UNESCO chief calls for probe into killing of Honduran video journalist in Mexico

The head of the United Nations agency tasked with defending press freedom today called for an investigation into the recent murder of a Honduran journalist in Mexico.

“I condemn the murder of Edwin Rivera Paz,” Irina Bokova, the Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), said in a statement, referring to an incident that took place on 9 July in Acayucan, a town in the state of Veracruz.

“I call for a thorough investigation into this crime. Freedom of expression and freedom of information in the region will remain threatened as long as impunity is allowed to prevail for crimes against journalists and media workers,” she added.

Rivera Paz is reported to have sought refuge in Mexico after the killing in January this year of Igor Padilla, the director and producer of a programme he had worked for at Honduran national television broadcaster HCH.

His name will be added to UNESCO’s dedicated webpage commemorating the lives of journalists killed in the line of duty.