The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) this week urged the first United Nations Inter-Agency meeting on the safety of Journalists and the issue of impunity in Paris to find ways for better implementation of the existing rules and principles which promote free media and freedom of expression.

The IFJ General Secretary, Beth Costa, made the remarks during her presentation to the meeting organised by UNESCO at its headquarters on Tuesday 13 September 2011 in the French capital.

"We strongly believe that a new set of rules or a new treaty are not necessary," said Costa. "What we need urgently to address is finding ways for better implementation of the existing rules and principles, better funding for the monitoring, follow up and capacity building activities and tougher diplomacy from those governments who say they understand the importance of free and independent media."

She cited existing international instruments specifically concerned with the situation of journalists which provide a sound basis to develop a global plan of action. These include the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; the Geneva Conventions; the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; UN Commission on Human Rights Resolution 2005/81; the UN Security Council Resolution 1738 (2006) which was adopted following a campaign of IFJ and its affiliates; and the non-binding Belgrade and Medelin Declarations.

The IFJ, in particular, called on the UN Secretary-General to give a higher profile to his reports to the Security Council on journalists' casualties and impunity which "remains far below the standard required from the world's highest political body."

The IFJ welcomed the commitment by UNESCO to frame a comprehensive and action-oriented inter-agency approach to the safety of journalists, saying this will improve compliance with international instruments for media protection.

"The UN has long-established platforms to debate the issues and the legitimate power to seek and obtain Member States' cooperation and best practice-sharing," added Costa. "Instances where enforcement mechanisms at UN level have been operated, they have fostered a culture of compliance, usually based on individual access to international remedies. Such mechanisms would be immensely strengthened by a new monitoring body with powers to receive individual and inter-State complaints."

The IFJ submission was well received by UNESCO officials and the two organisations reaffirmed their commitment to working closely on the promotion of press freedom, including the safety of journalists and the eradication of impunity for violence against media.

The IFJ represents more than 600.000 journalists in 131 countries
For more information, please contact IFJ on + 32 2 235 22 07