Press release

Director-General condemns killing of journalists Leiner Montero Ortega and Dilia Contreras in Colombia

The Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, has condemned the killing of Dilia Contreras and Leiner Montero Ortega in the town of Fundación, in Colombia’s Department of Magdalena, on 28 August.

“I condemn the killing of Dilia Contreras and Leiner Montero Ortega,” said the Director-General. “The criminal use of violence to silence journalists has a devastating effect on freedom of expression. I call on the authorities to undertake an effective investigation to uncover the motives behind this crime and bring those responsible to justice.”

Contreras, director of the digital platform La Bocina and reporter for RCN Radio and Voces 89.4, and Montero, director of the radio station Sol Digital Stereo, were shot dead as they were returning home after reporting on festivities in nearby Santa Rosa de Lima. A third journalist and passenger travelling in the same car was also wounded.

UNESCO promotes the  through global awareness-raising, capacity building and by coordinating the implementation of the  on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.

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