Amal Clooney spoke at the UN General Assembly
Amal Clooney discussed the measures recommended by the High Level Panel to enforce international human rights mechanisms, including the provision of targeted sanctions. Watch here
Report on the Use of Targeted Sanctions to Protect Journalists
The First Report by the High Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom
Authored by Amal Clooney, barrister and Deputy Chair the High Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom, the report has been endorsed by the High Level Panel, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute, the Committee to Protect Journalists, Human Rights First, PEN America, Reporters without Borders and the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression, David Kaye (2014-2020). The report examines current challenges faced by journalists around the world and recommends the consistent use of targeted sanctions as a tool to enforce compliance with international human rights law, including the right to a free press. The report contains an in-depth analysis of the existing systems for targeted sanctions in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the European Union and concludes with eleven recommendations for designing and implementing global human rights sanctions regimes to better protect journalists around the world.
The High Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom is an independent body that was convened by the Chair, The Rt Hon Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury at the request of the UK and Canadian governments. The High Level Panel comprises a diverse group of leading lawyers from around the world, including the Deputy Chair, Amal Clooney and the IBAHRI Director Baroness Helena Kennedy QC.
This event was organised by the Secretariat to the High-Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute, in collaboration with Chatham House.
Timeline of impacts following Advisory Report
Report on the Use of Targeted Sanctions to Protect Journalists
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Publication of the Advisory Report
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Members of the High Level Panel testified before the Australian Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade’s inquiry
The Standing Committee reviewed whether Australia should enact Magnitsky Sanctions legislation to provide accountability for human rights violations, speaking to the recommendations of the High Level Panel. Since then, the High Level Panel has engaged with the Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on utilising the regime to provide accountability for violations against journalists, and Australia did impose sanctions in response to the detention of Vladimir Kara-Murza.
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The Australian Parliament passed the Autonomous Sanctions Amendment (Magnitsky-style and Other Thematic Sanctions) Act 2021
This enabled Magnitsky-style targeted sanctions for serious human rights abuses and activities undermining the rule of law. The Amendment is an outcome of the May 2020 Inquiry.
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Czech Republic and USA commit to sanctions
At the Third Annual Global Conference on Media Freedom, the Czech Republic committed to implementing its own Magnitsky Sanctions regime to provide accountability for crimes against journalists. The United States spoke to their commitment to implementing the recommendations of the High Level Panel, including by levying targeted sanctions against those responsible for crimes against journalists. Watch the pledging session here
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Canada levies sanctions
Canada levied the first use of Magnitsky sanctions in the case of an arbitrary detention of a journalist, as recommended in the report of the High Level Panel on Targeted Sanctions. The sanctions were designated against Russian individuals and entities responsible for the detention of Vladimir Kara-Murza in Russia. Read more here
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Czech Republic commits to using sanctions regime
During the Second Summit for Democracy, the Czech Republic committed to using its newly implemented Magnitsky Sanctions regime to provide accountability for crimes against journalists, as per the recommendations of the High Level Panel.
Launch Event
Opening remarks
Baroness Helena Kennedy QC Director, IBAHRI
Maria Ressa Co-Founder and CEO, Rappler Online News Network, Philippines
Panel
Lord Neuberger former President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom
Amal Clooney Barrister, Doughty Street Chambers and Deputy Chair, High Level Panel of Legal Experts On Media Freedom
Professor Sarah Cleveland Louis Henkin Professor of Human and Constitutional Rights; Faculty Co-Director of the Human Rights Institute, Columbia Law School
The Honourable Irwin Cotler Chair of the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights and former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of Canada
Chair
Elizabeth Wilmshurst CMG Distinguished Fellow, International Law Programme, Chatham House
Media Coverage
On Targeted Sanctions to Address Attacks Against Journalists and Media Freedom Violations
Forbes, 17 March 2020
Use threat of sanctions to protect journalists, Clooney report urges
The Guardian, 13 February 2020
CPJ welcomes call for targeted sanctions to protect journalists
Committee to Protect Journalists, 13 February 2020
Society backs targeted sanctions to protect journalists
Society of Editors, 14 February 2020
Legal experts call for sanctions on human rights abuses vs journalists
Rappler, 14 February 2020
International sanctions should be used to protect journalists, free speech, Amal Clooney says in report
The Globe and Mail, 13 February 2020
New report recommends targeted sanctions to protect journalists
The Jerusalem Post, 23 February 2020
Panel recommends strengthening ‘Magnitsky Law’ to proect journalists
CJN, 18 February 2020
Media Freedom Panel encourages targeted sanctions to protect journalists
EU Sanctions, 14 February 2020
Panel recommends Magnitsky-style sanctions for those who target journalists
MSN, National Post, 14 February 2020
Panel of legal experts on media freedom release landmark report on the use of targeted sanctions to protect journalists
The Raoul Wallenberg Centre For Human Rights, 13 February 2020
Magnitsky sanctions will protect free media, says report
Democracy Digest, 13 February 2020
Amal Clooney media freedom report urges sanctions to 'punish and deter' attacks on journalists
Press Gazette, 13 February 2020
Officials who target journalists should be individually sanctioned – Amal Clooney
The Shift, 13 February 2020