A/HRC/39/23 against journalists is a key component in the prevention of future violations, and thus the protection of journalists from potential future attacks. While each mechanism has been included in the section of the report associated with its predominant function, this does not negate the often multiple contributions that each mechanism makes. II. Prevention mechanisms 5. In resolution 33/2, the Human Rights Council observed that impunity for attacks and violence against journalists constituted one of the greatest challenges to the safety of journalists, and that ensuring accountability for crimes committed against journalists was a key element in preventing future attacks. It also strongly condemned the prevailing impunity and expressed grave concern that the vast majority of those crimes go unpunished, thereby contributing to their recurrence. The Council urged States to do their utmost to prevent violence, threats and attacks against journalists and ensure accountability through the conduct of impartial, prompt, thorough, independent and effective investigations into all alleged violence, threats and attacks against journalists and media workers falling within their jurisdiction. 6. The United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity has, since 2012, provided a framework that, under the overall coordination of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), has guided United Nations activities on the safety of journalists. 3 On 29 June 2017, UNESCO and OHCHR held a global multi-stakeholder consultation on strengthening the implementation of the Plan of Action. Stakeholders identified achievements, gaps, challenges and recommendations for action. The August 2017 consultation outcome document set out options for different actors (the United Nations, OHCHR, UNESCO, States, regional and intergovernmental organizations, civil society, the media, Internet companies and academia) to enhance the safety of journalists. 4 One initiative resulting from the consultation is the re-establishment of the United Nations network of focal points5 on the safety of journalists. 7. Statements and reports contribute to prevention by raising awareness, deterrence and accountability. They document violations of the rights of journalists, may identify alleged perpetrators, make recommendations and raise awareness about what is, and what is not, lawful. Structural and behavioural changes can occur if their recommendations are implemented. 8. The Secretary-General regularly makes public statements and raises individual cases privately with States. For example, on 20 April 2018, regarding the security incidents on the border between Ecuador and Colombia, he condemned the kidnapping and killing of three media workers, confirmed on 13 April, and the subsequent kidnapping of two other Ecuadorian nationals. 6 Such statements provide an unequivocal message about the international importance of the safety of journalists. 9. Special procedures of the Human Rights Council, such as the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, perform a key preventive function by contacting States concerning information received regarding alleged violations of the rights of journalists, undertaking country visits to analyse the human rights situation at the national level, making public statements, and submitting reports to the Council and the General Assembly. 3 4 5 6 See https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/un-plan-on-safety-journalists_en.pdf, para. 6.3. See www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/Journalists/OutcomeDocument.pdf. See General Assembly resolution 68/163, para. 7. See www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/statement/2018-04-20/statement-attributable-spokesman-secretarygeneral-security. 3