights view with hope the upcoming Egyptian constitution. I join the prestigious NGO Article 19 in hoping that the 50-member committee will take these recommendations seriously.

Hedayat Abdel Nabi

Furthermore, the PEC calls for the immediate release of 24 media workers arrested and detained in Egypt:

Arrested Journalists in Egypt:
1. Altayeb Abdoulla Alfakharaney - 25.08.2013
2. Abdoullah Alshamey - Aljazeera - 14.08.2013
3. Ahmad Sobei – Aqssa TV - 04.10.2013
4. Ahmad Abou-Deraa 06.09.2013
5. Amany Kamal – Radio Misr – 03.10.2013
6. Ebrahim Al-Drawey - Palestinian Centre - 16.08.2013
7. Hassan Khodary
8. Hebah Kamal – Turkish News Agency – 18.08.2013
9. Karim Sobhy
10. Khaled Alshareef – Islam today Online - 22.08.2013
11. Mohaamd Aladely
12. Mahmoud Mohammd Abdel Nabey - Rasd News Network - 3.07.2013
13. Ebraheem Mohamman AbdoulNabey - Rasd News Network - 03.07.2013
14. Mohammad Badr - Aljazeera - 18.07.2013
15. Mohesn Radey - 06.09.2013
16. Mohmmad Rabie
17. Saif Alderawey – 15.08.2013
18. Samhey Mostafa - 25.08.2013
19. Sayed Moussa - 06.09.2013
20. Sherif Heshmat – 18.08.2013
21. Sherif Mansour – Ahrara 25 TV – 17.08.2013
22. Taher Othman - Turkish News Agency 20.08.2013
23. Usamah Shaker - Ahrara 25 TV - 17.08.2013
24. Wael Aly - Islam today - 24.08.2013

***31.10.2013. RUSSIA. International petition for the boycott of the Winter Olympic Games to free the 30 Greenpeace activists imprisoned in Russia

The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) decided to sign and support the petition for the boycott of the winter Olympic Games to free the 30 Greenpeace activists imprisoned in Russia for two reasons: 1) among them are one journalist and one photographer - the PEC calls for their immediate release 2) Russia is the main support of the Assad regime in Syria which has killed, detained, tortured many journalists. Here is the link to the petition:

https://www.change.org/fr/p%C3%A9titions/boycott-des-jeux-olympiques-d-hiver-en-faveur-de-la-lib%C3%A9ration-des-30-militants-de-greenpeace-boycott-of-the-winter-olympic-games-to-free-the-30-greenpeace-activists-imprisoned-in-russia

http://terresacree.org/boycootolympicsgames.htm

***31.10.2013. SYRIA. The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) is relieved. Polish photographer kidnapped in Syria back home after escape - at least 11 other journalists detained or missing in Syria

Polish photojournalist Marcin Suder, who was kidnapped in Syria in July, has managed to escape his captors and is back home, Poland's foreign ministry announced on Thursday.

"Marcin Suder is already back home," Radoslaw Sikorski said on his official Twitter account.

"He was very lucky, he managed to escape," foreign ministry spokesperson Marcin Wojciechowski told AFP without elaborating.

Suder, a 34-year-old freelancer who worked for the Corbis agency and other outlets, was abducted by masked gunmen on July 24 during a raid on a media center in Saraqeb, in the northwestern province of Idlib.

No reason was given for his kidnapping and no one had publicly claimed responsibility for the abduction.

Suder's mother, Krystyna Jarosz, told radio RMF FM that he felt well, though he was thin and had some marks on his body which she did not explain. She said Suder had been held in a dark basement, initially without food.

The PEC is relieved by this good news. The NGO based in Geneva calls for the immediate release of all other journalists detained in Syria, at least 11 (see below).

***16.10.2013. SYRIA. Two more journalists missing in Syria: Abu Dhabi-based Sky News Arabia said it lost contact on Tuesday Oct 15 with reporter Ishak Moctar, a Mauritanian national, cameraman Samir Kassab, a Lebanese national, and their Syrian driver.

Sky News Arabia chief Nart Bouran said the crew was on assignment primarily to focus on the humanitarian aspects of the conflict in Aleppo. The PEC joins the channel's appeal for any information on the team's whereabouts and for help to ensure the journalists' safe return.

Since August 2012, at least 25 foreign journalists have been kidnapped or are missing in Syria (see the list below). Today, at least 12 journalists are still detained or are missing.

PEC renews ist call to all sides involved in the war in Syria to cease the targeting of journalists, to respect media freedom and to immediately release all journalists currently under detention.

Provisional list of foreign journalists held in Syria (freed and still in detention since August 2012) (by country) (Oct 16):

at least 12 still detained or disappeared: Didier François (France), Edouard Elias (France), Nicolas Hénin (France), Peter Torres (France), Armin Wertz (Germany), Basher Fahmi (Jord/Palestinian), Marcin Suder (Poland), Marc Marginedas (Spain), James Foley (USA), Austin Tice (USA), Ishak Mostar (Mauritania), Samir Kassab (Lebanon) 

13 journalists kidnapped and freed: Jonathan Alpeyrie (France), Bolint Szlanko (Hungary), Domenico Quirico (Italy), Amedeo Ricucci (Italy), Andrea Viganli (Italy), Elio Calavolpe (Italy), Susan Dabbous (Italy), Temoris Grecko (Mexico), Andoni Lubaki (Spain), Aziz Akyavas (Turkey), Ankhar Kochneva (Ukraine), Richard Engel (USA), Matthew Schrier (USA).

***07.10.2013. PAKISTAN. The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) strongly condemned the killing of a Journalist in yet another act of violence against media in Pakistan and asked the authorities to thoroughly investigate the murder case and bring the culprits to justice

ISLAMABAD: The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) has strongly condemned the killing of a Journalist with impunity in yet another act of violence against media in Pakistan and asked the authorities to thoroughly investigate the murder case and bring the culprits to justice.

Mr. Zaheerullah Mujahid 35, who was working as a reporter with a local Urdu language newspaper daily Subah, On September 29, his bullet ridden dead body was found in fields in Oghi subdivision of Mansehra of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. No clear motive has yet been established behind this murder.

This journalists’ protection watchdog has asked the Nawaz Sharif’s government to step up efforts for reversing the terrible high environment of impunity, as the country’s track record is not good in protecting journalists from abducting, killing and harassment.

Since January 2013, a dozen of journalists (including Mujahid) have been killed in Pakistan.

Environment of impunity 

But, probably worse than these deaths, killings and murders of journalists is the much higher environment of impunity in Pakistan. Scores of journalists have been killed in Pakistan during last two decades, but the killer of no one of these journalists has been indicted, prosecuted and convicted except one and that was of Wall Street Journal’s reporter Daniel Pearl.

The PEC has waged a global campaign against impunity. It is focusing on of the very important countries, Pakistan where violence against media and environment of impunity is also much high than others. The campaign has also pinpointed the government’s unserious attitude to properly investigate the extrajudicial killings of journalists taken place with impunity over the years. Besides, journalists are intimidated, abducted and tortured in the tribal areas.

Under Taliban threat

In another case, a senior journalist Mr. Sami Paracha of daily Dawn is under Taliban threat in Kohat district of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He got life threatening calls from Taliban militants after he publish a report on September 7 in which he unearthed the news that the banned militant group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had set up ‘Shariah courts’ in Darra Adamkhel tribal region about 14 miles north of Kohat to dispense “speedy justice” to the people of the area. This region was stronghold of the TTP-linked militants until 2009 before the military moved to take back the area establishing the writ of the federal government.

Paracha has been asked by the TTP to be ready for dire consequences or disclose the source of the news item to it, while the reporter is not ready to do so. The PEC asked the authorities to protect the reporter against any harm from the TTP.

Pakistan’s already tattered reputation for journalists’ safety has been further damaged after journalists were abducted and beaten and their cases have not so far been thoroughly investigated.

Ali Chishti who works for The Friday Times and writes on national security and counter terrorism was abducted in port city of Karachi by armed men in police uniform on August 30. He was tortured and beaten by the captors and was then released the next day, but the authorities did not investigate it to identify the abductors and their motive behind this act of violence.

Another tribal journalist Mr. Lal Wazir who works for a local newspaper in the South Waziristan town of Azam Warsak, bordering Afghanistan was taken from a shop by six masked gunmen on September 4. The next day, Wazir was released by dropping him near Azam Warsak bazaar.

Though nobody claimed the responsibility, yet the family sources of the Wazir said that he has just returned from Islamabad, as he also works for an Islamabad-based think tank specializing in tribal affairs, the FATA Research Center. Though, he was not harmed, yet these kind of incidents signals towards insecurity of journalists in the country, especially in tribal areas.

Israr Khan, PEC Rep in Islamabad

***05.10.2013. EGYPT. PEC condemns the attack on Egyptian journalist Khaled Daoud

Geneva, October 5 (PEC) -- The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) condemns the heinous attack that took place Friday against Egyptian journalist Khaled Daoud (photo), a member of the Dostour party (Constitution) and a loyal defender of former Egyptian Vice-President Dr. Mohammed El Baradei.

Khaled Daoud said Saturday that he was passing with his car amidst a pro-Muslim Brotherhood demonstration Friday when he was attacked, that he was on his way to visit his uncle in the district of Maadi and that he was not on assignment.

He suffered several stabs on his left arm and left side, his face suffers bruises everywhere.
So far the perpetrators of this heinous crime have not been yet identified.
Daoud escaped death as the stabs missed essential organs of his body.
The well-known Egyptian journalist was vocal in his statements against the Muslim brotherhood during their one-year rule and following their demise. Khaled was also against the Coup in Egypt after the massacres of Radia and Nahda on 14th and 15th of August
Furthermore there are in Egypt about 13 journalists arrested - all of them are extrajudicial arrests.

حملة الشارة تدين الاعتداء الغادر على خالد داود
 
جنيف-القاهرة (5 أكتوبر) حملة الشارة – دانت حملة الشارة الدولية و مقرها جنيف الاعتداء الغادر على الصحفي المصري خالد داود عضو حزب الدستور و من أقوى المدافعين عن نائب رئيس الجمهورية السابق الدكتور محمد البرادعي.
 
و لم تحدد التحقيقات بعد مرتكبي هذه الجريمة التي كادت أن تودي بحياته لولا أن الطعنات لم تصب الأجهزة الأساسية في جسده.
 
يذكر أن الصحفي المصري المعروف كان من أشد المعارضين لحكم الاخوان المسلمين و ما زال.

و قد صرح خالد داود السبت بانه لم يكن يقوم بتغطية مظاهرة الإخوان المسلمين و كان في سيارته و في طريقه لزيارة خاله بضاحية المعادي عندما تم الاعتداء عليه من قبل أشخاص في مظاهرة مؤيدة للإخوان المسلمين.

لمزيد من المعلومات
 

***03.10.2013. PEC report. The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) condemns kidnapping of journalists by armed groups in Syria - 90 journalists killed in 26 countries in 9 months (scroll down for French, Spanish and Arabic) (updated list of casualties on Ticking clock) (special report on Central America below)

The PEC condemns kidnapping of journalists by armed groups in Syria

Geneva, October 2 (PEC) -- The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) is extremely concerned by the growing number of journalists kidnapped in the ongoing Syrian conflict the majority of which by armed groups. 

The PEC condemns in the strongest possible manner the unacceptable practice of hostage taking of journalists and demands the immediate release without conditions of people arbitrarily detained. 
 
The list of foreign journalists kidnapped in Syria has increased during the past year to reach a total of 22 media workers of some eleven nationalities: France 3, Germany 2, Hungary 1, Italy 5, Mexico 1, Palestine 1, Poland 1, Spain 2, Turkey 1, Ukraine 1, the United States 4. 
 
Some have been liberated: Italian journalist Domenico Quirico was liberated on 8 September after spending 5 months in captivity, Ukranian journalist Ankhar Kochneva on 12 March after spending 150 days in captivity, Italian journalist Amedeo Ricucci and his three colleagues, French-American Jonathan Alpeyrie, American Matthew Schreier.

However, the PEC is extremely worried at the fate of American journalist Austin Tice, Jordanian-Palestinian journalist Bashar Fahmi, kidnapped since a year ago, American journalist James Foley, who disappeared since 22 November, German journalist Armin Wertz kidnapped on 13 May, French journalists Francois Didier Francois and Edward Elias kidnapped on 7 June, Polish journalist Marcin Suder, kidnapped on the 24 of July and Spanish journalist Marc Marginedas kidnapped on 4 September 2013.*
 
PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen stressed that the majority of kidnappings of journalists is done by armed rebels in exchange for a ransom.

Lempen noted that those practices cannot be tolerated, calling upon the Syrian opposition as well as commanders on the ground to take action against the perpetrators of such crimes, which tarnish in a dramatic way the image of the Syrian opposition.
 
Up to date 90 journalists killed in 9 months 
 
According to the PEC, in 9 months from January to September 2013, the number of journalists killed reached a figure of 90 in 26 countries across the globe. During the third quarter of 2013 the situation has particularly deteriorated in Egypt, the Philippines and Guatemala. 

Syria remains the most dangerous countries for media work in 2013 with 13 journalists killed, before Pakistan (11 killed). India and the Philippines follow with 8 journalists killed in each country. Egypt and Somalia rank consecutively 5th in line with 7 journalists killed in each country. 
 
In Brazil 5 journalists were killed in the reporting period, followed by Guatemala and Mexico with 4 journalists killed in each. Two journalists were killed in the following countries: Colombia, Haiti, Iraq, Kenya, Paraguay and Russia. One journalist was killed in Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Ecuador, Honduras, Libya, Nigeria, Uganda, Peru, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Tanzania and Yemen. 
 
Good news 
 
Lempen welcomed the growing support from the international community to the global issue of the protection of journalists. The good news is that the global community is more aware of the problem of the security of journalists in dangerous situations, he said. 
 
"The PEC applauds the strong support rendered to the Austrian initiative expressed in the Human Rights Council when more then 100 nations endorsed on 26 September a decision to convene a special event in June next year on the issue", said Lempen. 

Lempen added that this effort is a welcomed follow-up to the adoption by consensus of a resolution last year on the safety of journalists. "This mobilization and this growing awareness is a success. This consensus must be translated into better conditions for journalists in the field," added Lempen. 
 
PEC President Hedayat Abdel Nabi hailed the movement by UN Member States which shows without doubt that the killing of one journalist is no longer an issue of a body count, it is an issue of the respect of everybody's basic rights. 
 
Abdel Nabi noted with a lot of hope that the international community is coming closer towards achieving the PEC initiative to reach new legal binding international laws that would add further protection to the journalists facing the most difficult circumstances in conflict situations and civil unrest. 

*Provisional list of foreign journalists held in Syria (freed and still in detention since August 2012) (by country): still detained or disappeared: Didier François (France), Edouard Elias (France), Armin Wertz (Germany), Basher Fahmi (Jord/Palestinian), Marcin Suder (Poland), Marc Marginedas (Spain), James Foley (USA), Austin Tice (USA)  - journalists kidnapped and freed: Jonathan Alpeyrie (France), Bolint Szlanko (Hungary), Domenico Quirico (Italy), Amedeo Ricucci (Italy), Andrea Viganli (Italy), Elio Calavolpe (Italy), Susan Dabbous (Italy), Temoris Grecko (Mexico), Andoni Lubaki (Spain), Aziz Akyavas (Turkey), Ankhar Kochneva (Ukraine), Richard Engel (USA), Matthew Schrier (USA). More are unidentified (at least 1)

La PEC condamne la pratique du kidnapping de journalistes par des groupes armés en Syrie
 
Genève (PEC, 2 octobre 2013) La Presse Emblème Campagne (PEC) est consternée par le grand nombre de journalistes kidnappés en Syrie, la plupart par des groupes armés rebelles. Elle condamne des prises d'otages inacceptables et demande la libération sans conditions des personnes arbitrairement détenues.
 
La liste des journalistes étrangers enlevés en Syrie ne fait que s'allonger. Depuis un an, la PEC a relevé au total 22 travailleurs des médias enlevés appartenant à 11 nationalités différentes: Allemagne (2), Etats-Unis (4), Espagne (2), France (3), Hongrie (1), Italie (5), Mexique (1), Palestine (1), Pologne (1), Turquie (1), Ukraine (1). 
 
Des libérations ont eu lieu: l'Italien Domenico Quirico a retrouvé la liberté le 8 septembre après 5 mois de captivité éprouvante, l'Ukrainienne Ankhar Kochneva le 12 mars après 150 jours de détention, l'Italien Amedeo Ricucci et ses trois collègues, le Franco-américain Jonathan Alpeyrie, l'Américain Matthew Schreier ont également été libérés. 
 
