With more than 30 wars and serious conflicts taking place in the world today, journalists working to maintain freedom of information, a foundation of democracy, are increasingly endangered, killed or imprisoned.

According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), impunity in many countries over the last decade is on the rise, and "90% of reported crimes against journalists remain unresolved."

In Geneva last month, the United Nations Human Rights Council unanimously adopted a new resolution (27/L.7) which reiterates mechanisms from a 2012 resolution to protect journalists, while emphasizing practical measures that should be adopted by member states.

Key aspects of Resolution 27/L.7, which calls upon member states to develop and implement strategies for combating impunity for attacks and violence against journalists, include:

a) Creating special investigative units or independent commissions
b) Appointing a specialized prosecutor
c) Adopting specific protocols and methods of investigation and prosecution
d) Training prosecutors and judiciary regarding the safety of journalists
e) Establishing information-gathering mechanisms, such as databases, to permit the gathering of verified information about threats and attacks against journalists
f) Establishing an early warning and rapid response mechanism to give journalists, when threatened, immediate access to the authorities and protective measures

The full September 19 2014 United Nations General Assembly Resolution 27/L.7 can be viewed here: http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/HRC/27/L.7