UN Human Rights Council adopts decision on safety of journalists

Credit: UN Photo / Elma Okic

The UN Human Rights Council at its 45th session on 6 October adopted by consensus a resolution on the safety of journalists (A/HRC/RES/45/18).

The resolution was co-sponsored by over 70 states from all world regions and tackles current themes such as the effects of the COVID-19 crisis on safety of journalists.

The resolution also calls attention to threats faced by women journalists and emphasizes the need to employ a gender-specific approach when tackling violence against journalists.

Additionally, the resolution addresses issues such as safety of journalists covering protests, vague laws potentially limiting freedom of expression, strategic lawsuits against public participation, accreditation regimes, access to information and  extraterritorial threats against journalists.

ARTICLE 19 provides further analysis of the resolution.