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After yet another killing, UNESCO renews call for protecting reporters in Iraq

After yet another killing, UNESCO renews call for protecting reporters in Iraq

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The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) reiterated its call for measures to improve the safety of journalists in Iraq, where more than 80 reporters or support staff have been killed since the start of the war in 2003.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) reiterated its call for measures to improve the safety of journalists in Iraq, where more than 80 reporters or support staff have been killed since the start of the war in 2003.

In his second such condemnation this week, UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura deplored the shooting by unknown gunmen of Rafed Al Rubaii, a freelance contributor to the television station Al Irakiya, as he was covering a demonstration in Diyala, east of Baghdad, on 27 August.

“Mr. Al Rubaii, like all too many journalists in Iraq, has paid with his life for the indomitable determination of media professionals to continue informing the public at home and abroad about events in his country,” he said.

“The price paid by the profession to carry out their work, which is indispensable for democracy and rule of law, is unacceptably high. I can but pay tribute to their courage and exhort, once again, all those in position of authority in Iraq to spare no means in seeking to improve the working conditions of media workers in the country.”

Just two days ago, Mr. Matsuura condemned the killing of Reuters sound engineer Walled Khaled and the wounding of his colleague Haider Kadhem.

His statements are the latest in a long series of condemnations he has issued recently over attacks on journalists around the world. UNESCO’s mandate includes the defence of freedom of expression and press freedom.