Paris, September 20 {No.99-193} - UNESCO Director-General Federico Mayor today condemned the assassination of Colombian reporter Guzman Quintero Torres of El Pilon magazine on the night of Thursday to Friday in the city of Valledupar after he had received threats from an extreme right paramilitary group which objected to his articles about the murder of civilians in the country.

Mr Mayor declared: "The assassination of the journalist Guzman Quintero Torres marks another chapter in the tragedy of Colombia's struggle for peace and democracy. Mr Quintero Torres, like more than a hundred of his Colombian colleagues in recent years, has been killed by cowards who resort to the worst crimes in order to continue operating under the cover of obscurity.

"Such tragic events highlight the crucial role of the media in support of democracy and rule of law which depend largely on their ability to inform the public. The perpetrators of these heinous crimes must not remain unpunished, journalists must be allowed to exercise their professional duties freely without fearing for their lives. I wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family and colleagues of Mr Quintero Torres and reiterate UNESCO's commitment to the freedom and independence of the media. May the carnage of Colombian journalists be brought to an end and those responsible be brought to justice."