Cairo, Egypt:– The African Initiative for Journalism and Media (AfroMedia) has issued a strong condemnation of what it describes as the “systematic assassination” of journalists and civilians in Gaza by Israeli forces, calling for urgent intervention from the United Nations and the wider international community.
In a statement released Tuesday, August 12, AfroMedi – a Cairo-based organization, said the killings amount to “a flagrant violation of international laws and UN charters” that guarantee the protection of civilians and media professionals during armed conflicts.
Citing recent reports from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the group revealed that over 240 journalists and media professionals have been killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023, with dozens more injured or arrested — making the Palestinian enclave “the most dangerous place in the world to practice journalism in the 21st century.”
The statement singled out journalists including Anas Al-Sharif, Hossam Shabat, Ismail Abu Hatab, and Yahya Sobeih, saying their deaths form part of a calculated effort to “silence the truth” and hide the reality of civilian suffering from the world.
AfroMedia accused Israel of violating the Geneva Conventions and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, calling the attacks “full-fledged war crimes” that demand immediate accountability.
The organization has therefore urged the UN to among others; officially and urgently condemn the killings of journalists in Gaza, launch an independent international investigation, including through the International Criminal Court and ensure independent media teams gain safe access to Gaza
AfroMedia also wants the UN to provide protective and logistical support to journalists working in conflict zones
“The martyrdom of so many journalists is not only a human tragedy but also a devastating blow to press freedom, transparency, and people’s right to knowledge,” the statement read, adding; “The battle in Gaza is being fought both on the ground and in the realm of the media narrative. Safeguarding journalists is safeguarding the truth.”
AfroMedia said it has appealed to all global media and human rights organizations to show solidarity, increase pressure to halt the killings, and defend what remains of the free press in Gaza.
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