A multi-stakeholder consultation organized by UNESCO and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) will bring together key stakeholders such as UN Member States, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, media and professional associations and members of academia to assess their achievements, consider the future, Â share best practices and take stock of developments in the area of safety of journalists and the issue of impunity, within the context of the first five years of implementation of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.
Goal 16 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development provides for peaceful, inclusive and just societies with effective, accountable and inclusive institutions, and highlights the protection of fundamental freedoms and public access to information. The issue of safety of journalists and ending impunity for human rights violations committed against them are critical components of achieving this goal. The issue is gaining momentum within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)
Since the launch of the UN Plan of Action, it has become a guiding framework for activities in this area. It was elaborated to provide a comprehensive, coherent, and action-oriented UN-wide approach to the safety of journalists and the issue of impunity.
After its endorsement by the UN System Chief Executives Board for Coordination in 2012, the UN Plan of Action has been welcomed by the UN General Assembly, UNESCO and the Human Rights Council. Outside of the UN, it has been referred to by various regional bodies, and it has given impetus to and fostered a spirit of co-operation between the UN and various stakeholders in many countries.
During the one-day consultation, the stakeholders will identify primary achievements, gaps and challenges in the previous and existing work on safety of journalists, and also devise recommendations for future work in the context of the UN Plan of Action. This will be reflected in an outcome document that will give direction and impetus to both the separate and coordinated activities of all stakeholders.
There is a need to bring together key stakeholders to assess the achievements that have been made in the context of the implementation of the UN Plan of Action and determine the areas that still demand greater attention, given this momentum of journalist safety and ending impunity for human rights violations as critical components of achieving this Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the ongoing challenges and their extension to the online environment.
There is also the call for contributions from Member States, media, academics and civil society ahead of the meeting. Their contributions will be an essential resource in preparing the draft outcome document for the Multi-Stakeholder Consultation.
The concept note is also available for more information on the Multi-Stakeholder Consultation.