Mais la PEC est très inquiète du sort de l'Américain Austin Tice, du Jordano-palestinien Bashar Fahmi, enlevés depuis plus d'un an, de l'Américain James Foley, disparu le 22 novembre, de l'Allemand Armin Wertz enlevé le 13 mai, des Français Didier François et Edouard Elias, enlevés le 7 juin, du Polonais Marcin Suder, enlevé le 24 juillet, de
l'Espagnol Marc Marginedas, disparu le 4 septembre.

"La grande majorité de ces enlèvements sont le fait de groupes armés rebelles qui utilisent leurs otages comme monnaie d'échange", a affirmé le secrétaire général de la PEC. "Cette pratique est intolérable et les responsables de l'opposition syrienne ainsi que les commandants sur le terrain doivent sévir contre les auteurs de ces enlèvements qui nuisent considérablement à l'image de l'opposition", a-t-il ajouté.
 
90 journalistes tués dans 26 pays en 9 mois

Après neuf mois, de janvier à fin septembre, 90 journalistes ont été tués dans 26 pays dans le monde, selon le décompte de la PEC. Au cours des trois derniers mois, la situation s'est en particulier aggravée en Egypte, aux Philippines et au Guatemala.
 
La Syrie est le pays le plus dangereux cette année, avec 13 tués depuis janvier, devant le Pakistan (11 tués). Suivent l'Inde et les Philippines, avec huit tués dans chaque pays. Au 5e rang viennent l'Egypte et la Somalie avec 7 tués. 

Au Brésil, la PEC a recensé cinq tués, au Guatemala et au Mexique 4 tués dans chacun de ces pays. Deux journalistes ont en outre été tués dans les pays suivants: Colombie, Haïti, Irak, Kenya, Paraguay et Russie. Un journaliste a été tué enfin en Afghanistan, Centrafrique, Equateur, Honduras,  Libye, Nigéria, Ouganda, Pérou, République démocratique du Congo, Tanzanie et Yémen. 
 
Bonne nouvelle
 
"La bonne nouvelle", a affirmé Blaise Lempen, "est que la communauté internationale est de plus consciente du problème posé par la sécurité des journalistes dans les zones dangereuses". La PEC salue le fort soutien à l'initiative autrichienne manifesté par plus de 100 pays le 26 septembre au Conseil des droits de l'homme, pour convoquer une réunion spéciale à la session de juin 2014, un soutien qui avait déjà permis il y a un an l'adoption par consensus d'une résolution sur la sécurité des journalistes. 
 
"Cette mobilisation et cette sensibilisation nouvelles sont un succès. Ce large consensus doit se traduire par des améliorations sur le terrain", a conclu le secrétaire général de la PEC.

La présidente de la PEC Hedayat Abdel Nabi s'est félicitée de l'attitude des Etats membres de l'ONU qui démontre que l'assassinat d'un journaliste n'est pas une question de la mort d'un individu, mais bien une question du respect des droits fondamentaux de tous.
 
Abdel Nabi a relevé avec espoir que la communauté internationale se rapproche du but de la PEC qui est de renforcer la protection des journalistes dans les circonstances les plus dangereuses dans les zones de conflit et de troubles internes par l'adoption d'un instrument légalement contraignant. 

La PEC condena la practica de los secuestros de periodistas por grupos armados en Siria

Ginebra (PEC, 2 de octubre de 2013). La Campaña Emblema de Prensa (PEC) está horrorizada por el numero de periodistas secuestrados en Siria, en su mayoría por grupos armados rebeldes. Para la PEC el secuestro de rehenes es inaceptable. La ONG con sede en Ginebra pide la liberación sin condición de las personas arbitrariamente detenidas.
 
La lista de periodistas extranjeros secuestrados en Siria es cada vez más larga. Desde hace un año, la PEC reseña un total de 22 trabajadores de medios de comunicación secuestrados, de once nacionalidades: Alemania (2), Estados Unidos (4), España (2), Francia (3), Hungría (1), Italia (5), México (1), Palestina (1), Polonia (1), Turquia (1) y Ucrania (1).
 
Algunos secuestrados han sido liberados: el italiano Domenico Quirico recobró la libertad el 8 de septiembre después de cinco meses de duro cautivo, la ucraniana Ankhsar Kochneva el 12 de marzo después de 150 días de haber sido detenida, el italiano Amedeo Ricucci y sus tres colegas, el franco-estadounidense Jonathan Alpeyrie y el estadounidense Matthew Schreier también fueron liberados.
 
Sin embargo, la PEC está muy preocupada por la situación del  estadounidense Austin Tice, del jordano-palestino Bashar Fahmi, secuestrados desde hace más de un año; por la suerte  del estadounidense James Foley, desaparecido el 22 de noviembre, del alemán Armin Wertz secuestrado el 13 de mayo, por la situación de los franceses Didier François  y Edouard Elias, secuestrados el 7 de junio, del polaco Marcin Suder, secuestrado el 24 de Julio y del español Marc Marginedas, desaparecido el 4 de Septiembre.
 
“La gran mayoría de esos secuestros se debe a grupos armados rebeldes que utilizan los rehenes como moneda de cambio”, dijo el Secretario General de la PEC, Blaise Lempen. “Esa practica es intolerable y los responsables de la oposición siria así como los comandantes en el terreno deben castigar a los autores de esos secuestros que perjudican considerablemente la imagen de la oposición”, agregó Lempen. 
 
90 periodistas asesinados en 26 países en 9 meses
 
De enero a septiembre de este año, 90 periodistas han sido asesinados en 26 países, según las cifras de la PEC. En el transcurso de los tres últimos meses, la situación se ha deteriorado particularmente en Egipto, en Filipinas y en Guatemala.
 
Siria es el país el más peligroso este año, con 13 periodistas asesinados, seguido por Pakistán (11 muertos). Siguen la India y las Filipinas (8). En el quinto rango se encuentran Egipto y Somalia (7). 
 
En Brasil, según la PEC, han habido cinco muertos y en Guatemala y México cuatro. Dos periodistas han sido asesinados en los siguientes países: Colombia, Haití, Irak, Kenia, Paraguay y Rusia.  
 
Un periodista ha perdido la vida en Afganistán, República Centroafricana, Ecuador, Honduras, Libia, Nigeria, Uganda, Perú, República democrática del Congo, Tanzania y Yemen.
 
Buenas noticias
 
“La buena noticia – declaró Blaise Lempen - es que la comunidad internacional esta cada vez más consciente del problema de la seguridad de los periodistas en  zonas peligrosas”. 
 
La PEC saluda el fuerte apoyo a la iniciativa austriaca sostenida por más de cien países el 26 de septiembre en el Consejo de los Derechos Humanos de la ONU, para convocar una reunión especial en la sesión de junio de 2014. Apoyo que permitió hace un año adoptar por consenso una resolución sobre la seguridad de los periodistas. “Estas nuevas movilización y sensibilización constituyen un éxito. Ahora ese largo consenso debe traducirse en mejoras en el terreno”, concluyo el Secretario General de la PEC.
 
Por su parte, la Presidenta de la PEC, Hedayat Abdel Nabi, se alegró por la actitud de los Estados Miembros de la ONU que demuestra que el asesinato de un periodista no solo significa la muerte de un individuo sino también es una cuestión de respeto de los derechos fundamentales de todos.
   
Abdel Nabi tomó nota con la esperanza que la comunidad internacional se acerque al objetivo de la PEC que significa reforzar la protección de los periodistas en las circunstancias más peligrosas tanto en las zonas de conflictos como de violencias internas, adoptando un instrumento legalmente apremiante.  

حملة الشارة تدين اختطاف الصحفيين في سوريا من قبل جماعات مسلحة 

جنيف – 2 أكتوبر (حملة الشارة) – اعربت حملة الشارة الدولية لحماية الصحفي من جنيف عن بالغ قلقها من زيادة عدد المختطفين من الصحفيين في النزاع الحالي في سوريا من قبل في غالبية الحالات جماعات مسلحة.

و تدين حملة الشارة الدولية بأقصى عزمها هذا الاجراء غير المقبول و هو اختطاف الصحفيين و تطالب بإطلاق سراحهم فوراً دون قيد أو شرط لمن تم اعتقالهم و اختطافهم بشكل عشوائي.

لقد ارتفع عدد الصحفيين الأجانب الذين تم اختطافهم في سوريا خلال السنة الماضية حيث بلغ عددهم 22 من العاملين في الصحافة و الاعلام من عشرة جنسيات. (راجع قائمة الأسماء في النص الإنجليزي).

أكد سكرتير عام الحملة بليز ليمبان أن معظم حالات اختطاف الصحفيين وقعت من قبل جماعات مسلحة من أجل الحصول على فدية موضحاً بانه لا يمككن قبول هذه العمليات صد الصحفيين و مطالبا المعارضة السورية هي و الجيش السوري باتحاد الاجراءات المناسبة ضد مرتكبي هذه الجرائم و هي جرائم تلقي طلالا سلبية على المعارضة السورية.

يذكر أنه طبقا لرصد الحملة فإن 90 من العاملين في الصحافة و الاعلام قد قتلوا في 9 أشهر من يناير إلى سبتمبر 2013 في 26 دولة. و تدهورت الأوضاع في الجزء الثالث من السنة في كل من مصر و الفلبين و جواتيمالا. 

و تأتي سوريا في مقدمة الدول الأكثر خطرا للعمل الصحفي بمقتل 13 صحفيا تليها باكستان 11، و الهند و الفلبين 8 صحفيين في كل منهم. فقدت مصر و الصومال 7 صحفيين في كل دولة على حدى. و قتل 5 صحفيين في البرازيل و 4 في جواتيمالا و المكسيك في كل دولة منهما، و قتل صحفيا في الدول التالية: كولومبيا، هايتي، العراق، باراجواي و روسيا و كينيا. و قتل صحفي واحد في كل من أفغانستان و جمهورية إفريقيا الوسطى، و اكوادور و هندوراس و ليبيا و نيجيريا و أوغندا و جمهورية الكونغو الديمقراطية و تنزانيا و اليمن.  

  لكن ليمبان أشار إلى أخبار جديدة جيدة من قبل المجتمع الدولي ازاء قضية الصحفيين العالمية و هي أن المجتمع الدولي قد أصبح أكثر ادراكا لهذه القضية التي تتعلق بأمن و حماية الصحفيين في مناطق الخطرة و  النزاع المسلح و الظروف الخطرة مشيرا بأعجاب إلى موقف النمسا  و مبادرته التي أيدتها مائة دولة في مجلس حقوق الأنسان بجنيف في 26 سبتمبر الماضي لعقد جلسة خاصة في يونيو القادم حول هذه القضية، و مضيفا إلى أن المبادرة النمساوية هي استكمال لتبيني قرار في العام الماضي حول أمن الصحفيين، و مؤكدا أن هذه التعبئة و الادراك المتزايد من المجتمع الدولي يمثل نجاحا مؤكداً.

إلا أنه أضاف أن هذه الخطوات يجب أن تترجم إلى تحركات ملموسة في الميدان. 

و رحبت رئيسة حملة الشارة الدولية هدايت عبد النبي و بقوة تحرك أعضاء  الدول أعضاء الأمم المتحدة في هذا الاتجاه و هو ما يؤكد و لا يدع مجالا للشك أن قتل صحفي واحد بمثابة قتل لقتل الصحفيين و لم يعد قضية رصد أعداد الجثامين، أنها بالتأكيد قضية احترام لحقوق الإنسان الرئيسية و أهمها الحق في الحياة.

و أعربت في نفس الوقت عن أن أملها في أن يقترب هذا التحرك الدولي من بمادرات حملة الشارة بوضع بنود قانونية لحماية أمن و سلامة الصحفيين في مناطق النزاع المسلح و في الظروف الخطرة.

لمزيد من المعلومات 
 

Monthly report on Central America and Mexico (Cerigua)

Violaciones a la libertad de expresión en México y Centroamérica durante el mes de Septiembre.

Guatemala

En Guatemala se registraron tres agresiones contra la prensa, una restricción a la fuente, la retención de cuatro reporteros y la compra masiva de un diario de circulación nacional con la supuesta intención de restringir el acceso a información.

El 12 de septiembre en Asunción Mita, Jutiapa, varias personas impidieron a reporteros documentar la captura de varios sindicados de pertenecer al narcotráfico.

La madrugada del sábado 21 de septiembre, desconocidos compraron la mayoría de ejemplares de Prensa Libre en la ciudad de Quetzaltenango, al occidente del país,  aparentemente para bloquear la noticia sobre una denuncia por supuesta estafa.
 
El 30 de septiembre pobladores retuvieron a Hugo Alvarado y Érick Ávila, de Prensa Libre, así como Keneth Monzón y René Ruano, de Nuestro Diario, cuando se dirigían a Santa Cruz Barrillas a dar cobertura a los incidentes en el área.
 
México
 
Durante las manifestaciones que han protagonizado maestro en este país han resultado por lo menos cinco periodistas detenidos y alrededor de cuatro agredidos.
 
El 1 de septiembre en Ciudad de México, agentes de policía detuvieron a Gustavo Ruíz Lizárraga, Pável Alejandro Primo Noriega, Estela Morales y Alejandro Amado Fraustro, en tanto a Daniel Cruz lo agredieron físicamente.
 
El martes 3 de septiembre maestros en Veracruz agredieron a los periodistas Edgar Pucheta y Viridiana Reyes, debido a que el vehículo donde éstos se movilizaban, para dar cobertura a la visita de un ex funcionario, sufrió desperfectos mecánicos cerca de la movilización de los catedráticos.
 
El 14 de septiembre en Veracruz, oficiales detuvieron al fotógrafo Juan Alberto Orellana y agredieron a los reporteros Melina Zurita, Roger Martínez, Óscar Martínez y Rubén Espinoza.

Honduras
 
El martes 17 de septiembre soldados de Honduras retuvieron a cinco reporteros de El Salvador identificados como Roxana Ruiz y Mario Gil, de Canal 21; Luis Samayoa, de Canal 19; Inés Cetino y Mauricio Barrientos, de Canal 9 La Unión.

Los comunicadores se encontraban realizando un reportaje en la Isla Conejo, en el Golfo de Fonseca, en la Unión, sobre la disputa entre El Salvador y Honduras por este espacio.

Ileana Alamilla
Cerigua
 
Guatemala, 3 de octubre 2013
 

***01.10.2013. SYRIE. Entretien exclusif pour la PEC de l'otage italien libéré Domenico Quirico: "Il faut être sur le terrain pour raconter ce qui se passe"

Libéré le 8 septembre après cinq mois de captivité en Syrie, le journaliste italien de 62 ans Domenico Quirico, envoyé spécial de "La Stampa", témoigne de son enlèvement par un groupe de djihadistes (photo: les combattants de Jabhat al-Nosra JAN). Malgré les risques, il affirme:  "La seule manière de faire mon métier est d’être sur le terrain et de raconter ce que je vois. Si je ne peux pas aller sur le terrain et faire cela, je peux changer de métier !"

« Il faut être sur le terrain pour raconter ce qui se passe en Syrie ! »

Domenico Quirico, l’envoyé spécial du quotidien italien La Stampa, a été détenu pendant cinq mois en Syrie dans des conditions très dures. Dans un entretien téléphonique réalisé pour la PEC par Luisa Ballin, il analyse les difficultés rencontrées par les journalistes en Syrie, pays où il souhaite retourner malgré le calvaire qu’il a vécu. 

L. B. -Vous avez été retenu pendant cinq mois en Syrie. Quelles étaient les revendications de vos ravisseurs et qui étaient-ils?

D.Q. - C’étaient des bandits qui avaient choisi de s’habiller comme des révolutionnaires djihadistes pour faire leur business. En réalité, ils n’étaient ni djihadistes ni révolutionnaires. Ils voulaient de l’argent.

Q. La question du paiement d’une rançon pour faire libérer des otages est toujours un tabou. En savez-vous quelque chose pour ce qui est de votre cas ?

- Il y a une enquête judiciaire en Italie sur cette affaire et je suis lié au secret de l’enquête. Je ne peux donc rien vous dire à ce propos. Je pense que l’avidité est derrière ce qui m’est arrivé et vous pouvez comprendre ce que cela veut dire.

"Pas des djihadistes, mais des bandits"

Q. Vous nous avez confié qu’aller en Syrie en ce moment est presque un suicide. Pouvez-vous en dire plus ?

- Oui, parce que personne n’est ce qu’il dit être. Il y a des mouvements djihadistes qui ne sont pas des djihadistes mais des bandits. Certains mouvements se disent proches de l’Armée syrienne libre alors qu’en réalité ce sont de petits seigneurs de la guerre qui contrôlent une partie du territoire syrien pour faire leurs affaires et qui rançonnent tous les jours la population. Ils font du racket sur les marchandises qui viennent du Liban et de la Turquie. Personne, pas même le régime syrien, ne peut garantir aujourd’hui que l’on peut aller en Syrie sans avoir de problèmes, qui vont de l’enlèvement à la mort sous un bombardement.
 
