The official details of this important voluntary contribution were finalized this morning in a meeting between the Ambassador of The Netherlands to UNESCO, Hans Wesseling and the Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information, Tawfik Jelassi. The Netherlands' contribution will support activities under the UN Plan of Action of the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, which celebrates its 10th Anniversary in 2022.
"At the very moment we are starting the different activities which will lead to the commemoration if the 10th Anniversary of the UN Plan of Action, it is with great enthusiasm we conclude the negotiations to receive this generous Dutch voluntary contribution to the MDP", said Mr. Jelassi. "These resources will optimize and enhance the work already being implemented under the MDP, particularly making the collaboration with OHCHR even more robust", he added.
Ambassador Wesseling stated: "The close cooperation between UNESCO and OHCHR on Freedom of Expression shows the importance of one of the basic human rights. At the same time it raises the awareness of the necessity of free and pluralistic media for a vibrant democratic society. Safety of journalists, especially of women journalists, is therefore of vital importance."
The UN Plan, implemented in cooperation with several UN agencies funds and programmes, with a strong collaboration between UNESCO and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), guides the organization's work to enable free environments for journalists to carry out their work worldwide and provides a framework for coordinated multi-stakeholder action, following the structure of the 3 Ps: prevention, protection and prosecution of the crimes perpetrated against journalists.
The additional funds to the MDP received from The Netherlands will contribute to upscale the Programme's ongoing actions implemented in countries in all regions. The MDP's approach in influencing policy reform through its standard-setting actions and normative work has allowed it to achieve positive change in various contexts.
