Unesco condemns killing of Mexican reporter, Somali lensman

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Rome, Sep 2 (IANS/AKI) UN culture organisation Unesco's chief Audrey Azoulay on Monday condemned the killing of a Mexican journalist and a Somali cameraman last month.

She also called for a probe in the killing of the Mexican journalist

"I condemn the murder of Nevith Conde Jaramillo. This crime underscores the need for timely and effective protection measures for all threatened journalists," Azoulay said in a statement.

Jaramillo, the founding director of the local news site El Observatorio del Sur, was stabbed to death in his home in Tejulpilco on August 24. He received two death threats last year following the publication of articles on corruption in local government, according to colleagues.

"Violence against media workers presents a major threat to a free and open society. We must defend the right of journalists to carry out their work, which is essential to democracy," Azoulay said.

She also deplored the slaying of cameraman Abdinasir Abdulle Gaal in a bomb attack on a military base in southern Somalia last month.

"I condemn this terror attack. The killing of Abdinasir Abdulle Gaal comes as a tragic reminder of the pressing need for better protections for journalists in conflict zones, including those working alongside the military."

Abdulle Gaal, a 24-year-old cameraman for Radio Somali National Army (SNA), was killed by in a foiled Islamist car bombing and gun raid on August 14 as he travelled to interview tribal elders in Awdheegle, shortly after the national army ended the occupation of the town by Al-Shabab.

Al-Shabab, the al-Qaeda-linked militant group, took credit for the attack, which left a total of six people dead.

The attack happened hours after Somali state-run media reported that Al-Shabaab's spokesman, Sheikh Ali Dheere, was wounded during a military operation in Awdheegle.

--IANS/AKI

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