The Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, today urged all parties in Yemen to protect the safety of journalists in the country, following the death of photographer Mohammad al-Qadasi on 22 January.

“I condemn the killing of Mohammad al-Qadasi,” said the Director-General. “Journalists working in Yemen are taking tremendous risks to perform their professional duties, often providing civilians with information that is vital for their survival. I therefore call on all parties to ensure the safety of reporters and respect their civilian status in line with the Geneva Conventions.”

Mohammad al-Qadasi was killed on 22 January in the Khayami area of Yemen’s southwestern province of Taiz while working for the privately owned broadcaster Belquees TV.

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Media contact: Sylvie Coudray, s.coudray@unesco.org, +33 (0)1 45 68 42 12

See also: UNESCO condemns the killing of journalists.