UNESCO chief condemns murder of Jordanian writer

The head of the United Nations agency tasked with defending press freedom today expressed indignation at the killing of Jordanian writer Nahed Hattar.

“I condemn the murder of Nahed Hattar,” declared Irina Bokova, the Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). “This crime constitutes a grave attack on freedom of expression and affects Jordanian society as a whole,” she added.

Nahed Hattar was shot on 25 September, outside a court where he was to face charges for sharing on social media a controversial cartoon critical of religious extremists, according to the agency.

The Director-General of UNESCO issues statements on the killing of media workers in line with resolution 29 adopted by UNESCO Member States in 1997, entitled “Condemnation of Violence against Journalists.”