Statement Condemning Systematic Crimes Against Journalists in Gaza

TEHRAN (Defapress) - The International Free Press Assembly (IFPA), a global coalition representing independent journalists, documentary filmmakers, and media professionals, has issued a strong condemnation of what it describes as "systematic crimes" committed by Israeli forces against journalists in Gaza. In a formal statement addressed to key international bodies, the IFPA demanded urgent investigations into war crimes targeting media personnel and an immediate end to attacks on press freedom.

The supporting documents for this statement are as follows:

1. Targeted Killing of Journalists:
A total of 281 media personnel were martyred, including 211 accredited journalists and 70 media activists. This violates Article 79 of the Geneva Convention Protocol I (1977), UNSC Resolution 2222 (2015), and Article 8 of the Rome Statute.

2. Attacks on Media Infrastructure:
78 media facilities were destroyed, breaching Article 52 of the Geneva Protocol I, which protects civilian objects from deliberate attacks.

3. Arbitrary Detentions:
100 journalists were illegally detained, violating Article 9 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

4. Additional Violations:
Over 400 media personnel were injured, 2 journalists were forcibly disappeared, and there was systematic obstruction of press freedom, further highlighting the severe suppression of journalistic work.

And the official requests of the assembly are as follows:

1. To the ICC:
We demand an immediate investigation under Article 13 of the Rome Statute and the issuance of arrest warrants for responsible officials involved in these violations.

2. To the UN:
We call for an emergency Security Council session and the urgent deployment of independent observers to document and prevent further abuses against journalists.

3. To UNESCO:
We urge UNESCO to include these violations in the World Press Freedom Report and impose cultural sanctions against institutions complicit in these crimes.

4. To the IFJ (International Federation of Journalists):
We demand a comprehensive media boycott of entities involved in these violations and legal support for victims' families to ensure justice and accountability.

Attachments:
1. Complete list of media martyrs with details
2. Video documentation of attacks
3. Specialized legal reports
4. List of collected signatures

Commitments of the Assembly are as follows:
1. Continuous follow-up of this case in all international authorities
2. Formation of a special legal working group to document the crimes
3. Holding international conferences to expose these crimes

Secretary General of the International Assembly of United and Free Media

This Statement was Issued on April 15, 2025, during the International Media Summit in Solidarity with Gaza Journalists and it is sent to international judicial, human rights, and media authorities, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the President of the International Criminal Court, the Director-General of UNESCO, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the President of the International Federation of Journalists.