The Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, has condemned the killing of television reporter Hasnain Shah in Lahore, Pakistan, on 24 January.
I condemn the murder of Hasnain Shah. This crime did not only cost an individual his life, it also dealt a blow to press freedom and freedom of expression. I therefore call on the authorities to spare no effort in bringing Mr Shah’s killers to trial and supporting journalists’ ability to keep the public informed without fearing for their safety.
Hasnain Shah, a crime reporter for Capital TV, was shot dead in a car heading to his office shortly after leaving the Lahore Press Club of which he was a member.
UNESCO promotes the safety of journalists through global awareness-raising, capacity building and a range of actions, notably in the framework of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.
See also: UNESCO observatory of killed journalists
Media contact: Guilherme Canela de Souza Godoi, g.godoi@unesco.org