Director-General condemns murder of Pakistani journalist Mohammed Ibrahim
29-05-2008 (Paris)
The Director-General of UNESCO, Koïchiro Matsuura today condemned the murder of Pakistani journalist Mohammed Ibrahim who was shot dead after interviewing a spokesman of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (the Pakistan Taliban Movement) on 22 May.
“I condemn the murder of Mohammed Ibrahim,” the Director-General declared. “Killing the messenger does not solve any problems whatsoever. It is essential for democracy that journalists’ be able to carry out their mission of public information. Their job is vital if the public is to engage in open debate and be able to make informed decisions.”
Mr Ibrahim, 44, was gunned down in the northwestern tribal area of Bajaur, near the border with Afghanistan. He was returning on motorcycle from his interview with Maulvi Umar for the news channel Express TV. The reporter’s camera, notes and footage of the interview were stolen by his attackers. Mr Ibrahim also worked for the Urdu-language Daily Express
UNESCO is the only United Nations agency with a mandate to defend freedom of expression and press freedom. Article 1 of its Constitution requires the Organization to “further universal respect for justice, for the rule of law and for the human rights and fundamental freedoms which are affirmed for the peoples of the world, without distinction of race, sex, language or religion, by the Charter of the United Nations.” To realize this purpose the Organization is required to “collaborate in the work of advancing the mutual knowledge and understanding of peoples, through all means of mass communication and to that end recommend such international agreements as may be necessary to promote the free flow of ideas by word and image…”
Mr Ibrahim, 44, was gunned down in the northwestern tribal area of Bajaur, near the border with Afghanistan. He was returning on motorcycle from his interview with Maulvi Umar for the news channel Express TV. The reporter’s camera, notes and footage of the interview were stolen by his attackers. Mr Ibrahim also worked for the Urdu-language Daily Express
UNESCO is the only United Nations agency with a mandate to defend freedom of expression and press freedom. Article 1 of its Constitution requires the Organization to “further universal respect for justice, for the rule of law and for the human rights and fundamental freedoms which are affirmed for the peoples of the world, without distinction of race, sex, language or religion, by the Charter of the United Nations.” To realize this purpose the Organization is required to “collaborate in the work of advancing the mutual knowledge and understanding of peoples, through all means of mass communication and to that end recommend such international agreements as may be necessary to promote the free flow of ideas by word and image…”
Related themes/countries
· Pakistan
· Press Freedom: News Archives 2008
· UNESCO Remembers Assassinated Journalists: News Archives 2008
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Contact information
- UNESCO Press Release No.2008-37
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