Your Rights

Many journalists travel with little or no knowledge of the region or of the application of local or international law, and without an awareness of their own rights as independent, neutral observers. Few staff are able to quote the relevant protocols of the Geneva Conventions and humanitarian law that define the rights of non-combatants.

Journalists should be briefed on the political and legal conditions of the region. They should know about the role of the International Committee of the Red Cross, United Nations agencies and regional political bodies before they leave home.

Here are the main treaties, recommendations and resolution on the protection of journalists in war zone:

 

Geneva Convention

The Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols are part of international humanitarian law – a whole system of legal safeguards that cover the way wars may be fought and the protection of individuals.

They specifically protect people who do not take part in the fighting (civilians, medics, chaplains, aid workers and journalists) and those who can no longer fight (wounded, sick and shipwrecked troops, prisoners of war).

The Conventions and their Protocols call for measures to be taken to prevent (or put an end to) what are known as "grave breaches"; those responsible for breaches must be punished.

The Geneva Conventions have been acceded to by 194 States and enjoy universal acceptance.

 

Essential Rules of the Geneva Conventions

Article 3

Article 4 - Humane treatment of civilians

Article 79 - Journalists must be protected as civilians

Download the ICRC guide International Humanitarian Law - Answers to your Questions for more details

 

Council of Europe

The Council of Europe has been involved on the Protection of Journalists in Situations of Conflict and Tension since a long time.

INSI welcomes Council of Europe resolution on journalist safety and urges governments to act

Resolution 1535 - Threats to the lives and freedom of expression of journalists

Recommendation No.R(96)4 On The Protection of Journalists In Situations of Conflict and Tension

Appendix to Recommendation No. R (96) 4 - Basic principles concerning the protection of journalists in situations of conflict and tensions

Resolution 1702

Recommendation 1438

Guidelines of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on protecting freedom of expression and information in times of crisis

Declaration by the Committee of Ministers on the protection and promotion of investigative journalism

United Nations

Resolution 1738 

 

UNESCO

Message from Mr Koichiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day 2008

Message from Mr Koichiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day 2007

World Press Freedom Day 2007: Medellin Declaration on Press Freedom, Safety of Journalists and Impunity

Message from Mr Koichiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day 2006

Message from Mr Koichiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day 2005

 

Other

The Safety of Journalists and the Danger of Impunity: International Legal Standards by Toby Mendel, Article 19