May 9, 11

NEWS / UNESCO deplores killing of outspoken Peruvian radio presenter

9 May 2011 –
The United Nations agency tasked with promoting press freedom today voiced its condemnation of the murder of an outspoken Peruvian radio news presenter who had criticized local authorities in the north of the Andean country.

Julio Castillo Narváez, the host of a news programme on Ollantay Radio in the city of Virú, was shot dead last Tuesday – which was also World Press Freedom Day – by unknown assailants.

Irina Bokova, the Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), issued a statement deploring the killing and urging authorities to investigate the crime and bring the culprits to justice.

“This crime is an attack on the basic human right of journalists and citizens to speak their mind and hold free debates about issues that concern them,” Ms. Bokova said.

“The tragedy of this killing is made all the more poignant for occurring on a day dedicated to the celebration of press freedom.”

Mr. Castillo was renowned for his criticism of local authorities and had received repeated death threats before he was slain, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=38312&Cr=journalist&Cr1=