UNESCO Deplores High Toll among Journalists in Iraq
08-04-2003 ()
UNESCO's Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura today deplored the heavy toll paid by the press in Iraq and reminded the belligerents of their obligation to treat journalists as civilians. Mr Matsuura declared: “I deplore the fact that so many journalists in Iraq are paying for their commitment to their profession with their lives."
Mr Matsuura added: "Their chosen task of informing the public is particularly difficult and dangerous in times of war. I wish to express my grief for their heavy losses and my admiration for their courage.”
Three journalists were killed in Baghdad today. Reuters news agency cameraman, Taras Protsyuk, and Spanish television channel Tele 5 cameraman, José Couso, died following the shelling of a hotel used by the majority of foreign journalists in the city. An Al-Jazeera correspondent, Tarek Ayoub, also died today when the television broadcaster’s offices in the Iraqi capital were shelled.
In the wake of these events, Mr Matsuura reiterated his call of March 26 on the belligerents to respect established international agreements: “On no account must journalists be targeted,” he said, recalling Article 79 of the Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions which states that, “Journalists engaged in dangerous professional missions in areas of armed conflict shall be considered as civilians.”
Three journalists were killed in Baghdad today. Reuters news agency cameraman, Taras Protsyuk, and Spanish television channel Tele 5 cameraman, José Couso, died following the shelling of a hotel used by the majority of foreign journalists in the city. An Al-Jazeera correspondent, Tarek Ayoub, also died today when the television broadcaster’s offices in the Iraqi capital were shelled.
In the wake of these events, Mr Matsuura reiterated his call of March 26 on the belligerents to respect established international agreements: “On no account must journalists be targeted,” he said, recalling Article 79 of the Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions which states that, “Journalists engaged in dangerous professional missions in areas of armed conflict shall be considered as civilians.”
Related themes/countries
· Freedom of Expression: News Archives 2003
· Iraq: News Archives 2003
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