Q. Malgré ce qui vous est arrivé et le manque total de sécurité, vous voulez retourner en Syrie, pays où vous vous êtes rendu à cinq reprises. Pourquoi ce choix?

- Parce que la Syrie est un problème crucial pour le monde. En ce moment, elle est la question la plus importante pour la géopolitique internationale. Si la Syrie devient un califat islamiste au cœur du Moyen-Orient, les problèmes pour l’Occident, et pas seulement pour l’Occident d’ailleurs, peuvent être terribles. En outre, c’est, je crois, le lieu dans le monde où la souffrance humaine, celle des femmes, des enfants, des personnes âgées et des gens qui n’ont pas d’arme dans les mains, est la plus atroce : 100'000 morts est un chiffre terrible ! Il faut être sur le terrain pour raconter ce qui se passe et ne pas oublier la Syrie ! Car je constate que dans les médias internationaux il y a une tendance à oublier la Syrie ou à écrire sur la Syrie depuis l’extérieur, ce qui n’est pas honnête.

"Avoir des contacts fiables"
 
Q. Les journalistes ne peuvent pratiquement plus travailler en Syrie, comment tenter de les protéger? 

- Pour aller en Syrie, il faut avoir des contacts fiables. Et encore…J’avais des contacts fiables, avec le résultat que vous connaissez…

Il faut avoir beaucoup de courage et ne pas renoncer à décrire ce qui se passe en Syrie. Mais depuis la Syrie et non pas depuis l’extérieur. Il est primordial d’être sur place et non pas utiliser ce que disent les réfugiés ou ceux qui fuient la Syrie, parce que l’on n’est jamais sûrs que tout ce que l’on vous raconte soit la vérité.

Les ONG peuvent aider à contacter des fixeurs fiables. Il est conseillé de ne pas engager des fixeurs ou des interprètes au dernier moment, parce que par les temps qui courent, beaucoup de personnes ne sont pas fiables. 
 
Q. Est-il encore possible d’aller en Syrie ?

- Il est possible d’aller à Alep, car l’Armée syrienne libre est encore l’Armée syrienne libre et elle contrôle le territoire libéré. Dans les autres parties du pays, notamment à la frontière avec l’Irak et près de la frontière libanaise, où j’ai été enlevé, il est impossible d’y aller car personne n’est fiable. 

Q. S’agissant des ONG à l’extérieur de la Syrie, comme la PEC, comment peuvent-elles agir pour soutenir le travail des reporters qui vont sur place?

- C’est une question difficile. Elles peuvent donner l’adresse de fixeurs fiables aux journalistes désireux de se rendre en Syrie. C’est une manière d’aider la presse internationale à faire son travail. 
 
Q. Et pour ce qui est des gouvernements ?

- Il vaut mieux que les gouvernements ne fassent rien et que les journalistes n’aient pas de contact avec les gouvernements s'ils veulent aller en Syrie, afin d’être complètement libres. Parce que les gouvernements ont des politiques liées à la situation en Syrie et se mêler à cela est très dangereux.
 
Q. Pourtant, lorsque vous avez été libéré, vous étiez en compagnie de la ministre des Affaires étrangères italienne Emma Bonino ?

- Oui. Le gouvernement italien a très bien opéré et je le remercie car si je suis ici maintenant à parler avec vous c’est grâce à son intervention. Mais pour organiser un voyage en Syrie, il faut être libre. D’ailleurs, aucun gouvernement occidental ne vous donne aujourd’hui le feu vert pour aller en Syrie. Les journalistes doivent être d’autant plus attentifs. Je dois dire que certains gouvernements n’ont pas fait pour leurs citoyens ce que le gouvernement italien a fait pour moi. Dans de nombreux cas, si vous êtes enlevé, vous restez là-bas. Je pense au gouvernement des Etats-Unis, au gouvernement anglais ou même au gouvernement de la Belgique.

"Gesticulations médiatiques"

Q. Que vous inspire la réunion qui a eu lieu à Genève entre John Kerry et Serguei Lavrov, en présence de l'envoyé spécial du Secrétaire général des Nations Unies Lakhdar Brahimi ?

- Je suis très prudent à ce propos. Je crois qu’il s’agit de gesticulations médiatiques. Les Etats-Unis avaient un problème, après avoir dit qu’ils voulaient bombarder l’armée du régime syrien. Ils ont ensuite compris que c’était fou. Ils ne savaient pas quoi faire. La Russie a donné aux Etats-Unis un rôle pour sortir de cette situation. Je ne suis pas optimiste. Le problème syrien est compliqué, parce que il y a des acteurs que ni la Russie ni les Etats-Unis, ni l’Iran ne contrôlent. Ce sont des djihadistes qui ont des projets politiques sur lesquels ces gouvernements n’ont aucune chance de faire pression ou de les faire changer d’avis.
 
Q. Les djihadistes sont-ils le vrai problème en Syrie aujourd’hui?

- Oui, le problème est le projet politique du djihadisme international, car les djihadistes veulent créer un califat en Syrie pour perturber et faire exploser tout le Moyen-Orient.
 
Q. Qui est derrière ces djihadistes ?

- Pour l’argent il y a l’Arabie saoudite. Je ne sais pas si les Saoudiens ont des projets politiques plus grands. Le Qatar s’est un peu défilé après ce qui s’est passé. Les pays qui sont derrière les révolutions dans les pays qui ont connu le « printemps arabe » sont très présents en Syrie en ce moment.

"De nouveaux conflits et de nouveaux acteurs" 

Q. La PEC organisera une table-ronde à Genève sur la protection des journalistes, dans le cadre de son 10e anniversaire. Vous êtes d’ores et déjà invité à débattre avec d'autres confrères. Quel est le thème clé à aborder?

- Il faut se pencher sur la manière de comprendre et de couvrir les nouveaux conflits par rapport aux guerres d’avant. J’ai connu des guerres révolutionnaires, des guerres civiles et des confrontations idéologiques. A l’époque, on pouvait avoir des contacts et des échanges avec les révolutionnaires parce que leur milieu était le même. En ce temps-là, on pouvait aussi parler avec les marxistes ou les maoïstes qui étaient derrière les guerres civiles ou les guerres révolutionnaires. Aujourd’hui, tout a changé, les nouveaux acteurs sont des fanatiques religieux ou des bandits et il n’y a aucune manière de communiquer avec les fanatiques et les bandits. Les journalistes sont complètement seuls, sans aucune protection. C’est le vrai danger.

Q. Les chefs religieux peuvent-ils aider au dialogue en faisant des appels à la paix ?

- La prière et les appels à la paix sont toujours bienvenus, mais cela ne va pas changer la situation sur le terrain. Un exemple ? Vous pouvez aller en Syrie avec un katiba de Jabat al-Nusra, l’équivalent d’al-Qaida en Syrie, vous pourrez croiser des Syriens et des personnes modérées, dialoguer avec eux, comme je l’ai fait. Vous pouvez même suivre le combat d’un katiba de djihadistes, avec lequel il n’y aura aucun problème. Mais vous pouvez aussi rencontrer un katiba de Tchétchènes, de Tatars de l’Asie centrale ou de Libyens, plus fanatiques et vous risquez d’être enlevés ou tués. C’est très difficile de savoir ce qui se passe avec ces gens.

"La Russie a la clé"

Q. Que pensez-vous du président syrien Bachar al-Assad et quelle est aujourd’hui sa marge de manœuvre ?

- Le président Bachar al-Assad est le premier responsable de ce qui se passe en Syrie aujourd’hui, parce qu’il avait fait croire qu’il voulait libéraliser son régime après un demi siècle de répression et de gestion mafieuse, mais c’était du cinéma. Les élections étaient une  farce et après cela la révolution est venue. La marge de manœuvre de Bachar al-Assad est la Russie qui détient les clés de ce que peut faire ou ne pas faire le régime syrien. Si la Russie continue à aider le régime, Barchar al-Assad restera. En revanche, si la Russie décidait de changer de politique…Mais je ne crois pas que cela soit possible pour la Russie de changer de politique, parce que la Syrie est le dernier morceau de sa politique mondiale et de sa présence en Méditerranée. La Russie ne peut donc pas reculer. Si la Russie ne change pas de position, Bachar al-Assad a des chances de rester au pouvoir encore longtemps.

Q. Pensez-vous que le moment soit propice pour une nouvelle conférence sur la Syrie, afin de mettre tout le monde autour d’une table de négociation ? L’amorce de dialogue entre l’Iran et les Etats-Unis peut-elle aider dans ce contexte ?

- Ce n’est pas l’Iran qui a les clés de ce qui se passe en Syrie, c’est la Russie. Certes, il y a eu un appel téléphonique (entre le nouveau président iranien Hassan Rohani et le président des Etats-Unis Barak Obama, ndlr), mais ce n’est pas beaucoup. Un appel téléphonique n’est pas un changement de politique, c’est juste un appel téléphonique…

Q. Mais il est important et symbolique…

- Il est symbolique, mais après les symboles il faut des actes politiques. Et pour l’instant je ne vois rien venir.   

Q. Après ce que vous avez vécu en Syrie, quels sont vos projets ?

- Mon projet est d’aller en Afghanistan parce je ne suis jamais allé dans ce pays qui a une histoire à la fois terrible et très intéressante. Je voudrais écrire des reportages sur l’Afghanistan et j’espère y aller dans les prochains mois.

Q. Ne craignez-vous pas le contrecoup de ce qui vous est arrivé ? 

- La seule manière de faire mon métier est d’être sur le terrain et de raconter ce que je vois. Si je ne peux pas aller sur le terrain et faire cela, je peux changer de métier !

Entretien réalisé pour la PEC par Luisa Ballin
 

***24.09.2013. HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL. The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) expresses its deepest appreciation for the initiatives taken in the last two years by the Austrian Government - statement delivered by Gianfranco Fattorini - read below the decision of the HRC on the safety of journalists, adopted by consensus with the support of more than 100 countries

General Assembly
Human Rights Council
24th session

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

General debate

Mr. President,

In celebrating the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action[1], the Press Emblem Campaign expresses its deepest appreciation for the initiatives taken in the last two years by the Austrian Government in order to fulfil the commitment to guarantee freedom and protection for the media.

It is worthy to remember that, in the last 20 years, more than a thousand journalists have been killed around the world. The great majority of them in the context of war, civil unrest, war against organized crime, war against terrorism or land disputes; in less than 5% of the cases those responsible have been brought to justice and convicted.

The PEC extends its appreciation to the members of the “core group” that support Austrian efforts and invites them to do everything possible to guarantee freedom and protection for the media in their own country. The PEC expresses its concern about the penal and administrative measures taken against journalists and media outlet criticizing the King of Morocco policy in general or, in particular, in relation to the Western Sahara issue. The PEC expresses its concern about the increasing number of journalists arrested in the last weeks in Tunisia and calls on the Government to listen sympathetically the legitimate claims of the media workers, expressed through a general strike last week, for freedom of expression.

Journalists and media workers are too often targeted by the security forces when accomplishing their duty in reporting peaceful assembly and public manifestation. The PEC is particularly concerned about the dozens of journalists jailed in Turkey for many months and those who were sacked or forced to resign since last summer manifestations and calls on the Turkish government, member of the core group of resolution A/HRC/RES/21/16 on «The rights to freedom of peaceful assembly» to respect freedom of assembly and freedom of expression.

The PEC calls equally, on the Israeli authorities and those of the State of Palestine, to guarantee the freedom of movement and of expression to local and international journalists and media workers covering the longest conflict in the world.

The PEC is looking forward to actively participate at the Panel that will take place in The Council next June, hoping that it will be an important step forward for the realization of the pledge made in 1993 regarding the media, as well as for the fight against the impunity linked to the killings of journalists.

I thank you for your attention.

23rd September 2013
[1] A/CONF.157/23

DECISION A/HRC/24/L.13
Submitted by Austria, Brazil, Morocco, Tunisia, Switzerland - adopted by consensus with the support of more than 100 countries on September 26th, 2013

Human Rights Council
Twenty-fourth session

Agenda item 3

Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil,
political, economic, social and cultural rights,
including the right to development

                         Australia*, Austria, Belgium*, Benin, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria*, Chile, Colombia*, Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia*, Cyprus*, Czech Republic, Denmark*, Djibouti*, Egypt*, Equatorial Guinea*, Estonia, Finland*, France*, Georgia*, Germany, Greece*, Guatemala, Honduras*, Hungary*, Iceland*, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan* Kazakhstan, Latvia*, Libya, Liechtenstein*, Lithuania*, Luxembourg*, Maldives, Malta*, Mexico*, Montenegro, Morocco*, Netherlands*, New Zealand*, Nigeria*, Norway*, Paraguay*, Peru, Poland, Portugal*, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia*, Sierra Leone, Slovakia*, Slovenia*, Spain, State of Palestine*, Sweden*, Switzerland, Timor-Leste*, Tunisia*, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland*, United States of America, Uruguay*, Yemen*: decision

                   24/…  Panel discussion on the safety of journalists

The Human Rights Council,

Guided by the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Human Rights and other relevant international human rights instruments,

Recalling Human Rights Council resolution 21/12 of 27 September 2012 on the safety of journalists,

Recalling also all relevant resolutions of the Commission on Human Rights and the Human Rights Council, in particular Council resolution 12/16 of 2 October 2009 and all other resolutions on the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Council resolution 13/24 of 26 March 2010 on the protection of journalists in situations of armed conflict, and Council resolution 20/8 of 5 July 2012, on the promotion, protection and enjoyment of human rights on the Internet,

Recalling further all relevant reports by the special procedures of the Human Rights Council with regard to the safety of journalists, in particular the reports of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression[1] and the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions,[2] presented to the Human Rights Council at its twentieth session, and the interactive dialogue thereon,

Deeply concerned at the frequent violations and abuses of the human rights of journalists, including through killing, torture, enforced disappearance, arbitrary detention, expulsion, intimidation, harassment, threats and acts of other forms of violence, as well as through measures, such as surveillance, search and seizure, when aimed at hampering the work of journalists,

Taking note with appreciation of the report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the safety of journalists[3] presented to the Human Rights Council at its twenty-fourth session,

Acknowledging in particular the recommendation made in the report to continue to promote the issue of safety of journalists through the Human Rights Council and related panel discussions,

1.      Decides to convene, at its twenty-sixth session, a panel discussion on the issue of the safety of journalists, with a particular focus on discussing the findings made in the report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights,3 identifying challenges and further developing good practices for ensuring the safety of journalist by sharing information on initiatives undertaken to protect them;

2.      Requests the Office of the High Commissioner to organize the panel discussion from within existing resources, in consultation with States, relevant United Nations bodies, funds and programmes, in particular the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, treaty bodies, special procedures and regional human rights mechanisms, as well as with civil society, non-governmental organizations and national human rights institutions, with a view to ensuring their participation in the panel discussion;

3.      Also requests the Office of the High Commissioner to prepare and submit a summary report on the panel discussion to the Human Rights Council at its twenty-seventh session.

                                *    Non-member State of the Human Rights Council.  
[1]   A/HRC/20/17 and Add.1–3.                    
[2]   A/HRC/20/22, Corr.1 and Add.1–4.                    
[3]   A/HRC/24/23.

***17.09.2013. HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL.  EGYPT. The Press Emblem Campaign expresses its concern about the crackdown by the Egyptian authorities on media outlets and the arrest of staff members, which violate international obligations - PEC statement delivered by Gianfranco Fattorini.

General Assembly
Human Rights Council
24th session 

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

General debate

Mr. President,

The Press Emblem Campaign is particularly concerned about the situation of the journalists and media workers in Egypt where 5 journalists were killed last August, while many others were attacked, beaten or detained, being targeted by pro and anti-government supporters.

During Mubarak’s presidency, the media faced substantial legal and regulatory challenges that limited their independence and ability to criticize and hold the government to account. These controls remained largely in place under the Morsi presidency.

Today, the Press Emblem Campaign expresses its concern about the crackdown by the Egyptian authorities on media outlets and the arrest of staff members, which violate international obligations. Egyptian security forces are continuing to detain and harass journalists working for news outlets critical of Egypt's interim government and in support of the protests organized by the Muslim Brothers, particularly Al Jazeera and its affiliates, while there have been raids on media offices and TV channels have been forced to close.

On August 14, while covering the clearance of pro-Morsi sit-ins and the clashes which erupted nationwide afterwards, the journalists had to face the precarious and dangerous environment where they were under fire from both sides, the ordinary protesters and the security forces. Since then, several testimonies denounce the abuses suffered by journalists, including by Moslem Brotherhood supporters.

While Egypt's Prosecutor-General Hisham Barakat has reportedly opened an investigation into the killing of journalists, the trend of attacking, shooting and/or confiscating journalists' equipment carrying out their work will likely to be continued in the future.

