On the occasion of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, the International Nonviolence Organization (Free Muslims), affiliated with the Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq Husseini Shirazi Foundation, may Allah prolong his life, issued the following statement:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.

On this occasion, the International Nonviolence Organization (Free Muslims) reaffirms its clear condemnation of all forms of violence and threats against journalists and media personnel around the world.

The continued impunity for such crimes represents a blatant violation of fundamental human rights, especially the right to freedom of expression and access to information, which are essential pillars of any democratic and just society.

Journalists are “the eyes of society and the voice of truth.” Their vital work in exposing corruption, human rights violations, and covering conflicts places them on the frontlines of danger.

Allowing perpetrators of these crimes to escape justice creates an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, leading to self-censorship and directly undermining the public’s ability to make informed decisions.

We express deep concern that, according to United Nations and related organizations’ statistics, a large number of journalist killings remain unresolved.

We emphasize that holding perpetrators accountable is not merely a matter of individual justice for victims and their families, but a necessity for safeguarding the security and integrity of society as a whole.

Therefore, the International Nonviolence Organization (Free Muslims) calls upon the international community and especially governments to:

Take urgent and decisive measures to ensure prompt, effective, and impartial investigations into all crimes committed against journalists and prosecute those responsible;

Strengthen legal and institutional frameworks for the protection of journalists, including freelance and online content creators, with special attention to emerging challenges such as digital threats, particularly against women journalists;

Fully implement the United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, and uphold the fundamental principles of media freedom;

Publicly condemn all forms of violence and intimidation against journalists, and ensure that impunity for such acts is never tolerated or justified under any circumstance.

Our organization, which advocates nonviolence as a means for justice and societal reform, firmly believes that truth is the first casualty of violence, and that lasting peace, stability, and democracy cannot be achieved unless journalists, as witnesses of truth, are protected and respected.

International Nonviolence Organization (Free Muslims) – Washington