PURPOSE: The United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/68/163 at its 68th session in 2013, which proclaimed the 2 November as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists (IDEI). Since then, global commemorations of IDEI serve as a unique opportunity to highlight the threats against journalists and reporters. Such actors, including UN agencies, regional bodies, U.N. Member States, members of the judiciary system, civil society organisations and the media, play a vital role to ensure accountability and bring to justice perpetrators of crimes against journalists and media workers.

FORUM: “Safety of Journalists in Crises and Emergencies.” International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists 2024. The IDEI 2024 Global Commemoration is therefore an opportunity to reaffirm commitments to promoting and guaranteeing freedom of expression worldwide, strengthening international cooperation in ensuring the safety of journalists and media workers in crises and emergencies, and engaging national, regional and international stakeholders in finding solutions to address issues and challenges specific to Africa. The theme of IDEI 2024, Safety of Journalists in Crises and Emergencies, is aligned with the objectives of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, specifically Sustainable Development Goal 16, to “promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels”. It also corresponds to the objectives of the UN Plan of Action on Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, which calls for a coalition-based and holistic approach to ensuring a free and safe environment for journalists and media workers. The theme also aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, under Aspiration 3, which seeks to promote “an Africa of good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law”, as well as Aspiration 4, which seeks to promote “a peaceful and secure Africa”, with the goal of “strengthening governance, accountability and transparency as a foundation for a peaceful Africa”. Furthermore, the theme is aligned to Principle 20 on Safety of journalists and other media practitioners contained in the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa (the 2019 Declaration), adopted by the ACHPR in 2019, which provides, inter alia, that “States shall guarantee the safety of journalists and other media practitioners.” Therefore, this year’s theme reaffirms and reinforces the common purpose between the UN system and the AU in promoting an enabling environment for journalists as the foundation of peace, democracy, accountability, transparency, and good governance. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #EndimpunityDay, #CrimesAgainstJournalists, #2november, #DefendPressFreedom, #ProtectJournalists.

EVENTS: Panel discussion on the safety of journalists in crises and emergencies and the legal drivers behind impunity.

This event is co-organized by the  Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the Permanent Mission of France to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in order to celebrate the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, which theme this year is "safety of journalists in crises and emergencies". More specifically, it is aimed to consider and underscore the high rate of impunity for crimes against journalists worldwide, especially affecting those working in and on crises and emergencies; highlight the legal factors – from restrictive laws to abusive litigation – which increase that impunity; and share best practices on how to reduce that high rate of impunity. Get More info and Watch the Panel discussion on the safety of journalists in crises and emergencies and the legal drivers behind impunity!
At UN Geneva, on November 1st 2024 at the Palais des Nations, Room XXVI. The 2024 United Nations International Media Seminar on Peace in the Middle East is organized by the United Nations Department for Global Communications, as part of its Special information programme on the question of Palestine. The annual seminar was created over three decades ago to provide a platform that aims to sensitize public opinion to the question of Palestine, enhance dialogue and understanding between media practitioners, and foster and encourage their contribution in support of a peaceful settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. At a time of alarmingly escalated crisis, this year’s seminar will bring together journalists, media professionals, scholars and diplomats from Israel, the State of Palestine, Switzerland, and other parts of the world to examine two very pertinent themes: “Freedom of the Press and Safety of Journalists in a Time of War” and “Behind the Headlines of Gaza: Media Challenges and Perspectives.” This public event will take place on 1 November at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, in Room XXVI.  Simultaneous interpretation will be provided in Arabic.To attend in person, please register here.

In Washington D.C; The commemoration of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists 2024 will take place on November 2nd at the headquarters of the Organization of American States (OAS) Organized by UNESCO, in partnership with the Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and its Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression (RELE), the event will focus on the violence against journalists, the integrity of elections, and the role of public leadership. This important event will include multiple panels and discussions, bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders including former special rapporteurs, academia, civil society organizations, states, United Nations agencies, and any other individuals dedicated to improving journalist safety worldwide. The day will furthermore commemorate the 26th anniversary of the establishment of the OAS Special Rapporteurship and celebrate the 31th anniversary of the United Nations Special Procedure, two specialized offices that hold a pivotal role in promoting and safeguarding freedom of expression globally.

