A3-0257/93

Resolution on the protection of the rights of journalists on dangerous missions

The European Parliament,

-having regard to the motion for a resolution by Mr Romeos on the protection of the rights of journalists (B3-0233/90),

-having regard to the report by the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Security (A3-0257/93),

A.whereas freedom of the press is one of the conditions underpinning stable democracy and the defence of human rights and is therefore indispensable as a basic component of a democratic order,

B.whereas free and independent journalism makes a major contribution to the process of forming critical views,

C.whereas journalists and the mass media, i.e. the press, radio and television, are the main channels for the dissemination of ideas and information,

D.recalling that guarantees for the protection of journalists laid down in conventions and agreements fall within the general framework of respect for human rights and the right to information,

E.whereas, however, international humanitarian law in its present form protects the physical integrity of the journalist as an individual, but makes no provision for the protection of the journalist's profession in conflict situations or other hazardous circumstances,

F.whereas, despite the efforts of international organizations and associations which seek to ensure journalists safety in the exercise of their profession, violations of their rights in war zones, regions with flashpoints and countries with repressive régimes are reported every day,

G.whereas, in 1991, 72 journalists were murdered for practising their profession and a total of 1264 instances of aggression against journalists in 100 countries was registered,

H.whereas, in addition, 324 journalists were imprisoned, 164 subjected to threats, 156 ill-treated, 151 taken to court and 42 deported, in all cases as a result of practising their profession, and whereas 96 newspapers were seized, 66 newspapers, radio stations and television channels were banned and 27 newspapers, radio stations and TV channels were raided,

I.whereas a further 61 journalists at least were murdered in 1992, and whereas on 1 January 1993 123 journalists were being held in connection with their professional activities, some of them having been sentenced to long terms of imprisonment, while many times that number were arrested and released during 1992,

J.deeply concerned at the worrying increase worldwide in persecution of the press and journalists, which is shown in reports by international journalists' associations and human rights organizations,

K.fearing that, in the absence of adequate protective measures, this situation will persist as long as wars, coups, abuse of power, intolerance and lawlessness continue,

L.whereas in many countries freedom of the press is muzzled both by means of legal or administrative measures and through acts of violence, and whereas aggression which threatens the lives of journalists may lead to de facto censorship,

M.whereas the threat of violation of the journalist's physical integrity and fear of the imposition of an administrative penalty may result in self-censorship, which is arguably still more dangerous, since it preserves the illusion of independent reporting,

N.whereas no objective data are available on certain countries, as independent journalists are not allowed access to them, or to certain regions within them,

O.whereas European Parliament policy is founded on democracy and supports pluralism, freedom of expression and guaranteed freedom for the mass media as evidenced by this year's award of the Sakharov Prize to the Bosnian newspaper Oslobodjenja.

P.whereas existing international conventions do not provide journalists on dangerous missions - writers, photographers and cameramen - and technicians with enough protection to enable them to perform their duties properly,

Q.aware of the efforts of international journalists' organizations and human rights organizations to secure greater freedom and protection for journalists on hazardous missions,

R.convinced that an efficient worldwide security network would require a financial effort on a scale beyond the capacity of these organizations, and that it will clearly also involve the responsibility of governments,

1.Calls on all countries to provide protection for pluralism and the freedom of expression of the media;

2.Calls on the Commission and Council to:

-urge the signatories of international conventions on the subject to fulfil their obligations and to consider ways of exerting greater pressure on them to abide by their commitments on human rights in general and specifically on the freedom of the press;

-take immediate steps, on hearing of further violations of human rights and civil liberties, to draw such violations to the attention of the governments concerned and to urge them to adopt specific protection measures;

3.Calls on the Commission and Council to develop, to this end, specific policy instruments, including the following:

-the establishment and constant updating of a 'blacklist' documenting the number and nature of violations of journalists' rights per country, so as to increase psychological pressure on the governments of the countries concerned;

-the inclusion of specific clauses on journalists' rights in commercial and cooperation agreements and association agreements between the Community and third countries;

-EC support for radio stations, television channels and the printed media in regions where there is no guarantee of independent and objective reporting, in cooperation with institutions such as 'EuroNews' and the world broadcasting services of the Member States, as well as regional organizations of journalists such as the recently established Balkan Press Centre.

4.Calls on the Commission and Council to urge the governments and authorities concerned to:

- provide journalists with every opportunity to practise their profession, in order to guarantee objective and independent reporting;

-provide journalists with as much protection as possible against terrorist organizations, for whom them are a target because of their professional activities, even when they are not on dangerous missions;

-conduct thorough investigations into the causes of journalists' deaths and to bring those responsible to justice, irrespective of whether they belong to terrorist organizations or government institutions;

-re-examine the issue of rigorous sanctions against journalists for insulting the authorities and in respect of unfounded accusations of sedition;

-refrain from cutting off their countries, or regions thereof, from independent reporting by refusing access to journalists, and instead to grant accreditation on the basis of a press pass issued by press bodies such as the internationally recognized professional associations and the recognized media;

-take appropriate measures on the spot to ensure that journalists can move around freely in disputed areas and thus to guarantee independent news gathering;

-step up efforts to protect journalists and help them practise their profession in safety;

5.Recommends the provision of training programmes which would effectively increase journalists' chances of surviving in war zones;

6.Decides to designate its Subcommittee on Human Rights as a central coordinating point to maintain contact with the international journalists' organizations, so that immediate representations can be made to the persons responsible for these violations;

7.Calls on the Commission to consider without delay how it can provide financial support for international journalists' organizations in their initiatives and measures to protect journalists in the exercise of their profession when on hazardous missions;

8.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council and the Member State governments.