A/HRC/24/23 rights has also been dealt with by the Human Rights Committee, most particularly in its general comment No. 34 on article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.47 D. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization 38. Among its other activities, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has undertaken a number of significant initiatives to strengthen the protection of journalists as part of its mandate to defend freedom of expression and press freedom. It convened two United Nations inter-agency meetings on the safety of journalists and the issue of impunity in Paris (September 2011) and Vienna (November 2012), which brought together United Nations bodies and non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations, independent experts, media groups and professional associations to formulate a strategy to address safety of journalists and impunity at the global and national levels. 39. The above-mentioned meetings culminated in the United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, developed by UNESCO in collaboration with OHCHR and other United Nations agencies. The objective of the Plan is to create a free and safe environment for journalists and media professionals in both conflict and nonconflict situations, and to combat impunity for attacks on journalists. Its measures include the establishment of an inter-agency mechanism to strengthen the contribution of each United Nations actor to the issue of safety of journalists and enhance Organization-wide coherence on this issue, as well as cooperation with Member States, to develop legislation and other mechanisms for safeguarding journalists, establishing partnerships, awarenessraising and fostering initiatives. 40. It is also noteworthy that, in 1993, the General Assembly followed the recommendation of the UNESCO General Conference by proclaiming 3 May as World Press Freedom Day. The day is a reminder of the importance of freedom of the press, draws attention to threats to that freedom around the world, including through attacks on journalists, and encourages initiatives to strengthen press freedom. Furthermore, since 1997, UNESCO has advocated for and monitored the issue of the safety of journalists and impunity for attacks on journalists.48 In a biannual report on the safety of journalists and the danger of impunity, the Director-General of UNESCO documented the killing of journalists and the responses of State to inquiries thereon. E. Other organizations 41. Many other governmental and non-governmental organizations and civil society actors are engaged in the issues of promotion of freedom of expression and the protection of journalists. 42. Regional mechanisms tasked with promoting and protecting freedom of expression include protection of journalists as a main concern. 49 In 1997, the Organization of American 47 48 49 12 CCPR/C/GC/34, paras. 13, 23. See also paras. 30, 38, 39-49. See also Njaru v Cameroon, Communication No. 1353/2005 (CCPR/C/89/D/1353/2005) and Marques de Morais v. Angola, Communication No. 1128/2002 (CCPR/C/83/D/1128/2002). See resolution 29 of the UNESCO General Conference, November 1997. See the joint declaration of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression and regional special rapporteurs on freedom of expression made