KABUL - On the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Nicholas Haysom, reiterated the call of the Secretary-General to end the cycle of impunity and safeguard the rights of journalists.

“We must do more to combat violence against journalists and make sure that journalists can report freely,” said Mr. Haysom, quoting the Secretary-General’s message for the day. “Journalists should not have to engage in self-censorship because they fear for their lives.”

Today, we remember the journalists and media workers who have been killed in the line of duty, said the UN envoy. “Threats against journalists and media outlets create an environment in which journalists may be deterred from exercising their right to seek and disseminate information,” he said.

“The work of journalists is critical in providing independent information about the ongoing conflict,” stressed the UN envoy. “Journalists must be guaranteed the highest degree of protection by state and non-state actors, including the Taliban and, as civilians, may never be the object of attack.”

Globally, more than 700 journalists have been killed in the last decade – one every five days – simply for bringing news and information to the public. In Afghanistan, there have been more than 50 cases of violence against journalists this year alone, with three killed.

“Many perish in the conflicts they cover so fearlessly,” said Mr. Haysom. “But all too many have been deliberately silenced for trying to report the truth.”

Mr. Haysom applauded UNESCO for spearheading the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity – a mechanism linking the efforts of UN agencies, Governments, civil society, academia and the media.

For more information about the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, visit www.unesco.org/new/en/EndImpunity.