Secretary-General shocked by brutal killing of ‘radio okapi’ journalist

in Democratic Republic of Congo

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General was shocked and saddened to receive the news of the brutal killing of Serge Meheshe, a respected national radio journalist at Radio Okapi in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  The Secretary-General extends his condolences to Mr. Meheshe’s family, to his colleagues in the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Radio Okapi and to its partner, Fondation Hirondelle.

The free flow of information and ideas and the freedom of expression are the lifeblood of democracy.  Mr. Meheshe’s death is a great loss for the United Nations and the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo as they continue their efforts to build a sustainable peace in their country.  The United Nations will do everything possible to support the authorities of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to identify the perpetrators of this crime and bring them to justice.

* *** *

For information media • not an official record