UNESCO chief condemns murder of Salvadoran journalist

The head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) today condemned the murder of Salvadoran radio reporter Salvador Sánchez Roque who was shot dead on 20 September, calling the act an assault on the Central American nation’s freedom of expression.

“This killing is an attack on the people of El Salvador’s right to enjoy the basic human right of freedom of expression,” said UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura. “I trust that the authorities will do all in their power to find and prosecute the culprits of this heinous crime, in the interest of justice and democracy.”

Mr. Sánchez Roque, 37, who was shot near his home in the city of Souyapango, had been reporting for several radio stations on abuses and extortion by gangs. His mother has been quoted in the local media as saying that she was told by Mr. Sánchez Roque that he had recently received threats.

Attacks on journalists have been infrequent in El Salvador, according to the Inter American Press Association (IAPA).