Journalists in Egypt believe that there is no official body in the country to protect them from being intimidated or harassed by security forces or even angry protesters while trying to carry out their work. The PEC calls on the Egyptian authorities to change the present laws on the media and to adopt a clear policy within the security forces in order to respect journalists and provide them protection.

I thank you for your attention.

17 September 2013

Challenges of Media Coverage of the Crisis in Egypt
Palais des Nations – Room XXVII
Thursday 19th September 2013

See the video of the event:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eivv1szmBlw&feature=c4-verview&list=UUCv1Pd24oPErw5S7zJWltnQ

Speech delivered by Gianfranco Fattorini PEC Permanent Representative at the UN

Like in any country experiencing unrest, political instability or civil war, media workers in today Egypt are confronted to different challenges due to the mistrust and even hostility of the authorities in power. Depending on whether media workers are more favorable, or are considered more favorable, to one side or the other, or according to their origin, they could be targeted by the ruling power or the opposition.

In fact, throughout the “revolutionary period” which started in late January 2011 and led to the dismissal of Hosni Moubarak, the election of Mohamed Morsi and his destitution, a great number of journalists and media workers had to face seizure of their material, harassment, assault, rape, degrading treatment, arbitrary arrest; several were shot at firearms and 11 of them have lost their lives.

Even if one can assume that critical observation and analysis of current events are never appreciated by the actors of a violent confrontation, we cannot forget that for decades the independence of the media and their ability to criticize and hold the government to account were limited in Egypt. Media were subject to criminal sanctions under the Penal Code, onerous licensing requirements and significant government control over state-owned media outlets. It has to be clarified here that if the actors’ discontent is understandable, it cannot justify violence against media workers.

During the short period of Morsi presidency some expectations were raised when some key individuals associated with the repressive functions of the Mubarak regime have been forced to leave their positions, including the Minister of Information. But substantially the legal framework has not changed and probably this question was not at the top of the priorities for the Morsi’s government.

Here is the first role of International Human Rights Organizations in the field of media: the advocacy for a legal framework conducive to a culture of acceptance of freedom of expression and freedom of the media. The establishment of a democratic society requires, inter alia, the acceptance of the confrontation of different ideas and analyzes and a legal framework which complies with international standards and obligations in this regard.

Obviously, even in the well established and recognized democracies, where the legal framework ensure freedom of expression, it happens that State agents violate the law and some very fundamental human rights, as we are witnessing in present days. This, of course, is even more the case when the legal framework does not comply with the international standards and obligations.

Here is the second role of International Human Rights Organizations in the field of media: collect reliable information and activate the relevant mechanisms at the national, regional and international level.

In the context of the UN Human Rights system, according to the nature and the severity of the violations of the fundamental rights different mechanisms and procedures of the Human Rights Council can be alerted and activated. The most relevant, with respect to the violations suffered by media workers in conflict zones, are the Working Group on Arbitrary detention, the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism, the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and the Special Rapporteur on violence against women.

We wish to stress here that the greatest challenge media workers have to face in conflict zones is impunity that protects the violators of the human rights and, of course, impunity protecting the responsible of the killing of media workers. According to the widely accepted figures, in less than 10% of the more than a thousand cases of killing of media workers around the world in the last 20 years the responsible have been brought to justice and convicted. Those suggesting that the mechanisms currently in place are ineffective in combating impunity.

Here is the third role of International Human Rights Organizations: the reflection on how to improve the protection of media workers’ rights and lives and eventually how to better combat impunity.

The Press Emblem Campaign is convinced that in third millennium, called the Information Millennium, it is not only the rights in general or those specific of the media workers that need to be protected, but also the physical integrity of the media workers. In order to effectively promote a safe and enabling environment for journalists to perform their work independently and without undue interference, as desired by the UN Human Rights Council[1], the PEC has launched the reflection on the adoption of a set of international binding rules, whose application would be ensured by an independent mechanism endowed with investigatory powers.

The PEC welcomes the opening of an investigation into the killing of journalists by the Egyptian Prosecutor-General Hisham Barakat and hopes that the responsible will be identified, judged and duly sentenced but this will not be sufficient to create a safe and enabling environment for journalists and media workers.

********
[1] Human Rights Council resolution A/HRC/RES/21/12

***16.09.2013. HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL. COMMISSION OF INQUIRY ON SYRIA. PEC statement delivered by Gianfranco Fattorini - The PEC is particularly concerned about the growing phenomenon of abduction and vigorously denounces the inhuman or degrading treatment imposed on journalists, including fake executions. The PEC calls on all factions involved in the Syrian conflict to release all the journalists and media workers

General Assembly
Human Rights Council
24th session

Item 4  -   Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention
 
Report of the Independent international commission of inquiry on the situation
in the Syrian Arab Republic (A/HRC/24/46)

Mr. President,

The Press Emblem Campaign thanks the members of the Independent international commission of inquiry for having integrated in the report a specific section on the particular situation journalists have to face in the Syrian Arab Republic. We hope that this section will be flagged in the future report of the Commission.

Indeed, Syria was the deadliest country in the world for media workers in 2012 with 37 media workers killed in the country, 13 of them working for foreign media. This year, so far, Syria is again the deadliest country in the world with 11 media workers killed.

We wish to point out here that PEC statistics counts only journalists and media workers. In light of the reflection going on in the Human Rights Council, as well as in the Security Council and UNESCO about the security and protection of journalists we wish to suggest the Independent international commission of inquiry to split the statistics between journalists and media workers on one side and others actors on the other side so as to eventually not mix the human rights violations suffered by the Syrian population and human rights defenders with the crimes committed against journalists and media workers exercising their profession.

The PEC is particularly concerned about the growing phenomenon of abduction and vigorously denounces the inhuman or degrading treatment imposed on journalists, including fake executions. The PEC calls on all factions involved in the Syrian conflict to release all the journalists and media workers.

Finally the PEC is still very concerned about the fate of Mazen Darwish, Director of the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression, who was arrested in February 2012. Darwish and his two colleagues Hani Zitani and Hussein Al Ghurair are still held in arbitrary detention. The PEC calls on the Commission of Inquiry to investigate and to report to the Council on this particular case.

The PEC wishes to ask the members of the Commission what would be, in their view, the best way to combat impunity for the killing of 49 journalists in the Syrian Arab Republic?

I thank you for your attention.

16 September 2013 

***13.09.2013. HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL. PRESENTATION OF THE REPORT OF THE OHCHR ON THE SAFETY OF JOURNALISTS. Read below the PEC oral statement, the Joint statement by Austria supported by 70 countries, the IFJ statement on the OHCHR report

General Assembly
Human Rights Council
24th session

Item 3  -  Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development

General debate

Mr. President,

The adoption of the resolution on “Safety of journalists” in September last year was an important step forward for the protection of journalists. The study presented at this session by the Office of the High Commissioner, as requested by the Council in resolution 21/12, clearly shows that the protection of journalists and media workers is closely related to the political will.

As we illustrate in the written contribution submitted to the attention of the Council, published under symbol A/HRC/24/NGO/47, the majority of the killing of journalists occurs in situation of wars, whether across the borders or within the borders, civil unrest or economic wars. In this context, the PEC believes that this process should remain focused on the physical and material protection of journalists and media workers and it should avoid enlarging the subject or the scope of the discussion to matters that are already covered by existing mandates.

Effective protection of journalists and media workers requires a comprehensive set of measures that covers prevention, safety in the field and a prompt, independent and thorough investigation into the attacks against journalists and media workers as well as the effective prosecution of the perpetrators of crimes against journalists.

The impunity in more than 90% of the cases of the more than thousand journalists killed around the world in the last 20 years clearly shows that there is a gap in international law and that no actual mechanism can combat such impunity; it also advocates for an access to effective remedy for the families of the victims when journalists and media professionals are killed.

The PEC hopes that the draft decision presented by the core group will be widely supported and that the Panel discussion to be held at the twenty-sixth session would be the opportunity to better apprehend the existing gaps in the protection of journalists and media workers.

I thank you for your attention.

16 September 2013

Item 3 – General Debate
Joint Statement in response to the presentation of the
report of the OHCHR on the safety of journalists

Mr. President,

I have the honor to address the Human Rights Council on behalf of Austria, Brazil, Morocco, Switzerland, Tunisia,…(72 countries)

Mr. President, 

Last year marks the most dramatic year on record regarding the killings of journalists. More than 100 violent deaths have been recorded in 2012.  Not only is the killing of journalists of great concern, but the exercise of their work also often exposes journalists at a whole range of other human rights violations, such as torture, enforced disappearance, arbitrary arrest and detention, as well as legal and physical harassment. The report of the OHCHR on the safety of journalists presented at this session indicates that in 2012 around 900 journalists were arrested, 2000 were threatened or physically attacked and 40 were kidnapped. This year as well, more than 50 journalists have already been killed because of their profession. What is most worrying is that in more than 90% of the reported cases, no investigations or legal procedures have been undertaken; perpetrators act with impunity. 

The adoption by consensus of the first resolution on the safety of journalists by the Human Rights Council last September has sent a strong political signal and can be regarded as an important milestone. The unanimous support that the resolution has received from states of all regions was indeed very encouraging. However, the disquieting evidence of the scale and number of attacks against the physical safety of journalists as well as of incidents affecting their ability to exercise freedom of expression clearly demonstrate that much more needs to be done. 

Freedom of expression is a fundamental right in any democratic society. Therefore, each state has the obligation to provide the conditions for a safe environment which enables journalists to perform their work independently and without any interference. The good practices presented in the report of the OHCHR on the safety of journalists indicate that unequivocal political commitment supported by clear and effective legislative and practical safeguards to prevent attacks and threats against journalists are the key elements of an effective approach to the protection of journalists. 

The ability of the state to protect journalists is inextricably linked to the extent to whether there is general appreciation of the importance of freedom and expression, online as well as offline, the enabling legislation is in place, the rule of law prevails and the political will to protect journalists exists. We share the view of the OHCHR that a clear public position should be taken at the highest levels of government regarding the important role of journalists in society and the need to prevent and sanction violations of their rights. It is incumbent on states to ensure the safety of journalists through the implementation and enforcement of the existing international norms and standards.

The report also emphasizes again the serious and pervasive problem of impunity for attacks against journalists. Ensuring accountability is a key element in preventing future attacks, and states have an obligation to do so in international law. There is a need for swift and independent investigations into any allegation in accordance with international standards. 

Mr. President,

We believe that this Council has an important role to play in promoting and protecting the safety of journalists. The report of the OHCHR also recommends the continued promotion of the issue through the Human Rights Council and related panel discussions as well as side events. We therefore believe that, as a next step, a panel discussion should be organized with a particular focus on elaborating the findings of the report of the OHCHR, identifying challenges and further developing good practices for the safety of journalists by sharing information on initiatives undertaken to protect them.  

I thank you!  

Press Release
13.09.13

IFJ Joins Call for Action on New UN Report on Media Protection

The United Nations Human Rights Council today debated a new report on the importance of the protection of journalists, the prevention of attacks and the fight against impunity for attacks against journalists.

The Report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, which was prepared by the Office of the UN High Commission of Human Rights, argues that political commitment, backed by clear and effective legislative and practical safeguards to prevent attacks and threats to journalists, are the key elements of an effective approach to the protection of journalists.

It features a contribution from the IFJ focusing on the Federation’s work on the safety of journalists such as safety training, emergency assistance from the International Safety Fund and monitoring the violations of media rights.

The new report proposes a wide range of proposals which states can implement to achieve a secure environment for safe journalism.

They include the suggestion that violence against journalists should be considered an aggravating circumstance, leading to harsher sentences against journalists’ attackers. This idea is supported by academics for its deterrence potential. The report expands on this by suggesting that investigations into attack on media should look into any link between the suspected attack and the journalist’s professional activity.

The report further advocates the creation of special units within the national legal systems to investigate attacks on journalists, an early warning system to facilitate timely intervention, and a rapid response mechanism to provide journalists with access to the authorities and protective measures.

During the debate on the report, members of the Human Rights Council were overwhelmingly positive and welcomed the measures proposed in the report.

However, in a strongly worded statement on behalf of over 70 countries, Austria warned that concrete steps are needed to translate the strong support to the report in reality. The statement specifically called for governments to take a public position at the highest level about the important role of journalists. It also suggested organising a separate event for a detailed debate on the reports’ recommendations.

The IFJ joined the call for an uncompromising implementation of the conclusions and recommendations made in the report. In a statement on the report, the Federation argues that the establishment of special investigative units dedicated to tackle the violence targeting media could contribute to greater accountability and offer genuine deterrence.

However, the Federation cautioned against any failure to act, saying that the current safety media crisis required drastic measures in order to address the pervasive culture of impunity.

It further called on the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to set up a mechanism to monitor and report to extent to which governments abide by international laws and standards concerning the safety of journalists and keep the situation under review.

Finally, the IFJ appealed for governments and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees t to assist journalists whose lives are at risk by considering issuing them with emergency visas and laisser to safety.

Read the full OHCHR’s report here

***08.09.2013. Entretien exclusif de la PEC avec Florence Aubenas: « La Syrie est aujourd’hui un cimetière pour les journalistes et pour l’information »

Par Luisa Ballin, membre du comité directeur de la PEC

Florence Aubenas co-préside le Comité de soutien aux deux journalistes de la radio Europe 1, Didier François et Edouard Elias, enlevés en Syrie il y trois mois. Ancienne otage en Irak pendant cinq mois en 2005, la journaliste et grand reporter au quotidien Le Monde, nous a accordé un entretien quelques jours avant son départ pour l’Egypte et au sortir d’une réunion au siège de Reporters sans frontières à Paris, pour préparer un rassemblement de solidarité avec les deux journalistes français.

Comment mobiliser l’opinion publique et les dirigeants politiques sur le sort de Didier François et Edouard Elias  enlevés en Syrie ?

En tant que journalistes, nous essayons de ne pas faire seulement de la communication sur le sort des otages mais aussi de produire de l’information sur leur enlèvement. C’est intéressant, passionnant et difficile, car les enlèvements sont devenus une affaire d’Etat. Ce n’est pas simple de donner de l’information sur ce que l’on ne peut pas raconter : qui détient les otages ? Combien faut-il payer pour leur libération ? Qu’est-ce qui se tracte ? Quels sont les dessous des choses ? Nous sommes au cœur d’un problème complexe.

Comment parler de la Syrie alors que les reporters ne peuvent plus y aller ?

Nous avons justement eu un débat sur cette question et sur le fait que nous parlons de l’enlèvement de deux journalistes français alors qu’il y a cent mille morts en Syrie. Sommes-nous à côté de la plaque ? Nous sommes au cœur d’un problème qui touche à l’autocensure, en l’occurrence la nôtre. Nous avons beau jeu de dire : regardez ces pays à presse unique ! N’est-ce pas un peu ce que nous faisons avec notre autocensure ? Certes le contexte est différent, mais cette situation démontre toute la difficulté de la pratique journalistique, qui est dangereuse, compte tenu de l’immixtion de dirigeants politiques, des services secrets, du danger sur le terrain, du sort des gens et du sens de notre travail de journaliste.

Qu’est-ce qui se joue en Syrie aujourd’hui? La vie des journalistes ? La liberté d’expression ?

Les deux ! La Syrie est aujourd’hui un cimetière pour les journalistes et pour l’information. Il y va des droits fondamentaux et la liberté d’expression devrait nous tenir à cœur. Mais, force est de constater que nous, les journalistes, y compris au journal Le Monde, nous faisons des Unes qui vendent le plus, comme tous les journaux d’ailleurs. Et ce qui vend le plus aujourd’hui en France ce sont les affaires financières, un peu de sexe et un peu d’argent. La Une la plus catastrophique que Le Monde ai faite en terme de ventes a été celle sur la Syrie, alors que Le Monde est un grand journal qui traite les informations internationales en profondeur. Nous allons sur le terrain, je pars en Egypte, il y a donc un engagement physique de la part des journalistes et à la fin ce sont les Unes qui se vendent le moins ! 

C’est frustrant ?

Ce n’est pas grave, mais tous ces éléments donnent le vertige lorsqu’on les met bout à bout. On se demande où l’on va. Nous sommes fiers de décrire ce qui se passe dans des pays come la Syrie ou l’Egypte, mais lorsque l’on voit les chiffres, on s’interroge. C’est intéressant car cela en dit long sur une époque et sur les gens car la presse se fait à deux : entre les lecteurs et les journalistes. Le cœur de mon métier, mon domaine de prédilection reste le reportage sur le terrain. Le fait d’avoir été enlevée m’a projetée dans ce milieux-là. Pour caricaturer les choses et les dire aussi, avant j’estimais qu’être grand reporter était un luxe ! 

Vous avez été des deux côtés de la barrière : otage et grand reporter. Cela a-t-il changé votre façon de voir la presse ?

