Press release
Director-General urges investigation into the death of journalist Abisaí Pérez Romero in Mexico
Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, has called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of environmental journalist and student Abisaí Pérez Romero, who was found dead in the state of Tula in central Mexico on 13 February.
![observatory_map_journalist](/web/20230318084506im_/https://www.unesco.org/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_medium_desktop/public/2022-02/observatory_map.png?itok=grOUBfWP)
1 March 2023
I deplore the death of Abisaí Pérez Romero. It is essential for press freedom that the authorities establish the circumstances of Pérez Romero’s death and investigate its possible connection to his journalistic work. Impunity must not be allowed to embolden those behind a growing number of attacks on reporters who shine a light on environmental issues.
![UNESCO Director-General](/web/20230318084506im_/https://www.unesco.org/sites/default/files/styles/square_64/public/medias/image/people/2022/07/InstallationDG22112021%20%28carr%C3%A9%29.jpg?h=a3459733&itok=pBOI095C)
Audrey Azoulay
UNESCO Director-General
Pérez Romero, a journalist and student at Mexico City’s Metropolitan Autonomous University, was a contributor to the global Atlas of Environmental Justice and had reported on the social and environmental impacts of projects in the state of Hidalgo on the El Perromero channel on YouTube.
UNESCO promotes the safety of journalists through global awareness-raising, capacity building and by coordinating the implementation of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.
![Clare](/web/20230318084506im_/https://www.unesco.org/sites/default/files/styles/square_64/public/medias/image/people/2021/12/tmb_clare-ohagan.png?h=1dc8742f&itok=IXFmDqme)
Clare
O'Hagan
Head of Press office, ai
Phone: +33145681729