Irina Bokova Director of UNESCO deplores killing of two media workers in Iraq

USPA NEWS - The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, today called on all parties to respect the civilian status of journalists in conflict situations as she condemned the killing of two television professionals covering fighting around Mosul and Kirkuk.

The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, today called on all parties to respect the civilian status of journalists in conflict situations as she condemned the killing of two television professionals covering fighting around Mosul and Kirkuk. “I condemn the killing of Ahmet HaceroÄŸlu and Ali Resan,“ the Director-General said. “I am deeply concerned by the number of media workers injured and killed in the fighting in Iraq. I call on all parties to respect the civilian status of reporters in times of conflict, as required by the Geneva Conventions and their Protocols. Media workers must not be targeted under any circumstances.“---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ali Resan, a cameraman for broadcaster Iraqi satellite channel Al Sumaria TV was shot on 22 October near Mosul. Ahmet HaceroÄŸlu, also known as Ahmed Hajr Oglo, was a reporter for Iraqi public broadcaster Türkmeneli TV. He was killed in the city of Kirkuk on 21 October. The Director-General of UNESCO issues statements on the killing of media workers in line with Resolution 29 adopted by UNESCO Member States at the Organization´s General Conference of 1997, entitled “Condemnation of Violence against Journalists.“ These statements are posted on a dedicated webpage, UNESCO condemns the killing of journalists.com. Source UNESCO