UNESCO is deeply concerned by a recent report by "Reporters sans Frontiers" (RSF), a French NGO, according to which in the first eight months of 1999, 20 journalists were killed in the course of their work: Colombia (one), Lebanon (one), Nigeria (two), Sierra Leone (ten), Yugoslavia (six). The figure is higher than that for all of 1998. UNESCO condemns this new wave of violence against representatives of the media after four years during which the number of journalists killed had been falling. The murder of Colombian journalist and humorist Jaime Garzon on 13 August, which UNESCO's Director General described as a "heinous attack on freedom of speech and civil peace", brought to 20 the number of journalists killed since 1 January, according to RSF. In 1998, Colombia was the country where most journalists were murdered: four were shot dead because their investigations were causing trouble to drug traffickers, armed groups or the local authorities. RSF considers the murder of journalists as an good indicator of the suffering endured by the rest of the population. Most of the victims perished in zones of conflict. Just after the 50th anniversary celebrations for the Geneva Conventions, Reporters Sans Frontières notes that some states are incapable of protecting civilians, and particularly journalists, in wartime. Yet Article 3 states that "people who are not directly involved in hostilities (...) will be treated humanely in all circumstances". Source: RSF Press Release of 16/08/99        Contact Sylvie Coudray, UNESCO, Programme of Freedom of Expression, Democracy and Peace