International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists2026 · Date · History · Messages · Quotes
A/RES/68/163
About International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists
The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists is observed on 2 November to draw attention to attacks on journalists and the need for accountability when such crimes occur.
The United Nations designated the day in 2013 and asked UNESCO to serve as the lead UN agency for the observance.
Why International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists matters
When attacks on journalists go uninvestigated or unpunished, the effects can extend beyond an individual case by encouraging intimidation, self-censorship and reduced access to information.
The day connects journalist safety with freedom of expression, rule of law and the public’s ability to receive independent information.
History of International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists
The UN General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/68/163 on 18 December 2013 and proclaimed 2 November as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists.
The date commemorates the killing of French journalists Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon in Mali on 2 November 2013.
The first observance took place on 2 November 2014, with UNESCO acting as the lead UN agency.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
United Nations General Assembly
UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/68/163
First documented observance
UNESCO describes 2 November 2014 as the inaugural International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists.
UNESCO
UNESCO states that the General Assembly tasked it as the lead UN agency for the Day.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
3 fields not established in reviewed sources
How to Observe International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists
Read UNESCO material on journalist safety and impunity before sharing statistics or claims.
Hold a discussion about how investigations, prosecutions, newsroom safety and source protection affect independent journalism.
Remember journalists who were killed while working without circulating graphic material or exposing private details about victims and families.
Support credible journalist-safety, legal-support or press-freedom organizations operating transparently in the relevant country.
Treat active criminal cases carefully and avoid presenting an awareness activity as a substitute for legal findings or due process.
International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists Facts
The observance is held on 2 November.
The UN General Assembly established the day through resolution A/RES/68/163 on 18 December 2013.
The date commemorates Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon, killed in Mali on 2 November 2013.
The first International Day was observed in 2014.
UNESCO is the lead UN agency for the observance.
International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists Messages
May International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists encourage thoughtful participation, shared responsibility and action that continues after the observance ends.
Wishing everyone observing International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists a day of reflection, constructive dialogue and purposeful follow-through.
On International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, may awareness lead to informed discussion, practical action and respect for the communities at the heart of the observance.
International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists Quotes
“Journalists are essential to preserving the fundamental right to freedom of expression, set out in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.”
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
un.org — authoritative source (opens in a new tab)
United Nations Digital Library — A/RES/68/163 (opens in a new tab)
UNESCO — Inaugural International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists (opens in a new tab)
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists?
2 November The documented recurrence rule is: 2 November.
Does International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: United Nations international observance. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists?
The reviewed sources identify United Nations General Assembly as the proclaiming or establishing body. Current facilitation or coordination is recorded as UNESCO.
Is International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists international or country-specific?
The documented scope is international or global: United Nations international observance. That does not mean every country treats the date as a public holiday or observes it in the same way.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-05.
Why is the day observed on 2 November?
The date commemorates the killing of journalists Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon in Mali on 2 November 2013.
When was the observance established?
The UN General Assembly proclaimed it in December 2013 through resolution A/RES/68/163.
What is the purpose of the day?
It raises awareness of crimes against journalists and the importance of accountability, journalist safety and freedom of expression.
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