UNESCO Director-General Condemns Murder of Journalist Paul Klebnikov
15-07-2004 (Paris)
UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura today categorically condemned the murder of Paul Klebnikov, chief editor of the Russian edition of Forbes magazine, who was killed in Moscow on July 9.
“I condemn the murder of Paul Klebnikov. This crime can only revolt all those who defend press freedom,” declared the Director-General. “I hope that the Russian authorities will do their utmost to pursue those responsible. The punishment of Paul Klebnikov’s killers would send a strong signal to all those who use violence in an attempt to muzzle the quality press, which is as indispensable in Russia as it is elsewhere.”
The Director-General recalled the resolution adopted by UNESCO’s General-Conference in 1997, urging legal action against the perpetrators of such acts and an end to impunity for crimes against journalists.
The son of Russian emigrants, Paul Klebnikov, 41, was born in the United States. He was appointed chief-editor of the Russian edition of the influential economic magazine earlier this year, and, according to diverse sources who have linked his murder to his work as a journalist, his life had recently been threatened.
Press Release N°2004-66
The Director-General recalled the resolution adopted by UNESCO’s General-Conference in 1997, urging legal action against the perpetrators of such acts and an end to impunity for crimes against journalists.
The son of Russian emigrants, Paul Klebnikov, 41, was born in the United States. He was appointed chief-editor of the Russian edition of the influential economic magazine earlier this year, and, according to diverse sources who have linked his murder to his work as a journalist, his life had recently been threatened.
Press Release N°2004-66
Related themes/countries
· Freedom of Expression: News Archives 2004
· Russian Federation: News Archives 2004
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