A press freedom group says Iraq continues to lead the world in unsolved murders of journalists.
In its annual Impunity Index released Tuesday, the New York-based Committee for the Protection of Journalists ranked Iraq first for the seventh consecutive year, saying 100 journalists have been killed there in the last decade without any convictions.
Country rankings based on the number of unsolved journalist murders per million inhabitants:
The report cites four new murders last year in second-ranked Somalia, where the CPJ said journalists are being "targeted at chilling levels." It said only one person has been convicted in 27 total killings.
The list includes 13 nations where at least five journalist murders have gone unsolved since 2004.
Syria appears for the first time this year, with seven journalists killed in deliberate attacks and no convictions. The CPJ issued a separate report in February naming Syria the most dangerous place on Earth for reporters.
Tuesday's report comes months after the United Nations adopted a resolution on the safety of journalists. It condemns all attacks, intimidation and harassment directed at journalists, and calls on governments to investigate those crimes and bring perpetrators to justice.
The index ranks the Philippines third, with 51 unsolved murders, followed by Sri Lanka, where the CPJ says impunity plays a major role in journalists going into exile.
The other countries listed are Afghanistan, Mexico, Colombia, Pakistan, Russia, Brazil, Nigeria and India.
The CPJ says 96 percent of the journalists killed are local reporters, and that at least 40 percent of them reported receiving threats before their deaths.
The report says those behind the killings are caught and prosecuted in fewer than 5 percent of the murders.
In its annual Impunity Index released Tuesday, the New York-based Committee for the Protection of Journalists ranked Iraq first for the seventh consecutive year, saying 100 journalists have been killed there in the last decade without any convictions.
CPJ's Impunity Index
CPJ's Impunity Index
Country rankings based on the number of unsolved journalist murders per million inhabitants:
- Iraq 100
- Somalia 26
- Philippines 51
- Sri Lanka 9
- Syria 7
- Afghansitan 5
- Mexico 16
- Colombia 6
- Pakistan 22
- Russia 14
The list includes 13 nations where at least five journalist murders have gone unsolved since 2004.
Syria appears for the first time this year, with seven journalists killed in deliberate attacks and no convictions. The CPJ issued a separate report in February naming Syria the most dangerous place on Earth for reporters.
Tuesday's report comes months after the United Nations adopted a resolution on the safety of journalists. It condemns all attacks, intimidation and harassment directed at journalists, and calls on governments to investigate those crimes and bring perpetrators to justice.
The index ranks the Philippines third, with 51 unsolved murders, followed by Sri Lanka, where the CPJ says impunity plays a major role in journalists going into exile.
The other countries listed are Afghanistan, Mexico, Colombia, Pakistan, Russia, Brazil, Nigeria and India.
The CPJ says 96 percent of the journalists killed are local reporters, and that at least 40 percent of them reported receiving threats before their deaths.
The report says those behind the killings are caught and prosecuted in fewer than 5 percent of the murders.
