(MENAFN- The Journal Of Turkish Weekly) Paris-based NGO Reporters without Borders (RWB) on Wednesday called on the UN to appoint a special representative mandated with protecting journalists in conflict zones like Syria and Iraq.
"We lack any real application of international law," RWB Secretary-General Christophe Deloire told Anadolu Agency.
"That's why we recommend that a special representative for the protection of journalists be appointed by the UN secretary-general," he added.
A few weeks ago, RWB called on the UN Security Council to ask the International Criminal Court to investigate the recent murder of a number of journalists in Syria and Iraq.
"If we don't protect journalists, it's not possible to protect the rest of the population," Deloire said. "We demand fresh action be taken to protect journalists."
More than 170 professional and freelance journalists have been killed in Syria since the beginning of that country's civil war in 2011, according to RWB.
The NGO says that 44 professional journalists have been killed in Syria over this period, 25 journalists have been taken hostage by radical groups, and more than 30 are currently languishing in Syrian regime jails.
Syria's civil war has dragged on for four years, killing 220,000 people so far and displacing millions of others, both internally and externally, according to the United Nations.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.