Introduction. Special Conference. Prevention of kidnapping and crimes committed against journalists and diplomatic agents

Transcription

1 Forum: Issue: Student Officer: Position: Special Conference Prevention of kidnapping and crimes committed against journalists and diplomatic agents Eran Eskenazi President Chair Introduction The world that we live in is getting unsafe for those who think and express what they think. The violence and oppression against journalists and diplomatic agents has been an important issue since the 1960 s during which diplomatic agents were often faced with the threat of being kidnapped. Ever since, measures have been taken in order to prevent further assault. After the Protection of Diplomats Convention came into force and the Committee to Protect Journalists was formed the threats seemed to decrease. However this safe and free environment of speech couldn t be maintained for long. Near the end of 2010 the Arab Spring started and brought not only terror to the governments and people but also limited the freedom of expression once again with the numerous crimes committed against journalists and diplomatic agents. Precautions were once again taken and UN General Assembly adopted the resolution about the security of journalists and the issue of impunity on December The environment became more stable up until the very recent events ISIS violently killed 20 journalists over a course of ten months. On January 7th two Islamist terrorists executed 11 people who worked at the newspaper Charlie Hebdo. As seen in the recent events the kidnapping and killing of journalists and politicians is something mostly implemented by terrorist groups. At this point where terrorism increases day by day and endangers all of our lives we should put an end to this inhuman events. While working on our issue which is The prevention of kidnapping

2 and crimes committed against journalists and diplomatic agents, we should also consider this years RCIMUN theme which is The evolving threat of terrorism: reassessing the nature of its causes and current global responses and we must take steps in this direction. Definition of Key Terms Outburst: A sudden and violent release or outpouring. Eliminate: To remove or get rid of Inviolable: Prohibiting violation Convention: A meeting or formal assembly. Ratify: To confirm by expressing consent. Premises: A tract of land including its buildings. General Overview In 2014, 66 journalists were killed and 119 were kidnapped. Abduction of journalists and diplomatic agents has been an issue since the beginning of journalism and representatives being sent to other countries as intermediaries. However, the UN has been taking major measures to prevent further kidnappings from happening, lead by the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Internationally Protected Persons, including Diplomatic Agents. The convention was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 14 th, The UN found that the adoption of the Convention was extremely necessary after the outburst of kidnappings and killings of diplomatic agents in the late 1960s. The killing of von Spreti, Germany s Ambassador to Guatemala, was just one of many. The adoption of other conventions concerning different sectors occurred after aircraft hijacking, aircraft sabotage, attacks on shipping and other disastrous events.

3 Syria is the most dangerous country in the world for journalists. Over 60 have been killed in the last three years, since the war began and a huge number of others have been kidnapped. All of those journalists were aiming to do a news article on the conflict. Although Syria does house a great amount of journalist kidnappers, it is not the only country in the world with the problem. Algeria, Cameroon, Colombia, Iraq, Nigeria, Malaysia, Somalia and Turkey are infamous in the area as well. Je Suis Charlie that recently took place in Paris, France, as recent as January 7 th, 2015 has been a crucial event that aroused outcries all over the globe. Unidentifiable, masked men shot twelve journalists of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. The criminals are predicted to be Muslim extremists. The shooting resulted in worldwide protests about the violation of the freedom of speech driven by the democratic ideology, clamoring the Je Suis Charlie slogan. Algeria, Cameroon, Colombia, Iraq, Nigeria, Malaysia, Somalia and Turkey are infamous in the question of limitation of the freedom of speech of journalists as well. The kidnapping of diplomatic agents is commonly known as diplonapping. Diplonapping nearly always happened as capturing the diplomatic agent as a pawn in time of conflict. The diplomatic agents usually became a political pawn in the hands of the diplonappers, using the agent to get the other side to fulfill their requests. It is not only kidnapping that is currently harming the diplomatic agents and journalists of our world. Many other crimes are being committed against them on a daily basis. In order to reduce such crimes, The United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution A/Res/168/63 in 2013 and the resolution declared November 2 nd as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists. The resolution was based on urging countries to eliminate the culture of impunity for crimes against journalists and instead put laws into action. Another shocking fact about kidnapping is that in only 2014, 66 journalists were murdered in many countries leading by Syria. Also 119 journalists were kidnapped all around the world. In 2014 many people from various countries were beheaded by ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant). The videos of beheadings were published over social media. The most recent incident is the beheading of 21 Coptic Egyptian masons by the seashore in Tripoli, Libya. It was published on Twitter titled "a message signed with blood to the nation of the cross".

