Joint statement to highlight the The Hague Commitment to Increase the Safety of Journalists
46th session of the Human Rights Council
Agenda item 3
Joint Statement delivered by the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Madam President,
On December 9th and 10th 2020, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and UNESCO co-organised the World Press Freedom Conference in the Hague. Ministers of Foreign Affairs and other government representatives of 53 countries convened upon initiative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to address the importance of the safety of journalists and media workers and the issue of impunity for crimes against them. To date, 58 states have endorsed the Conference’s concluding document: The Hague Commitment to increase the Safety of Journalists. All other states are invited to join.
Today, the Netherlands, on behalf of over 50 countries, wishes to highlight the relevance of this Commitment before the Human Rights Council.
We recognize that freedom of expression and free, independent and plural media, online and offline, are indispensable cornerstones for building and sustaining democratic, inclusive and peaceful societies, based on human rights, the rule of law and accountability.
We are deeply alarmed by the targeted killings, threats, intimidation, harassment, unlawful detention and legal pressure against journalists and media workers, including through domestic legislation, in an effort to silence them, as well as the prevailing high rate of impunity for attacks against journalists.
We commit to utilize the Universal Periodic Review and Sustainable Development Goals Voluntary National Review processes, as applicable, to report on the safety of journalists and efforts to tackle impunity, as well as to encourage progress in other States by means of these processes.
We commit to support and co-sponsor the Human Rights Council resolutions with strong provisions for strengthening the safety of journalists and tackling impunity for crimes committed against them.
We fully support the UN Special Procedures in order to address the safety of journalists and media workers, including by responding to their requests.
There is a need for more concerted efforts and action by all stakeholders concerned in order to ensure the safety of journalists and combat impunity for crimes against them. The Human Rights Council is a crucial forum for our ambition to foster a global environment in which journalists and media workers can work safely and independently, without fear or favor, and in which perpetrators of crimes committed against them will be held accountable.
Thank you.
Afghanistan, Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Namibia, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, State of Palestine, Sudan, Sweden, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay