The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC)
Presse Embleme Campagne (PEC)
Campaña Emblema de Prensa (PEC)
حملة الشارة الدولية لحماية الصحفي

General Assembly

Human Rights Council 58th session

General Debate item 7

Mr. President,

Over 200 journalists and media workers have been killed in the Middle East, mostly in Gaza, but also in Lebanon and the West Bank, since October 2023, making it the deadliest period on record for the profession.

The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) condemns in the strongest possible terms the killing of media professionals by Israeli forces, which constitutes war crimes.

“Killing the messenger” is the most extreme form of censorship, silencing both individual journalists and the truth they represent, intended to avoid scrutiny and suppress accountability, and to build a climate of impunity that leads to other human rights violations in an incremental and exponential way. All these crimes must be independently investigated.

The work of media professionals is crucial for gathering important evidence. Access to reliable information during armed conflict can save lives. Media outlets, especially foreign ones, play a crucial role in bringing to light the truth.

We call on all Members of the Human Rights Council to pressure for a full, safe and unhindered access for the press in the Palestinian territories.

Thank you Mr President

Geneva, 26 March 2025

http://www.pressemblem.ch

Blaise Lempen, PEC President pressemblem@gmail.com +41793336570
Luisa Ballin, PEC Vice President, luisaballin@yahoo.fr +41796497145
Jean-Philippe Jutzi, PEC Vice President jp.jutzi@bluewin.ch +41792920849
Ana Leurinda, PEC UN representative, aleuris2003@yahoo.com +41766389122