The Culture of Impunity: An Infographic by IFEX

Written by IFEX

What is impunity?

When someone acts with impunity, it means that their actions have no consequences. Intimidation, threats, attacks and murders go unpunished. In the past 10 years, more than 500 journalists have been killed. Murder is the ultimate form of censorship, and media are undoubtedly on the frontlines of free expression. When journalists have been murdered, in 9 out of 10 cases the murderers have gone free. In many of the other cases, the perpetrators have not been punished. But countless other citizens, artists, bloggers, musicians and journalists have been harassed, threatened, tortured, intimidated, jailed and worse for exercising their basic
human right to express themselves. Most crimes against free expression go unpunished.What we are dealing with is a culture of impunity.

In a culture of impunity:

• Those who seek to control the freedom of expression of others know that they will likely not be held accountable for their actions.
• The actions taken may be extreme, such as beating, raping or killing someone for expressing themselves, or they may be more subtle — intimidation, termination of employment, character attacks.
• Many factors at the local, national, and international level allow violators to get away with their actions and create an atmosphere where people are afraid to speak out.

What is the impact of impunity?

A culture of impunity creates a climate of injustice and insecurity for those practicing their right to freedom of expression. A culture of impunity leads to a world where people are afraid to speak out. Where criticism is stifled. Where the hard questions don’t
get asked. Where the powerful don’t get challenged. The result is a world where free expression is silenced.

Visit http://www.daytoendimpunity.org to learn more. – IFEX

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