UNESCO condemns murder of two journalists in Burkina Faso
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (PANA) - The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has condemned the ambush of an anti-poaching patrol in Burkina Faso on 27 April that left three people dead, including Spanish journalists Roberto Fraile and David Beriain.
The attack took place on the edge of the Arly National Park, a UNESCO biosphere reserve and world heritage site, in the east of the West African country.
"I condemn the murder of Spanish journalists Roberto Fraile and David Beriain, as well as that of anti-poaching activist Rory Young," UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said in a statement on Thursday.
"Journalists must be able to do their job of gathering and disseminating information, an essential public good. They deserve to be protected, as do the rangers and eco-guards who protect the other common goods of biodiversity and the natural environment," Azoulay added.
According to UNESCO, Beriain and Fraile, two experienced reporters, had covered many armed conflicts.
They were filming a documentary on poaching when the convoy they were in was surrounded by armed extremists who killed them, along with Young, co-founder and president of the anti-poaching group Chengeta Wildlife.
UNESCO promotes the safety of journalists through global awareness-raising, capacity-building and a number of measures, including the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and Impunity.
-0- PANA TNDD/JSG/BBA/MA 30April2021
