International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists. 43 journalists have been killed since the beginning of the war in Ukraine

The United Nations has designated 2 November as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists. Because of it, the Ukrainian National Association of Journalists reported that at least 43 journalists have been killed since the beginning of the full-scale war in Ukraine.

“Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the occupying forces have killed at least 43 media workers. According to data verified by the Ukrainian National Association of Journalists, these include eight people who died doing their jobs. 13 are civilian victims. Another 22 are media workers who fought in the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” – a communiqué from the Ukrainian organisation stated. 

Freedom of expression and an accessible press are part of the foundation on which democracy and development are based. Despite this, more than 700 journalists have been killed in the last 10 years simply because they were doing their job. “People are afraid to speak out about corruption, political repression or other human rights violations. This has to stop,” the United Nations points out.