ARTICLE 19

Journalists around the world are assaulted and killed for exposing corruption, holding governments to account or simply expressing their opinions or beliefs.

To mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, civil society groups and communities in Cambodia and beyond condemn the rampant impunity for attacks against journalists and human rights defenders, and call for immediate action to bring all perpetrators to account.

The resolution focuses on creating an enabling environment for the media and reinforces international criticism of political leaders who have sought to undermine trust in independent media.

While there’s been a rise in the number of right to information laws adopted – 90% of the world now lives in a country with an RTI law – implementation hasn’t necessarily followed suit, and progress is certainly not universal.

According to the UN, 68 journalists have been killed globally in 2018 to date. Prospects for justice in these cases are remote: for the 530 killings recorded between 2012 and 2016, the rate of impunity is 90%.

Opposition senators insisted that the anti-Fake News law should be reformed rather than repealed.

Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were found guilty of breaching the Official Secrets Act. ARTICLE 19 says the ruling demonstrates the Myanmar government’s willingness to use the judiciary as a tool to silence those reporting on human rights violations against Rohingya civilians.

ARTICLE 19 says further action is needed by Malaysia’s new government to protect the rights of Malaysians, and calls for a far-reaching and comprehensive program of legislative reform.