Among other key aspects, a new UN Human Rights Council resolution elaborates on the need and, notably the means, to have full investigations and prosecutions in the hundreds of cases of murdered journalists.
Excerpt from a 25 September 2014 CPJ Blog Post by Elisabeth Witchel/CPJ Impunity Campaign Consultant
Today marked an important step in efforts to protect journalists, with the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva unanimously adopting a new resolution on the safety of journalists. Resolution 27/L7 reiterates, and strengthens the 2012 resolution (A/HRC/RES/21/12) agreed on by the same body.
Among other key aspects, the resolution elaborates on the need and, notably the means, to have full investigations and prosecutions in the hundreds of cases of murdered journalists. In the resolution, the Human Rights Council calls on member states to consider the creation of special investigative units or independent commissions, appoint special prosecutors, and adopt specific protocols for investigation, as well as establish an early warning and rapid response mechanism to give journalists access to protective measures.
