Annan, High Commissioner for Human Rights condemn murder of Russian journalist

Secretary-General Kofi Annan and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour today strongly condemned the killing of the well-known Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya, who was found shot dead on Saturday in an elevator at her block of flats in Moscow.

“The Secretary-General very much condemns this attack, this murder of this journalist,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters in New York. “He has spoken out in the past for the need for protection for journalists who bravely do their work in difficult circumstances and we very much hope that the perpetrators of this crime will be found.”

In a press statement, Ms. Arbour described Ms. Politkovskaya’s death “as a tremendous loss for the Russian Federation and for all who struggle for human rights around the world.”

She said the journalist will be remembered for her force of character, her dedication and her fearless pursuit of justice on behalf of victims of human rights violations in Chechnya and elsewhere.

Noting reports that Russia’s top prosecutor has taken charge of the investigation into the murder, the High Commissioner said a thorough probe conducted in accordance with internationally recognized standards of due process “will send a clear message against impunity and for the protection of human rights defenders in Russia.”