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Bahrain: UN top official calls for investigation into killing of citizen journalist

UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova.
UNESCO
UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova.

Bahrain: UN top official calls for investigation into killing of citizen journalist

The head of the United Nations agency tasked with promoting and defending the freedom of the press today called for an investigation into the killing of a citizen journalist in Bahrain during a civilian demonstration.

Ahmed Ismael Hassan AlSamadi, 22, was shot on 31 March while filming the crackdown of security forces on a demonstration in the village of Salmabad, southwest of the capital of Bahrain, Manama.

“The basic human right of freedom of expression and the freedom of journalists and citizen journalists to cover events are essential for any society that wants to uphold the principles of democracy and rule of law,” said the Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Irina Bokova.

“I welcome reports that the authorities' intend to launch an inquiry into this serious event and trust that the culprits will be brought to justice.”

The Interior Ministry confirmed Mr. AlSamadi's death, who regularly filmed and took photographs during demonstrations, a few hours after his arrival to the hospital, according to the Bahrain Center for Human Rights and Reporters Without Borders.

Since February, there have been renewed clashes in Bahrain between security forces and demonstrators, a year after widespread civil protests first emerged in the country.