I deplore the death of Valery Kozhin and call for a thorough investigation into the circumstances. Journalists serve the critical role of informing the world in conflict situations and must therefore be protected. I reiterate my call for the observance of international humanitarian law, including United Nations Security Council Resolution 2222 on the protection of journalists, media professionals and associated personnel in situations of conflict.
Audrey AzoulayUNESCO Director-General
Valery Kozhin, a Russian national, was a cameraman for Russian television channel NTV. He was reportedly killed in a shelling attack that also severely injured a fellow journalist he was accompanying from the same media outlet, near the city of Horlivka in eastern Ukraine, temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation.
UNESCO promotes the safety of journalists through global awareness-raising, capacity building and by coordinating the implementation of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.
