This year marks the first time that the Brussels International Center participates at the annual OSCE-ODIRH Human Dimension Implementation Meeting (HDIM), held in Warsaw, Poland, from the 16th to 27th of September, 2019. The HDIM is Europe’s largest annual conference addressing a wide range of human rights-related issues. Every year, the HDIM brings together more than 1,000 representatives of governments of OSCE Member States, OSCE Partners for Co-operation, OSCE executive structures, international organizations and representatives of the civil society to discuss common challenges, share good practices and make recommendations for further improvement.
In spite of the continued attention to the challenges faced by media freedom and freedom of expression by several participating States, the second day of the conference focused on the main threats faced by journalists and discussed ways to increase their safety. From blocking of websites to surveillance and forced disclosure of confidential sources, participants highlighted that security is too often used for sweeping restrictions on freedom of the online media. The OSCE Representatives recommended that restrictions on media freedom which rely on notions such as “national security”, “fight against terrorism”, “extremism” or “incitement to hatred” be defined in a clear, predictable and narrow manner and be subject to judicial oversight, so as to limit the discretion of officials when applying those rules.
This has been the case of countries such as Turkey, for example. In Turkey, journalists bear the brunt of the massive crackdown on freedom of expression and scores of them are currently being subject to criminal investigations or behind bars without a fair trial. According to the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, the Turkish authorities are now jailing journalists, shutting down radio and TV channels and censoring the internet in an attempt to silence criticism. 140-plus journalists are in jail and over 150 media have been banned since mid-July. Following Mr. Desir`s statement, the session examined ways in which legislation and laws can preserve freedom of expression and journalism whilst also contributing to safeguarding national security.
Mr. Manon Philippet, from the Permanent Representation of Belgium to OSCE, highlighted a few points worth considering. Firstly, on climate and environment for journalist, Mr. Philippet mentioned how problematic and dangerous it is when public figures seek to undermine the integrity of journalists. Ultimately, these types of discourses when repeatedly declared, there is a tendency of normalization, which directly affects the good functioning of democratic principles. Secondly, Mr. Philippet urged OSCE Member States to effectively guarantee the security of journalists and ensure that everyone have a legal and fair framework available when participating in public debates. Finally, Mr. Philippet asked for more clarifications and further research on the gender dimensions of security within the field of media and the impacts that social media has on the safety of journalists.
The BIC urges OSCE Member States to uphold their international legal obligations and reaffirm their commitments to OSCE founding principles of respect for human rights, media freedom, the rights of persons belonging to national minorities and the rule of law. Free media is essential to a free and open society and journalists are an integral part of the foundation every democratic society is built on.