Director-General condemns killing of Palestinian cameraman Khaled Reyadh Hamad in Gaza City

UNESCO Press Release No.2014-87

Director-General condemns killing of Palestinian cameraman Khaled Reyadh Hamad in Gaza City

Paris, 24 July—Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, today deplored the killing of Khaled Reyadh Hamad, a cameraman who was killed in the Shijaiyah neighbourhood of Gaza City on 20 July.

“I condemn the killing of Khaled Reyadh Hamad,” the Director-General said. “It is essential that all recognize the civilian status of journalists, who must be able to carry out their work keeping us informed of events on the ground. As stipulated by international agreements, journalists must be protected including when reporting from the scene,” Irina Bokova concluded.

The Director-General’s statements on the killing of media professionals are in line with Resolution 29 adopted by UNESCO Member States at the Organization’s General Conference of 1997, entitled “Condemnation of Violence against Journalists.” These statements are posted on a dedicated webpage, UNESCO condemns the killing of journalists.

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Media contact: Sylvie Coudray, s.coudray@unesco.org,  +33 (0)1 45 68 42 12