On Saturday 02 November 2024, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission), through its Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa (the Special Rapporteur), convened a webinar in commemoration of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists. This day was so designated by the United Nations General Assembly, through Resolution A/RES/68/163, in consideration of two French journalists who were assassinated in Mali on 02 November 2013.
At the outset, the Special Rapporteur noted that journalists and media professionals perform their jobs in very difficult situations, including arbitrary detention and forced disappearances, torture, kidnapping whilst performing their job to bring reliable and independent information. These threats undoubtedly impede the free circulation of ideas, opinions and information. Moreover, women journalists are particularly prone to attacks, especially online attacks and threats, such as insults and revenge pornography. Unfortunately, threats and attacks on journalists are not properly investigated, and this impunity makes it easier for the perpetrators of crimes against journalists to continue these attacks. The Special Rapporteur also noted that the safety of journalists is intrinsic in protecting the rights to freedom of expression and access to information, enshrined in Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Reference was also made to the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa (the Declaration), which includes important principles on the safety of journalists.
During the webinar, the panellists provided information on attacks against journalists in the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, West Africa, and finally in East and Southern Africa. The panellists provided information on similar violations committed against journalists, including physical attacks, incommunicado detention, among others. However, new dimensions of violations were also noted, including online attacks and surveillance of journalists. A common theme of the prevailing impunity for these attacks was also repeatedly stressed, for the killing of journalists in Somalia, and journalists who were shot in Kenya while covering demonstrations. Additionally, the prevalence of attacks against journalists while reporting during electoral periods, was also noted. Regarding the Sahel region specifically, concerns were raised about certain areas of the Sahel becoming ‘information free zones,’ following the expulsion of members of the media, in addition to self-censorship and exile of journalists. An intervention was also provided on the current situation facing journalists in Libya.
A number of recommendations were proposed during the webinar including, calling on the Commission to engage with States to encourage them to diligently investigate and prosecute perpetrators of attacks and crimes against journalists, thereby ending impunity by such perpetrators, prioritising the safety of journalists reporting in areas of conflict, reforming laws which limit freedom of expression and freedom of the press, in addition to ensuring that all journalists who are held in detention are given access to lawyers and legal representations and brought to court within a reasonable time and not held incommunicado.
In closing, the Special Rapporteur reiterated the responsibility of the State to guarantee the safety of journalists and other media practitioners, as elaborated in Principle 20 of the Declaration. This is similarly buttressed in the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.
In commemoration of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, and as repeatedly stressed during the webinar, the Commission, through the Special Rapporteur, reiterates the importance of ensuring the safety of journalists and other media personalities, in addition to creating a conducive environment for them to carry out their profession.