At the African Union Headquarters in Ethiopia; On November 6 and 7th, from 9:00 am -18:00 pm; The UNESCO and the African Union will also co-organize a congress and a DayofAction” to allow stakeholders and participants to organise and attend different types of activities. These activities will be action-oriented initiatives, such as the launch of reports and projects, a chance to hold strategic partnership meetings, trainings, workshops, and exhibitions, discussing continental, regional, and subregional action plans, and conducting information sessions. In the context of the rise of conflicts and other crises, UNESCO and the African Union will join efforts with media stakeholders globally, to promote a broader discussion on the safety of journalists working in these contexts, including the prevention, protection and prosecution concerns of journalists affected by such challenges. With the UN Plan of Action on the safety of journalists in its second decade of implementation, IDEI 2024 is an opportunity to strengthen stakeholder cooperation in the implementation of the Plan, particularly in Africa. The occasion will also serve to strengthen the AU’s contribution to the implementation of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, building upon the cooperation as part of the IGOs ‘Light Touch’ Task Force on the Safety of Journalists, and partnership with the PRC Sub-Committee on Human Rights, Democracy and Governance. The IDEI global commemoration again serves as an opportunity to advance UNESCO’s planned Global Roadmap for Information as a public good in the face of the environmental crisis, which was announced at the World Press Freedom Day 2024 in Santiago, Chile, and seeks to address various aspects to promoting safety of journalists covering environmental issues, as well as ways to advance information integrity, including countering disinformation on climate change. These include addressing the different threats to environmental information, such as climate disinformation and misinformation, climate change denial, and violence against environmental journalists, among others. Furthermore, IDEI 2024 will be an occasion to take stock of the action plan developed by stakeholders during the 3rd African Media Convention, which took place in Ghana in May 2024. Progress reports from African media stakeholders will be presented during the IDEI, particularly on (i) Progress on the Development of the Pan-African Strategy on Media Information Literacy and Digital Competencies led by the AU Directorate of Information and Communication in partnership with UNESCO; and, (ii) Progress made in establishing a multi-stakeholder coalition to mainstream Freedom of Expression, Access to Information and the Safety of Journalists in the Africa Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process, African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Voluntary Self-Assessments processes led by UNESCO and AU APRM. In addition, IDEI 2024 will provide an opportunity to address broader issues of the integrity of information within the framework of UNESCOs role as a knowledge partner to the G20. This will include discussing the implementation of the Guidelines for the Governance of Digital Platforms, and the specific actions that stakeholders must take to mitigate the risks associated with online harmful content in the context of crises and emergencies, while safeguarding freedom of expression and the right to access to information. Furthermore, ensuring mitigation measures are in place to protect journalists and public-interest information. Articulating the place of Africa in conversations regarding information integrity, South Africa will hold the G20 Presidency in 2025. It will be the first time an African country leads the Group of 20, coinciding with the African Union becoming a permanent member of the G20. This event will commemorate the 10th anniversary of the first IDEI, held in 2014 at the European Court of Human Rights, after the landmark establishment of the November 2nd as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists  (IDEI) by the United Nations General Assembly in Resolution 68/163. This event will also commemorate the 20th anniversary of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in 2004, whose role is pivotal in safeguarding freedom of expression and safety of journalists in Africa.

From 9:00 am - 12:45 pm,  

DAY I (6 November) - Opening ceremony - Location: Nelson Mandela Conference Hall.

•  Session 1: Safety of journalists in Conflicts: Risks, Protections, and the role of the international community.

• Session 2: Safety of Journalists in environmental crises and disasters: Defending the defenders

• Session 3: Safety of Women Journalists in crises and emergencies: Tackling gendered dimensions of safety.

• Session 4: High-Level Panel On Leveraging African Union Structures to Promote Global Solidarity on Safety of Journalists.