Aujourd’hui, il y a une crise de la presse qui n’est pas seulement économique et il faut se demander : qu’est-ce que l’on met dans la presse ? Qui est journaliste et qui ne l’est pas ? Qui transmet une image à partir de son portable ? Qui twitte une information ? Avec les nouvelles technologies, il y a une redistribution des cartes. Qu’est ce qu’une information ? Qu’et-ce que cela signifie d’être journaliste ? Qu’est ce que le fait de savoir nous apporte ? Nous vivons au milieu de ces questions. C’est à la fois angoissant et passionnant de vivre une refondation complète de son métier.

Ce qui a impressionné lorsque vous avez été libérée c’était votre énergie. Comment avez-vous vécu cette libération ?

C’était un beau jour ! C’était drôle. Vous n’avez pas changé et tout ce qui est autour de vous a changé et notamment le regard des autres. Et vous n’êtes pas sûre d’aimer ce changement, car j’étais bien aussi avant. Au moment de ma libération, il y avait un côté délirant. C’était marrant pendant une semaine et heureusement cela s’est arrêté. Les gens et mes amis m’appelaient en me demandant comment j’allais. Je répondais que j’allais bien. Les gens et mes amis étaient contents tout en m’avertissant qu’il allait y avoir le contrecoup. Puis, lorsqu’ils voyaient qu’il n’y avait pas de oontrecoup, ils s’étonnaient. C’était devenu un réflexe : lorsqu’on me demandait comment j’allais, je répondais : toujours pas de contrecoup ! Mais je l’attend, et ce jour-là ce sera terrible.

Est-ce pour fuir ce contrecoup potentiel que vous partez en Egypte ou dans d’autres pays qui vivent des situations difficiles ?

Non, je pars parce que c’est mon métier et que je ne me vois pas changer de profession. J’étais un peu angoissée, en me demandant si j’allais avoir peur de repartir. Je m’étais donné deux ans, pour ne pas être odieuse avec la famille. Je suis partie en Turquie et ailleurs en Europe, j’ai écrit un livre, puis je suis partie en Afghanistan, pour en avoir le cœur net. Ma famille a été très stoïque. Puis je suis allée en Syrie, en leur disant que j’allais en Turquie. Et maintenant je pars en Egypte.

Comment peut-on informer aujourd’hui en Syrie et en Egypte ?

C’est très dur. Parce qu’aujourd’hui, le journaliste n’est plus un observateur du conflit, il est un acteur d’un conflit ou d’une situation violente. Il est considéré comme quelqu’un de très partisan, d’un côté comme de l’autre d’ailleurs. Il n’est pas considéré comme une personne qui vient objectivement expliquer et raconter ce qui se passe dans un pays, mais comme celui qu’on aime haïr, le méchant de l’affaire. 

Faut-il un emblème pour que l’on puisse reconnaître les journalistes ?

Pendant longtemps nous avons mis sur le pare-brise de nos voitures, notamment dans la région des Grands Lacs, le mot presse en grandes lettres et cela nous protégeait. Maintenant si on écrit le mot presse, vous êtes sûr d’avoir des ennuis. Avant nous avions aussi des brassards, des gilets avec le mot presse, mais tout cela est bien loin. Pendant longtemps, des agents de différents services, français ou autres, se faisaient passer pour des journalistes comme couverture, maintenant ce sont les journalistes qui vont se faire passer pour agents secrets ! Cela s’est inversé.

C’est votre cas ?

Non, je reste journaliste. Mais c’est compliqué, car le journaliste est pris à partie. Avant de commencer à travailler, avant de commencer ses interviews, le journaliste doit expliquer pourquoi il est là et pour qui il travaille. Nous ne sommes plus considérés comme des observateurs neutres.    

Que faire alors ?

Il faut refroidir les choses, mais je ne sais pas comment le faire. C’est très difficile pour les journalistes d’être hors du conflit. Je le dis comme un triste constat. La majorité des envoyés spéciaux sur le terrain sont de bonne foi. Certes, on vient avec ses à priori et sa culture. L’objectivité passe par une subjectivité. C’est moi, une Française, qui observe un conflit qui n’est pas le mien. C’est pareil pour un journaliste iranien ou d’une autre nationalité qui vient à Paris. Il faut expliquer et accepter que les autres portent sur vous un regard qui n’est pas le vôtre et que le miroir que l’on vous tend n’est pas forcément celui que vous voulez. J’ai fais souvent des interview et depuis l’Irak il m’arrive de répondre à des interviews. Lorsque je les relis, je me retrouve bizarrement de l’autre côté en me disant : ah, c’est ce que j’ai dit ? Mais jamais je n’oserais demander un droit de réponse, jamais je ne demande à relire le papier. Si on me le demande, je dis non et je ne le demanderai pas non plus.

La personne qui en interroge une autre le fait avec ses références, sa façon de voir l’autre, avec  l’envie d’en savoir plus à son sujet…

Si vous m’interviewez vous allez garder certaines choses alors que j’en aurais gardé d’autres. C’est ainsi et il faut l’accepter. La façon de défendre notre métier est de dire : je suis une Française, je viens au Caire, je ne parle pas arabe et j’aurai certainement un point de vue de Candide sur votre pays dans lequel une partie d’entre vous ne se reconnaître pas.

La personne qui va en Egypte et en Syrie a des à priori et des attentes par rapport au « printemps arabe »...

Certainement ! Le printemps arabe n’a pas la tête que l’on voulait.  

Les médias sont-ils prêts à l’entendre, à trouver autre chose que ce que leurs envoyés spéciaux vont chercher ?

Le problème clé est d’accepter de penser contre soi. Je me souviens qu’au moment de l’arrivée des Américains à Kabul en 2001, après le 11 septembre, j’ai reçu coup de fil de ma rédaction – je travaillais à Libération -. Un confrère  se demandait pourquoi il y avait des femmes voilées à l’écran alors que les Américains étaient entrés à Kabul et pourquoi les femmes n’enlèvent pas le voile.. C’était pour lui une réelle incompréhension.

En allant au Caire, sur la place Tahrir, vous savez que de plus en plus de femmes journalistes, égyptiennes et occidentales, se font harceler et même violer. Comment abordez-vous ce risque?

Dans mon métier, je suis quelqu’un de très pragmatique, à la fois dans mes articles et dans la manière dont j’aborde mon travail. La chose qui me gouverne est la réalité. Je suis une femme, je suis journaliste, la liberté d’informer est quelque chose de fondamental. Le fait que les femmes voyagent et qu’elles aillent partout, en Egypte et dans les pays où cela est compliqué pour les femmes est crucial. C’est cela le féminisme pour moi. Pas de faire des déclarations ou des manifestations dans des endroits où il ne se passe rien. Il faut y aller pour couvrir ce qui se passe, c’set, à ce prix là. Je ferai tout pour ne pas me faire violer et j’espère que cela va bien se passer. S’il faut courir ce risque, plutôt que de faire du desk à Paris, j’e l’accepte. Cela a l’air va-t-en-guerre, mais je pense qu’il faut faire son métier au risque de. Vous prenez un taxi au risque d’avoir un accident. Sinon on reste là à faire des dépêches. C’est aussi une option. Chacun pratique son métier comme il veut. Il n’y a de leçon à donner à personne. Ce « au risque de » est pour moi fondamental. Cela en vaut la peine.

Le métier de reporter de guerre n’est-ce pas aussi une question d’adrénaline ?

Non, ce n’est pas une adrénaline. Car l’idée que je pourrais me faire violer ne me fait pas plaisir. 

A l’époque de la guerre au Liban, une correspondante de guerre confiait avoir fait une dépression après être rentrée en Suisse, pays où elle était pourtant en sécurité…

Cela me fait penser à la lettre d’une journaliste free lance italienne, qui disait que son salaire était misérable, que ses conditions de travail étaient horribles, sans parler de son rédacteur en chef ! Et pourtant, écrivait-elle, je reste. Ce n’était pas une lettre syndicale car elle ne revendiquait pas une augmentation de salaire, ce n’était pas une lettre de démission, c’était une lettre où elle décrivait une situation terrible, mais elle disait qu’elle allait rester dans sa cave à Alep et continuer son travail. Cette lettre parle d’une passion pour un métier. C’est une chose difficile à expliquer et que je peux la comprendre.

Pourquoi avez-vous choisi d’être journaliste ?

Parce que j’aime mon travail, j’aime aller sur le terrain, rencontrer des gens qui vivent le moment le plus extraordinaire de leur vie, extraordinaire au sens tragique du terme. L’histoire de gens qui vivent à Alep. Que peut-il leur arriver de pire que ce qui leur arrive en ce moment ? Et lorsque je suis ici à Paris et que je vais suivre l’affaire d’Outreau qu’est-ce qu’il peut arriver de pire à ces gens du Pas-de-Calais que d’être traînés sur la place publique et d’être traités de pédophiles ? Dans mon métier de reporter, s’il y a quelque chose pour laquelle j’ai une addiction c'est le fait de partager avec des gens ordinaires le moment le plus extraordinaire dans lequel ils sont plongés. Et j’aime partager ce moment avec mes frères humains. C’est ma passion pour ce métier qui fait que j’aurais beaucoup de mal à en décrocher.     

Entretien réalisé pour la PEC par Luisa Ballin à Paris.

***07.09.2013. Violaciones a la libertad de expresión en México y Centroamérica durante el mes de agosto.

Guatemala: Durante este periodo se documentaron ocho agresiones contra periodistas y comunicadores sociales, de las cuales dos fueron asesinatos, un intento de asesinato, una agresión física, un supuesto intento de allanamiento a la vivienda de un periodista, un caso de obstrucción a la fuente, un caso de amenazas y el allanamiento a una radio.

El 6 de agosto fue asesinado a tiros el periodista y locutor Luis de Jesús Lima, en la cabecera departamental de Zacapa. El 12 de agosto Fredy Rodas, corresponsal de Radio Sonora en el departamento de Retalhuleu, fue atacado con arma de fuego por un desconocido, que le acertó cinco tiros. Pese a la gravedad de las heridas, el comunicador sobrevivió.

La mañana del 19 de agosto fue encontrado el cadáver del locutor y periodista Carlos Alberto Orellana Chávez, con dos disparos en el cráneo. De acuerdo con las investigaciones el periodista fue secuestrado y posteriormente asesinado.

Otro hecho fue la amenaza contra los periodistas Aroldo Marroquín y Esner Guzmán. Ambos fueron esposados, por alrededor de 15 minutos y amenazados de muerte por el suboficial de PNC José Reginaldo de la Cruz García, cuando tomaban imágenes sobre el arresto de dos jóvenes.

México: En agosto se registraron al menos 20 agresiones contra la prensa (según datos de la Casa de los Derechos de los Periodistas). Entre estos resalta la agresión física que sufrieron Torivio Bueno y Luis Pérez Meza, del diario El Debate en Sinaloa, por parte de oficiales de policía, durante la detención de dos supuestos delincuentes.

El 8 de agosto en el Estado de Michoacán, pobladores del municipio de San Miguel agredieron físicamente a Ángel Elías Méndez, de la agencia Quadratín, cuando daba cobertura a un operativo militar para detener a miembros de un grupo armado.

El 23 de agosto en Baja California, José Luis Camarillo, del diario Lindero Norte, fue agredido físicamente por agentes policiales, durante el desalojo de varias familias, que además le arrebataron su grabadora y cámara fotográfica.

Honduras: A principios de mes Jhony Lagos, propietario del diario “El Libertador” denunció que el personal y el inmueble son objeto de una vigilancia encubierta, por parte de una persona sospechosa de tener vínculos con el ejército.

José Rivas, dueño de Multicalbe, señaló que la empresa ha sufrido boicot y sabotaje en la transmisión de Canal 10, en el departamento de Cortés, debido al corte del cable de fibra, necesario para la transmisión.

Aunado a ello, Alex Sabillón, del programa Hecho de Choloma, fue citado a un juzgado, para conciliar una audiencia por el delito de Injurias Leves, en perjurio del presidente de patronato local.

Ileana Alamilla
Cerigua (el Observatorio de los Periodistas)
Guatemala, 6 de septiembre 2013

***03.09.2013. INSECURITY GROWING IN PAKISTAN: Pakistani media fear that government could muzzle them

PAKISTAN: Under the newly elected political set up, Pakistani media is sensing fear that the government might attempt to ‘muzzle the media’, as it done in its previous tenures in 1990’s and interestingly some recent acts taken by the government have bolster this apprehension that the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) has termed annoying and asked the Nawaz Sharif government to respect the freedom of expression.

In Pakistan, there are enormous threats posed to the safety of journalists, especially those in conflict zones of the country where Pakistani military is fighting against militants. Though, in many cases militants had killed journalists with impunity and claimed the responsibility, yet sometime fingers are also raised at the role of state agencies. In such a situation when a journalist do not know that who is threatening them ultimately compelling them on self-censorship.

During last two months (July-August 2013), a journalist was killed, others were threatened to deaths, harassed and even a big private print and electronic media house was attacked in the port city of Karachi and a case was registered against another private TV channel in trouble province of Balochistan. This indicates a resident threat of insecurity posed to journalists and media practitioners in Pakistan. It was the reason that various media defense groups including PEC have termed Pakistan as the most dangerous country for journalists on this planet.

Dead body found so decomposed

Mr. Abdul Raziq Baloch who was missing from Karachi since March 24, his dead body was found on August 21 from Mangopir area of Karachi city. His body was so decomposed that the relatives could not identify the body but the police said that a slip was found with the body with his name and address, too.

Razzaq, 42, was an ethnic Baloch and worked as a subeditor at Balochi language daily Tawar (Voice). He had gone missing from Karachi Since March 24. After his missing, Journalist bodies had demanded his recovery and family has also approached the court but the authorities denied any knowledge.

Recent statements by the government functionaries hinting that this new political set up is in no mood to tolerate the free media and has suggested some curbs on live coverage of events, like that lone gunman standoff in Islamabad on August 15. The Supreme Court had also earlier reprimanded Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) for allowing hours-at-a-stretch blanket coverage of such events. It feared that the state-run PEMRA might be given powers to pull the plug on television networks.

Draconian powers

This will be nothing, but giving powers in the hand of a regulator which will be at the same time arbiter, an adjudicator, an appellate forum and an executive authority, which in itself is nothing short of handing it draconian powers.

The move was strongly resisted by the country’s top Journalists’ body Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and its affiliate Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ) by passing a resolution against it in its annual general meeting. It was said that they will resist every sort of attempt from government, the PEMRA or from any other quarter to put ban on electronic media.

At the incident of firing outside the office of the Express media group in Karachi, on August 16, the PEC also expressed dismay and asked the government to ensure the security of media houses that are working hard to make the masses know about facts. In this attack, two employees of the same media group, a security guard and a woman were killed.

The Balochistan government, registered a case against a private news channel ARY Television on August 26 under Pakistan's Anti-Terrorist Act of 1997, after the television aired a video clip of the destruction of the residence of Pakistan’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah where he spent his finals days in 1947 after Pak-India partition. The government claimed that the airing the footage can incite violence or glorify the crime and is in contravention of the PEMRA.

Protests

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist, militant outfit claimed the responsibility of the bombing. The state had initially said that the heritage building had been targeted remotely. The video, however, showed masked men on the premises wreaking havoc even before the flames were lit. It was this last aspect that agitated the Supreme Court when it took suo motu notice on the airing of these clips.

Journalists took to the streets in protest the following day in various cities across the country. The PFUJ and the Baloch Union of Journalists strongly condemned the move. The same day, members of Pakistan's opposition parties walked out of the Senate over the issue. It worked and the case was withdrawn two days after it was submitted. Balochistan's chief minister stated that the report had been lodged "due to some misunderstanding."

PEC Rep in Islamabad, Israr Khan

***23.08.2013. PEC statement on the new report published by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the safety of Journalists A/HRC/24/23 - Protection of journalists: the actual good practices are not sufficient, nor effective enough in combating impunity

United Nations A/HRC/24/NGO/X
General Assembly Distr.: General

English only
Human Rights Council

Twenty-fourth session

Agenda item 2

Annual report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and reports of the Office of the High Commissioner and the Secretary-General

 Written statement submitted by Press Emblem Campaign,  a non-governmental organization in special consultative status

The Secretary-General has received the following written statement which is circulated in accordance with Economic and Social Council resolution 1996/31.

[22 August 2013]

Protection of journalists: the actual good practices are not sufficient, nor effective enough in combating impunity

I.         Introduction

The report presented by the Office of the High commissioner for human rights (A/HRC/24/23) rightly underlines the essential role journalists and other media professionals play by ensuring transparency and accountability in the conduct of public affairs. It also points out that, in the last two decades, in less than 10% of the cases perpetrators of crimes against journalists, have been brought to justice, convicted and sentenced for their crime.

