By Linus Aleke
As the world marks the 2022 International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, the European Union has condemned in strong terms the killing of journalists in the line of duty across the world.

In a statement jointly signed by High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Mr. Josep Borrell, and Vice-President of the European Commission, Ms Věra Jourová, the EU said, it must put an end to impunity for these crimes and uphold human rights and the rule of law by providing justice to the victims.

According to EU, “Journalists are our eyes and ears reporting from conflict zones. They put their lives in danger to provide accounts of what is happening on the ground. Their accurate, impartial media reports serve a fundamental public interest: accounts, images and news from the ground can have a decisive impact on the development and outcome of armed conflicts. Consequently, journalistic work is often deliberately obstructed in armed conflicts. Media professionals face access denial, censorship, and harassment, as well as arbitrary detention and brutal attacks. In Ukraine, several journalists and media workers have been killed or injured, sometimes deliberately targeted, while documenting the truth about the atrocities committed by Russian troops in Putin’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Their work is essential, as the Russian regime wages a global disinformation campaign on the realities of their war. Intentionally directing attacks against journalists, as civilians, constitutes a war crime.

War zones are however not the only places where journalists come under attack. Across the world, journalists face increasing threats in their work. They are victims of hate crimes, harassed online, targeted by spyware, and even murdered”.

The EU further revealed that over the past 10 years, no fewer than 80% of journalists’ murders worldwide have not been held to account.

On measures to check impunity against journalists, the statement said the EU supports networks of at-risk journalists and reinforces journalists’ ability to operate in hostile environments across the world.

This it said includes the provision of protective equipment and assistance.

The statement noted that under the new Global Europe programme for Human Rights and Democracy, it is establishing an Observatory on the Fight Against Impunity to contribute to collecting and using evidence and knowledge for advocacy and accountability at global, regional and national levels.

The statement added that within the European Union, journalists can face difficult conditions, saying, Member States are expected to comply with the Commission Recommendation on the safety of journalists adopted in 2021.

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The statement concluded that states must investigate and prosecute all criminal acts committed against journalists in an impartial, independent, effective, transparent, and timely manner.