The Journalist’s Union Condemns Assault on Journalists 

The Journalists’ Union condemned the assault that a group of journalists was subjected to today while carrying out their professional duty in covering the implementation of the agreement between the governor of As-Suwayda and the Druze spiritual leaders in the governorate.

In a statement issued today, the Union affirmed that targeting journalists while performing their professional duty constitutes a crime under international laws and conventions, which stress the necessity of protecting journalists and ensuring their safety in areas of conflict and crisis. It noted that the militants’ disregard for the journalists’ clearly identifiable press credentials and equipment, and their insistence on assaulting them, reflects a complete contempt for press freedom and the public’s right to access information.

The Union called on the relevant authorities and the international community to shoulder their responsibilities regarding these blatant violations, to work on holding those involved accountable, and to ensure such incidents are not repeated. It also called for full protection for journalists in Syria in accordance with relevant international agreements and treaties, foremost among them the Geneva Conventions and their additional protocols.

The Union expressed its appreciation and gratitude to the honorable residents of As-Suwayda who intervened to protect and secure the journalists. It affirmed its full solidarity with the journalists who were subjected to this assault and stressed the importance of uniting efforts to safeguard press freedom and the dignity of journalists in Syria.

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