UNESCO Director-General Condemns Killing of Prominent Television Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in Palestine – Statement

The Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, has called for a thorough investigation into the killing of television reporter Shireen Abu Akleh in the West Bank city of Jenin, Palestine, on 11 May.

I condemn the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh. The killing of a clearly identified press worker in a conflict area is a violation of international law. I call on the relevant authorities to investigate this crime and bring those responsible to justice.

Abu Akleh, a well-known Al Jazeera correspondent, was reporting in Jenin when she was fatally shot, despite the fact that she was wearing a jacket with the word “press” written on it.

UNESCO promotes the safety of journalists through global awareness-raising, capacity building and a range of actions, notably in the framework of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.