Yemeni journalist’s death in air strike deplored by UNESCO

Deploring the death of Yemeni journalist Almigdad Mojalli, who was killed by shrapnel in an air strike in Sana’a, the capital, the United Nations agency responsible for defending media freedom today called on all sides in the strife-torn country to ensure the safety of all journalists.

“I call on all parties to make sure that journalists are able to carry out their work in the safest possible conditions, in keeping with the Genevan Conventions and UN Security Council Resolution 2222, which was adopted last year to improve the safety of journalists in conflict situations,” UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Director-General Irina Bokova said.

The resolution condemned all abuses committed against journalists and strongly deplored impunity for such acts.

Mr. Mojalli freelanced for the Voice of America, the international humanitarian news agency IRIN and other media outlets, while he was on assignment in Jaref, in the south of Sana’a, when he was killed on Sunday.

UNESCO issues statements on the killing of media workers in line with Resolution 29 adopted by Member States at the Organization's General Conference of 1997, entitled “Condemnation of Violence against Journalists.”