The Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, has condemned the killing of freelance reporter and photojournalist Saúl Tijerina Rentería, who died on 22 June in Mexico's state of Coahuila.
I condemn the killing of Saúl Tijerina Rentería. I call on the authorities to investigate this crime and determine its possible connection with the victim's journalistic work. Violent attacks on journalists undermine democratic aspirations to live peacefully in open transparent societies where rule of law secures human rights, including freedom of expression, and press freedom.
Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO
The dead body of Saúl Tijerina Rentería is reported to have been found bearing signs of violence several hours after he had gone missing. Tijerina Rentería contributed to several media including La voz de Coahuila, Noticias en la Web andPoliciaca Acuña.
UNESCO promotes the safety of journalists through global awareness-raising, capacity building and a range of actions, notably in the framework of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.
- See also: UNESCO observatory of killed journalists
