"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 "Pi"s "onviction," 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."
Source: UN News
Global 
-
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today paid tribute to Nepal's former prime minister and head of the Nepali Congress party Girija Prasad Koirala, calling his death a “huge loss” both for the country and for its peace process, which ended a decade-long civil war. more
-
Marking the 50th anniversary of the massacre of protesters taking a peaceful stand against apartheid in South Africa, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today that there is “no room for racist and xenophobic acts” at this summer's soccer World Cup in the country, the first time the ... more
-
-
-
-
Commenting on the Gospel story of adulteress at the Angelus, Benedict XVI underlined how the words of Jesus are full of disarming force of truth, which brings down the wall of hypocrisy and opens minds to a greater justice, that is love. more
-
Thousands of protesters have marched in Washington on the seventh anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, demanding an immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. more
-
Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has called on Iraq's high electoral commission to respond to demands from several political blocs for a recount of votes from the March 7 parliamentary elections. more
-
U.S. Middle East envoy George Mitchell travels to the region today to urge the Palestinians and Israelis to restart indirect talks. more
Comments
|
|
RSS