East Africa commemorates the International Day to End Impunity and Crime Against Journalists
Francis Mureithi, Member of the Kenya Editors Guild
On 2nd November 2023, we marked the International Day to End Impunity and Crimes against Journalists. It came at a time when Journalists all over the world were being targeted, killed and arrested. Between 2006 and 2023, over 1,600 journalists have been killed around the world, with close to 9 out of 10 cases of these killings remaining judicially unresolved, according to the UNESCO Observatory of Killed Journalists. Impunity leads to more killings and is often a symptom of worsening conflict and the breakdown of law and judicial systems. In East Africa, the story is no different, press rankings for Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Ethiopia have relatively dropped.
We reiterate that states have a duty under international law to investigate attacks on journalists promptly, thoroughly, and independently, and to prosecute those responsible. This obligation is well established in international and regional human rights instruments and numerous UN protocols and resolutions, requiring states to provide effective remedy for human rights abuses.
A year ago, in November 2022, representatives of U.N. member states convened in Vienna to publicly reaffirm their commitments to protect journalists’ safety and pledged to take concrete steps to tackle impunity for crimes against the press. The meeting marked the 10-year anniversary of the U.N. Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity – an agreement made by states, at the urging of civil society, to develop a coordinated framework for addressing threats faced by journalists.
A year later, these pledges have produced no demonstrable action or change, while the situation for so many journalists worldwide has become even more dire. Rates of impunity remain unacceptably high, as attacks, violence, and threats against the press are increasing.
In East Africa crimes against journalists are observed pre-elections, during and post-elections. This is according to the IPI press freedom ranking in Africa. During the commemoration of this day in Kenya. Mr. Francis Mureithi an editor and also a member of the Kenya Editors Guild called out politicians for making enemies with the media during political rallies saying, “Journalists who hold power to account are increasingly making enemies of the powerful. We have seen journalists being attacked during political rallies and witnessed influential politicians making public statements against journalists.”
A call was made to states urging them to take concrete action to end impunity for crimes against the press.
As the Eastern Africa Editors Society, we recognise the crucial role played by Journalists who serve as the eyes and ears of the public during elections, reporting on political developments, scrutinising candidates and their policies, and facilitating an informed electorate. However, the electioneering period has always been a rough terrain for journalists to navigate.
In our continuous monitoring of the media landscape across the Eastern Africa region as part of our program’s work aimed at safeguarding press freedom, this crucial role often comes at a high cost, as journalists find themselves susceptible to various forms of attacks, intimidation, and violence during election periods.
Every time the elections bears in any of the countries be it in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo and the continuous political wrangles in Sudan, journalists have been caught at the centre while trying to inform the electorates, in the quest to shape public discourse, ensuring transparency, and holding those in power accountable, they have been caught in the midst and in turn suffer grievous attacks from the opposing camps, in Kenya for instance, during the Unga revolution protests staged by the opposition, Journalists were attacked and even abducted as they tried to cover the maandamano(Protests). In DRC, even as their elections are near, journalists have been attacked and their equipment confiscated in return as they go about their work.
As Eastern Africa Editors Society we call upon the Leaders of East African countries to take a stand against crimes targeting journalists and ensure accountability for those responsible. Join us in calling for an end to impunity and for the protection of press freedom. Together, let's demand justice and safety for our journalists.