2014

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

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

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)

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.