UNESCO deplores death of French journalist in Tunisia

New York, US (PANA) - The Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Irina Bokova, on Thursday deplored the death of a French photo journalist, who lost his life Monday following injuries he sustained while covering demonstrations in Tunisia.

"The death of Lucas Mebrouk Dolega is a tragic reminder of the difficult and dangerous situations in which media professionals must often work,” Bokova said in statement.

"Journalists stand as witnesses to the events and actions that shape our lives and societies,” she said, noting that, "their work contributes to the development of transparent and accountable decision-making, which is one of the conditions demanded by today’s citizens."

Bokova added that national authorities everywhere had a responsibility to ensure that the media worked in secure conditions and called for efforts to shed light on the circumstances of Dolega’s death.

Dolega, 32, was a photographer with the European Press Agency.

He reportedly succumbed to injuries sustained when he was hit by a tear gas canister while covering demonstrations in Tunis on 14 January.

Tunisia’s President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali fled the country last week amid growing protests and violence by protesters, reportedly angered by rising prices of essential commodities, lack of employment opportunities, alleged corruption and limitations on fundamental rights and freedoms.

On Tuesday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced renewed concern at the growing violence in Tunisia and urged that all efforts be taken to restore peace and stability.
-0- PANA AA/BOS 20Jan2011