Paris, April 4 {No.2000-30} - UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura has expressed shock at news that Haitian journalist Jean Léopold Dominique was assassinated in Port-au-Prince today.

Jean Léopold Dominique, aged 69, director of Radio Haiti Inter and a well-known political commentator, was shot dead on his way to his office. He had been exiled from his country several times because of his commitment for democracy.

Mr Matsuura declared: "The murder of Jean Léopold Dominique will distress all those who believe in Haiti's democratic future and all who fight for freedom of speech."

The Director-General added: "A society striving to heal its still fresh wounds needs to keep open all avenues of expression and dialogue. UNESCO is encouraging the Haitian authorities in their effort to foster a peaceful climate, indispensable for real and sustainable development." He also extended his condolences to the colleagues and relatives of Jean Léopold Dominique.