Press release
UNESCO Director-General condemns killing of photographer Mohamed Fayez Abu Matar in Palestine
I condemn the killing of Mohamed Fayez Abu Matar. Journalists and media workers play a critical role in informing citizens in times of conflict and must be protected under international law, particularly UN Security Council Resolution 2222/2015 on the protection of journalists, media professionals and associated personnel as civilians in situations of conflict. I call for an independent investigation into this death.
Mohamed Fayez Abu Matar, who worked as a freelance photographer for several news organizations, was killed on 11 October during an airstrike in Rafah city in the southern Gaza Strip, while covering the on-going conflict.
UNESCO promotes the safety of journalists through global awareness-raising, capacity building and by coordinating the implementation of the on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.
The original version of this text was published on 17 October 2023. This text was updated on 7 October 2024, following new information received from UNESCO's accredited partners regarding the circumstances.
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