UNESCO CHIEF CONDEMNS MURDER OF PAKISTANI JOURNALIST

UNESCO CHIEF CONDEMNS MURDER OF PAKISTANI JOURNALIST
New York, Nov 30 2007 8:00AM
Speaking out against the murder of Pakistani journalist Zubair Ahmed Mujahid, the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) today raised alarm about growing pressures on freedom of expression in the country.

"I condemn the murder of Zubair Ahmed Mujahid," Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura said in a statement.

He paid tribute to the columnist for Jang who was shot dead on 23 November in the southern province of Sindh as a journalist "who gave a voice to the poor showing how important the media can be in promoting transparency and rule of law."

Mr. Mujahid was the sixth Pakistani journalist to be killed since the start of this year.

"I am particularly concerned about the working condition of journalists in Pakistan in view of the double pressure posed by growing number of heinous crimes such as the killing of Mr Mujahid, and the proclamation of a state of emergency," said the UNESCO chief, repeating his call for the authorities "to do all they can to restore democracy and freedom of expression, its natural corollary."

2007-11-30 00:00:00.000

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