On World Press Freedom Day, Mazen Shaqoura, Regional Representative of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights for the Middle East and North Africa, issued a stark warning about deteriorating conditions for journalists across conflict zones in the region.

Key Statements:

1. Core Message:

   • "Protecting journalists, especially during armed conflicts, safeguards truth and represents a fundamental pillar for freedom of expression and human rights preservation."

2. Current Threats:

   • Journalists face intimidation, violence, arbitrary detention, and direct targeting

   • Deliberate attacks on media workers constitute grave violations of international humanitarian law

   • Alarming increase in violations against journalists in recent years

3. Conflict Zone Realities:

   • Many journalists pay with their lives to report facts from the field

   • Targeted attacks represent flagrant breaches of protection rules for civilians under international law

Call to Action:

✔ Concrete steps to ensure journalist safety
✔ Strengthened legal/institutional frameworks supporting media freedom
✔ Genuine implementation of commitments, not just rhetoric

World Press Freedom Day Emphasis:

"Freedom of expression is not a privilege but an inherent right at the core of human dignity, accountability, and justice. This day must translate into real actions to protect truth-tellers."

Regional Context:

• 2023-2024 Documented Cases:

  • 78 journalists killed in MENA conflict zones

  • 143 currently detained arbitrarily

  • 240+ media outlets censored or shut down

Legal Framework:

• Geneva Conventions (Civilian Protections)

• UNSC Resolution 2222 (2015) on Journalist Safety

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