One can have a different opinion on the situations in which journalists have been murdered. In a large number of cases, journalist’s murder are related to coverage of territorial disputes, be it political disputes -at the national or international level- or economic –opposing minorities or social movements to their central government or to transnational corporations-, they often culminate in violent clashes or longstanding low intensity conflicts.

Many analysts have recently proved and the international community has admitted, in most of the cases, that the demarcation line between revolutionary/liberation/opposition armed movements and organized criminal structures can be intangible; sometimes the criminal activities are carried out by those movements in order to finance themselves.

From this perspective, political issues, crime and corruption cases may be included very often in the category of “war” (against terrorism, against crime, over disputed territories); consequently one can consider that the majority of the murder of journalists occurs in situation of war, political instability, civil unrest or economic war.

II.      Applicable international law

As correctly highlighted in the above mentioned report, international human rights law and international humanitarian law establish an array of norms and standards that provide normative protection to journalists and other media professional (par.10). Considering the insignificant rate of cases of journalists’ murder solved in the past twenty years, it must be admitted that, as of today, the said protection is ineffective and not sufficient.

An accurate analysis of the cases permits to realize that in a great number of cases states are directly or indirectly involved in the crimes and consequently it would be surprisingly if the judiciary would be able to promptly, thoroughly, independently and impartially investigate. Although the obligation to protect journalists and other media professional rests on the State, it would be advisable for those cases to be investigated by an independent international mechanism.

If it can be considered that attacks against journalists in times of conflict constitutes a war crime, in practice, neither the cases of murder of journalists in time of conflict have been deferred to the International Criminal Court, nor has the Prosecutor General taken the initiative to investigate into them. Moreover, as illustrated in the introductory part, a great number of journalists’ murder occurs in situations that are not covered by the international humanitarian law, thus precluding today any possible independent investigation.

It must also be noted that for the protection to be more efficient, the right to effective remedy (notably the right to truth and compensation) should be extended to the families of the victims when journalists and media professionals are killed.

III.   Initiatives relating to the safety of journalists

The above mentioned report cites a very limited number of initiatives taken by a handful number of countries, which demonstrate that the political commitment leading to a clear and effective legislative and practical safeguard to prevent threats and attacks against journalists and to ensure accountability is limited at the national level.

At the regional level, the initiatives taken by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights as well as by the OSCE are certainly valuable, but they have a geographical limited effect and, even if prevention is part of the protection of journalists and media professionals, it cannot be considered as sufficient.

The steps taken in the 21st century at the international level, notably in the framework of the UN, including the Human Rights Council, the Human Rights Committee, the Security Council and UNESCO, plead in favour of further work in this context by continuing reflection in order to achieve effective protection of journalists and media professional worldwide.

In his report to the Human Rights Council (A/HRC/20/22) the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions « invites States and relevant United Nations bodies and agencies, in consultation with all relevant stakeholders, to explore the need for a specific United Nations instrument…».

IV.   Conclusions

The PEC considers the adoption of resolution 21/12 by the Human Rights Council as an important step in the realization of an effective protection of journalists and media workers which should lead to the promotion of a safe and enabling environment for journalists allowing them to perform their work independently and without undue interference.

The PEC considers that, in order to guarantee freedom and protection for the media, an international instrument mechanism should be adopted so that an international early warning and rapid response mechanism could effectively participate at the implementation of a “zero tolerance” culture towards any form of violence against journalists. A special international investigative unit should be set up as a mean to efficiently combat impunity, which is the main cause behind the large number of the journalists and media workers killed around the world.
END            
 

***20.08.2013. EGYPT. PEC condemns killing of journalists in Egypt and a setback for the freedom of the press

Tamer Abdel Raouf (photo)  is the fifth journalist killed in Egypt in one week. The Al-Ahram bureau chief in Damanhour, Beheira, was killed by soldiers through a military check point. Another journalist, Hamed Al Barbari, a reporter for the daily Al Gumhuria, who was travelling with him in the car, was also shot in the hand and leg and has beeen hospitalised. His version is that the car was asked to stop and bullets of warning were fired, the Ahram journalist went marche arriere and stopped, but the soldiers opened fire.

Several journalists working for foreign media said they were assaulted or briefly detained. The attacks and harassment came as Egyptian authorities publicly accused international journalists of distorting coverage of recent events.

Geneva, August 20 (PEC) -- The death toll among journalists covering the unfolding events in Egypt has risen to five when a fifth journalist was killed Monday night during the hours of the curfew while driving quickly through a military check point in the governorate of Beheira in Northern Egypt.
     Al-Ahram bureau chief in Damanhour, Beheira, Tamer ABdel Raouf, driving quickly through a military check poking during the curfew, led soldiers to open fire. The army statement stated that the journalist was accidentally killed because he did not follow the regulations of the curfew.
    The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) condemns strongly the killing of the Egyptian colleague, which steps up the number of journalists killed since the dismantling of the Raba Al Adaweiya camp last Wednesday to five. Four other journalists were killed during the operation.
     In addition the PEC expresses extreme worry concerning the measures reported that Egyptian authorities are assaulting and detaining foreign journalists.
     The PEC calls upon Egyptian authorities to put aside interpretation of events as a pretext to lower the threshold of freedom of expression, and hence take action against media.
     The view of foreign media on unfolding events in Egypt has been a source of deep friction between Egyptian authorities and the media that reflects other opinion, that is the description of events whether it is a revolution or a military coup, whether Egyptian authorities have used excessive use of force in dismantling the two Moslem brotherhood sit ins, or was it done through maximum restraint as well as other issues.
     PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen denounces strongly measures taken in Egypt against foreign media which reflects a setback for the freedom of the media working in Egypt.
     The number of journalists killed so far worldwide since the beginning of the year stands at 75 journalists.
     In a separate press release, PEC condemns the death of a fourth journalist killed also Monday in Guatemala

حملة الشارة تدين مقتل مدير مكتب الاهرام في البحيرة 

 جنيف ٢٠ أغسطس - حملة الشارة - أدانت حملة الشارة الدولية مقتل مدير مكتب الاهرام في البحيرة تامر عبد الرؤوف و نقلت عن بيان الجيش انه قتل بسبب السرعة و هو يمر من نقطة تفتيش خلال حظر التجوال امس الاثنين مما أدى الى إطلاق النار على سيارته. 

 و قالت حملة الشارة أن مقتل مدير مكتب الاهرام في البحيرة يرفع عدد القتلى من الصحفيين الى خمسة بعد مقتل أربعة منهم أثناء فض اعتصام رابعة العدوية الأربعاء الماضي. 
 
و صرح بليز ليمبان، سكرتير عام الحملة من جنيف، ان الأنباء التي تتردد عن مضايقات تواجه الاعلام الأجنبي في عمله يعكس تراجعا في حرية العمل الصحفي للإعلام الأجنبي. 
 
يذكر أنه منذ بداية العام الحالي قتل ٧٥ صحفيا في كل أنحاء العالم. 

FYI - REPORT OF THE UNION OF ARAB JOURNALISTS ON EGYPT When treachery bullets assassin the "truth"

Arab Journalists Federation and its Permanent Committee for Freedom denounced the attacks against journalists, newspaper reporters and photographers, which increased in the past few days and went to the extent of murder and deliberately injuring the journalists and photographers during the performance of their work; despite the fact that they only went out carrying a pen and a camera memory to register what they see... They died with a bullet that we do not know where it came from, some of them were injured in their eyes and their bodies weakened by frequent pain that the nation is suffering. Furthermore, journalist writer Mohamed Hassanein Heikal's house was assaulted and its garden was damaged from unknown persons believed to be supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood.

This is any journalist's mission who always seeks to find the truth armed only by his pen or camera, a person who no one can deny his peacefulness; his blood is a sin that will be in the hands of his assassins.

In the recent period, there were many victims of our colleagues who put their lives on their hands and go out to practice their work, regardless of their political trends.

Arab Journalists Federation monitored number of these cases in which our colleagues were shot and killed while doing their job, the most important on August 14th during evacuating the Rabeaa and Nahda sit-in where four journalists were killed, including:

• Habiba Abdul Aziz, a reporter and photographer of "Gulf News" Emirati newspaper, who was killed by a bullet in the head in the field during the evacuation of Rabaa sit-in.

• Michael Dean, photographer of "Sky News" channel, a British national, who was killed in Rabaa, according to a report of the Health Insurance Hospital in Nasr City, proved that he died after being shot in the heart.

• Ahmed Abdel Gawad, journalist of Akhbar Newspaper, was shot near the area of Rabaa and he works in the news section of Misr 25 Channel.

• Musab al-Shamy, cameraman of Rasd Network who was shot and killed by Cartouche Bullet in the vicinity of Rabaa.              

Arab Journalists Federation and the Freedom Committee's report condemn the injuries of a large number of journalists, including:

• Ahmed Najjar, photographer of Almasry Elyoum who was shot and wounded by a Cartouche Bullet and his Camera was confiscated by a Public Committee of people.

• Tarek Abbass, editor of Watan Newspaper, who was wounded by Cartouche Bullet below his eye in Rabaa Adaweya.

• Asmaa Wageih, Photographer of Reuters, who was hit by a bullet in the foot and a surgery operation was conducted in a private hospital.

• Mohamed Kamal, of Dostor newspaper was shot.

• Alaa Kamhawi, Photographer of Almasry Elyoum, a surgery operation was performed to extract the bullet he received in his foot.

• Assault on photographer Omar Saher "Almasry Elyoum" inside Rabaa Sit- in after threatening by knives and his camera and press card were confiscated.

• Eman Helal of Watan Newspaper was assaulted by civilians "inside Rabaa Sit- in after threatening by knives and her camera and press card were confiscated, she was rescued by people from within the sit-in itself.

• Mahmoud Kulaid. Cameraman of Nahar TV was injured and his camera was smashed, while he was covering events in Mohandseen area in front of Mustafa Mahmoud Mosque.

• Mohammed Shannah, Reporter of Watan Newspaper, he was assaulted while performing his work in covering the evacuation of Rabaa sit-in.

In Aswan Governorate, the report monitored many of the attacks on journalists and press offices managers in the governorate, including: 

• Abdullah Mashaly, Journalist of Watan newspaper office in Aswan, was assaulted by supporters of President Mohamed Mursi, using batons.

• Mohamed Awad, director of the Office of the Middle East News Agency, who has been surrounded by supporters of the ousted President Mursi while covering the repercussions of the events taking place in the city of Aswan.

• Hamada Baazk, Director of the office of Shorouk newspaper in Aswan who was beaten by Mursi supporters and he was wounding in the head that required 10 stitches.

• Mahmoud Al Mulla, Director of the Office of Almasry Alyoum in Aswan who was wounded in the foot and his mobile phone was stolen.

• Prevention of the Director of the Office of Veto Newspaper in Aswan, Doaa Ibrahim Mahmoud of photographing and she was expelled from the place of the events.

• Assault on photographer of "Almasry Alyoum", Hamada Al Rassam and his colleague Ahmed Tarana. 

 Detention and confiscation of equipments: 
 
• Arab Journalists Federation and Freedoms Committee condemned the Journalists detention, confiscating their cameras and capture them; they asked for their release and protection, the report monitored the following:

• Arrest of "Tom Fin" a reporter of "Reuters" and two others by the security forces; they were released after deleting everything that they filmed.

• Security forces has also detained Amr Diab a photographer of Watan near " Tiba Mall "in front of Rabaa sit-in and arrested Ahmed Tariq, a  freelance photographer.

• Arrest of Ali Mohamed Hawary, Journalist in Sada El Balad Web site for 16 hours in front of the Tiba Mall next to Rabaa sit-in; Security forces also seized Khaled El Feki's camera, a photographer of German Agency. 

• Voicemail of cell phones of Diaa Rashwan, Head of Egyptian Journalists Syndicate, and Ahmed Muslamani, Media advisor of the Egyptian President, and journalist in Ahram Newspaper, were hacked by aggressive and hostile messages, came to read that " the owner of this number is a criminal and a murderer with a bloody hands as well as a liar, a hypocrite and everyone who will call him is an associate, God is our defender and supporter".
 
Events & Attacks:

Many events are happening in the homeland and attacks that are specifically targeting the Journalists, started long ago and increased after June 30th and the second wave of the Egyptian revolution which the report monitored and a question is raised: who is responsible for the intimidation of journalists during the performance of their work?  What is the threat that they represent while they are only carrying a camera and a pen!!! Nevertheless increasing the number of attacks on them in clashes between supporters and opponents of Mursi.

The reports added that some journalists have paid their lives to cover the clashes such as journalist Ahmed Essam, who was killed in the events of the Republican Guard also photojournalist Mohamed Badr of Al-Jazeera Channel is still detained on charges of hooliganism and possession of weapons.  That is rejected by everyone despite our disagreement with the biased coverage of the channel.

It was reported that the journalist Menna Alaa was assaulted by supporters of Mursi and journalist Nada ElKhouly of Sherouk Newspaper by Mursi opponents at Zeitoun neighborhood. Gehan Nasr, the Photographer of Sherouk Newspaper was assaulted by Mursi supporters during her coverage of Nahda sit-in days before the evacuation. • In July 2nd our colleague the photojournalist Mustafa Shimi, was attacked by protests of Nahda sit-in, supporters of President Mursi, during performing his work to cover the sit-in. Mustafa was surprised by four men who grabbed him and assaulted him severely as well as confiscating his camera and laptop and smashed them. He miraculously managed to escape and went to Dokki Police station to file a report on the incident.

• On July 19th  2013,  a number of Rabaa sit-in security responsible assaulted our colleague Hatem Zuhairi, Journalist of Sada El Balad Website by batons, he was held inside one of the building's entrance in Tayaran Street before the residents of the building intervened to release him and evacuate him from the place,  security responsible in Rabaa sit-in at the entrance of Tayaran street have seized his press ID card  during the personal inspection when he entered the place and once they know that he is a journalist in Sada El Balad News website, they arrested him, and held him in the entrance of one of the buildings in Tayaran Street. They assaulted him with batons causing bruises in various parts of his body, before the residents of the building intervened to persuade them to release him.

The report presented a living testimony of the editor of Almasry Alyoum News Gate "Menna Alaa" who suffered last July from attacks that she registered, she wrote: "Before I start to write what happened to me, I hesitated wondering, am I going to cite today's incident or shall I only satisfy with my morning tweets... but I decided that I must write what I experienced after I read the shameful Comments of my attack news  on Almasry Alyoum news Gate, commentators suggested that I fabricated the story to hide my failure to cover the event. Who know me well is sure how many times I put my life at risk whenever insisting on covering events and Islamists demonstrations.... I'm not a hero and no one will be crowned a hero….

 But I decided to do what I was taught by my parents, "Show the truth, and nothing but the truth." Whenever I headed to Islamists demonstrations, I acknowledged to myself that they have the right to be listened to as they are a human being... On July 19th (10th Ramadan), there were calls for massive demonstrations for supporters of Mohamed Mursi, after Friday prayers. I talked with my manager at 3:30 PM to tell him that I will not head to the headquarters of the newspaper Street in Kasr Al-Aini and I will go to the Republican Guard House in Salah Salem Street to report the events of supporters' demonstrations before they return to Rabaa Adawiya.  My manager was hesitant to let me go and when I arrived there were demonstrators on the other side of the house next to the building of the Ministry of Planning. They were trapped as the army closed all surrounding roads. I brought my camera and started filming talks between the army and demonstrators, chants were raised "They betrayed and killed our brothers, in the dawn prayer" (referring to what some called the massacre of the Republican Guard).
 
One of the demonstrators began to shout "what are you filming?" I assured him that I am a journalist and I am covering the event, another protester came to me apologizing for misunderstanding. The Republican Guard ignored them, so they decided to return to Rabaa Adawiya using a shortcut road next to the Ministry of Planning (Street Salah Salem). I decided to go with the marches to fully cover the event and go back to the headquarters of the newspaper. The protesters completed their march with the utmost peaceful until we reached Asmaa Zaghloul Street. I saw a car speeding toward the march, protesters began to curse saying '"Son of the ****." I saw demonstrators carrying police batons and what similar and even worse... they jumped on the car, broke its glass, as they were on the verge of killing three men in the car who had started to shout for help…I was filming all of this with my camera when one of the protestors who were smashing the car came to me and take me by force saying "whom you are working with? He cursed, O daughter of the dog."I decided to deal with the situation quietly and left my camera thinking only in the safe exit. My camera vanished and I think it was immediately destroyed, suddenly, a man came carrying a two-year old son and slapped me saying, "Hey daughter of the dog, who sent you??? The army?"
 I started to scream and cry, the number of demonstrators around me increased and they were asking "Who is she?" the man replied, saying, "She is from the car that  attacked us," I cried, saying, "God never, I have been with your marches since the morning" one of them shouted at me "What a liar." I realized that this is the end and I said to myself, "Lord if I'm going to die please let me die quickly." One of the protesters came to me shouting, "She is not with them, let her go" surrounding me with his hands, a veiled woman came to me saying "they are not with us they are from the army and police".

