Protection of journalists engaged in dangerous missions in areas of armed conflict

XXV. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED ON THE OF THE THIRD COMMITTEE
2673. Protection of journalists engaged in dangerous missions in areas of armed conflict

The General Assembly, Recalling its resolution 2444 (XXIII) of 19 December 1968, in which it invited the Secretary-General, in consultation with the International Committee of the Red Cross and other appropriate international organizations, to study:

(a) Steps which could be taken to secure the better application of existing humanitarian international conventions and rules in all armed conflicts,

(b) The need for additional humanitarian international conventions or for other appropriate legal instruments to ensure the better protection of civilians, prisoners and combatants in all armed conflicts,

Recalling also the fundamental principle that a distinction must be made at all times between combatants and persons not taking part in the hostilities, Considering that it is essential for the United Nations to obtain complete information concerning armed conflicts and that journalists, whatever their nationality, have an important role to play in that regard, Noting with regret that journalists engaged in missions in areas where an armed conflict is taking place sometimes suffer as a result of their professional duty, which is to inform world public opinion objectively, Bearing in mind the appeal made by the Secretary-General on 30 September 1970 on behalf of missing journalists, Recognizing that certain types of protection can be granted to journalists under:

(a) Article 4 of the Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, of 12 August 1949,[1]

(b) Article 13 of the Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field, of 12 August 1949,[2]

(c) Article 13 of the Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked Members of Armed Forces at Sea, of 12 August 1949,[3]

(d) Article 4 of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949,[4]

Being aware, however, that these provisions do not cover some categories of journalists engaged in dangerous missions and do not correspond to their present needs, Convinced of the need for an additional humanitarian international instrument to ensure the better protection of journalists engaged in dangerous missions, particularly in areas where an armed conflict is taking place,

1. Expresses its grave concern about the fate of press correspondents carrying out dangerous missions;

2. Expresses its deepest regret that some of those correspondents have paid with their lives for their conscientious approach to their missions;

3. Invites all States and all authorities parties to an armed conflict to respect and apply in all circumstances the provisions of the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 in so far as they are applicable, in particular, to war correspondents who accompany armed forces but are not actually a part of them;

4. Invites the Economic and Social Council to request the Commission on Human Rights to consider at its twenty-seventh session the possibility of preparing a draft international agreement ensuring the protection of journalists engaged in dangerous missions and providing, inter alia, for the creation of a universally recognized and guaranteed identification document;

5. Invites the Commission on Human Rights to consider this question as a matter of priority at its twenty-seventh session in order that a draft international agreement may be adopted as soon as possible by the General Assembly or by some other appropriate international body;

6. Requests the Secretary-General, in consultation with the International Committee of the Red Cross and other appropriate international organizations, to submit a report on this question to the General Assembly at its twenty-sixth session;

7. Decides to give the highest priority to the consideration of this question at its twenty-sixth session.

1922nd plenary meeting,
9 December 1970.

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[1] United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 75 (1950), No. 972. [2] United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 75 (1950), No. 970. [3] United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 75 (1950), No. 971. [4] United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 75 (1950), No. 973.