62 deaths in 2020: UN marks International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed November 2 as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists. According to a UN report based on UNESCO findings, 62 journalists lost their lives in 2020 “just for doing their jobs”. Over 1,200 journalists were killed between 2006 and 2020.

The report said journalists face countless threats, from facing harassment to kidnappings and detentions. Citing a paper published by UNESCO, the report also said that “73 percent of the women journalists surveyed said they had been threatened, intimidated, and insulted online in connection with their work.”

In a statement to mark the day, UN secretary-general António Guterres said, “In recent years, the number of media workers killed outside conflict zones has risen. In many countries, simply investigating corruption, trafficking, human rights violations or environmental issues puts journalists’ lives at risk. ”

Last month, the Committee to Protect Journalists had released a report titled “Killers of journalists still get away with murder”. The report also included the Global Impunity Index 2021, which lists a dozen countries that fare the worst when it comes to prosecuting killers of journalists. India had ranked 12 on the list for the second year in a row.

In the recent months, several journalists and photojournalists in Kashmir have had their residences raided or have been detained and threatened.