France welcomes UNGA text on protection of journalists

France on Monday said it welcomed the adoption "by consensus" November 21 of a resolution seeking to reinforce the protection of journalists from abuses and violence in the framework of their professional duties.
The text was presented by France, and supported by Argentina, Austria, Costa Rica, Greece and Tunisia.
"This text, co-sponsored by a growing number of states, aims to fight against the impunity surrounding violence committed against journalists," a French statement said.
The resolution reinforces the obligations of States to prevent violence against journalists and calls upon them "to take concrete measures in order to ensure a safe working environment for those in the information business." Scores of journalists are killed each year while doing their jobs and hundreds are arrested and many more intimidated.
International press freedom organisation, Reporters Without Borders, reported that 71 journalists were killed on the job in 2013 and 862 were arrested and a number of others kidnapped.