GENEVA

The UN Human Rights Council president on Tuesday said that 85% of crimes committed against journalists remain unpunished worldwide, describing it as "unacceptable."

Omar Zniber made these remarks in a video message to a panel discussion on the safety of journalists in crises and emergencies and the legal drivers behind impunity at UN Geneva Office, which was jointly organized by the UN human rights office and UNESCO.

Zniber noted that 61 journalists have been killed since the beginning of 2024 following last year's figure of 71, and said: "The figures are alarming."

He added that more than 300 journalists are behind bars, and a number of them are harassed physically or online every day.

"These figures are perhaps even lower than what the reality is," he said, lamenting that criminal attacks on journalists have "regrettably become a day-to-day reality."

Conflicts around the world are aggravating the problem, he said, citing UNESCO findings that indicate more than 50% of journalist killings took place in conflict zones in 2023.

According to UNESCO, he said, at least 749 journalists and media outlets covering environmental issues were victims of various forms of attacks and intimidation between 2009 and 2023.

"Worst of all, the great majority of crimes against journalists remain unpunished. According to the latest data, 85% of these crimes remain unpunished," he said, emphasizing that it is “unacceptable and warrants our full attention and our action."

He hoped that the discussions taking place in the panel today will bolster the Human Rights Council's commitment to protecting journalists' rights and combating impunity for crimes.

"This is an urgent, vital need and that council should focus on this and play a full protective role to protect the rights of journalists," he concluded.