The number of journalists killed has doubled

Journalists killed has doubled

PEC press release

Geneva, June 30, 2022 (PEC) Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) is appalled by the large number of journalists killed in the first six months of 2022. The year-on-year increase is 100% with 72 victims in 18 countries since January compared to 36 deaths in the same period last year.

“The war in Ukraine and the rampant criminality in Mexico are the main reasons of this alarming deterioration”, said PEC President Blaise Lempen.

In Ukraine, the conflict triggered by Russia has claimed in 4 months 30 victims among media workers, 16 in the line of duty and 14 journalists killed in fightings as soldiers or volunteers in the army.

The circumstances of each death must be independently clarified and those responsible must be brought to justice. Russian and Ukrainian authorities must ensure that journalists are not targeted while covering the ongoing fighting and that they can work freely.

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In six months, Mexico with 12 victims exceeded the figure for the whole of last year (10 killed).

With 4 killed, India comes after Ukraine and Mexico. Haiti, Pakistan and Yemen followed with 3 killed in each country.

selective focus photography of magazines — Photo by brotiN biswaS on Pexels.com

PEC also recorded 2 victims in Bangladesh, Brazil, Honduras, Israel/Palestine, and Philippines, and 1 victim in each of the following countries: Chad, Chile, Guatemala, Kazakhstan, Myanmar, Turkey and the United States.

There must be no impunity. All these crimes must be fully investigated without exception.

In light of this very worrying deterioration, PEC has renewed its call to the United Nations for the adoption of an international convention strengthening the protection of journalists with investigation and prosecution mechanisms. By 2021, 79 media workers had been killed and 92 by 2020 for the whole year.

01-07-2022

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