UNESCO deplores recent killing, abduction of journalists in Afghanistan
Publisher | UN News Service |
Publication Date | 7 January 2010 |
Cite as | UN News Service, UNESCO deplores recent killing, abduction of journalists in Afghanistan, 7 January 2010, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/4b4b39c0c.html [accessed 21 December 2015] |
Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
"Violence against journalists constitutes an attack on the fundamental human right of freedom of expression; it is therefore a direct threat to democracy," said UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Director-General Irina Bokova.
Calgary Herald journalist Michelle Lang, 34, was killed in a bomb blast on 30 December while traveling with four Canadian soldiers in the volatile Kandahar province after spending less than three weeks in Afghanistan.
A reporter and cameraman for France 3 television were taken hostage by gunmen on the road near Omarkhil, north-east of the capital, Kabul, on 29 December while working on the current affairs programme "Pièces à conviction," and there has been no word from them since.
"The fates of these three media professionals cruelly underline the dangers that journalists face when they go into areas of conflict to provide news coverage," said Ms. Bokova in a statement condemning the killing and abduction.
"I call on the Afghan authorities to do their utmost to obtain the release of the French journalists, and to take measures to increase press security in the country."