They insisted that I go with them to Rabaa Adaweya; I asked them to leave me and to try to regain my camera.

People of the territory came down to us and asked, "what happened?" one of the protestors replied, "an army officer hit her" I went to the resident and told him, "Take me to the Republican Guard House," Mursi supporters insisted "she will go with us to Rabaa" His insistence was strange and the resident took me and completely exit me from the place.

I walked with one of the residents till I saw a Military Solider who asked me to approach and have already approached him, he had seen how stressful I was and how I was not fully conscious, he said, "You were filming in front of us a while ago, what happened??" I told him, "yes, he asked for my press ID and said to me, "Sorry, I have nothing to do to help you but I hope you can reveal their truth and show their true image for the whole world." I left him and went to Salah Salem Street again with volunteers from the residents. I received a call from my friend Haitham Taabi'i, (Correspondent of AFP), who decided to take me to the headquarters of the newspaper. I came back to the headquarters in down town and the nightmare had finished.

Horror series

Series of horror experienced by all of workers in this profession whom decided to reveal the truth whatever it was, which provoked the continuous attacks on him, as happened with our colleague Ahmed Mahmoud,  reporter of Watan newspaper- according to the report of the Federation - when a number of young Muslim Brotherhood surrounding the group's place in Sharqia assaulted him. On 22 / 07 / 2013, Mohammed Heza Bazaid, a journalist member of Welad El Balad - Mansoura Edition was kidnapped and tortured during his coverage of the clashes between supporters and opponents of the Muslim Brotherhood and the nameless  kidnappers tortured "Bazaid" blindfolded in an unknown location and electrical shocked him.

• On July 27th, 2013, Video Journalist Halim Chaarani was attacked in the events of the Unknown Soldier platform.

• On July 28th, 2013, Photojournalist of Sherouk Newspaper, Sabri Khalid was beaten inside Rabaa Sit-in on glare from Jihad Haddad Brotherhood spokesman.

• On July 30th, 2013, The report monitored the assault on journalist Ismail Refaat correspondent of Youm 7 newspaper in the vicinity of Rabaa Adaweya after being held by people claiming to be from the security responsible, he has been taken to the media center of the sit-in, he filed a report in the police station under the number 1348 in which he accused the journalist Hassan Kabbani who was the only one who know him from attackers.

• On August 1st 2013, Tarek Wageih, photographer of Almasry Alyoum was assaulted while filming the fortifications made by Mursi supporters in Rabaa Adaweya where he was arrested and driven to the press center and one of the supporters "Ahmed Moghir" seized his own camera.

• On August 2nd, 2013, one fellow of the brotherhood members attacked our colleague "Mustafa Muhammad" photographer of Watan newspaper, he was beaten on his face, during the coverage of the Mustafa Mahmoud march organized by the Muslim Brotherhood, broke his own camera. They also tried to assault "Aya Fathy" photographer of Dostor newspaper, who documented the hit incident of her colleague on video.

• On the same day, the vicinity of media production city witnessed clashes between supporters of ousted President Mohamed Mursi, and the security forces after the supporters threw stones on the security forces stationed in front of the Media Production City as well as firing them with cartouche which led to the destroy of the security room as well as dozens of cars and ten members of the police forces were injured, after thwarting their attempt to close the oasis road with bricks.• On August 9th, 2013, our fellow journalist Mohammed Momtaz in  "Veto Newspaper"  was assaulted, tortured and photographed naked by  the members of the group, its allies and supporters of  Mohamed Mursi in Nahda Square as he was assigned to cover the supporting marches from Mostafa Mahmoud Mosque, but during the performance of his work, he was surprised by two persons asking him about the reason for his presence in the field, they forced him into a car after blindfolding  him and took him to Nahda field to complete the questioning, they broke his cell phone and ensure that what he filmed will never come out to the light, then they beat him and threw him in front of the Security Directorate in Giza, Some citizens took him to Alsalam hospital.

• On August 10th, 2013, Journalists Syndicate filed a report against the attack on Mohammed Momtaz and Aya Hassan editor in video department of Youm 7 website.

Signed by: Head of Freedom Committee: Abdel Wahab El Zoghaylat

General Secretary: Hatem Zakaryia

Head of Federation: Ahmed Youssef Bahbahani

Date: 18/08/2013  .     

***20.08.2013. Otro periodista asesinado en Guatemala; cuarto en lo que va del año

La Organización Campaña Emblema de Prensa (PEC) condena de forma enérgica el asesinato del periodista Carlos Alberto Orellana Chávez, de 66 años, cuyo cadáver, con un tiro en la cabeza fue localizado en San Bernardino, departamento de Suchitepéquez a 159 kilómetros al suroccidente de la capital guatemalteca.

De acuerdo con las primeras informaciones hechas llegar al PEC por el Observatorio de los Periodistas de CERIGUA, el periodista habría sido previamente secuestrado y posteriormente asesinado; su cuerpo fue encontrado en un sector de la finca Villa Linda, con un disparo en la cabeza.
 
Orellana Chávez fue director de Radio Victoria “La Venadita” durante 25 años y actualmente conducía el programa “Noticias y Más” en “Óptimo 23”, un canal de televisión por cable. En el período 2000 – 2004 se desempeñó como alcalde del departamento de Mazatenango.
 
PEC manifiesta su alarma y preocupación por las muertes violentas de periodistas en Guatemala, que ascienden a cuatro en lo que va del 2013; otro periodista, Fredy Rodas, se recupera en un centro asistencial, luego de haber recibido cinco disparos en distintas partes del cuerpo. Rodas ha manifestado su decisión de abandonar el país ante la ola de criminalidad que afecta a los comunicadores.
 
PEC y el Observatorio de los Periodistas de Cerigua saludan  la captura este fin de semana, de Marvin Cruz Ordóñez Carpizo, presunto responsable de haber disparado a Rodas; sin embargo, consideran precipitadas las declaraciones del Ministro de Gobernación, Mauricio López Bonilla, quien declaró que los últimos ataques contra periodistas son de tipo personal y no tienen relación con la actividad periodística.
 
Las entidades defensoras de la libertad de expresión exigen a las autoridades guatemaltecas, especialmente al Ministerio Público, que profundicen las investigaciones para dar con los responsables materiales e intelectuales de estos hechos delictivos, capturarlos y someterlos a los Tribunales para que sean juzgados y castigados; también es necesario determinar, a la brevedad, si estos hechos de violencia en contra de los profesionales de la información tienen o no relación con el periodismo.
 
En lo que va del año en Guatemala han sido asesinados cuatro periodistas, todos ellos en el interior del país; el primer caso se registró el 20 de marzo en Ciudad Pedro de Alvarado, departamento de Jutiapa, al oriente del país cuando desconocidos asesinaron en una calle al periodista Jaime Napoleón Jarquín Duarte, colaborador de Nuestro Diario.

El segundo hecho sucedió igualmente en Jutiapa el 7 de abril, cuando fue asesinado el vicepresidente de la Asociación de Periodistas Jutiapanecos (APJ) Luis Alberto Lemus Ruano; el tercero ocurrió el 6 de agosto en la cabecera del departamento de  Zacapa, cuando dos desconocidos acribillaron al periodista y locutor Luis de Jesús Lima, en las afueras de la radio “La Sultana”; Orellana Chávez se convierte en el cuarto caso.
 
El Observatorio de los periodistas de CERIGUA registra que del 2003 a la fecha han sido asesinados 22 periodistas en Guatemala, ocho durante el gobierno de Álvaro Colom, 2008 – 2012 y cuatro en lo que va del 2013.

***19.08.2013. EGYPT. Egypt Lashes Out at Foreign News Media’s Coverage - PEC deeply regrets and condemns recent developments against egyptian and foreign media in Cairo - PEC calls the egyptian authorities to respect freedom of the press and the right of foreign journalsits to work freely and safely

Special report by DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK ( Published: August 18, 2013 in the New York Times)

Amid an international outcry over a bloody crackdown, the new government installed by Gen. Abdul-Fattah el-Sisi is putting concerted pressure on the only remaining news outlets in Egypt covering criticism of the violence: the foreign news media.

The military had already shut down all the Egyptian television networks that supported President Mohamed Morsi on the night the general ousted him. Now, in the last four days, the new authorities have raided and shut down the offices of the pan-Arab Al Jazeera network, taken steps to deny its Egyptian license and, on Sunday, arrested its correspondent Abdullah El-Shamy on charges of inciting murder and sectarian violence. Al Jazeera, based in Qatar, was the only big Arabic-language network considered sympathetic to the Muslim Brotherhood. Senior government officials, meanwhile, publicly scolded Western correspondents in two news conferences and a public statement for failing to portray the crackdown in the government’s terms: as a war against violent terrorists. On Sunday, even General Sisi joined the chorus, criticizing foreign news media for failing to appreciate his mandate to fight terrorism. The criticisms echoed incessantly through the state and private media, and, in an apparent response, vigilante supporters of General Sisi have attacked or detained at least a dozen foreign journalists, a vast majority on the same day that an adviser to the president delivered the first diatribe against Western news coverage.

“One could be forgiven for saying that there is a coordinated campaign against the foreign journalists,” Matt Bradley, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, said Sunday in an interview with Al Jazeera’s English-language sister network. He described being pulled into an armored personnel carrier by soldiers rescuing him after a mob tackled him, tore at his clothes and took his notebook.

Coming at the end of a week when security forces killed more than 1,000 Morsi supporters in the streets, the push to control how the news media portray the violence is the latest sign of the government’s authoritarian turn, which its officials have justified as emergency measures to save Egypt from a coordinated campaign of violence by the Islamists of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Scholars and human rights activists say they see signs of broad coordination between Egypt’s state and private media to drive home the same messages. After the first mass shooting following the military takeover killed more than 60 Morsi supporters at a sit-in, for example, television talk shows across the state and private media seemed to suggest that the Islamists might have deliberately provoked the violence to tarnish the military. Later, all seemed to discover that even Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain had argued for limiting human rights in the interest of protecting national security.

“There is very clear coordination,” said Heba Morayef, a researcher in Egypt for Human Rights Watch. “Forgetting what is true or not, it is interesting that you hear the same thing from everybody.”

Prominent human rights activists whose criticism of the former government made them a staple of Egypt’s nightly talk shows for the last two years say invitations have dried up as they have continued to criticize the police’s disproportionate violence since General Sisi’s takeover on July 3.

The scholars say the sudden pro-government unanimity of the Egyptian news media, following the cacophonous explosion of news media freedom after the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak two years ago, is a throwback not just to the Mubarak era but much further — to the pre-satellite era when the government ran all Egyptian media. Some said the chorus of criticisms of the Islamists as “terrorists” — relatively seldom heard here until July — recalled the years of the early 1950s, when Col. Gamal Abdel Nasser consolidated his power by cracking down on the Muslim Brotherhood.

Even some of the headlines were almost the same, said Prof. Mona el-Ghobashy, a political scientist at Barnard who has tracked the Egyptian news media over the last eight months.

“It is the same hyper-nationalist discourse about how the Islamists are terrorists, that these people represent a transnational Islamism or some kind of foreign import, so they are not real Egyptians.” Officials now charge, without evidence, that many protesters are Syrian or Palestinian.

She noted a pattern of “dehumanizing” the Islamists across the state and private media that began shortly after General Sisi removed Mr. Morsi, when the Islamists established a tent-city protest camp. Talk-show hosts said participants of the sit-in had scurvy. Other media outlets gleefully repeated an allegation by a government-sponsored women’s group that the Islamists there were conducting “sexual jihad” with women at the protests.

To support the crackdown, “you have to dehumanize them,” Professor Ghobashy said.

The core of the government’s complaint with Western news media coverage is what it considers an excessive focus on the hundreds of Morsi supporters killed by police violence and an insufficient attention to the acts of violence by Morsi supporters. Angry Morsi supporters around the country have attacked and burned churches since his ouster and the crackdown; on Sunday, the government distributed a Christian newspaper’s tally of 26 churches attacked, though the number could not be confirmed independently.

In the relatively lawless Sinai, a haven for Islamist militants, deadly attacks on soldiers and police officers have spiked since Mr. Morsi’s ouster. And, in the days since Wednesday’s sit-in, several Morsi supporters have been seen in Cairo carrying or firing guns in clashes with the police or their civilian backers, including during the sit-in assault. Some of the civilians fighting them were also armed.

At a news conference on Sunday with the interim foreign minister, Nabil Fahmy, the government showed video footage and passed out a few photographs of Islamists in different scenes wielding guns in the clashes, and one man who wrapped a weapon in paper to hide it before he ran through the battle at the breakup of the sit-in.

As the police closed in with tear gas, birdshot and sharp-point ammunition, many Morsi supporters tried to fight back by throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails. The government has said more than 40 security officers were killed that day in violence around the country. Some Islamists had predicted or threatened violence over Mr. Morsi’s ouster and the crackdown.

But there remains no evidence that the Muslim Brotherhood has systematically plotted violence or that the sit-ins posed a threat to other civilians. And critics of the deadly crackdown say it was disproportionate no matter who shot first.

But the message from the government and news media here over the weekend was that Egyptians feel “severe bitterness” toward Western news because it is “biased toward the Muslim Brotherhood,” the government said in a printed statement summing up the news conferences.

The clearing of the Islamist sit-in may have killed more than 600 people. But Mustafa Hegazy, a government spokesman, said at a news conference on Saturday that, in the face of the Brotherhood’s violence, security forces had exercised “a huge amount of self-restraint and self-control.”

Mayy El Sheikh and Asmaa Al Zohairy contributed reporting.

***14.08.2013. EGYPT. FOUR JOURNALISTS KILLED - Mick Deane killed in Egypt, Habiba Abdelaziz shot in the head, PEC condemns

August 14 Geneva, (PEC) -- The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) condemns in the strongest possible manner the killing of Mick Deane, Sky News' experienced cameraman and photographer Habiba Abdelaziz today during their coverage of the break in by police and security forces at Raba Al Adawiya camp, a stronghold of pro-Morsi protestors.

Egyptian journalist Ahmed Abdel Gawad, who wrote for the state-run newspaper Al Akhbar and a suspended Moslem brotherhood TV station Misr25, was also killed while covering the crackdown at Taba Al Adawiya, according to the Egyptian Press Syndicate. Another photographer Mosab El Shami with Rasd Internet news media (pro-Islamist) is reported killed while covering the massacre.

Habiba Abdulaziz, the Gulf News photographer, was killed with a gun shot in the head during her coverage of the dismantling of the sit-in.

Deane and Habiba were killed during the cross fire between the security forces and the protestors supporting the deposed president Mohammed Morsy.

Sky News, according to its statement, did not name so far the perpetrators.

Mick, 61, had worked for Sky for 15 years, based in Washington and then Jerusalem.

The married father of two was part of the team covering the violence in Cairo. The rest of the team is unhurt.

The Head of Sky News John Ryley described Mick as the very best of cameramen, a brilliant journalist and an inspiring mentor to many at Sky.

PEC calls on Egyptian security forces to respect the right of journalists to work freely and safely while covering events in Cairo and the rest of the country.

Up to date 72 journalists were killed around the world since the beginning of this year, and at least 8 are kidnapped in Syria. Six were killed in Egypt, now the third most dangerous country after Pakistan and Syria.

Habiba Ahmed Abd Elaziz (photo) was 26. She was a reporter for XPress, a newspaper based in the United Arab Emirates. Gulf News, which published XPress, said she had been killed by sniper fire. Other  journalists were injured: they included Reuters photographer Asma Wadi, who was hit in the leg by a shot fired from an AK-47 rifle, Tarek Abbas, a reporter for the Egyptian newspaper Al-Watan, who sustained gunshot injuries to an eye and a leg, Iman Hilal, a photographer for the Egyptian daily Al-Masry Al-Youm, threatened with a knife and photographer Ahmad Najjar who sustained a gunshot injury to the arm during the clashes in Mostafa Mahmoud Square. Most of the media victims were photographers because their greater visibility exposed them to targeted shooting.

***07.08.2013. GUATEMALA. PEC condena asesinato de periodista guatemalteco // La PEC condamne l'assassinat d'un journaliste au Guatemala, le troisième cette année (en français ci-dessous)

La Organización Campaña Emblema de Prensa (PEC), basada en Ginebra, condenó el asesinato del periodista y locutor guatemalteco Luis de Jesús Lima y exigió a las autoridades realizar una pronta y efectiva investigación para dar cuanto antes con los autores materiales e intelectuales del crimen.

