UNESCO chief condemns killing of Peruvian radio news presenter

[News_Editor]

UNESCO chief condemns killing of Peruvian radio news presenter

2011-05-10 07:07:04 GMT+7 (ICT)

UNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) -- The United Nations (UN) on Monday condemned the killing of an outspoken Peruvian who had criticized local authorities in the north of the Andean country.

Julio Castillo Narváez, the host of a news program on Ollantay Radio in the city of Viru, was shot dead last Tuesday – which also coincided with World Press Freedom Day – by unknown assailants.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, Castillo had received repeated death threats before he was slain, as he was renowned for his criticism of local authorities.

Irina Bokova, the Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), deplored the killing of Castillo and urged authorities to investigate the crime and bring the culprits to justice.

"This crime is an attack on the basic human right of journalists and citizens to speak their mind and hold free debates about issues that concern them," Bokova said.

"The tragedy of this killing is made all the more poignant for occurring on a day dedicated to the celebration of press freedom," she added.

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