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UNESCO Chief Condemns Killing of Iraqi Journalists
UNESCO Chief Condemns Recent Assassination of Iraqi Journalists
New York, May 19 2005 10:00AM
Welcoming the
news of arrests in connection with the brutal murder this
week of two Iraqi journalists, the head of the United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO) today reiterated his outrage at attacks against the
media in the country, saying that whatever the punishment
for the perpetrators “there can be no moral or ethical
justification for their acts.”
Najem Abed Khodair,
of the independent daily newspapers Al-Madaa and Tariq
al-Shaab, and Ahmad Adam, a poet and writer who contributed
to Al-Madaa and Sabah newspapers, had their throats slit on
15 May as they were travelling by road to their hometown of
Kerbala, south of Baghdad. According to the Iraqi army, nine
armed men suspected of carrying out the murders have been
arrested.
“I condemn the bloody assassination…and I
am outraged by their brutality,” UNESCO Director-General
Koïchiro Matsuura said, adding: “The media play an essential
role in empowering people to make informed choices and
rebuild their country. Those who are carrying out these
attacks on brave professionals committed to carrying out
their duty cannot claim to be working for the people of
Iraq.”
Mr. Matsuura said he welcomed news that the
Iraqi army was able to arrest suspects in connection with
the killing. “I hope that the culprits are brought to trial
and punished. This will be an important step towards ending
the attacks against media professionals in Iraq, which have
reached an intolerable level.”
ENDS
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