4 Major Parties Involved and Their Views 175 Member States of the UN The 175 member states of the UN had joined a convention that had been hosted by the United Nations. The convention was directed to finding a solution that would allow decrease in the crime rates against diplomatic agents. Member states discussed how to react and take action. Many countries acted against these crimes according to the conclusions reached in the convention. All member states except for Angola, Chad, Republic of the Congo, East Timor, Eritrea, Gambia, Indonesia, Namibia, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Suriname, Tanzania, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Zambia and Zimbabwe, had signed the convention. Mexico Many recent events have caused Mexico to take action. Mexico has readjusted the laws concerning, journalism and freedom of speech, very recently. Many conferences have been formed on the issue and new arrangements have been made. Even so, several Mexican journalists have been found dead or assaulted in various places. Mexico is both; a country trying to stop the issue by hosting conventions, and the victim, that is struggling to decrease the number of assaulted citizens. Mexico had also talked in the discussion panel, held by the Human Rights committee very recently, and had stated that they would provide any kind of help if needed. UNESCO UNESCO has been trying to prevent crime against characters such as diplomats and journalists by, drawing in UN agencies, governments, international community and civil society, in order to influence and take action to stop the violent behaviors. Afghanistan Afghanistan government has also vowed to act in any way possible to decrease these crime rates and to end impunity against crime towards journalists. The country has renewed the commitment for supporting media activities and freedom of expressing thoughts.

5 Egypt Egypt has joined a discussion panel held by the Human Rights council and has spoken in the discussion stating where the country stands in the issue. In the discussion Egypt has suggested many precautions, that could be taken, in order to form a safer environment for journalists. Egypt is in full support of protecting the important characters and taking action against violence towards them.. Pakistan Crime against journalists has increased in the past few years because of the Middle East conflicts. Since reporters have been broadcasting about the Middle East conflicts, crime against them has increased a great deal. While journalists have been trying to discover the reasons behind these conflicts and report back to us, people have committed crime against them in order to stop news from spreading. In contradiction to the violent actions of their people, the government has stated that they are determined to stop such crimes and provide protection. The government has been trying to raise awareness about the issue in order to decrease the crime rates. Spain Spain has also been present in the discussion panel. The country has been there as the representative of the European Union. Spain, speaking for the EU has stated that, they have also had many incidents concerning, journalists and diplomatic agents, such as kidnapping or execution. The EU has stated that these ridicule actions must come to an end, and have suggested, providing help in finding the people responsible of such acts, in the hopes of, being able to decrease the crime rates. Canada Supporting the same idea as Spain, Canada has also been an active member of the conference. They stated that the nature of the challenges had changed and that there were many new obstacles that would be hard to pass. The countries have spoken in

6 favor of the defenseless victims of horrid crimes and have suggested the increase of protection. Colombia on behalf of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean Countries Colombia, as the representative of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean Countries in the discussion panel, has spoken for the journalists and has presented many solutions that might help solving the issue. Sudan on behalf of the Arab Group As well as Colombia and many other countries Sudan has informed fellow countries, in the conference, that the Arab Group was also ready to support and help in any way to decrease crime rates. China China has very strict Internet and foreign website policies and is also unwelcoming towards foreign journalists. For many years these foreign journalists have been under great pressure, being escorted when in country or not being able to carry recorders. Even though China has spoken in favor of journalists and has stated that they disapprove crime against journalists, they have been acting cruel towards these foreign reporters and has put many of them in jail.. United States The US had also been a participant in the discussion panel and had stated that they were taking action to protect journalists and were working hard on how to track the responsible people. US had done many activities in order to spread knowledge about the issue and had gathered help to try and exterminate this issue, once and for all. The US was ready to help fellow states with the issue and was working hard on how to solve it and prevent it from happening in their own country.

7 Timeline of Events Late 1960 s There was an outburst of kidnappings and killings of diplomatic agents during these years It was suggested to create draft articles to prevent kidnapping and crimes committed against journalists and diplomatic agents at the International Law Commission. 14 December 1973 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Internationally Protected Persons, including Diplomatic Agents has been adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. 20 February 1977 Protection of Diplomats Convention came into force 1981 The Committee to Protect Journalists was founded. 18 December 2010 The Arab Spring started. The number of crimes committed against journalists and diplomatic agents all over The Arab World including the countries Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Syria and Bahrain increased. November 2011 IFEX ( International Freedom of Expression Exchange) started a campaign to put an end to impunity. 12 April The UN Chief Executives Board accepted the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity. 18 December 2013 The United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution 68/163 which is about the safety of journalists and the issue of impunity. 18 December 2013 November 2 nd was declared as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists. 19 September 2014 Draft resolution named The Safety of Journalists was adopted at the UN Human Rights Council sessions.

