The Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, today condemned the killing of journalist Ahmed al-Hamzi in Al-Bayda Governorate, in central Yemen on 30 August, and called for improved safety measures for journalists working in conflict situations.
“I condemn the killing of Ahmed Al-Hamzi,” said the Director-General. “His death is a tragic reminder of the risks journalists face when covering violent conflicts. Once again, I call on all parties to respect the civilian status of journalists and protect their safety.”
Al-Hamzi, the Al-Bayda bureau chief for Yemen’s SABA news agency, was killed in a mortar attack.
UNESCO promotes the safety of journalists through global awareness-raising, capacity building and a range of actions, notably the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.
See also: UNESCO condemns the killing of journalists.
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Media contact: Sylvie Coudray, s.coudray@unesco.org, +33 (0)1 45 68 08 91