Jean Asselborn, Luxembourg's Minister of Foreign and European Affairs;
Credit: MAEE
Luxembourg's Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Jean Asselborn, participated yesterday in a ministerial round table within the framework of the World Press Freedom Conference 2020, which was held via video conference.
The round table, organised by the Netherlands' Minister of Foreign Affairs, Stef Blok, and the Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, enabled ministers from 50 countries to exchange views on issues related to press freedom and the protection of journalists, as well as the need to end impunity for crimes committed against members of the press.
The ministers present adopted the Hague Commitment to increase the Safety of Journalists, a pledge to improve the safety of journalists.
Minister Jean Asselborn welcomed the adoption of this commitment, stating: “As a member of the World Coalition for Media Freedom and of the International Partnership on Information and Democracy launched by France with Reporters Without Borders in the framework of the Alliance for Multilateralism, Luxembourg fully supports the adoption of the Hague commitment aimed at improving the safety of journalists”. Luxembourg's Foreign Minister also highlighted the fact that the Grand Duchy contributes to the Global Media Defence Fund administered by UNESCO.
Minister Jean Asselborn added: “We recognise the importance of protecting journalists from the threats they face. As a candidate for the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2022-2024 mandate, Luxembourg is fully committed to the protection of journalists and media workers".
He concluded: “We must unite and counter attacks - also those from high-level politicians - that target journalists and the media in general. By promoting press freedom, we are also strengthening human rights, democracy and the rule of law".
