UNESCO chief condemns murder of Colombian journalist

The head of the United Nations agency defending press freedom today condemned the murder of independent Colombian journalist Luis Eduardo Gómez, killed by unidentified gunmen on 30 June.

“I am very concerned about the use of violence to silence journalists as there can be no good governance and rule of law without a free and independent press. I call on the Colombian authorities do all they can to find the perpetrators of this crime and bring them to justice,” said Irina Bokova, the Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Mr. Gómez, 70, was shot dead on his way home in Arboletes, a town in the subregion of Urabá in Antioquia Department in north-east Colombia.

A freelance journalist for several publications, Mr. Gómez was a witness for the prosecution in a case involving alleged links between politicians and paramilitary groups.

Mr. Gómez is also said to have been investigating the death of his son who was assassinated two years ago in circumstances that have not been clarified, according to local reports.