NEW YORK, November 2, 2024 (WAFA) — UNESCO released a report today marking the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, highlighting a troubling trend: the majority of journalist killings remain unpunished globally.

According to the report, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay noted that one journalist is killed every four days worldwide simply for performing their fundamental duty of seeking the truth. In most cases, these killings go unpunished.

The report highlighted that 85% of journalist murders recorded by UNESCO since 2006 remain unresolved. It identified Palestine as the most dangerous place for journalists in 2023, with 24 reported killings.

In a related statement, UN Secretary-General António Guterres remarked that recent years have seen a staggering rate of fatalities in conflict zones, particularly in Gaza, which has witnessed the highest number of journalist and media worker deaths in any conflict in decades.

Guterres referenced the "Declaration on Future Generations," adopted in September, which calls for the respect and protection of journalists and media personnel operating in armed conflict situations.

He urged governments to take immediate action to uphold these commitments, protect journalists, investigate crimes against them, and hold perpetrators accountable everywhere.

M.N