Addis Abeba, Ethiopia – 6 November 2024 – The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Secretariat participated in the Global Commemoration of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists (IDEI), held on November 6-7, 2024, at the African Union (AU) Headquarters in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia. The event, co-organized by the AU and UNESCO, focused on the theme “Safety of Journalists in Crises and Emergencies.”
Mr. Constantin Desire Lebogo, Communications Coordinator of the APRM Secretariat, participated in a panel on “Leveraging African Union Structures to Promote Global Solidarity on Safety of Journalists.” Mr. Lebogo highlighted the APRM’s role in enhancing media freedom and journalist safety through its periodic country reviews, which provide Member States with recommendations to strengthen the legal frameworks and institutional safeguards protecting journalists.
“The APRM promotes governance reforms that help create safer environments for journalists, particularly in conflict zones, and advocates for stronger protection frameworks to address threats to media freedom,” said Mr. Lebogo.
Dr Jelassi Tawfik, Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information at UNESCO, emphasized the critical importance of protecting journalists, particularly in times of crisis. He reaffirmed UNESCO’s commitment to supporting global efforts to improve journalist safety and combat impunity for crimes against the media. “UNESCO remains committed to advocating for stronger protections for journalists, especially those working in dangerous environments," said Dr. Tawfik.
Ambassador Salah Siddiq, Head of the AGA-APSA Platform, speaking on behalf of Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, stressed the African Union’s unwavering commitment to tackling impunity for crimes against journalists. He underscored the role of the AU and the APRM in advancing democratic governance and the protection of media freedoms across Africa.
“The African Union remains fully committed to addressing the safety of journalists as part of its broader peace and security agenda,” Ambassador Siddiq said. “We continue to strengthen our collective efforts with international partners, such as UNESCO, to ensure that journalists can work freely and safely, even in the most challenging contexts.”
The commemoration reinforced the need for global solidarity and stronger protections for journalists, especially in conflict and crisis zones. Participants discussed strategies for enhancing cooperation among African and international bodies to improve legal frameworks and promote journalist safety across the continent.
For more information, please contact:
APRM Secretariat Communications Unit
Email: info@aprm-au.org