8 2014 ISIS killed approximately 20 journalists in 10 months. 7 January 2015 Two Islamist terrorists killed 11 people and injured 11 other who were working at the newspaper Charlie Hebdo. UN Involvement On 18 th December 2013 United Nations declared November 2 nd as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists'. United Nations organized a convention on the prevention and punishment of crimes against internationally protected persons, including diplomatic agents on 1973 in New York. Relevant UN Documents Question of the protection and inviolability of diplomatic agents and other persons entitled to special protection under international law: Uruguay working paper (A/C.6/L October 1971) Working paper prepared by Mr. Richard D. Kearney, Draft articles concerning crimes against persons entitled to special protection under international law (A/CN.4/L.182*, 28 February 1972, reproduced in Yearbook of the International Law Comission, 1972, vol II) Observations of Member States on the question of the protection and inviolability of diplomatic agents and other persons entitled to special protection under international law (A/CN.4/253, 11 April 1972 and Add.1-5, respectively of 3, 4, 17, 31 May 1972 and 16 June 1972, reproduced in Yearbook of the International Law Comission, 1972, vol II)

9 Report of the Working Group on the question of the protection and inviolability of diplomatic agents and other persons entitled to special protection under international law: draft articles on the prevention and punishment of crimes against diplomatic agents and other internationally protected persons (A/CN.4/L.186, 16 June 1972) Treaties and Events Protection of Diplomats Convention was a convention adopted as a resolution in 14 December 1973 at New York, US. 178 state parties had ratified the convention. The content was based on criminalizing the commission of murders or kidnappings of internationally protected persons as well as attacks to official premises and private accommodation. Evaluation of Previous Attempts to Resolve the Issue There was a resolution that aimed ending attacks to journalists; it was the Condemnation of violence against journalists (12 November 1997). It aimed tackling this issue by the General-Director s help. Also it included recommendations to the member states of the UN. But as we can see it was not so effective for the issue. Another attempt was the Protection of Diplomats Convention that was spoken of in the section Treaties and Events. Possible Solutions The number of journalists that have been assaulted decreased a lot but still it s not satisfactory. By killing journalists terrorists take away the freedom of speech of the country. The key to prevent journalists from being assaulted relies on the companies itself and governments. Firstly, the newspaper companies should ensure the safety of the journalists. In order to ensure the safety of the journalists, the companies should invest on enhancing the security of the company to prevent the Charlie Hebdo incident to happen again. The Human Rights Watch and the government should track the security level of the companies. Secondly, the name of the journalists should be

10 kept hidden for their safety in their daily lives out of the company. This is beneficial because after their safety inside the building is ensured, the safety of the journalists outside the building can be ensured by keeping the journalists as anonymous. Keeping the journalists as anonymous is helpful because the terrorists would not know who their target is. Thirdly, every company should provide a safe room for the workers that has sturdy and bulletproof walls. This safe room could be used as a shelter in any kind of terrorist attacks. The companies and also governments should fund the money if the company cannot afford it. The governments should inspect the companies to ensure that these safe rooms are built. Lastly, governments should notify people that killing journalists is the same thing as taking the freedom of speech of that country by media sources and schools in order to build a brighter future. Bibliography "About the Campaign." International Day to End Impunity. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb "Afghanistan Government Vows to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists." Titel Des. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb "Charlie Hebdo Office in Paris Attacked by Gunmen; 12 Killed." WSJ. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Mar "The Diplomatic Kidnappings." Google Books. Google Books, n.d. Web. 12 Feb "DisplayNews." DisplayNews. OHCHR, n.d. Web. 18 Feb Distr. GENERAL ASSEMBLY 16 June 1972 (n.d.): n. pag. UN. Web. 17 Feb Document:-. A/CN.4/253 and Add.1-5 Observations of Member States on the Question of the Protection and Inviolability of Diplomatic Agents and Other Persons Entitled to Special Protection under International Law (n.d.): n. pag. UN Legal. UN. Web. 17 Feb Document:-. A/CN.4/L.182 Draft Articles concerning Crimes against Persons Entitled to Special Protection under International Law - Working Paper Prepared by Mr. Richard D. Kearney (n.d.): n. pag. UN. Web. 17 Feb Henley, John. "Victims of ISIS." The Guardian. N.p., 19 Oct Web. 3 Feb "Impunity of Crimes Committed against Journalists United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization." Impunity of Crimes Committed

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