Bulgarian UNESCO Chief Condemns Journalists Deaths in Syria

UNESCO's Director General, Bulgarian Irina Bokova. Photo by EPA/BGNES

UNESCO's Director General, Bulgarian Irina Bokova, appealed Thursday to authorities in Syria to adhere to the civil statute of journalists and guarantee their safety.

Bokova issued a statement from UNESCO headquarters in Paris one day after American Sunday Times reporter Marie Colvin and award-winning French photographer Remi Ochlik died in a bombing in the Syrian city of Homs.

"I condemn the attack in Homs which killed US war reporter Marie Colvin and French photojournalist Remi Ochlik.

"I am concerned about the other reporters injured and call on the authorities and armed forces to respect the civilian status of journalists in conflict zones."

"Attacking journalists contravenes the Geneva Conventions, which Syria has ratified, and UN Security Council Resolution 1738 on the protection of journalists in armed conflict," the Head of the UN cultural organization stressed.

Colvin, 56, and Ochlik, 28, were killed on Wednesday as troops loyal to Bashar al-Assad's regime attacked an opposition-held enclave in the Homs. Two more French journalists, one of them injured, are trapped in the city.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!