UNESCO Director-General condemns killing of journalist Aydos Sadykov in Ukraine

I condemn the killing of journalist Aydos Sadykov and call for a thorough investigation to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice. The safety of journalists must be guaranteed wherever they may be working, to enable them to exercise their journalistic duties.

Aydos Sadykov was a Kazakh online journalist who had been living in exile in Ukraine, where he founded and managed a YouTube channel, Base, for the past ten years, covering stories on corruption. He was reportedly shot on 18 June and died in hospital after 13 days in a coma.

UNESCO promotes the safety of journaliststhrough global awareness-raising, capacity building and by coordinating the implementation of the UN Plan of Actionon the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.

About UNESCO

With 194 Member States, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization contributes to peace and security by leading multilateral cooperation on education, science, culture, communication and information. Headquartered in Paris, UNESCO has offices in 54 countries and employs over 2300 people. UNESCO oversees more than 2000 World Heritage sites, Biosphere Reserves and Global Geoparks; networks of Creative, Learning, Inclusive and Sustainable Cities; and over 13 000 associated schools, university chairs, training and research institutions. Its Director-General is Audrey Azoulay.

"Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed" - UNESCO Constitution, 1945.

More information: www.unesco.org