Syrian Journalists Union calls for justice for media workers

On the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, the Syrian Journalists Union has issued a statement demanding justice for media professionals in Syria. The Union emphasized that crimes against journalists should not be subject to amnesty or political settlements.

According to documentation by the Syrian Network for Human Rights, 717 journalists and media workers were killed between March 2011 and May 2024, including 53 who died under torture. The report also noted at least 1,612 injuries and 1,358 cases of arrest or kidnapping. As of the report date, 486 journalists remained detained or forcibly disappeared.

The Union is calling for these crimes to be included as a distinct file within transitional justice processes. They are requesting specialized investigative bodies to pursue perpetrators through national courts and international mechanisms, including universal jurisdiction. Additionally, the Union seeks the preservation of security archives to assist investigators and the disclosure of the fates of missing journalists.