Ukraine: UNESCO condemns killing of Russian journalist near Donetsk

The head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Irina Bokova, condemned today the killing of Russian television journalist Anatoli Klian, who was shot to death last night in crisis-torn eastern Ukraine.

According to a press release from the agency, Mr. Klian was employed by the Russian television network Perviy Kanal. He was shot dead on the night of 30 June while he was filming with his crew near a Ukrainian military base in the Donetsk region.

“I call on the authorities to do everything possible to find the perpetrators of this crime and bring them to justice” said Ms. Bokova, UNESCO Director-General.

The UN agency condemns all the killing of journalists worldwide. Anatoli Klian was the sixth journalist to be killed in Ukraine since January 2014.

The frequent silencing of media employers in Ukraine poses a serious threat to freedom of expression and information. Journalists, continued Ms. Bokova, should be allowed to serve their role in a safe and protected environment.

“Journalists covering current events in Ukraine should be able to carry out their mission of providing information and nurturing informed debate, without fearing for their lives” she concluded.