The Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) welcomes the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2222 on the protection of journalists in armed conflict.
On 27 May 2015, at the 7450th meeting of the Security Council, the resolution was adopted unanimously and during an all-day open debate the Security Council, called on parties to conflict and all Member States to create a safe environment “in law and practice” for media professionals to do their important work.
Security Council resolution 2222 condemns all violations and abuses committed against journalists and media workers in situations of armed conflict, and emphasizes the important role of the media society and the need to protect it.
The resolution condemns prevailing impunity for violations and abuses committed against journalists, media professionals and associated personnel in situations of armed conflict ( article 4) and emphasizes the responsibility of Member States to comply with relevant obligations under international law to end impunity and to prosecute those responsible for serious violations of international humanitarian law (article 5). It also urges Members States to ensure accountability for crimes through the conduct of impartial, independent and effective investigations (article 6).
The resolution also calls for the immediate and unconditional release of those kidnapped or taken hostage in situations of armed conflict. It stresses the need for improved cooperation and coordination at an international level, including among the UN and other international, regional and sub regional organisations to promote and ensure the safety of journalists and media workers, including through technical assistance and capacity building (article 15).
Hundreds of media workers have been targeted across the Gulf region most notably in Syria and Iraq. Yet despite this many continue their work fearlessly. The GCHR has issued numerous appeals on journalists who have lost their lives or have been kidnapped. In Syria, members of the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM) Mazen Darwish, Hani Al-Zitani and Hussein Gharir were arrested at their offices on 16 February 2012.They were being held in Adra prison however they have been recently transferred and their current location is unknown. SCM is a key non-governmental organization working to disseminate information regarding the human rights situation in Syria. In Iraq, journalist and human rights defender Ammar Shahbander was killed on 2 May 2015 in a terrorist attack in Baghdad where journalists and human rights defenders work in extremely dangerous conditions for the promotion of human rights.
The GCHR welcomes UN resolution 2222 and hopes that it will result in the immediate release of journalists and media workers who remain in detention and that it will lead to increased cooperation at international, national and regional levels to achieve a safe and enabling environment for journalists and media workers to carry out their important work.
