The Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, today condemned the killing of three Ecuadorian newspaper staff workers : reporter Javier Ortega, photographer Paul Rivas and driver Efrain Segarra.
" I firmly condemn the killing of Javier Ortega, Paul Rivas and Efrain Segarra, " said the Director-General " and welcome the decision of authorities to investigate into the case. No effort must be spared to bring the culprits of this crime to justice. Investigative journalism is crucial in a period of peace and democratic reconciliation as it provides citizens with verifiable news. Journalism is a public good because it serves public interest. These killings are again a great sacrifice for the profession and democracy at large.”
The three media workers, employees of Ecuadorian newspaper El Comercio, were kidnapped on 26 March close to the border between Ecuador and Colombia.
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