Report on Providing Safe Refuge to Journalists at Risk

The Panel published its Advisory Report on 23 November 2020

Canada pledged that it would give effect to the Panel’s recommendations at the launch of the Report.

Masterclass delivered to Dutch parliamentarians

Report Author Professor Can Yeginsu delivered a masterclass on the recommendations contained in the report, on the creation of a dedicated emergency visa for journalists human rights defenders. Following this, on 22 June, the Dutch Parliament passed three motions to call for the facilitation of emergency visas for journalists. Read more here

Canada begins implementing the High Level Panel’s recommendations

Canada implemented the High Level Panel’s recommendations on safe refuge, and launched a dedicated visa stream for 250 human rights defenders, including journalists, annually. Read more here

Canada surpassed this number to provide 270 such visas in 2022. In July 2023, Canada announced that it would double the spaces for human rights defenders to 500 per year, which has continued to be provided annually.

Third Annual Global Conference on Media Freedom

At the Third Annual Global Conference on Media Freedom, the Czech Republic committed to providing emergency visas for journalists at risk. Watch the pledging session

Lithuania issues visas for journalists

From February to March 2022, Lithuania issued over 300 visas to journalists from Russia. Read more

Czech Republic issues emergency visas

Following their commitment to implement the High Level Panel's recommendations at the Third Annual Global Conference in Estonia, the Czech Republic provided over 800 emergency visas to human rights defenders at risk globally, including journalists, in 2022. The High Level Panel and the Czech Republic announced this implementation at a side event to the 77th UN General Assembly, 'Providing Safe Refuge to Journalists at Risk in an Increasingly Dangerous World'.

Germany announces Hannah Arendt Initiative

Germany announced the establishment of the Hannah Arendt Initiative, which provides emergency assistance to journalists from Afghanistan, Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, as well as supporting journalists in exile continue in the profession. See more

Media Freedom Coalition publish annual report 

In 2022, the Media Freedom Coalition States provided a total of 1,400 emergency visas to journalists at risk, as per the MFC's Annual Report 2022. Read more. The MFC charted progress made by Media Freedom Coalition States implementing the High Level Panel's recommendations, including Latvia providing over 200 emergency visas to journalists, and Costa Rica providing safe refuge to journalists forced to flee. Read more.

In December 2022, Kosovo announced that it would offer shelter to 5 journalists fleeing persecution in Afghanistan.

Media Freedom Coalition publish report from journalists on the importance of safe refuge.

‘Journalists on the importance of safe refuge from MFC countries’ by the Media Freedom Coalition.

Estonia announces visa commitments

For World Press Freedom Day at the United Nations in New York, Estonia's Deputy Foreign Minister formally announced their implementation of the High Level Panel's recommendations through their commitment to providing emergency visas, as well as 35 residency permits a year to journalists at risk annually. Watch the launch event. 

Canada announces more visas

Canada announced that to further their implementation of the High Level Panel’s recommendations on safe refuge, they would double the number of available visas for human rights defenders annually to 500. Read here.

Can Yeginsu contributed to a report of the Media Freedom Rapid Response Fund

The High Level Panel's Deputy Chair Professor Can Yeginsu contributed to a report by the Media Freedom Rapid Response Fund on emergency visas in the EU, launched at an event with the Czech Republic. Read here.

Panel contributes to UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression's Report on Journalists in Exile

The High Level Panel's Deputy Chair Professor Can Yeginsu contributed to Special Rapporteur Irene Khan's Thematic Report on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, which made recommendations to States, digital and media companies, international organizations and civil society to strengthen the safety of journalists and enhance the viability of independent media in exile. Read here.