UN urges investigation into murder of Venezuelan newspaper columnist Wilfred Ojeda

UN urges investigation into murder of Venezuelan newspaper columnist Wilfred Ojeda

2011-06-02 21:43:04 GMT+7 (ICT)

UNITED NATION (BNO NEWS) -- The head of the United Nations which has a mandate to defend freedom of expression and press freedom on Thursday condemned the murder of Venezuelan newspaper columnist Wilfred Ojeda, and called for a full investigation into his death.

Ojeda, 56, was a supporter of Venezuela's Democratic Action party and a political columnist for daily newspaper El Clarin. His columns focused mainly on local politics and were not considered to be controversial.

The Venezuelan journalist was found dead in a vacant lot in La Victoria, a city in the state of Aragua, on May 17. Ojeda was reportedly shot in the head, gagged, hooded, and had his hands tied. His car was found in another part of the city.

"I condemn the murder of Wilfred Iván Ojeda," UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova said. "I urge the authorities to investigate this crime which affects society’s ability to enjoy the basic human right of freedom of expression and the democratic right to engage in open political debate."

Authorities previously said the murder may be related to Ojeda's work, but police also stated that it could be personal revenge unrelated to his columns.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), at least 19 journalists have been killed around the world in 2011. The motives for the murders of 15 other journalists, including Ojeda's murder, has not yet been confirmed.

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