PEC urges global action to end impunity as 153 journalists killed worldwide in 2025
Babushahi Bureau
Geneva (Switzerland), November 1, 2025: The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), an international organization dedicated to media safety and rights, has called for urgent global measures to combat impunity for crimes against journalists. The appeal comes ahead of the United Nations–recognized International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, observed annually on November 2.
According to PEC, at least 153 journalists and media workers have been killed worldwide since the beginning of 2025, two-thirds of them in armed conflict zones. The organization said the death toll over the past ten months is the highest on record.
In a statement, PEC urged United Nations member states to support the creation of an independent international commission under the UN Secretary-General or the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The proposed body would investigate serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law committed against journalists and recommend measures to strengthen accountability and justice.
“This year’s figures are unprecedented,” said Blaise Lempen, President of PEC. “Never before have so many journalists been killed without investigations being carried out to identify and punish the perpetrators. When these crimes go unpunished, it sends a dangerous message that silencing journalists is acceptable.”
Gaza recorded the highest number of journalist deaths this year with 57 fatalities, followed by Ukraine and Yemen (11 each), Mexico (10), Sudan (7), and India (6). Other countries with multiple journalist killings include Pakistan (5), Bangladesh (4), Ecuador (4), and Iran (4).
PEC’s South and Southeast Asia representative, Nava Thakuria, highlighted that India alone lost six journalists in 2025 — Mukesh Chandrakar, Raghavendra Vajpayee, Sahadev Dey, Dharmendra Singh Chauhan, Naresh Kumar, and Rajeev Pratap Singh. Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Afghanistan also reported multiple cases of journalists being murdered.