The ICJ deplores today’s murderous attack against journalists and others by armed assailants at the offices of the weekly satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.
The attack reportedly left at least 12 persons dead and many others injured. The ICJ extends its condolences to the victims and their families.
The ICJ considers the attack to constitute a serious criminal act aimed at undermining the enjoyment of human rights in France and beyond.
The killing of journalists in apparent retaliation for the content of their words and images serves to impair and impede the exercise of freedom of expression, which is vital for the functioning of the rule of law in a democratic society.
The ICJ calls on the French authorities to take prompt, human rights compliant, measures to ensure the protection of journalists and others under similar threat, and to bring to justice the perpetrators of the attacks on Charlie Hebdo.