General Assembly

Human Rights Council 52nd session

General Debate item 2

Mr President,

Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) thanks the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, Richard Bennett for his report (A/HRC/52/84) and the High Commissioner for his report on Myanmar (A/HRC/52/21).

These two countries are of deep concern for the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC). We are very worried by the further deterioration of the Afghan media landscape. The recent detention of Franco-Afghan journalist Mortaza Behboudi is one more example of an alarming escalation in the Taliban persecution of journalists. The media, including foreigners, are increasingly subject to surveillance, threats, violence, and arrests, and 60 percent of Afghan journalists have lost their jobs since August 2021.

In Myanmar, over 140 media employees were arrested by the Myanmar junta since February 2021. No less than 45 journalists are still under military custody with fake cases imposed on them.

Several media outlets have closed their offices inside Myanmar after repeated threats by the military. Two journalists were killed in one year.

PEC fully supports the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur and the High Commissioner and asks Members of the Council to devote all the necessary attention to these two countries situations to uphold the freedom of the press and the safety of journalists.

Thank you, Mr. President

Geneva, 7 March 2023

http://www.pressemblem.ch

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