The 2023 International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists will be held today and tomorrow at Organisation of American States (OAS) headquarters in Washington D.C.

Organised by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), in partnership with the Secretary General of OAS, Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression, the event is also focusing on interconnections between violence against journalists, integrity of elections and role of public leadership.

This year’s observance seeks to raise awareness of the main challenges faced by journalists and communicators in the exercise of their profession, and to raise the alarm of the escalation of violence and repression against them.

These include attacks and restrictions on the press in the context of coverage of social protests; use of judicial mechanisms against journalists for reasons related to their journalistic work on matters of public interest; and increase of forced exile of journalists in some countries.

The occasion would equally feature multiple panels and discussions, bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders, including former special rapporteurs, academia, civil society organisations, United Nations agencies and other individuals dedicated to improving journalists’ safety worldwide.

The day would commemorate the 25th anniversary of OAS Special Rapporteurship and 30th birthday of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Opinion – two specialised offices that hold a pivotal role in safeguarding freedom of expression globally.

In Nigeria, UNESCO Abuja and United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), Abuja will celebrate the day on X Space, with the theme: ‘Violence Against Journalists: The Integrity of Elections and Role of Public Leadership.”