“71 journalists and media workers They were killed in 2023 and alone 30% of these murders have been investigated“said the high commissioner during the event held in Geneva.
“When we lose a journalist, we lose our eyes and ears to the outside world“said Türk, who defended that, although it is essential to celebrate the value of truth on days like World Press Freedom Day, it is also “protect people who work bravely to discover it.”
The top human rights official at the UN also recognized the work of caricaturistswhich, he assured, “They have an extraordinary capacity with their works to highlight the impact of rights denied, but also the promise of rights granted.”
Disinformation is deepening divides, fueling crises around the world; while free press is under attack.
Just last year, 71 journalists killed, 320 imprisoned.#WorldPressFreedomDay is a chance to stand for truth, protect those bravely working to uncover it & counter oppression.
— Volker Türk (@volker_turk) May 3, 2024
The event, held at the University Institute of International and Development Studies of Ginebraconcluded with the delivery of the Kofi Annan Prize for Courage in Cartooning 2024which the Swiss association Freedom Cartoonists Foundation awards annually to two cartoonists to recognize their efforts in the defense of human rights And the expression freedom.
Suppression, criminalisation & attacks once morest journalists are being met w/ impunity.
This cannot become our status quo.
In this crucial election year, we must ensure Govts protect our right to hold those in power to account & speak out when needed@pressfreedom @jodieginsberg
— Volker Türk (@volker_turk) May 3, 2024
This year’s winners were Indian illustrator Rachita Tanejawhich is currently facing six months in prison for making a caricature of the Supreme Court of his country, and the Hong Kong political cartoonist Zunziwidely known for his pro-democracy satirical work.
He also participated in the event Iranian lawyer and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Shirin Ebadiwho highlighted the critical situation that his country is experiencing in terms of freedom of expression and urged the Iranian authorities to stop repression and “bloodshed.”
On the occasion of this day, the NGO Reporters Without Borders (RSF) published its annual classification, which measures the situation of press freedom in the worldin which Iran occupies position 176 out of 180 countries.
#devastating #year #journalism #Human #Rights #Commissioner
