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UNESCO Deplores Killing of Journalists, Media Workers in Turkey, Iraq
NewsBlaze, CA
Jan 22 2007
Condemning the killings of journalists in Iraq and Turkey, the head
of the United Nations body mandated to protect press freedom today
once again stressed the vital role played by the media in establishing
democracy and the rule of law.
Those murdered in recent days included Hrant Dink, editor of the
Turkish Armenian-language weekly Agos, and at least six Iraqi reporters
and media workers.
"Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right and press freedom,
its corollary, is a cornerstone of democracy and rule of law,"
UNESCO Director-General Koiro Matsuura said in a statement
on Mr. Dink's killing. "I welcome the speed with which the Turkish
authorities investigated this case, proof of their determination not
to let this heinous crime go unpunished," he added.
Mr. Matsuura has repeatedly deplored the murder of Iraqi media
workers in recent months. "I am horrified by the number of Iraqi
journalists who are paying with their lives for their professional
commitment to the fundamental human right of freedom of expression,"
he said in his latest statement.
"Both government officials and media practitioners agree on the
essential role of press freedom in the reconstruction of Iraq,"
he added, recalling the declaration adopted by participants at the
International Conference on Freedom of Expression and Media Development
in Iraq, which UNESCO hosted earlier this month.
"They also agree on the need to investigate and bring to justice those
guilty of crimes against journalists, I now hope that the authorities
on the ground will cooperate in making this wish a reality."
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported that Khudr Younis
al-Obaidi, a reporter for the Al-Diuwan newspaper, was killed by
unknown gunmen on 15 January in Mosul, in the north of Iraq.
According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), several employees of
the governmental daily Al Sabah were killed from 12 to 16 January.
Two, whose names have not been revealed, were kidnapped from the Al
Sabah's offices in Baghdad on 12 January and found with their throats
cut the next day. Yassin Aid Assef, a correspondent for the daily,
was killed by a bomb on 14 January while covering a story in Baghdad.
The next day journalist Falah Khalaf Al Diyali was shot dead by
unidentified gunmen in Ramadi, west of Baghdad.
According to RSF's tally, 146 journalists and media assistants have
been killed since the United States-led coalition invaded Iraq in
March 2003.
Source: United Nations
NewsBlaze, CA
Jan 22 2007
Condemning the killings of journalists in Iraq and Turkey, the head
of the United Nations body mandated to protect press freedom today
once again stressed the vital role played by the media in establishing
democracy and the rule of law.
Those murdered in recent days included Hrant Dink, editor of the
Turkish Armenian-language weekly Agos, and at least six Iraqi reporters
and media workers.
"Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right and press freedom,
its corollary, is a cornerstone of democracy and rule of law,"
UNESCO Director-General Koiro Matsuura said in a statement
on Mr. Dink's killing. "I welcome the speed with which the Turkish
authorities investigated this case, proof of their determination not
to let this heinous crime go unpunished," he added.
Mr. Matsuura has repeatedly deplored the murder of Iraqi media
workers in recent months. "I am horrified by the number of Iraqi
journalists who are paying with their lives for their professional
commitment to the fundamental human right of freedom of expression,"
he said in his latest statement.
"Both government officials and media practitioners agree on the
essential role of press freedom in the reconstruction of Iraq,"
he added, recalling the declaration adopted by participants at the
International Conference on Freedom of Expression and Media Development
in Iraq, which UNESCO hosted earlier this month.
"They also agree on the need to investigate and bring to justice those
guilty of crimes against journalists, I now hope that the authorities
on the ground will cooperate in making this wish a reality."
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported that Khudr Younis
al-Obaidi, a reporter for the Al-Diuwan newspaper, was killed by
unknown gunmen on 15 January in Mosul, in the north of Iraq.
According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), several employees of
the governmental daily Al Sabah were killed from 12 to 16 January.
Two, whose names have not been revealed, were kidnapped from the Al
Sabah's offices in Baghdad on 12 January and found with their throats
cut the next day. Yassin Aid Assef, a correspondent for the daily,
was killed by a bomb on 14 January while covering a story in Baghdad.
The next day journalist Falah Khalaf Al Diyali was shot dead by
unidentified gunmen in Ramadi, west of Baghdad.
According to RSF's tally, 146 journalists and media assistants have
been killed since the United States-led coalition invaded Iraq in
March 2003.
Source: United Nations