The Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, today condemned the killing of photographer Bashar Al-Attar, who was hit in an airstrike in eastern Ghouta earlier this month.
“I condemn the killing of Bashar Al-Attar,” said the Director-General. “It is my sad duty yet again to remind all parties of their legal obligation to protect journalists in times of war. In keeping with the Geneva Conventions, belligerents must recognize the civilian status of journalists.”
Shrapnel injured Bashar Al-Attar, a Syrian photographer for the Arbin Media Office, while he was covering air strikes from the town of Arbin. He died from his injuries two days later, on 14 March.
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