A panel discussion during the National, Regional and International Mechanisms to Combat Impunity and Ensure Accountability.
A working group of International Conference on ‘National, Regional and International Mechanisms to Combat Impunity and Ensure Accountability’ yesterday noted a session that a number of countries are trying to cover up the crimes and violations and do not give information about it, making access to information very difficult.
The group further observed that the reason behind some countries not allowing journalists to reach to information is that these countries are partner in these violations and therefore the world must rely on international organisations that can document these violations and the prosecution of those involve.
The session was held on theme “Access to Justice: Basic Principles and Guidelines” and chaired by Nikolo Vieja Tlemanca, Secretary-General of ‘No Peace Without Justice’, Italy and Rapporteur, Michael Wiener of the OHCHR.
“Victims must be empowered to have a way to participate, and don’t not only to rely on justice, but also to make it easier to access and disseminate information through radio and social media,” Michael Wiener of the OHCHR.
Speakers at the session stressed the need to create innovative approaches to all mechanisms of accountability. They added that justice is an inherent part of human rights, its benefits should be met at any time and crimes are not subject to statute of limitations.
They said that the media should support the victims regardless of their ideological and intellectual backgrounds, their religions and beliefs, but they are victims and should be treated fairly. They noted that it is also necessary to stop the threat of civil society institutions and their persecution by some countries.
They pointed out that some states hide the facts and journalists who risk their lives must be protected so that they can provide adequate information, especially in countries where wars are taking place or where dictatorships exist.
Attacking journalists is an attack on freedom and democracy, they emphasised, pointing out that in recent years, many journalists have been killed and arrested, which is not justified.
Other two groups of the conference focused on the importance of achieving justice and redress to victims for serious crimes and flagrant violations against them and that are contrary to international humanitarian law and universal human rights law.
They also highlighted some basic guidelines and the importance of assessing compensation while ensuring that crimes and violations are not repeated. Some participates highlighted the need to join the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as Qatar did recently.
Other participants cautioned against the slow pace and double standards of the International Criminal Court, citing the fact that it has not yet accepted the war crimes committed in Syria or the crimes and violations committed by the Israeli occupation and its governments against the Palestinian people, even though these crimes fall within the Rome Statute as crimes against humanity and violate human rights.
