Unesco condemns Indian reporter, Nigerian lensman's killing

Paris, Nov 28 (IANS/AKI) United Nations culture organisation Unesco on Tuesday condemned Indian journalist Sudip Dutta Bhaumik's slaying last week in northeastern India, calling it "the ultimate form of censorship" and urging his killer to be brought to justice.

"Journalists make a fundamental contribution to society by providing information which nurtures enlightened public debate," said Unesco chief Audrey Azoulay.

"The assassination of journalists is the ultimate form of censorship. The prosecution of such crimes is essential to deter attacks against the media," she said.

Bhaumik was a senior reporter for Bengali-language daily Syandan Patrika and local television Venguard.

He was shot dead on November 21 near Agartala, capital of the state of Tripura by one of the bodyguards of an army officer he was scheduled to meet.

Bhaumik's killing - the second murder of a journalist in Tripura in the past two months - caused a furore in the state and has raised concerns over the freedom of the press.

Azoulay also denounced the killing of a Nigerian photographer, and called for an investigation into the incident.

"I condemn the killing of Ikechukwu Onubogu," she said.

Onubogu's body was found in Obosi town in the state of Anambras on November 15. Neither his family nor his colleagues at Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) had seen or heard from Onubogu since he had left home in the afternoon of November 12.

"The perpetrators of this crime must be brought to justice in order to preserve freedom of expression, enshrined in both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights," Azoulay said.

"Governments must also protect journalists," she added.

--IANS/AKI

vd