UNESCO Condemns Murder of Journalist Humayun Kabir Balu
30-06-2004 (Paris)
UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura today condemned the murder of Humayun Kabir Balu, editor of the regional daily Dainik Janmabhumi, who was killed on June 24 at Khulna in the south west of Bangladesh.
“I condemn the murder of Humayun Kabir Balu,” declared the Director-General. “I am deeply concerned by this killing that follows six months after the murder in the same city of Manik Shaha, correspondent of the daily New Age and of the BBC World Service. Democracy needs freedom of expression but freedom of expression is nothing if there is no rule of law. When journalists are attacked with impunity by armed gangs and criminals of all kinds, they can no longer exercise their profession which is so essential for democracy. I am relying on the authorities in Bangldesh to investigate this murder and punish the guilty parties. Only a successful investigation can ensure the security of media professionals.”
Humayun Kabir Balu died after three bombs were thrown at him as he got out of his car in front of the offices of Dhainik Janmbhumi. He was president of the Khulna Press Club and had denounced the constant threats to the local press from far-left movements which, he claimed, had turned into criminal gangs.
According to Reporters Without Borders, at least 14 journalists have been killed over the past ten years in south and south-western Bangladesh.
UNESCO is the only United Nations agency with a mandate to defend freedom of expression and press freedom. Article 1 of its Constitution requires the Organization to “further universal respect for justice, for the rule of law and for the human rights and fundamental freedoms which are affirmed for the peoples of the world, without distinction of race, sex, language or religion, by the Charter of the United Nations.” To realize this purpose the Organization is required to “collaborate in the work of advancing the mutual knowledge and understanding of peoples, through all means of mass communication and to that end recommend such international agreements as may be necessary to promote the free flow of ideas by word and image
(Source: Press Release No.2004-58)
Humayun Kabir Balu died after three bombs were thrown at him as he got out of his car in front of the offices of Dhainik Janmbhumi. He was president of the Khulna Press Club and had denounced the constant threats to the local press from far-left movements which, he claimed, had turned into criminal gangs.
According to Reporters Without Borders, at least 14 journalists have been killed over the past ten years in south and south-western Bangladesh.
UNESCO is the only United Nations agency with a mandate to defend freedom of expression and press freedom. Article 1 of its Constitution requires the Organization to “further universal respect for justice, for the rule of law and for the human rights and fundamental freedoms which are affirmed for the peoples of the world, without distinction of race, sex, language or religion, by the Charter of the United Nations.” To realize this purpose the Organization is required to “collaborate in the work of advancing the mutual knowledge and understanding of peoples, through all means of mass communication and to that end recommend such international agreements as may be necessary to promote the free flow of ideas by word and image
(Source: Press Release No.2004-58)
Related themes/countries
· Freedom of Expression: News Archives 2004
· Bangladesh: News Archive 2004
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