Iraq must act to ensure safety of media workers, UNESCO says after latest murders
| Publisher | UN News Service |
| Publication Date | 12 March 2014 |
| Cite as | UN News Service, Iraq must act to ensure safety of media workers, UNESCO says after latest murders, 12 March 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5322de084.html [accessed 30 May 2023] |
| 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. |
The head of the United Nations agency tasked with defending press freedom today stressed that decisive action must be taken to ensure the safety of media workers in Iraq, following the recent killing of two cameramen.
Muthanna Abdul Hussein and Khaled Abed Thamer, cameramen for Al-Iraqia TV, were killed in a suicide bomb blast at a checkpoint at the city of Hilla on 9 March, according to a news release issued by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
"I condemn the killing of Muthanna Abdul Hussein and Khaled Abed Thamer," UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova said. "The number of media workers killed in Iraq is a source of grave concern.
"I call on the authorities once again to ensure that those responsible for the death of journalists be brought to justice. Decisive action is needed to ensure that the media can carry out their work and the public can remain informed."
Ms. Bokova has condemned the killing of 18 journalists in Iraq since 1 January 2013.