• Session 5: Circumventing “Zones of Silence”: Protecting Press Freedom in the Sahel.

• Session 6: Sustaining journalism and humanitarian information in times of crisis: Best Practices from Africa.

• Session 7: Strengthening Pan-African Mechanisms and synergies for Monitoring and Reporting on Safety of Journalists.

Day II (7 November) - Official Closing Ceremony - Location: African Union - Caucus Rooms 26-31 and Lobby D. The Day of Action offers a unique chance for stakeholders and participants to organise and attend different types of action-oriented activities held on the premises of the African Union Headquarters. More than 15 activities will take place!

9:00 am - 11:00 am - Morning Activities.

• Journalist Safety: How Long Until We End the Killings and Impunity? | Organized by the Al Jazeera Center for Public Liberties and Human Rights and Al Jazeera Media Network | Caucus Room 31

• Safeguarding journalists’ safety online: Creating gender-sensitive newsroom protocols | Organized by the International Press Institute and The African Editor Forum | Caucus Room 30

• State of Media Freedom and Journalist Safety in Africa | Organized by the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) | Caucus Room 27

• Workshop on Fact Checking and Journalism in sensitive context | Organized by the CFI, French Media Development Agency | Caucus Room 29

• Journalists on the Front Line: Addressing Threats to Press Freedom in Eastern Africa and the Sahel Region | Organized by the ARTICLE 19 (Eastern Africa/Senegal and West Africa) | Caucus Room 26

• Consultation on UNESCO’s Framework for Human Rights Risk Assessment in the Context of Journalists Safety Online | Organized by the UNESCO | Caucus Room 28

• Digital security walk-in clinic/help-desk | Organised by Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa | Lobby D

11:15 am - 1:00 pm - Mid-Morning Activities.

• Consultation on UNESCO’s Framework for Human Rights Risk Assessment in the Context of Journalists Safety Online | Organized by the UNESCO | Caucus Room 28

• The impact of Crises and emergencies on the Safety of Journalists in the Arab Region | Organized by the UNESCO | Caucus Room 26

• Working together to protect journalists: What’s happened, and what’s possible, through the Media Freedom Coalition | Organized by the Media Freedom Coalition and Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany | Caucus Room 27

• Conference on Fact Checking and Journalism in sensitive context | Organized by the CFI, French Media Development Agency | Caucus Room 29

• Orientation and review of Safety of Journalists Platform | Organized by The African Editor Forum | Caucus Room 30

• Consultation for inputs on SR's thematic report to the Human Rights Council on freedom of expression and elections in the digital age | Organized by the Special Rapporteur Irene Khan on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression - Only by invitation. | Caucus Room 31

2:00 pm - 5:00 pm - Afternoon Activities.

• Consultation on World Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development Report 2025 | Organised by UNESCO | Caucus Room 28

• The Official Launch of Media- Lawyers Alliance in Ethiopia | Organised by Consortium of Ethiopian Human Rights Organization | Caucus Room 29

• UNESCO-African Union Media Fellowship Curriculum, Development Consultations | Organised by UNESCO and the African Union | Caucus Room 26

• Showcasing the challenges on the safety of journalists in the Sahel and Eastern DRC and launching the Declaration on the right to information | Organised by Reporters Without Borders | Caucus Room 26

• Ensuring the Safety and Protection of Journalists by Addressing Impunity: A Responsibility for the World | Organised by Federation of African Journalists and International Federation of Journalists | Caucus Room 27

• Breaking the Silence | Organised by Sudan Media Forum | Caucus Room 30

Read more in the practical information note. All participants must complete their registration form by latest 18 October 2024. Kindly note that the IDEI will also offer virtual participation.

Commemorations Around the world: Discover the events in your area.

STATEMENTS: Read the Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists 2024; November 2nd and the Statement of the UNESCO Director-General on the occasion of the International Day to End Impunity for crimes against journalists 2024.

PUBLICATIONS: UNESCO Director-General's Report on the Safety of Journalists and the Danger of Impunity.