PEC statement delivered at the Human Rights Council (General Debate item 4)

General Assembly

Human Rights Council 58th session

General Debate item 4

Mr President,

The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) is very concerned about a new development in armed conflicts with serious consequences for the journalists’ safety and the press freedom.

Over the last few months we have seen remote attacks against media workers using drones in conflict zones. Russia, Israël, Turkey used these new weapons to eliminate witnesses of war crimes.

The PEC strongly condemns these violations of international law. We remind all States that media workers are civilians and that they must be able to do their job without risking their lives.

Last year a record number of media workers were killed, half of them in the Middle East, a number killed at distance with drone strikes. All these crimes must be investigated and those responsabile identified and punished.

The PEC urges the Human Rights Council to implement its previous resolutions on the safety of journalists which condemned all attacks, reprisals and violence against journalists and the prevailing impunity. All States must ensure accountability through the conduct of impartial, prompt, thorough, independent and effective investigations into all alleged cases of violence, threats and attacks against journalists and media workers.

Thank you Mr President

Geneva, 20 March 2025