[CPProt.net] UNESCO renews call for protecting properties in Iraq Tehran

[MSN CPPnet (Ton Cremers)]

UNESCO renews call for protecting properties in Iraq Tehran, Sept 4, IRNA 
UNESCO-Iraq-Properties 
The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) reiterated
its call for measures to improve the safety of journalists in Iraq, where
more than 80 reporters have been killed since the start of the war in 2003. 

In his second such condemnation this week, UNESCO Director-General Koichiro
Matsuura deplored the shooting by unknown gunmen of Rafed Al Rubaii, a
freelance contributor to the television station Al Irakiya, as he was
covering a demonstration in Diyala, east of Baghdad, on August 27, the UN
Information Center (UNIC) said here Sunday. 

"Mr Al Rubaii, like all too many journalists in Iraq, has paid with his life
for the indomitable determination of media professionals to continue
informing the public at home and abroad about events in his country," a
statement released by Matsuura in Paris said. 

"The price paid by the profession to carry out their work, which is
indispensable for democracy and rule of law, is unacceptably high. I can but
pay tribute to their courage and exhort, once again, all those in position
of authority in Iraq to spare no means in seeking to improve the working
conditions of media workers in the country." 
Just two days ago, Matsuura condemned the killing of Reuters sound engineer
Walled Khaled and the wounding of his colleague Haider Kadhem. 

His statements are the latest in a long series of condemnations he has
issued recently over attacks on journalists around the world. 

UNESCO's mandate includes the defence of freedom of expression and press
freedom.