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UNSC adopts resolution condemning violation against journalists

NEW YORK, May 27 (KUNA) -- UN Security Council adopted unanimously resolution 2222 condemning all violations and abuses committed against journalists, media professionals and associated personnel in situations of armed conflict and called upon all parties of armed conflict to bring an end to such practices.
The adoption came in an open debate led today by the Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkeviciu on the protection of journalists in conflict situations.
The resolution affirmed that the work of a free, independent and impartial media constitutes one of the essential foundations of a democratic society, and thereby can contribute to the protection of civilians.
Recalling in this regard that journalists, media professionals and associated personnel engaged in dangerous professional missions in areas of armed conflict "shall be considered as civilians and shall be respected and protected as such, provided that they take no action adversely affecting their status as civilians." Resolution 2222, cosponsored by 48 states, emphasized the responsibility of states to comply with the relevant obligations under international law to end impunity and to prosecute those responsible for serious violations of international humanitarian law.
Nevertheless, the member states urged the "immediate and unconditional" release of journalists, media professionals and associated personnel who have been kidnapped or taken as hostages, in situations of armed conflict.
On his part, Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson said in his remarks before the council, that in recent years a deeply troubling rise in the number of journalists killed in conflict situations was seen. Of the 593 cases of killings of journalists between 2006 and 2013, almost half -- 273 -- occurred in conflict zones, he confirmed.
Journalists, he stressed, are also being increasingly targeted and subjected to threats by criminal or terrorist groups, with the blatant intention to silence them.
Moreover, Eliasson said that recent killings of journalists have been given extensive and welcome attention around the world, including the brutal murders of Western media representatives in Syria.
The Security Council and the Human Rights Council have been presented with findings that illustrate the extent of the problem from South Sudan to Libya, from Syria to Somalia and beyond, he added.
He called on the Security Council to encourage its authorized missions to look into safety of journalists and media workers as part of protection of civilians mandates.
Eliasson also called the Council to endorse and support the United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity which aims to help tackle threats and attacks as well as other challenges faced by journalists.
The UN Plan is being piloted in several countries, including Iraq, Nepal, Pakistan and South Sudan. (end) mao.sd