Newsman: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was appalled by Abu Akleh’s killing and called for the relevant authorities to conduct an independent and transparent investigation, a statement UN chief attributed to the said.
“The Secretary-General condemns all attacks and killings of journalists and stresses that journalists must never be the target of violence. Media workers should be able to carry out their work freely and without harassment, intimidation or the fear of being targeted said Farhan Haq, the deputy spokesman, in a statement.
The Secretary-General reiterates his firm conviction that a free press is essential for peace, justice, sustainable development and human rights.”
“The secretary-general is appalled by the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh, a Palestinian-American reporter for Al-Jazeera TV, who was shot dead earlier today while covering an operation by Israeli security forces in Jenin in the occupied West Bank,” Farhan Haq saidin a statement.
Secretary-general Guterres sent his heartfelt condolences to the family of Abu Akleh and wished a quick recovery to fellow journalist Ali Samoudi, who was wounded in the same incident, said the statement.
Guterres called on relevant authorities to carry out an independent and transparent investigation into this incident and ensure that those responsible are held accountable, it said.
“The secretary-general condemns all attacks and killings of journalists and stresses that journalists must never be the target of violence. Media workers should be able to carry out their work freely and without harassment, intimidation or the fear of being targeted. The secretary-general reiterates his firm conviction that a free press is essential for peace, justice, sustainable development and human rights,” said the statement. ■
Senior officials from across the United Nations also have called for an investigation into the killing of veteran journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, deeming it a “violation of international law.”
UNESCO head Audrey Azoulay condemned the journalist’s killing and said that Abu Akleh was shot “despite the fact that she was wearing a jacket with the word ‘press’ written on it.”
“The killing of a clearly identified press worker in a conflict area is a violation of international law. I call on all relevant authorities to investigate this crime and bring those responsible to justice,” she added.
UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland and his deputy Lynn Hastings, who is the coordinator for the occupied Palestinian Territory, also called immediate for investigations into the matter.
