OSCE media freedom representative remembers Charlie Hebdo staff; says violence and murder against those expressing controversial views is unacceptable

VIENNA, 6 January 2016 – On the anniversary of the attack on the staff of the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović called for a stop to all forms of pressure, harassment or violence aimed at preventing opinions and ideas from being disseminated.

“The horrible attack on Charlie Hebdo is still vivid in our minds,” she said. “Free expression, no matter how shocking or disturbing it may be, never justifies or explains murder.”

On 7 January 2015 two gunmen entered the editorial offices of the magazine and opened fire. Twelve people were killed, including eight members of the staff. Several were wounded. It was the worst single attack on journalists in the OSCE region since the establishment of the Representative’s office.

Mijatović  also recalled her recommendations to participating States in the “Communiqué on freedom of expression and freedom of the media as a vital condition for tolerance and non-discrimination,” which she issued a day after the attack.

“Free expression and free media are vitally important to promoting tolerance and non-discrimination,” Mijatović said.

The Communiqué is available at: www.osce.org/fom/133611. Mijatović’s public statement on the attack is available at: www.osce.org/fom/133526.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.