Geneva, Nov 1 (V7N) — The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), an international organization dedicated to media safety and journalists’ rights, has urged the United Nations and its member states to adopt new, effective measures to end impunity for crimes against journalists. The call comes ahead of the ‘International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists,’ observed annually on November 2 under UN recognition.

According to a statement released by the PEC, at least 153 journalists and media workers have been killed worldwide since the beginning of 2025—making it the deadliest year for the press in more than a decade. Two-thirds of these fatalities occurred in active conflict zones, despite most victims being clearly identified as members of the press.

The PEC emphasized that the death toll recorded within ten months of 2025 is unprecedented. It called upon the United Nations to establish an independent international commission under the leadership of the UN Secretary-General or the High Commissioner for Human Rights. This body would be responsible for investigating serious violations of international humanitarian, criminal, and human rights laws committed against journalists. It would also issue recommendations aimed at strengthening national legislation, improving accountability mechanisms, and ensuring justice and compensation for victims’ families.

The report revealed that journalists were killed in 29 countries this year. The Gaza Strip recorded the highest number of casualties with 57 deaths, followed by Ukraine and Russia with 11, Yemen with 11, Mexico with 10, Sudan with 7, India with 6, Pakistan with 5, Bangladesh with 4, Ecuador with 4, Iran with 4, the Philippines with 3, and Syria with 3. Two journalists were killed each in Afghanistan, Colombia, Honduras, Iraq, Lebanon, Nigeria, Peru, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the United States. One fatality was reported in Brazil, Guatemala, Haiti, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Turkey, and Zimbabwe.

PEC President Blaise Lempen expressed deep concern, stating, “Never before have so many journalists been killed without proper investigations to identify and prosecute those responsible. The international community must act decisively to stop this violence. When a journalist is murdered and justice is denied, it sends a dangerous message that silencing the press is acceptable. The killers’ impunity undermines the rule of law, robs families of justice, and deprives societies of the right to know.”

PEC’s South and Southeast Asia representative, Nava Thakuria, reported that impunity continues to plague the region. India lost journalists Mukesh Chandrakar, Raghavendra Vajpayee, Sahadev Dey, Dharmendra Singh Chauhan, Naresh Kumar, and Rajeev Pratap Singh to targeted attacks this year. In Pakistan, journalists AD Shar, Abdul Latif, Syed Mohammed Shah, Imtiaz Mir, and Tufail Rind were killed. Bangladesh recorded the murders of Assaduzzaman Tuhin, Bibhuranjan Sarkar, Wahed-uz-Zaman Bulu, and Khandahar Shah Alam. The Philippines lost journalists Juan Johny Dayang, Erwin Labitad Segovia, and Noel Bellen Samar, while Afghanistan mourned Abdul Ghafoor Abid and Abdul Zahir Safi. Nepal also reported the killing of Suresh Rajak.

Thakuria added that the persistent lack of accountability in these cases has left the media community vulnerable and fearful. “The rising number of journalist killings reflects an alarming failure to protect those who work to expose the truth. Without justice, violence against the press will continue unchecked,” he said.

The PEC reiterated its demand for coordinated international action to end impunity, ensure justice, and safeguard freedom of expression—stressing that the right to information is a collective right that must be protected at all costs.

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