UN Release. United Nations (UN) independent human rights experts on Thursday expressed deep concern about the escalating dangers faced by journalists covering the ongoing military operations in Gaza.
The Human Rights Council-appointed experts highlighted the alarming toll on journalists and media workers in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, particularly in Gaza, making it the deadliest and most perilous conflict for journalists “in recent history.”
The experts reported the “killing and silencing” of journalists, emphasizing the extraordinarily high numbers of journalists and media workers who have been killed, attacked, injured, and detained in recent months.
They voiced deep concern over attacks against media workers who were identifiable with marked “press” jackets, helmets, and vehicles, suggesting a deliberate strategy by Israeli forces to obstruct and silence critical reporting.
Since October 7, 122 journalists and media workers have lost their lives in the Gaza Strip, with many others sustaining injuries. The experts condemned all killings, threats, and attacks on journalists, urging all parties in the conflict to protect them.
Detentions and Harassment
Israeli forces have detained dozens of Palestinian journalists in both Gaza and the West Bank. Harassment, intimidation, and attacks on journalists have increased, particularly since the Hamas terror attacks.
The experts acknowledged the courage and resilience of media workers in Gaza, noting that journalists in the region are paying a heavy price for merely doing their job.
Right to Information, Possible War Crimes
According to the experts, there is a need to exercise the right to information as a “survival right” during conflicts, with journalists playing an indispensable role as human rights defenders and witnesses to atrocities.
They stressed that journalists are entitled to protection as civilians under international humanitarian law and stated that targeted attacks and killings of journalists are war crimes.
Calls for Action and Investigation
The experts called on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC) to pay particular attention to the dangerous pattern of attacks and impunity for crimes against journalists.
Additionally, they urged Israeli authorities to permit journalists to enter Gaza and safeguard the safety of all journalists in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
The experts called on all combatants to facilitate prompt, independent, and impartial investigations into every journalist’s killing according to international standards.
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