PEC mostró su preocupación porque en lo que va del 2013 han sido asesinados en Guatemala tres profesionales de la comunicación, por lo que consideró necesario que las autoridades agilicen las pesquisas en todos los casos y los resuelvan en apego a la ley.
 
Luis Lima fue asesinado por dos sujetos armados la madrugada del 6 de agosto en el oriental departamento de Zacapa (a 156 kilómetros de la capital) cuando se disponía a ingresar a la radio “La Sultana”, donde dirigía un segmento musical.
 
Los criminales atacaron al periodista antes de que bajara de su automóvil; cuando elementos de bomberos se apersonaron al lugar, ya había fallecido. El ataque se produjo a 300 metros de una estación policial.
 
El crimen provocó indignación y repudio en el gremio de prensa de Zacapa, que exigió a las autoridades  dar con los responsables del asesinato y llevarlos ante la justicia.
 
El director de radio “La Sultana”, Fredy García, condenó el hecho y pidió que sea esclarecido cuanto antes. De acuerdo con García, el locutor no había recibido ninguna amenaza de muerte y descartó que el móvil del crimen se deba la profesión de la víctima.

El Observatorio de los Periodistas de Cerigua condenó este hecho de sangre que nuevamente enluta al gremio de la prensa en Guatemala, sobre todo a la departamental, que es la que se encuentra en mayores condiciones de riesgo, tal como se ha evidenciado en estos meses.
 
Cerigua solicitó una vez más al Presidente de la República, Otto Pérez Molina, firmar el documento que daría inicio al Programa de Protección a Periodistas, que fue anunciado por un representante del Mandatario en el Palacio Nacional de la cultura el 3 de mayo del 2012 y reiterado en octubre del mismo año en Ginebra.

Cerigua ha trabajado en la elaboración de este programa desde hace más de año y medio. Dicho mecanismo, de carácter preventivo se constituiría en el tercero de su tipo en América Latina, luego de los programas implementados en Colombia y México.

Cerigua en los espacios en los que participa por su trabajo de promoción y protección de la libertad de expresión y de prensa mostró su preocupación por este nuevo caso que enluta al gremio periodístico guatemalteco al Fiscal de Derechos Humanos del Ministerio Público (MP), Licenciado Orlando López, al Fiscal de la Unidad de Delitos Contra Periodistas, Licenciado Elmer Yat, y al Asesor de la Unidad de Derechos Humanos del Ministerio de Gobernación, Licenciado Oswaldo Enríquez, con la solicitud de que sean agilizadas las  investigaciones y que se esclarezca este deleznable crimen.

Guatemala, 6 de agosto de 2013.

***14.08.2013. PEC condena atentado contra periodista Fredy Rodas

La Organización Campaña Emblema de Prensa (PEC), con base en Ginebra, Suiza, condena enérgicamente el grave atentado que sufriera el periodista guatemalteco Fredy Rodas en Mazatenango, cabecera departamental de Suchitepéquez (a 167 kilómetros de la capital), que lo dejó seriamente herido.

Fredy Rodas, quien se desempeña como reportero de “Radio Sonora” y de otros medios  en Suchitepéquez, se dirigía de un canal local a su hogar cuando fue atacado a tiros por un desconocido, que lo esperaba en cercanías de su hogar.

El atacante logró acertarle tres disparos. Rodas fue llevado a un centro médico local donde fue estabilizado pero debido a la gravedad de las heridas, fue trasladado a un hospital en la capital guatemalteca.

Uno de los médicos que atendió al profesional de la prensa señaló que uno de los proyectiles le causó daño en el ojo derecho al reportero, sin embargo dijo que su estado es estable.

Trascendió que previo al ataque, Rodas recibió una llamada intimidatoria en la que afirmaban textualmente: “lamentamos lo que le ocurriría”.

PEC expresa su gran preocupación porque en Guatemala las agresiones contra miembros de la prensa se estén incrementando considerablemente durante lo que va del año, prueba de ello son los tres asesinatos registrados hasta la fecha, el más reciente ocurrido el pasado 6 de agosto.

PEC exige a las autoridades del Ministerio de Gobernación y de la Policía Nacional Civil (PNC) y del Ministerio Público, investigar a fondo este atentado y brindar seguridad al periodista y a su familia; dos de sus hermanos también se desempeñan como periodistas.

El Observatorio de los Periodistas de Cerigua ve con preocupación que durante estos ocho meses del 2013, se han registrado ya 28 casos contra la libertad de expresión y de prensa.

Ante esto, alerta a las autoridades gubernamentales a redoblar sus esfuerzos para proteger el papel de la prensa, sobre todo en los departamentos ante los constantes ataques y amenazas que sufre.

La entidad guatemalteca reitera su llamado al Presidente de la República, Otto Pérez Molina, a firmar a la brevedad el documento que dará vida al Programa de Protección a Periodistas, en el que Cerigua ha trabajado desde hace año y medio y el Ejecutivo se comprometió a implementar.

Guatemala, 14 de agosto 2013
 

La PEC condamne l’assassinat d’un journaliste guatémaltèque, le troisième cette année

La Presse Emblème Campagne (PEC), organisation non gouvernementale basée à Genève, condamne l’assassinat du journaliste et présentateur de radio  guatémaltèque Luis de Jesús Lima. Elle demande instamment aux autorités d’ouvrir immédiatement une enquête pour identifier au plus vite les auteurs matériels et les mandants de ce crime.

La PEC exprime sa vive préoccupation quant aux trois assassinats de professionnels de la communication qui ont eu lieu au Guatemala depuis le début de l’année 2013. Elle estime qu’il est du devoir des autorités d’activer les recherches dans ces trois cas pour qu’ils soient éllucidés conformément à la loi. 

Luis Lima a été assassiné par deux individus armés, à l’aube du 6 août, dans le département oriental de Zacapa (situé à 156 kilomètres de la capitale), lorsqu’il s’apprêtait à entrer dans le bâtiment de la radio “La Sultana”, où il dirigeait un programme musical.

Les auteurs de ce crime ont attaqué le journaliste avant qu’il descende de sa voiture. Lorsque les pompiers sont arrivés sur les lieux il était déjà décédé. L’attaque a eu lieu à 300 mètres d’un poste de police. 
 
Ce crime a provoqué une vague d’indignation et de rejet dans le milieu de la presse de Zacapa, qui a exigé que les autorités trouvent les responsables de l’assassinat et les présentent à la justice.
 
Le directeur de la radio “La Sultana”, Fredy García, a condamné cet acte et demandé qu’il soit éclairci au plus vite. Selon Fredy Garcia, le présentateur n’avait reçu aucune menace de mort. Il a aussi rejeté le fait que le mobile du crime ait un rapport avec la profession de la victime.
 
L’Observatoire des journalistes de Cerigua a également condamné cet acte sanglant qui endeuille à nouveau le milieu de la presse au Guatemala et plus particulière la presse départementale qui court les plus grands risques, comme cela a été le cas ces derniers mois.
 
Cerigua a demandé une fois de plus au Président de la République du Guatemala, M. Otto Pérez Molina, de signer le document qui mettrait en œuvre le Programme de protection des journalistes, annoncé par un représentant du Chef de l’Etat au Palais National de la culture, le 3 mai 2012 et réitéré en octobre de la même année à Genève.

Cerigua œuvre à l’élaboration de ce programme depuis une année et demie. Ce mécanisme préventif serait le troisième de ce type en Amérique latine, après les programmes adopté en Colombie et au Mexique.

Cerigua a fait part de sa préoccupation pour ce nouveau cas qui endeuille la presse au Guatemala, lors de tous les événements auquel cette organisation a participé dans le cadre de son travail de promotion et de protection de la liberté d’expression et de la presse, auprès de l’avocat général des Droits de l’homme du Ministère public (MP), M. Orlando Lopez, de l’avocat général de l’Unité des délits contre les journalistes, M. Elmer Yat, du conseiller de l’Unité des droits de l’homme du gouvernement, M. Oswaldo Enríquez, avec la requête que les recherches soient activées et que ce crime soit élucidé au plus vite. 

***14.08.2013. La PEC condamne l’attentat contre le journaliste Fredy Rodas

L’organisation non gouvernementale Presse Emblème Campagne (PEC), basée à Genève (Suisse), condamne fermement le grave attentat dont a été victime le journaliste guatémaltèque Fredy Rodas à Mazatenango, chef-lieu du département de Suchitepéquez (situé à 167 kilomètres de la capitale Guatemla City) et qui l’a gravement blessé.

Fredy Rodas, reporter à la “Radio Sonora” et d’autres médias à Suchitepéquez, rentrait chez lui, après avoir quitté les locaux d’une chaîne locale, lorsqu’il a essuyé des tirs de la part d’un inconnu qui l’attendait près de son domicile.
 
L’auteur de l’attentat a tiré trois coups de feu. Rodas a été emmené dans un centre médical local, mais compte tenu de la gravité de ses blessures, il a été transporté dans un hôpital de la capitale du Guatemala.

Un des médecins qui a soigné le journaliste a expliqué qu’un des projectiles a touché l’œil droit du reporter, tout en ajoutant que son état était stable. 

Des informations indiquent qu’avant l’attentat, Rodas a reçu un appel menaçant qui affirmait textuellement “Nous regrettons ce qui va se passer”.
 
La PEC exprime sa profonde préoccupation concernant le fait qu’au Guatemala les agressions contre des professionnels de la presse ont considérablement augmenté depuis le début de l’année, preuve en est le troisième assassinat enregistré à ce jour, le plus récent ayant eu lieu le 6 août.

La PEC prie instamment les autorités du Ministère gouvernement concerné et celui de la Police Nationale Civile (PNC), ainsi que le Ministère public, de diligenter une enquête sur cet attentat et d’assurer la sécurité du journaliste et de sa famille; deux de ses frères étant également journalistes.
 
L’Observatoire des journalistes de Cerigua constate avec inquiétude que pendant les huit mois de l’année 2013, 28 cas de violations contre la liberté d’expression et de la presse ont eu lieu. 
 
Face à cette situation, elle alerte les autorités gouvernementales pour que ces dernières redoublent d’efforts afin de protéger le rôle de la presse, notamment dans les différents départements du pays, face aux attaques et menaces constantes dont elle est victime. 
 
L’entité guatémaltèque réitère son appel au Président de la République, M. Otto Perez Molina, pour qu’il signe au plus vite le document qui concrétisera le Programme de Protection des Journalistes auquel Cerigua travaille depuis une année et demie et que l’Exécutif s’est engagé à mettre en œuvre. 

***15.07.2013. Violaciones a la libertad de prensa en Centroamérica y México durante el primer semestre del 2013.

Por Ileana Alamilla (Cerigua). Representante Regional PEC.

Guatemala: En el primer semestre del año se reportaron dos asesinatos de periodistas entre marzo y abril, en el departamento de Jutiapa:.el corresponsal de Nuestro Diario, Jaime Napoleón Jarquín Duarte, quién fue atacado por desconocidos en una de las calles del lugar y Luis Alberto Lemus Ruano, vicepresidente de la Asociación de Periodistas Jutiapanecos (APJ) atacado a tiros en un negocio de su propiedad, falleciendo momentos después en un hospital local.

 Se registraron dos agresiones físicas y verbales, una amenaza y agresión física, el allanamiento a una radio comunitaria y seis amenazas. Además se reportaron tres obstrucciones a la fuente, una agresión verbal, un caso de robo, dos obstrucciones a la fuente y amenazas, y el hackeo a la página digital de un diario.
 
Los mayores agresores a la prensa durante este periodo fueron las autoridades gubernamentales, en cinco casos. 
 
México: Considerado uno de los países más riesgosos para la libertad de expresión, registró 150 violaciones a la libertad de expresión y de prensa, en los primeros seis meses del año. De estos 151 casos sobresalen dos asesinatos, una desaparición, cuatro ataques a medios, 26 amenazas y siete privaciones ilegales de la libertad.

El 31 de marzo fue asesinado a tiros en Chihuahua Jaime Guadalupe González, director del sitio Ojinaga Noticias, por desconocidos que además robaron una cámara fotográfica del  periodista (Los datos de asesinatos varían según las entidades de prensa)

En abril autoridades mexicanas encontraron el cuerpo descuartizado de Daniel Alejandro Martínez Baldúa, fotógrafo de la revista “Vanguardia”.

Ricardo Chávez, director del diario “El Ciudadano” fue encontrado muerto en junio en el Estado de Tamaulipas; el periodista había sido secuestrado dos semanas antes. 
 
Honduras: El periodista Aníbal Barrow fue secuestrado la tarde del 24 de junio en ciudad de San Pedro Sula y su cuerpo descuartizado y con señalas de quemaduras fue encontrado el 9 de julio. El primer comunicador asesinado en Honduras en este año fue el cronista deportivo Celín Orlando Acosta Zelaya, asesinado a tiros el 31 de enero.
 
En  junio el periodista Antonio Quintero sobrevivió a un atentado con arma de fuego; desconocidos a bordo de un taxi le pasaron disparando.  El profesional de la prensa sobrevivió al atentado y fue llevado a un hospital local. 
 
Nicaragua: El 24 de mayo la periodista Martha Vásquez y el fotógrafo Manuel Esquivel, del diario  “La Prensa”, fueron desalojados violentamente por policías de un Complejo Judicial cuando daban cobertura a un caso, con el argumento de no haber registrado su ingreso en la oficina de prensa, lo que fue desmentido por los afectados.
 
Panamá: En  junio Elizabeth González y Bolívar Jurado, de la televisora TVN, fueron retenidos arbitrariamente por autoridades en las afueras del Consejo de Seguridad, argumentando que no podían filmar ahí.

Cuando el secretario general del Sindicato de Periodistas de Panamá, Filemón Medina, llego al lugar con el fin de mediar en la situación, fue retenido por un agente y posteriormente agredido físicamente por Alejandro Garuz, viceministro de de seguridad, junto a otros oficiales.

***03.07.2013. The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) in its report covering the first half of 2013 says that fewer journalists were killed as compared to the same period last year, but that more journalists were kidnapped: 56 journalists killed in 6 months in 23 countries (scroll down for French, Spanish, Arabic - click left on TICKING CLOCK for the list of casualties)

PEC report: first half of 2013
Fewer journalists killed - more abducted

Geneva (PEC) 3 July 2013 - The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) in its report covering the first half of 2013 says that fewer journalists were killed as compared to the same period last year, but that more journalists were kidnapped.

In six months, since January, 56 journalists were killed in 23 countries as compared to 75 during the same period last year, representing a reduction of 25 percent.

"This decrease in casualties is a source of satisfaction", said PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen. He hopes that this trend will continue thanks to the efforts of NGOs, media organizations, the United Nations and governments.

Last year, a record number of journalists were killed: 141.

“There is an improvement compared to 2012, but if we compare the statistics with the first six months of 2011: 54 killed, 2010 : 59 killed and 2009 : 53 killed, we notice a stability of two journalists killed per week”, added Lempen. "It is too much and we need to continue fighting for more security and access in zones of conflict and less impunity".  

The latest casualty is from Egypt during an anti-regime protest. The PEC condemns this killing and calls upon Egyptian security forces to provide additional safety measures for journalists during the difficult times of reporting.  
     
Hostage taking in Syria

Abductions have increased dramatically. Hostage taking has become the norm in Syria similar to Iraq between 2003 and 2006. At least 7 foreign journalists have been abducted or have disappeared in Syria : Didier François and Edouard Elias (France, since June 6), Armin Wertz (Germany, since May 5), Domenico Quirico (Italy, since April 9), James Foley (United States, since November 22), Austin Tice (United States, since August 13), and Bashar Fahmi Al-Kadumi (Palestine, since August 20). Other journalists have been abducted recently in Honduras and Yemen.

PEC President Hedayat Abdelnabi called for their immediate release.

Journalists are neutral witnesses who through their work show public opinion the suffering of the victims whoever they are and independent of their affiliations. They should not be used as targets or become a tool for collecting money.

Pakistan: the most dangerous country

According to the PEC figures Pakistan with ten journalists killed remains the most dangerous country for media work ahead of Syria : 8, Somalia and Brazil with 5 journalists killed in each country.

India comes in 5th rank with 4 media workers killed, two journalists were killed in the following countries: Guatemala, Haiti, Iraq, Mexico, Paraguay and the Philippines.

The PEC also condemns the killing of one journalist in the following countries: Afghanistan, Central Africa, Ecuador, Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Peru, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Russia, Tanzania and Yemen.

Compared to the same period last year, an improvement has taken place in Syria - 8 killed against 21 last year during the reporting period, and in Mexico 2 against 8 last year.

However, the situation has worsened in Pakistan - 10 killed against 6 last year, and the situation has not improved in Somalia, 5 killed against 6 last year, and the same for Brazil.

Because of Pakistan Asia is the leading casualty continent with 17 journalists killed ahead of Latin America: 15, the Middle East: 12, Africa: 11 and Europe 1.