Unesco deplores killing of Iraqi journalists

Paris, Aug 7 (IANS/AKI) Unesco chief Irina Bokova on Monday condemned the recent killings of two Iraqi TV reporters, calling such slayings "an intolerable war crime".

"I condemn the killing of Harb Hazaa al-Dulaimi and Soudad al-Douri.

"Targeting journalists in conflict situations is an intolerable war crime, recognized as such by the Geneva Conventions," she said.

Dulaimi and Douri's deaths were "a terrible reminder of the unacceptable toll paid by courageous media workers dedicated to keeping us informed", Bokova said.

Both men were reportedly killed by militants from the Islamic State jihadist group in a village near the northern Iraqi city of Mosul on July 7 while covering fighting in the former IS bastion for Iraqi TV channel Salaheddin Television.

A total seven reporters have been slain in Iraq this year alone - one of the deadliest countries in the world to be a journalist - according to media watchdog Reporters without Borders.

--IANS/AKI

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