Geneva – The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) noted with satisfaction a decrease in the number of journalists killed so far in the year compared with the same period last year.

On the occasion of Press Freedom Day the PEC noted close to a 56 percent decrease registering 20 victims in 12 countries from 1rst January to 30 April against 46 during the same period last year, using the same yardstick. It's the lowest figure since 2006.

PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen applauded this decrease and said it could be a reason to be hopeful if the decline continues this year. The lower intensity of conflict in Syria and Iraq contributed to this decrease. In addition the continuous engagement of governments, associations and civil society in favor of the issue of the safety of journalists has certainly produced positive effects. It is also true that other means are used to neutralize journalists.


Mexico and Afghanistan


The situation remains totally unacceptable in two countries: Mexico with 6 journalists killed and Afghanistan with 4 killed which adds up to half of the victims since the beginning of the year.

Stronger measures have to be taken in both countries to better protect media workers and to combat impunity.

One journalist was killed in the following countries: Ghana, Honduras, India, Iraq, Northern Ireland, Kenya, Libya, Pakistan, the Philippines and Yemen.
   
The PEC strongly condemns those killings and calls for a quick identification of the killers and bringing them to justice.